Question:
My stomach and brain are out of sync!

Hi. I am 5 weeks post RNY. I have had problems adjusting to food.....I eat what I think is a small portion and try hard to feel the first "I'm full" signal. But my stomach seems to accept more than it really can and then 45 minutes later (after finishing eating), I realize I am TOO full. It is like my brain and my pouch are out of whack. I know I have to go back to using a measure cup to only eat what my pouch can really hold. My question.....does the brain and stomach ever get back into sync and if so, when??    — Katie E. (posted on December 30, 2002)

December 30, 2002
Try eating a little slower. I know some Dr's put limits on how long they want you to eat (mine doesn't and is fine with this) but I take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes to eat my meal. I always measure out 4 ounces of food because I know this is more than I have ever been able to eat. I go from there. Also, don't wait for the "i'm full" try to get the "I'm satisfied" feeling first. Hope this helps!
   — salymsmommy

December 30, 2002
Katie, I still have problems with that one. Some days it seems I can eat anything and lots of it and others I can only get in about 4 oz. So I did the cottage cheese test and it was right at the 5oz mark. Needless to say, my eyes are still larger than my stomach. The full feeling doesn't come until 20 minutes later then like you say, too late and stuffed. So my new approch is just what the other poster said. I stop when I think it's enough and it has worked so far. Good Luck
   — Jeana S.

December 30, 2002
Yes you must eat slower and then you will know when you are satified and not full. I "still" eat to fast and often get into trouble. If I eat slow, I have no problems knowing when I'm full.
   — Danmark

December 30, 2002
I read in a book a while back that humans were designed with a "message delay" from the stomach to the brain *on purpose*. When we were primitive hunter type people, it was essential for our survival to eat extra, because there was no telling when our next meal would be. And to make sure we would eat extra, the message from the stomach to the brain was delayed. Well, this makes gigantic sense to me. I have lost 70 pounds since March (I have not had surgery yet) partly because I force myself to stop eating when I'm still hungry. I mean, I might have a tuna sandwich and an apple and feel like I've eaten nothing, but I stop there. And in about 20 minutes I get a totally satisfied feeling. (If I don't, then I will eat some more.) I don't just mean that the urge to eat has passed, I mean my brain gets a full, satisfied message from the stomach. My message is on a TWENTY MINUTE delay! Who new? Before, I would always eat another tuna sandwich or 3 more slices of pizza, etc., in those twenty minutes, because I had no feeling of satisfaction. Now I've learned to wait for the delayed message to see whether or not I am satisfied. It's helped me cut way, way back on my calorie intake. Maybe your "satisfied" message is on a long delay, too. It's a pain, but we would have done great as primitive hunters!
   — Kim A.