Freak of nature
So luckily, last Friday I went to the Dr and I can start eating real people food again. No more oatmeal for every meal. I have been getting in way more protein then ever and I'm actually feeling pretty good. I don't seem to be as tired all the time like I was before.
The one thing I am noticing though, is that I don't think I have felt "fullness". For example, whatever I take for myself to eat, I will most likely finish what's on my plate and not go for more. But I don't really feel full. I take very small portions of everything but still. LIke today, I got some shrimp for dinner. Just regular shrimp nothing on it. I put about 6-7 in the bowl, thinking whatever I don't finish I'll save for later, and I ate them all! I didn't get uncomfortable, and I ate slowly, but I'm still not "full". I have no need or intention of eating anymore but isn't that too much? I really wish that I knew exactly how many bites of something I should eat and then be done. (I don't know how to measure 4oz). I'm afraid there's something wrong with me since I'm not getting full. I don't want to test it though by eating a lot and seeing what happen. That sounds like a really bad idea. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it normal or am I nuts?
Finally, I'm not really watching my calories. Again, I don't really eat a lot of anything and I have done pretty darn good about not eating carbs for the most part (I did have 4 russian dumplings for lunch today and thats meat wrapped in dough). I have just been so preoccupied with counting protein that I haven't counted calories. Is that bad as well? Should I be counting both? As someone who's has WLS am I going to be spending the rest of my life counting protein and calories?
I know that's a lot of questions but I'm still really afraid that I'm going to do something wrong. Now that the weather is nicer and I am walking around a lot and compared to what I used to eat on a daily basis, it's SOOOoooOOOo much less, and yet, I'm still scared.
:(
Hmm...
How long do you take to eat? The mind takes 20-minutes for that fullness signal to hit. And it would be very clever for you to buy a measuring cup. You don't want to stretch your pouch. You could hurt yourself that way. Some people who have complications I feel don't adhere to the plan. So please be careful with that. Even if you don't "feel" full.
Also, that feeling of fullness you used to have will be different. I had to relearn my body's "fullness" cues for me. Otherwise I'd be full to busting and that's bad. I've dumped a couple of times because of that. You really have to pay attention because it'll be very subtle. My fullnes queue is that I feel stretched. I also had to learn my new hunger cue. Mine is that I feel like there's a hole where my stomach is. It used to be my stomach felt acidic and burning like acid reflux.
You're not counting your calories? That's three kinds of wrong right there. Yes, you will be spending the rest of your life counting calories. A small sacrifice I think compared to the quality of life you'll get. I was almost 500# myself. Now I'm a little under 330#. I no longer am dependant on Vicodin to get me through the day. I no longer am huffing and puffing just walking to my office. I feel attractive. I'll probably live 10 years longer now. I've beaten my family's tendency to get hypertension and diabetes. Having children is actually a choice I can make with good conscience.
I mean, you don't have to. No one is making you. It would just be very clever if you did.
I don't think you are a freak. For the longest time after surgery, I didn't feel full and I did get hungry..contrary to popular belief that it doesn't happen. It sounds like you are eating a lot of soft foods, which is good but that might explain why you are able to eat more than you think. I'm sure if you were to eat like a hamburger with a bun, you'd very quickly realize full. Know what I mean? Don't test yourself, I've thrown up a few times and it's so unpleasant. I had to learn the hard way I just can't tolerate certain things such as rice.
I started out weighing and measuring everything. I don't so much anymore but I do log my food at www.fitday.com. I do this because I'm a visual person and I LIKE to see what I'm eating and how much I'm getting. If you start measuring and weighing you'll start to figure out how many calories and protein something has just by eyeballing it. So, no, you won't necessarily have to do it your whole life but it is a great thing to do if you ever find yourself stalled or gaining just so you can actually see what you have been eating and how much. My nuts actually don't require me to keep track of my protein or calories but I do it anyway...so ask yours what they suggest.
Hope that helps!!
~Emily~
"Tis better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you are not"
