Pouch hasn't felt full

Hi I am Mike Hughes, had my surgery on 7/28/09 at the Jesse Brown VA medical Center. Was on the liquid diet for a while now on the cream of wheat, cream of chicken, and etc. diet. Very boring. Hope to get something different when I go for my check up Tuesday. Here is my question. I know they talk about listen to your pouch. I have only had the full feeling one time and that was in the hospital when they gave me a stool softner and some liquid diet items. What is going on? I thought maybe the cream soups and things just run through. Any idea?

Hey, Mike!

I had a second piece of advice beyond "listen to your pouch" ... and that was to measure my portions so I would eat the proper amounts (along with the standard "protein first").  We don't have to eat until we are "full" any longer; eating is now to get in the nutrition we need. I've had very few full feelings and I'm pushing 3.5 months post-op.

The real restrictive liquid/puree/soft diet will be gone before you know it.  Hang in there, and welcome to the Loser's Bench!

Once you are on solids, you will feel full much sooner.  You may want to measure your portions, but you probably won't have to.  He your pretein and chew, chew, chew.  You may want to put your fork down and savor your food as you chew.  It usually takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to signal your brain that you are full.  Eat slowly and your will get that feeling before you are really full.  I had my revision in Jan, 2005, and I still get a feeling of fullness rather early with most meals.  I used to wolf down my food.  Now I eat it slowly and enjoy it.  When I go out to a restaruant, I usually take half of the meal home with me for leftovers.

Hi Mike!

Welcome to the Locker Room. 

Soups are considered "slider" foods because they don't stay in your pouch too long.  When you move into the purees/soft food stage it gets better.  Your insides will be a while before they "communicate" with you in a normal fashion.  Pay particular attention to the pain behind the breastbone.  That is your new gizzard's way of telling you it is full, you ate/drank too fast or you ate something it did not care for.

Welcome Mike.  Losttrexn has it.  The feeling behind the breast bone is a signal.  Also, I did'nt get a "full" feeling, I just had and have a "satisfied" feeling  No CLEANING THE PLATE ANYMORE.  Portions are necessary and they may be dictated by that "satisfied" feeling.  When you get to solids pay attention to it.  And pay attention to your food choices.  Call us up anytime for sample choices.  Some of these guys have great dishes .  Ya know real food for real men  post WLS our "Brand"
How's the exercising going?  gotta burn cals daily over the normal (1700 cals) standing and breathing cals.
Good luck

Samples always sound good.

Mike,
     The rest of the guys have said it all well. I just wanted to welcome you aboard and say congrats on your surgery. Nice to have another minister here. We can sometimes use the moral insperation and Brian has been carrying most of that execss weight (not his mind you) alone.

I haven't minded carrying some inspirational weight at times ... but when it comes to physical weight, it's onward and downward!

My biggest issue has been exercise.  I've fallen back into my old schedule habits and stay too busy to get the walking done.  Tonight I got back on the wagon - well, off the wagon, actually - and did my 30 minute walk at about 3.5 mph.  It felt good, even though this was the second most hot and humid day of the summer.  Now to do the same tomorrow ... maybe 15 minutes from home to church in the morning, and 15 minutes back to get the car for some afternoon appointments.

One day at a time.

Just one more bit of info: 

When you have surgery the nerves get cut and it takes them a few weeks to heal and that is why you dont get that full feeling .

Dave