Question:
I'm NOT feeling full

I'm know we are not to compare ourselves to others, but... why is it I can eat and NOT feel full? My husband and other people I know has had wls and when they eat they feel full for hours! (at least an hour and a half) Not me, I can eat again, depending on what it is that I have had. For example, for Christmas dinner, I had a couple of bites of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and other "Christmas" food. I didn't feel overly full, but I stopped eating. Then an hour or so later I had a few bites of pumpkin pie. I know the next question is "how far out are you" so here it goes... I am 2 1/2 months out. I have lost 50 lbs already. Thanks for your support!    — Tammy . (posted on December 30, 2002)

December 30, 2002
I don't feel full either. I KNOW when to stop eating, because I know how big my stomach is, but I don't eat to fullness, because I don't want to be sick. I get hungry a lot too, which was kind of surprising to me. Anyway, just wanted you to know you aren't alone. Oh, and I'm 3 weeks out.
   — Diana L.

December 30, 2002
Tammy, how soon after eating do you start drinking? You may be drinking too soon and washing all the food out of your tummy and therefore are hungry. Also, do the cottage cheese test to see how big your pouch is..that will let you know how many ounces your tummy is and you may just have to adjust your eating to not eat more than that # of ounces. Also, does this happen to you all the time, with every meal, or just sometimes? Denser foods, like the turkey, and other meats will stay with you longer whereas foods that chew to water, like vegetables, salads etc, don't stay with you. BTW, 50 in 2 1/2 months is very good!!
   — Cindy R.

December 30, 2002
I think the first thing to consider is.. how often should one eat to full? I feel like I've learned.. or I'm learning... (always!) that the idea is to NOT eat to full.. eat enough to satisfy... <br> the second thing... I could probably stuff a few more bites in after an hour or so.. the idea is NOT to do that.. but rather eat a meal.. and wait an hour.. drink a lot of water.. then maybe eat again... all that said.. you might get your mechanics checked, including finding out about your stoma.. and your staple line... congrats on those 50 lbs!
   — Lisa C.

December 30, 2002
It seems we had the surgery around the same time. I had RNY 10/15/02 and have lost 53. I know you used your Christmas dinner as an example, but here's my two cents. It sounds like a very carb heavy dinner (potatoes and stuffing). I process carbs very quickly and don't rely on them at all to fill me up or carry me to the next meal. Did you have 4 oz of the turkey? Do you get in all of your water and not drink any for at least 1/2 hour after meals? I find these pointers keep me on track. I do have hunger pains but they are tolerable and they come when it's time for my next meal [when I'm following all of the rules]. Congrats on your success so far!
   — Yolanda J.