Question:
7 wks post-op - Why do I try to eat too much?

I was wondering if anyone else is having the same difficulty as I am knowing when to stop eating? I feel like I am chewing a lot, but I can't seem to slow down the bites. I end up taking a couple bites too many, and then I'm in agony and ultimately throw up. (Not every day, but often enough!) I can't understand why it is taking me so long to learn through this negative reinforcement! The food looks so good, I keep thinking it will be ok this time. Anyone else do this? How long should I wait in between bites? Any help is appreciated! Thanks! (LapRNY 5/13/02)    — Lauren C. (posted on July 1, 2002)

July 1, 2002
It's a right of passage so to speak to do that. I went thru about 2 months of occassionally over eating. I guess subconsciencely you do it because we are used to over eating. And it takes a while to get the feel down for not over eating. And I know I'd sometimes think "Oh well my pouch has stretched and I won't get sick" or some stupid thing like that and I'd do it to prove myself wrong.
   — Renee V.

July 1, 2002
I went through the very same thing (Lap RNY 12-13-01), and my husband is going through it now (Lap RNY 6/4/02). It really does seem to be a rite of passage. You have to force your NEW self to be in control of food. What do I mean by NEW self? Well... you have to make your new self on your own, and you do so by creating control over food. I used to get only five bites on my plate, and could only eat three of them. Oh, how I wanted those other two! Sometimes I would eat those other two and be miserable and throw up... just like you. It took me so long to create this new control over food, and it isn't easy, but you CAN do it! I started by eating only two of the five bites and putting my plate in the fridge. An hour later, I went back and had my third bite. The other two bites were saved for a snack the next day. I put them in a freezer bag and tossed it in the freezer. That took the temptation away. Sometimes, my husband had to take my plate from me to keep me from eating that fourth bite... I would look at what was left on my plate when I was full, and moan... his signal to take that plate because I wasn't strong enough yet! LOL!! Bite timing... with me, it was simple take a bite, chew it to death (essentially liquid), swallow it, and take another bite. I didn't time it, because that made me more conscious of the amount of food I was allowed to eat. I would know, usually by the middle of the next bite being chewed, if my tummy was full or not, and if it was full, I spit the bite in my mouth out. I refused to swallow it anyway, because I knew if I did, I would be losing my entire dinner, and it was too good to do that!! I hope this helps some, and good luck!!!
   — Sharon M. B.

July 1, 2002
I agree with Sharon's post completely. It is just something you need to get used to. Remember that you are trying to "undo" a lifetime of bad eating habits, and that "JUST ONE MORE BITE" habit is definately one that is hard to overcome. Good Luck, you can do it!!
   — Vicki L.

July 1, 2002
Eat on a saucer for a tea cup with baby utensils. Cut your food up into eraser size pieces. Chew each bite 30 times. Wait 1 minute between bites. Don't drink liquids 1/2 hour before and 1hr after meals. Meals last no more than 40 minutes. These rules seem rigid and silly, but when I follow them I NEVER get sick!! You'll see after awhile you eat slower and chew your food more. Good Luck
   — Robert L.

July 1, 2002
Four years after my VBG I STILL had this problem. I would order soup and a side at a restaurant, thinking that I could eat that much -- not! I never was able to rethink the portions. I always had a bigger portion than my stomach could handle. Puked a lot. Hind sight -- I should have put a measured portion on to a plate and leave it at that. It may not go away by itself -- it didn't for me. 4 years later, I was marveling at how I could still be ordering too much. And why I continued to eat even when I knew it would cause great discomfort and/or puking. Good luck. (Plus, it wasn't just a food I wanted, it was a quantity I associated with comfort that I was seeking).
   — Karen F.

July 1, 2002
Do you know when I do that? When I get too hungry! Are you waiting until you are REALLY HUNGRY to eat? Try eating every couple of hours in reasonable amounts. Not only does it help keep your metabolism steady throughout the day, it keeps you from overstuffing because you don't feel so hungry and go thru your food so fast! Hope this helps. Good luck and happy losing!
   — ctyst

July 1, 2002
One suggestion I heard at a recent support group meeting was to buy one of those little hourglass looking 2 minute egg timers. They are real small. Turn it over everytime you swallow a bite of food, and don't take your next bite until all the sand runs through. This gives your brain a couple of mins to catch up with your stomach and tell you that you are full. I plan on buying one after my surgery, and the people that use them swear by them.
   — Greg P.

July 2, 2002
Lauren--I'm 4 weeks post op and have had the same problem. I eat slow but apparently not slow enough. I've bought myself some tiny containers to place my food in and when I eat I take a bite then set it down for a minute or so and then take another bite and the yucky feeling in my tummy is gone. Hope that helps!!!! bambi :o)
   — Bambi C.