"full feeling"

Ok, I know that every new post op probably asks this, but please reassure me. I mixed up my protein drink this morning and drank all of it - 16 - 18 oz in about 1/2 hour. I cannot say that while I was sipping it, I did not feel a "full" sensation. I was hungry this morning - my tummy was growling before I got up -- was this my remenant tummy, or my pouch or both? I'm not sure. I just know that I kept sipping the drink. Waiting about a minute between sips. I was hungry feeling looking at Johns eggs and cottage cheese breakfast. (I'm still on clear liquids only, with at least 1 protein drink per day of 40 - 60 grams.) I'm just really surprised at how much I can drink and not feel full at all, and then at other times per day, I do feel fuller. This morning, I'm clearing out all of my old pants - trying to find the few size 26 and clear out everything bigger. My 34's and 32's were seriously baggy before surgery, but I didn't want to buy something else just before surgery, and I've found that I can get into the 28's and 26's now. I began to panic this morning that what if it didn't work, what if I'll always be able to down that much like that. What if, what if , what if. I am following my doctors directions to a T, but maybe I could just go slower with drinking - but he said to drink as able, at least 3 oz per hour. Any reassurance that I'm not doing something wrong, or that this is not abnormal would be appreciated. Thanks so much! Jennie

Hi Jennie, Liquids go through you much faster than solid foods, so what your drinking sounds right to me. I have always been able to drink much more than I can eat. I think as a new post-op we all have those panic moments, but it's very hard to stretch your little pouch, and even harder by just drinking liquids. I don't think your abnormal in any way, everything sounds perfectly normal to me. Keep up the great work, before you know it you'll be out shopping for even smaller clothes! Jan

Thanks! I'm hoping that once I move past the clear liquid stage to foods/liquids with more substance I will feel fuller. I'm eyeing that cottage cheese container, and hoping that will be my dinner on Thursday after I visit my doctor!

Funny thing - cottage cheese was my first soft food that I ate after surgery! Jan

Maybe I imagined this, but is there something about some people not experiencing a full feeling immediately after surgery because the pouch and its nerves are still healing? And that after the pouch fully heals, the nerves heal, and the pouch swelling goes down the full feeling comes? I thought I had read or heard that some where or maybe I am just nuts! Tracy

That's what my dr. said, and I never felt full at first. I couldn't tell the difference between hunger pains and healing pains. So yeah, I think that's true. I just stuck to my schedule and ignored how I was feeling, since it wasn't the best barometer. After it healed (about 3 months) it was a little bit easier, but I was still nervous about being too full and getting sick. I asked my nutritionist about that and she told me to stop eating not when I was full, but when I wasn't hungry anymore. That has worked for me.

Hey Jennie, Aw the memories of first having surgery lol.... I was so consumed with everything and asking so many questions. But thats how you find out and get informed. So ask away. I myself was so nauseased till couldnt drink protein right away. AAnd felt so full all the time. But everyone is so different. Some dont even get nausea... But from what I hear you are doing great!! Tell John... He might better start running with that plate...Before you pounce!! Lol.. Hang in there... It gets better... Hugs Marge

Hey Jennie, I had my surgery on 1/31 and fortunately I am able to get full off of the 2oz of liquid and/or protein that I eat/drink. I am deathly afraid of getting sick as all I did was vomit the day of and the day after my surgery. I'm diligent when it comes to the 2 ozs of liquid every 10-15 minutes. I stick with that and it's worked for me so far. I've been on soft foods/purees since Monday and I was only 5 days out. I find that I do experience the "full feeling" after drinking 2 ozs of liquid. My main concern is not getting everything in, but I'm working on it. Hopefully once you progess to full liquids and purees you will find something that works for you. You're doing everything that you are supposed to do, exactly as you should be so don't be so hard on yourself. It all takes time. Lysa