Question:
Worried about not getting full

I am two weeks out and have started on soft solids (eggs, beans, tuna) I have eaten as much as a 3 oz portion. I was surprised that I was not full after eating this. I was not hungry either but I am never truly hungry now. Mostly I think I have head hunger. I am really worried that my stoma could be too large and everything is just going through. Has anyone not gotten hungry on soft foods but was fine once on solid food. I also can drink as much water as I want without feeling uncomfortable.    — Heather S. (posted on June 4, 2003)

June 4, 2003
Hiya Heather! You sound just like me! I had my surgery on May 19th, and have experinced all the same things you said. I can drink large amounts, no problem! I didnt think I was getting full, and worried that I could eat like 4ozs of cottage cheese. I havent had any of difficulty others have spoke of and it worried me. What I've realized for me, is that "full" is different for me now, than before post op. I was looking for the same full/over stuffed feeling. Now, its more like a pressure. I just wasnt recognizing it at first, and was eating more than i probably should. It's odd, a completely different feeling for me. Also, I can eat more of some soft foods than others. I think that's just how it goes, but things are starting to settle down now and become more "normal". I went back to measuring everything, and even when I THOUGHT I wanted more..I stopped. That helped alot. When i actually stopped eating, and waited a while..I didnt REALLY want more after a few minutes. In my head I did ;) but I'm finding it isnt TRUE hunger. Hope this helps some..but you're NOT alone in your concerns. I even went back to my surgeon and tried to convince him he made some terrible mistake with me and maybe didnt make things small enough ::giggle:: ;)
   — Goodgirl

June 4, 2003
LB is right on the money. I had surgery last September and experienced the same sensation. I, too, measure everything. I use the same containers each day for my lunch so that I can exercise portion control without appearing overly obsessive to others. I am obsessive about it. It helps. You sound to me like you are doing very well at this point and should be proud. The soft solids do go down better and you can tolerate them well so you can eat more of them. Just keep your eye on portion and protein issues and the rest will take care of itself. I have lost consistently the entire time since surgery and I don't sweat ketosis or carb issues either. It took a while for me to realize that I dumped on EXTREME amounts of sugar, etc. I am not stuffed full, but I am satisfied with the amounts that I eat and try to make wise choices. The head hunger for me lingers to this day. I am nine months out and average 1000 calories a day. I eat consistently all day to keep my head hunger in check. I was a snacker before surgery and know that this has not changed so I deal with it by incorporating my habit into my menu plan. Sample menu: 4 oz milk - bf, 1/2 cup fiber cereal - mm snack, 3/4-1 c of leftover dinner meal - lunch, 1/2 cup fruit - af snack, 3/4-1 c of food - dinner, 1 bowl of popcorn - eve snack, 1 no sugar added fudgesicle. This works for me and keeps me satisfied. I don't always do the popcorn, but I always have my fudgesicle, it keeps me away from other foods. Continuing luck on your journey.
   — Rhonda V.

June 4, 2003
Soft foods are exactly that- soft. So they go down alot easier than denser foods. I wouldn't be too worried about eating 3oz of eggs or somethng along those lines. Try eating 3oz. of chicken- you wouldn't be able to! Once you reach solid foods, you probably won't stay as hungry. Soft foods just pass on quicker, leaving the pouch empty and hungry. So it's probably part real hunger, part head hunger. You're doing fine! Goodluck to you :-)
   — Lezlie Y.