I so much need some help with new eating habits !!  Had the sleeve done on 3/27 and have lost around 30 pounds and most of the time feel great -- yea!!  

I get busy and i don't eat when I know I should eat which causes me to overeat because I am really hungry.  Then comes the baaaaad feeling in my tummy.  I've never dumped so that is good, but when I do this I feel like I am going to dump and I hate myself for doing it.  If I control my food to a protien shake not bad, but when I try food, there is usually never a good feeling when done.  I just need some thoughts from others on how you are adjusting the food portion.  It is unfortunate because I was taught to clean my plate and I still try to do so.  I've even tried smaller plates - still yucky tummy ...

Thanks to anyone who can give me some pointers.

Sleeves generally don't experience dumping syndrome.

You are probably overeating and just feeling over full. You need to really slow down, chew your food well and pay attention to your new feelings of full.

Plan in advance when you're going to eat.  Set an alarm if you have to so you don't forget.

Measure your portions.  Did your surgeon or dietician give you guidelines about how much to eat?  I was raised to clean my plate, too.  I have to measure out the proper amount of food, put the leftovers away, and then just eat what's on my plate.  Otherwise I end up eating too much and feeling sick.

i like the alarm suggestion...    There was never a guideline on how much to eat, they did speak about what to eat.  Any suggestion on where I could find the how much?

Phone your surgeon or dietician and ask.

Okay, try using a child's/toddler's plate and a baby fork/spoon. Also put down your utensils between bites. And it is NOT a crime to throw food away...Starving kids in China will still be starving whether you clean your plate or not (also a bonafid member of the clean plate club).

When you serve yourself, put a third to half of what you think you want on the plate...if still hungry later, then go back. If you don't fini**** either put it away for leftovers or throw it away.

The feeling you have when too full is NOT dumping altho it can make you feel sick. Sleevers and DS'er's don't dump. We still have our pyloris valve. However, we can get the foamies and feel very sick.

Liz

Set a timer and make time to eat
put only a little food on your plate, if you feel you have to clean your plate ---- start with 2 tablespoons or 1/4 cup or whatever you are supposed to have at this stage

start to eat very slowly --- with baby spoons if you have to

call your doctor if you practice these good eating habits and you still have pain or discomfort -- that is not normal

I understand where you are coming from. It is very difficult to adjust to new eating habits after years of improper eating. It will take time; don't be too hard on yourself.

I was told to start with 1/4 cup of food, then gradually progress to around 1/2 to 1 cup of food at a time. I would still call your bariatric centre and ask as every centre is different.

My advice is as follows:
- Pre-plan and pre-measure all foods!
- Put your utensils down between bites
- Chew, chew, chew
- TAKE YOUR TIME (this will aid you in eating less because it takes time for your body to realize it has had enough and does not need anymore food)

You have been given wonderful advice from everyone who commented on this thread.
I wish you the best of luck!! :)

It's a great idea to keep practicing, because you will need the new habits the rest of your life. It helps to plan your food the night before, and measure and journal until you can do it automatically.

It sure doesn't work for me to eat until I am full, or to eat what I want. Learning self management has been and is the hardest task for me. Learning to ignore my thoughts and feelings and do what I need to do anyway- let's put it this way- some days I do better than others.

Support, as well as people I am accountable to, has been crucial for me. I have people who check in with me to see how I'm doing keeping my promises about intake and exercise, and I just signed up for a year's coaching with Katie Jay, a WLS coach and workshop leader. I have to do this, because I will break my promises to myself all the time otherwise.

If changing eating habits was easy, I doubt most of us here would have needed WLS.