Question:
Suddenly needing more food to be full. What's going on?

I am 8 months out RNY and suddenly I can not eat enough. I used to be able to eat say a half a chicken breast and now I want a whole one. I have cut out a lot of the bad carbs, but still have some. Is it possible that my body now requires more food? I hope I haven't over stretched my pouch or this will lead to the bad habits that got me overweight in the first place. Anyone else have an increase in appetite almost overnight?    — Heather M. (posted on January 26, 2004)

January 26, 2004
Having read that you were a VBS teacher, and being mindful of the great sermon I heard on Sunday from our pastor on Romans 15 (about service to others), I feel compelled to offer some constructive advice on your issues. You need to keep a few things in mind because your body does start to sense hunger again after the sixth month-- and real, actual, bona fide hunger can undermine anyone's best efforts. First, you seem to have been playing with fire since early on-- whether going to the "Twinkie store", over-indulging at Sam's Club, sampling sugar free treats or returning to fast eating (all confessions you made in your profile)-- playing with the temptations that you have re-introduced into your life can only lead to difficulty as you endeavor to control the actual hunger you feel. Particuarly as you still seem to have an emotional connection with food (you acknowledged some sadness in throwing out half of a sugar-free cheesecake). Secondly, you've been blessed with great strength and have demonstrated an ability to lose the weight. So why not tap into that strength and try to avoid what appear to be trigger foods for you (like the sugar-free treats) and try to discern why food continues to hold such a draw for you. A few things to try might be (1) to up your fluid intake (I drink a lot of coffee and concentrated Crystal Lite when those "eat-anything" moods start to call), (2) to keep a small supply of low-carb protein bars on hand to satisfy those urges and (3) to dramatically increase your protein intake (as the protein will promote longer satiety. You have a deep religious faith that inspires others (I know how much my daughters loved their VBS experiences because their teachers demonstrated to them the strength that comes from being a part of an extended worship-family). So rely upon that strength to work on suppressing the food demons-- you won't be alone in your fight. Good luck.
   — SteveColarossi

January 26, 2004
I'm 8 months out too, and I'm down 105 lbs. I notice that I can eat more as well now, especially at night. A nibble here and a nibble there, even after a large supper (chicken breast, some veggies).....seems I have to eat again soon after I'm done(within about 1.5 hours or less). I'm doing my best to eat protein, but I'm finding myself now wanting bread, which has been a no-no for me up until now. Yes, it's whole wheat, but the carbs have a tendency to creep on me and then I notice I eat more. I'm trying to stay 20 or less per day in the carb dept, but it's getting HARD!!! I hope someone answers this so that I can figure out in my head what's going on too! Good thing about drinking more, think I'll start that......
   — richarro

January 26, 2004
Hi Heather, I am 9 months out and down 100 pounds,:0) and I too, have found out recently I can eat a little more,and I do get hungry in the evening, mornings and durring the day are not problems for me. I have never dumped, so I can hve some sweets (IN MODERATION) just one small bit, of candy bar, will satisfy me I chew it very slowley, so I really tast it and enjoy that one bite but I still cant eat a whole chicken breast. I dont eat alot of sugar free things, I didnt care for them pre op let alone post op, I would have always rather had more prime rib, than desert. I do pay very close attention to what goes into my mouth now, I dont just stuff my mouth unconcisiouly like I did pr op. I tell my self everything in moderation, and I dont always have to have a bite, but I control the food its doesnt control me. I feel if you ignore your hunger and keep ignoring it you will for sure over eat the wrong thing and too much of it. For me I would say "nip it in the bud " have (ONE) small bite, enjoy it and then have a piece of cheese or meat or at least high protien, or eat popcorn, it's filling and very satisfying. If you eat alot of sweets or sf sweets you will keep craving them, and they will gain control over you. Good luck and enjoy the ride!
   — wizz46

January 27, 2004
I think we all through a period where we can't believe that we can eat a certain amount, it happens in shifts. I am now at 18 months out and yesterday I couldn't finish my normal size portion for breakfast or lunch, but for dinner I had a chicken thigh, about 6 bites of coleslaw and almost a full biscuit from KFC - dipped in gravy (rare indulgence) and after I felt too full, but that's all I ate for the day, I wasn't nearly the calories I need for maintenance, but I listen to my body now. If I am hungry (and it's time to eat... I eat) If I am hungry and it's not time for a meal or snack, then I make a cup of cocoa ( I use No sugar added Swiss Miss and "Dr" it up - this time I have a mixture of Vanilla protein powder, Hershey Unsweetend Cocoa, splenda, Molly McButter Buds and Powdered milk ) I gives some protein and tastes great to boot. I generally keep my carbs to 20 per day, but on occaision (no more than 1 per week) I splurge and have a treat whether it's a sugar free dessert, biscuits and gravy or popcorn at the movie. I want to be a normal person and I know that I did not get obese by indulging (and truly enjoying it) but, rather, I got obese (not only due to family traits) but from eating poorly on a daily basis. I now enjoy food and know what limits I have to maintain the health that I choose. Most of us had very poor habits prior to surgery, the 'window of opportunity' that everyone talks about is also the window of learning, this is the time to re-learn about habits, educating ourselves about food and health and setting goals for our future. I personally have vowed to never eat anything that I don't like (we've all been there, ate it because it was there, even if it didn't taste the best, then... looked for what we REALLY wanted....) At 8 months out you will have your hungry days and your days where you don't finish anything. And it will continue from now on. Good luck!
   — Dana B.

January 27, 2004
Heather, yes, your appetite and amounts you eat do increase several times the first year or two. That is normal, from the return of our appetites (drat) to increased amounts at meals. How do you feel after eating 1/2 a chicken breast? Still hungry? and after a whole breast? Full, or overly full? One thing I have learned is to just eat enough to be satisfied and only put that amount on your plate. I made stuffed peppers the other day-big ones with hamburger. I made the mistake of putting a whole one on my plate. After eating 1/2 of it I was satisfied/full. I put it down and watched a tv show but left it in sight. Yeah, thats right, I nibbled on it over the next 1/2 hour to an hour and ate the whole thing! Lesson learned-put 1/2 on your plate and put the other 1/2 out of sight! Your body will tell you when hungry but you have to distinguish between real hunger and head hunger. That second half of the stuffed pepper was head hunger-saw it and ate it. If hungry, eat but choose well. Sometimes several small and frequent mostly protein based meals or snacks (every few hours) works best to stave off hunger. I know that if I let myself get too hungry I will always make dumb choices and if I feed me when just starting to feel hungry, always make better choices.
   — Cindy R.

January 27, 2004
Since everyone covered food and protein shakes, my question is: have you checked your mechanics? Staple line disruption? Fistula? Relaxed stoma?
   — vitalady

February 3, 2004
My fortune cookie the other day said... "enough is as good as a feast" I am keeping that isn mind as my appetite is back and I can eat more than I could initially. My doc says it is normal to be able to eat more as time goes on.
   — **willow**