Question:
When did the feeling of fullness start after surgery?

The nurse told me that when I went home after the 10 day post op visit that I could start to eat solid food and that I would probably be able to eat a little more until my new stomach healed and then the full sensation would be there and I would not be able to eat as much. I am not sure if I have that full sensation because I only had pain in the center of my chest maybe 3 times in the past couple of days and not at every meal. I do not know if something got stuck or I was full. Also I still feel like I am getting too much food at a meal. This could be mental. I have spoken with another patient who had the surgery in Jan 2001 and she said she never felt full, but it is possible she never ate enough to get that feeling. How do I know if I am feeling fullness or if the pain is from something else. What is too much food 4 weeks post op? What should my serving size of protein and carbs be per meal at 4 weeks post op?    — Lena H. (posted on November 16, 2001)

November 16, 2001
I had this same problem and still do half the time. I am 5 months post op RNY. My doctor has told me to eat no more than 4 ounces at one meal. I dont feel full after 4 ounces but I stop eating anyway because I dont want to stretch my pouch. Some people get the full feeling and some dont. I know it sux. But sometimes I CAN get the full feeling after just 4 ounces, usually at dinner. I can hold more at lunch. Does this help any? Or have i just confused you more?
   — Dana D.

November 16, 2001
I'm going to assume you had the RNY. For me (5 mos post), the full feeling is the same as if you ate too much after Thanksgiving dinner. You feel like you just need to sit still or lay down for a minute. I'd say I feel like that every couple weeks or so. Or sometimes you just don't feel the urge to eat anymore. At 4 weeks I was on soft foods and got a food scale and had no more than 1-2 oz per meal 3-4 times a day. I was on 1 30g per day protein drink as well. Watch out for certain carbs -- they will turn right into sugar. Good luck and God Bless!
   — Kimberly L.

November 16, 2001
I was on a liquid diet for 4 weeks then I advanced to soft solids then to solids. For the first 6 to 8 months, I felt full after just a few mouthfuls of food. It didn't feel like a pain in my chest..that sensation you describe sounds like acid reflux. Full feels just like it felt when you overate prior to your surgery. That "I can't eat another bite" feeling. But, not painful at all. When I had my surgery, my doctor gave me explciit instructions about what, when and how much I was to eat. Didn't you get similar instructions? If not get in touch with your surgeon or your nutritionist and ask them to review this with you and to five you something in writing. At 5 weeks a typical lunch for me was a tiny (3 oz) piece of baked fish and a couple of tablespoons of mashed carrots or a few oz of diced baked chicken with some diced tomatoes. Not much, but it left me "full" for 5 or 6 hours.
   — [Anonymous]

November 16, 2001
I am 1 week post-op and I was wondering the same thing. I am never hungry, don't exactly get a full sensation. It just feels different, like pain in the center of my chest. I figured the insides are still healing which would account for the uncomfortableness that I feel in the chest. Good Luck. We will figure it all out eventually.
   — Cheri M.