Question:
I need tips on how to stop eating so much!

I am having dumping sensations from eating too much, usually twice a day. I hurt really bad for 30 minutes or so when I take one or two bites too much. I know all the things I need to do. MEASURE! STOP SOONER! CHEW MORE SLOWLY! I'm sure you're thinking, "Then, what is the question?" I just need any additional tips and assurance that others do this also, I guess. I am five and a half months out and have lost about 75 pounds. I started at 298 and now weigh from 220 - 226 depending on my mood! Any info will be appreciated.    — Kathy L. H. (posted on January 29, 2003)

January 30, 2003
Kathy, I had the same thing happen to me several times at about the 2-5 month post-op time frame from eating too much. Uusually it was because I ate too fast and by the time you realize your full, it was one or two bites too many. Except instead of hurting for 30 minutes, it could last up to 2 hours, and I never threw up. But this only happened to me a handful of times as the pain from overeating was a learning tool to prevent me from doing it again. Ifyou are experiencing this twice a day, wouldn't you think that by now you would have learned to slow down and eat a little less? How bout counting your bites? If 10 bites makes it hurt, try 8 at the next meal. Try putting your fork down after each swallow and waiting 20 seconds before you eat the next bite. I think it is just a learning thing on your part. I also would not call what is happening to you "dumping". Dumping is different. What is happening to you is simply overeating.
   — Cindy R.

January 30, 2003
Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Don't eat things you are tempted to overeat. Eat stuff you don't like so much. Put the quanity you are permitted to eat on your plate, not one drop more. Until you can gain control of your quanity. Try to find out the MINIMUM amount you can eat and eat that much. NEVER EAT UNTIL YOU ARE FULL.
   — lee J.

January 30, 2003
Next week I will be 3 months out. I have been having the same problem. When I asked my bariatric nurse about it, she told me it wasn't "dumping" but either overeating, not chewing enough, or eating too fast. I think she's right. I have noticed when I'm in a hurry to go somewhere, I usually end up with a terrable stomache ache for a couple of hours. So that tells me I'm eating too fast. I also realized that I'm eating until I feel full. Sometimes telling myself, "Just one bite more." Then I get the dreaded stomach ache again. I'm still on the learning side, too. I really appreciate what the previous poster suggested. I think she's right.
   — Laurie C.