Question:
I'm three weeks post op....

I am on a soft food diet, a lot of soups, pudding and jello, etc. I have not yet experienced the "full" or "stuffed" feelings. Am I not feeling full because I am on soft foods? Is this normal?    — Earl Z. (posted on June 24, 2003)

June 24, 2003
I'm 4 weeks post op myself. Are you eating approx 4 oz at a time? That's what I was told I should have. I think we'll all need to re-learn what "full" means. Its not the "omg I can't swallow another bite" feeling that we were used to. Its saying to yourself, OK, I've had enough. Be patient, you'll learn your body's signals.
   — lorien

June 24, 2003
Earl- congrats on moving forward with the procedure. The previous poster was right--- it does take a little time to get used to the new body signals. At 3 weeks out, if you're not feeling full, you should give a quick call to your surgeon's office and find out how large your pouch was made. Then, just doublecheck with them as to the appropriate size of your portions. I have a 1 oz. pouch and would have about 4 tablespoons of food in a sitting (that was about 15 minutes)-- and I usually had to force the last bit in b/c I felt absolutely stuffed. However, it really all does depend upon the size of your pouch so do check in with your doctor. Good luck.
   — SteveColarossi

June 24, 2003
I'm about 3.5 weeks post op and it's hard to know when you're "full." My body's signal is a hiccup. LOL I'm on creamed soups and I think that we don't necessarily get "full" right away because mushy stuff goes through quickly and is easy on the pouch. I think "full" doesn't happen until you start on more solid foods. Yes, you're normal. :)
   — Cheryl M.

June 24, 2003
Hi, I'm 7 weeks post op and I was the same way on the soft foods. Now that I can eat "bulkier" foods, I definitely get the full feeling, and you will get it too, eventually. Good luck.
   — Bonnie R.

June 24, 2003
I am not quite 3 mos. I find I get the full feeling much faster when I eat protein. So far the things that go down best are fish, crab and especially LOBSTER. My husband buys those little mini tails and one is just right for a meal. I don't get the full feeling as much with soup, yogurt, vet etc.
   — Gail O.

June 24, 2003
Hi Earl, I never had that "full" feeling while I was still on the liquids. I am 7 weeks post op an didn't feel it until the first time I ate tuna fish, and believe me, there's no missing it when it happens. All I can suggest is once you move up to the next stage of the diet, be very aware of how you're feeling when you eat. YOu will definitely know when you start to get full. If you don't know before, you will surely know once it's too late!! Good luck & pay attention to all the signs your body will give you!
   — Ceil G.

June 24, 2003
earl, i never felt full (or hungry, for that matter) when i was on soft foods. i measured my foods and ate the recommended amount, then stopped regardless of how i felt. when i transitioned ot solid foods, i began to experience feelings of fullness.
   — carolsaunders