Question:
NOT feeling full

I am 2 weeks post op from prox lap rny. I am on a full liquid diet for four more weeks. I eat broth, sf pudding, sf jello, grits, oatmeal. My concern is that I never feel full. That's one of the main reasons I had this surgery so that I could feel full, it stay with you for hours before having to eat again. What do you guys think? Is this normal for a new post op? Will I get a feeling of being full when it's time for me to eat solids?    — Lisa H. (posted on March 1, 2003)

March 1, 2003
Hi Lisa- I will be 3 weeks post-op this Monday, and I'm not getting the full feeling either. I feel like I'm eating too much and too often. Maybe this changes with solid food-- I hope so.
   — lizinPA

March 1, 2003
Hi, I'm almost 2 weeks post op with a LAP RNY, distal. I am on a full puree diet, liquid, and most foods that can be mashed or put in a food processor to a spreadable consistancy. I thought I wasn't getting full. I was eating the exact amounts that I was advised to eat by my nutritionist. One afternoon, I pushed it a little to see if I COULD feel full. I realized that you can feel full and hungry at the same time. You may feel like you can't eat anmore, but yet want to. Someone answered a question a day or so ago, and they said, it's kind of like the remaining part of your stomach feels hungry and sends the message to you brain. They also said it will subside, and the unused stomach will eventually stop sending the hunger signals. I'll bet you will feel better as soon as you add solid foods to your diet. I'm hoping that this will be the case for me. Good luck!
   — Fixnmyself

March 1, 2003
When I was early out, I had tremendous head hunger. I was truly miserable. It all goes a way with time and solid food. I find now (4 months out and down 110 lbs) that my protein drink sure does curb the ol' appetite. Protein is like that. Once I was able to start 'experimenting' with 'real' food, things settled down. I now eat whatever I want (other than sugar), but I can eat so little of anything. This is good. A VERY little bit totally satisfies me. When I am feeling hungry, I think, "OH NO...NOW I WILL BEGIN MY OLD WAYS AGAIN!" I FEEL like I could go right back there! Doesn't happen! ;) This works. You just may need more 'calories'. Tell your doctor and do follow his plan. If you push it and move ahead too soon, you WILL pay a price. Good luck and hang in there.
   — Ginger M.

March 1, 2003
I'm guessing here, but I bet it has to do with the liquid diet your surgeon has you on. I have been on solid foods since week 2 but just have to chew to mush and I definitely get either a satisfied or full feeling. Right now I think I took one or two bites too much because I am feeling pretty full and I ate about an hour ago, so I still need to work on slowing down so that signal hits me before I overeat. I'm eating between 1/4 to 3/8 cup of protein and veggies/fruit and am comfortable, but usually around meal time I am feeling hungry. My biggest problem is as I add new foods and they taste so good it is sometimes hard to want to stop. That was my biggest problem pre-op - if it tasted good it was meant to all be eaten. I just got water out of the refrig and saw the rest of the tiny can of peaches I had for lunch and my immediate thought was that would taste good, but I guarantee you if I had tried to eat them I would be 100% miserable and this is the little snack cans of which I have already eaten 1 Tblsp of it for lunch. <p>So I guess the only thing I can offer is to first talk to your surgeon and let them know of your problem and 2nd to hang in there because when real food comes into the picture it is amazing how little fills you up. Good Luck!
   — zoedogcbr

March 1, 2003
I ran into the same problem immediately post op. Now I'm 7 1/2 weeks out and have definitely felt full. I didn't for the first five weeks or so, and I thought maybe the surgery didn't work. When you go to the next step of your dietary recommendations, you will probably feel better. It's hard to feel full on liquids and pureed foods. The first time I felt full, I wanted to cry with joy, since I knew it was working. Even now, there are some days where I feel like I can eat a lot more than I should be able to, but it's still WAY less than I used to, and there are days where a couple of bites makes me feel full. Hang it there.
   — Angie K.

March 2, 2003
I think that's one of the problems why so many in this country are obese. We eat until we're full instead of eating to supply our body with fuel/food. If I ate until I was full I would probably out eat my DS. I remember eating alot!!!!When I told my surgeon that I still wasn't full he said "just because you can, dsn't mean you do". I live by that montra. I make sure I have normal portions and get my fluids in. Then, if I'm still hungry I get busy and if I'm still hungry 20 minutes later I have a light snack. A snack, not another meal. It does get easier to tell and yes, there are times when I'm full but get that guide out of your mind! Eat to be healthy and satisfied. Satisfied isn't full. Best wishes on this wonderful journey.
   — Linda M.