Full Feeling Question

Hi everyone. Mostly I lurk, but today I have a question. I never get a "full" feeling like so many of you describe. I've never had the "foamies," never thrown up - never even felt like I had to throw up. I've never had pain or a feeling of being stuffed or anything like that. I can easily eat meat of all kinds....steak, chicken, pork, lamb. I chew well but I don't think I chew it to death. I can eat 3-4 oz easily. I always weigh it before I put it on my plate. I eat that first, and then I usually eat about 1/4 cup of some kind of cooked veggies. When I'm done eating, I am no longer hungry - I am satisfied - but I would not describe the feeling as being full. If I eat something that disagrees with me - usually because it is too high in fat - I will sometimes get very gassy and get diahhrea, but my pouch itself has never rebelled at anything I have eaten. Ever. Also, I read what you all write when you submit what you ate for the day. I am totally amazed at how little you are eating. Sometimes I read that you had a shake, one cheese stick, two or three bites of this and that, and that's it. I eat 3 meals a day - the aforementioned, and usually two snacks of fruit or a protein bar. I would be starving to death if I ate the little I see some of you record. I do track my calories and most days it's around 1,000. So here is my question: I see the surgeon again on July 11th. Do you think something is wrong that I can eat and not feel this full feeling you all describe? Should I say something to him? I attended the ObesityHelp.com conference in Milwaukee, and around the table I was sitting at every single person said they really cannot eat any kind of meat. I was just amazed, as I have been able to eat meat from week 3 when I could stop eating pureed food. Do you think I am just eating slow enough and chewing well enough that I have not had any problems? But you guys all say you chew things to death and sometimes you still get the foamies or feel the need to throw up. I have been worrying obsessively about this, so any responses would be appreciated. Sorry this is so long - I am always too wordy

Patti ... First of all, let me say a big CONGRATS on not getting the foamies and never throwing up. I've had a LOT of problems with nausea and throwing up since my surgery. I do get the feeling of fullness and it seem its at its worse when I eat fast and don't allow the fullness to happen slowly. I usually don't throw up when I get too full ... its just a really uncomfortable feeling of fullness and it just takes time for it to go away. Do you eat slowly? If so that might account for why you don't get the real full feeling? Just an idea! On the meat issue, I would say I have an ok tolerance for meat. Sometimes I do fine with it and sometimes it bothers me. I haven't tried any steak since surgery so I don't know how that would affect me. Even before the surgery I was not a big meat-lover, so meat is not really something I crave or really desire. I have thought many times that since this surgery, I could easily become a vegetarian, if I could find a good way to get all the required protein. LOL I too have been surprised at the small amounts that a lot of people post for eating. I guess everyone is different in the amount they can eat. I have been bad about not tracking my calories, so I don't have a good range for what I'm eating. I'm sure some days are good ... some are baaadd! LOL I would discuss the issue with my doctor, but it sounds to me that you are doing all the right things, so I don't think its anything to worry about. You didn't mention your total weight loss, but I would say if its in the range that your doctor thinks is appropriate, I would just count your blessings that you are doing as well as you are. I have attended a Support Group meeting for WLS patients and I have heard many of them say they have NEVER had any food issues or nausea. I'm jealous of them! LOL Debbie

Sounds to me like you are doing great! I would be so happy if I didn't have any nausea, because it's the pits! I am also not the best at eating as slowly as I probably should, so that might be part of it too -- because you are eating so slowly you do get that satisfied feeling. If I eat too quickly and too much, there is an uncomfortable feeling in my pouch that I have to wait out. I have been bad at calorie tracking lately, but my surgeon was never big on me tracking calories anyway. I'm mostly supposed to stay under a certain amount of carbs, and they told me my calories would fall into place. I would suggest DEFINITELY talking to your surgeon about how you're eating. It sounds healthy to me, and hopefully he can ease your mind about this. As for meats, I have been able to tolerate them (beef, chicken, pork, seafood) for awhile now, and am very grateful for that! Beth

Patti Sounds like you're doing great! Thanks goodness you don't get the foamies and that you are able to tolerate meat. It's so much easier to get your protein in from food that way. I also don't get a full feeling. I am never hungry and because fo that I don't know when I'm full. So sometimes I may overdo it and eat a bite or two more than I should. Then I get a feeling like its stuck in my throat and I will ge tthe foamies and most times will end with me :baf: Happily it doesn't happen too often anymore cause, I also weigh out my portions and know that 3oz is perfect for me. I usually end up around 800 calories a day and that seems to be OK for me. But I'll see what the doc says when I go in next month Again, sounds to me like you're doing just fine. Keep it up. Regards and hugs, Ronna

hi Patti. As everyone else mentioned, it does seem like you're doing great. Everyone is different....remember that. Yes, some people do eat very little, but it may be what they can tolerate at the the time, or some people really limit themselves on what they eat. And congrats on not getting the foamies, because they truly are a pain in the arse....I don't get them often, matter of fact only once or twice, but that feeling is gross. And if you're not feeling a full feeling then maybe you're eating just enough to where you're satisfied. When we that full feeling or discomfort...we've probably eaten a tad bit too much. But I would check with my doc just to make sure. April

Hey Patti--- I'm giving an abbreviated reply to your post as I always respond to these because I want to share with those of us who have had hunger issues and still struggle (albeit on a different level) with food: I eat 1500+ cals, have never 'dumped' and can eat sugar, meat with no probs. I have had foamies when I've eaten too fast, haven't chewed or really overeaten. I feel a little nauseous if I eat things that are really high in sodium. I use to obsess about how much more I was eating than everyone else and how slow my loss was, etc... now I just accept it and work my own program-- Cathy