Question:
WHY AM I NOT GETTING THE FULL FEELING?????????

I had Lap RNY on 11/06/08. I started soft foods/pureed food on 11/21/08. I did pretty good on the liquid diet but now I am scared with the soft foods. When I eat, I do not feel full. Many people say they can only eat about 2 bites then they are full. I never get the full feeling. Since I try to get in all of my liquids, sometimes I eat once a day. Today was different. I had a cup of skim milk for breakfast. Then for lunch I was able to eat 8 oz. of hummus w/fat free cheese. For dinner I was able to eat about 8oz of cottage cheese. After the 8oz., I did not get full. I felt I could still eat more. I did notice that after eating my stomach starting to rumbel and I started to burp. In order to get in all of my liquids, I sometimes drink 32 oz. at one time. Is my pouch too big? Have I stretched it out by drinking too much at one time? Please help, I feel like a failure already. I feel like the suregery is not working. I only get in my protein from the food or milk I eat/drink. Is this why I do not feel full and I can eat a lot? If I can eat this much now, I am scared at what I will be able to eat in the upcomng months. I know this is a lot of info, but I am beginning to panic!!    — DIMPLES69 (posted on November 24, 2008)

November 24, 2008
hi stacey- there are so many surgeons/nuts out there, all with differing protocols for food consumption, amounts etc, but the one thing the all agree on (almost all) is how to drink your liquids. its slowly, sip, sip, sip. You can stretch the pouch by guzzling, but you are so newly post op, i doubt you have. Rule of thumb is drink 1 ounce every 5 minutes, memorize what 1 oz feels like in your mouth, and after a while, going slowly and getting in the required amt will be automatic. Another difference in surgeons/nuts is the amount you are only ALLOWED post op- you mention 8 oz? Wow, i will be 5 years post op in march, and still only allowed half cup of total food each meal- thats 4 ounces, in that 4 oz i have to get in meat-dense protein, vege-good fiber, and if i want a salad, thats a stretch of the imagination cramming it into the measuring cup. Lastly, most surgeons/nuts say do not eat till u feel full. Eat only the allowed amount on the protocol, and if you finisf that amount, stop, if you eat half, stop if you are satiated. We are to be satiated rather than full. However if you are told to eat 8 oz or more a meal, and be full, then follow those orders. You can however do some sleuthing, checking out all the available wls offices in your area and ask what their protocol is. Its amazing the differences. Good luck. Cindi G MD 3.24.04 -230# maintaining loss and still measuring my food lol
   — DollyDoodles

November 24, 2008
Likewise, I am almost 4 years out from my RNY. I still only eat 1/4 cup each of nutrition-packed foods at my 6 meals. I still separate my eating from my drinking. You need to follow what the previous person said. You need to separate your liquids as well by not having any liquids 1/2 hour before a meal and 1/2 to 1 hour after each meal. You can juice your vegetables using a Juiceman II juicer or something similar. You also need to change your thinking of "I feel like a failure," "the surgery is not working," and "I'm scared at what I will be able to eat in the upcoming months." Those words are "victim" words. All support group leaders had the opportunity recently to learn about "victim, survivor, and thriver" behaviors, thinking patterns, etc. You should check with support group leaders in your area and ask them when they plan to present further information on victim, survivor and thriver behaviors and thinking patterns at their support group meetings. If they have not already had this training, it is still available at the OH Leader Board. You can then receive this awesome and powerful information through them. I found this information so powerful. I presented it last Thursday at my own support group meeting. It is amazing how helpful is this energizing information. Some of the things you can do is to change what you say, getting rid of "I am scared" of this and that. You can say such things, as "I am getting better every day in every way." "I regularly eat the right foods." "I nourish my body with healthy foods." Those are survivor words and not thriver words, but you will greatly benefit. Christine Gibson, MS, MA, OH Coach, and WLS Support Group Leader, www.ObesityHelp.com/group/BellevueWA
   — Christine Gibson

November 24, 2008
I agree with the others, but want to add that slider foods may not stay in the pouch and therefore you may not feel full..I am 5 months post and still measure out my food and eat 2 oz per meal. You should not have an appetite..if you do, it is most likely to be head hunger. Eat the required amount and wait until the next meal to eat more. Learn to eat to fuel your body, and you won't go wrong. I was told that drinking will not stretch the pouch..as it passes right thru, but I wouldn't gulp any drink. I do however eat a can a v-8 like it is soup--add garlic and blk pepper, heat it and spoon it in..It takes me 20-30 minutes and its a liquid (11 oz can) . Hope this helps. Hugs, Kim
   — gpcmist

November 25, 2008
I think you just need denser protein...Right now the foods you are eating are "sliders" and it's easy to over eat them because they "slide" right out of your pouch and you never feel them...Similar to water. Your stoma might be larger than normal, but that doesn't mean you have to eat and eat and eat. I didn't feel hunger for some 2 years post op...but if I over ate...I KNEW it with pain! Some days I feel like the bottomless pit and I just have no idea why I can eat so much some days I can barely eat 800 calories. I think you need some denser proteins soon and don't look for that "full" feeling rathewr try to eat til you no longer "feel hungry"....If you are still not sure what you feel...Get a food scale and measure your food...One serving is PLENTY for any post op and should be plenty for you so newly post op! Don't eat out of containers...Measure out a serving. In the long run, this will help you stay focused until you can learn what a serving looks like visually. I can guess out a 4 oz piece of meat exactly...I know what a 1/4 c of rice or pasta looks like too... If the package says one serving of almonds is 16 almonds...I take ONLY 16 almonds, even if I can eat more...This is a lifestyle change...You have to continue watching what and how much you eat forever...The first year, you want to lose as MUCH as you can...after that losing gets really hard...and maintenence can be a challenge if you have no good habits after that first year. Don't panic...take control! You can do this! Call your surgeon and ask if you can start eating a little soft or pureed meats! That might be all you need to feel confidence that your tool is working! Good luck!
   — .Anita R.

November 25, 2008
I agree with what the others have said. I am 5 months RNY today. I can small portions and eat about every two hours, a half of peanut butter sandwich, a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese etc. Getting the protein will greatly improve the "hunger" If you are not getting 60 oz of protein in the long road you may have health difficulties that your doctor needs to be informed. I still use the protein supplements once or twice a day. My hair loss appears to have slowed and new hair is coming in. Liquids are really important to avoid constipation but s l o w l y. I do not drink out of a glass but use a sippy drinking bottle. I find if I use a glass I will take in to much liquid thus slowing the process to get the required 64 oz per day. I am rarely hungry but sometimes will get the shakes and I have to stop and eat some protein and drink liquid. Pace yourself as the others have said. Find a support group. This site is very helpful and has great hints with problems pre and post op. Hang in there we are all in this journey together.
   — redpetal_14

November 27, 2008
I also experienced this when I began eating what they call "slider" foods. It wasn't until I started to eat denser meats and foods that I experienced the feeling of restriction. You'll feel it for sure! I could only get 3 or 4 bites down and I would feel so uncomfortably full. Although, I can still eat endless amounts of slider foods without that full feeling still. Slider foods are foods that are not as dense, like yogurt, cottage cheese, and cheeses, that sort.
   — paislieghstar