Do you still feel full?

I was wondering if other folks have noticed that they no longer feel "full" when they eat the same amount of food they did 4-6 months ago.  Although I'm not truly hungry after eating, I'm not getting that "full" sensation either.  I do not drink with my meals.  I do eat protein (5-7 ounces) and veggies (1/2-1 cup, depending on the veggie) at every meal, and I sometimes include a carb as well.  It just seems like I can comfortably tolerate a lot more food now.   Is anyone else experiencing the same thing?  Has anyone tried going back to liquid proteins for a few days to see if you can "reset" or shrink your pouch?  Just wondering what options I can pursue to make my "tool" work a bit better... Thanks for any suggestions you can offer - Kellie

I can eat more food now than I could as an early post-op, but I still eating primarily protein.  For some reason, most vegies (unless they are in a soup or stew) just aren't appealing to me anymore, including my all time favorite, zucchini.  I'm eating between 6-8 oz of protein at lunch and at dinner. I do feel full. I have noticed with the five day pouch test (Day 2) that the two days of liquid protein only does seem to be "tightening" up my pouch.  Day 1 was tough, and I felt kind of wonky in the evening, but I feel fine today and am not hungry.  You might consider trying it.  I was also down a lb this morning, woohoo! Kix

I can definitely eat more now than I could at one year out.  Whether or not I get "full" depends on what I am eating - i.e  how dense the protein or how "gassy" the vegetable.  Weigh****chers emphasizes with us that we should eat until "satisfied" not until "full."  It's hard, though.  I've spend a lifetime eating until full and I am trying to learn to stop when I sense satiety - even if I could handle a few more bites.  I am also reading "You on a Diet" and this book discusses this issue also. Good luck!

It takes more to fill me up also... the doctor told me at a year that it would slow down and that the pouch stretches up to like 18 months and that after that u r on ur own to lose weight.  I do find if I eat only protein..I get full compared to other foods. ...but I get hungrier much faster than I use to.

Kellie, I do not feel full anymore, unless I am eating some really dense thing like steak.  Fullness is supposed to be controlled by a nerve at the top of your stomach that tells your brain you've had enough.  It is not only your pouch that relaxes, it is also your anastamosis (the opening to the intestine to the pouch).  When it is 10 cm (i think) right after your surgery, that nerve is stimulated quite quickly as there is no room in the pouch.  Over time the pouch relaxes and so does the opening and food just passes through, failing to stimulate the nerve.  I know that is what has happened for me.  I'm actually going to do a consult with this doctor who has perfected a endoscopic tightening of that opening.  There is no incision, but, he goes down your throat and does the tightening.  I do not know if I'm going to do it yet or not.  I assume it is all self pay.  I can't get over feeling like a failure with not keeping my "tool" in top condition.  I want to do the 5 day pouch test, but, as I'm leaving town tomorrow for a week for a business trip, I'm afraid to be feeling poorly while traveling. Lori

That's interesing information..thanks.

Thanks to everyone for their replies.  I eat so much protein most days (120-150 grams) that I tend to eat more veggies and a few carbs at lunch and dinner.  I'll try switching back to less veggies and carbs at lunch and dinner, plus making sure I'm getting denser proteins.  I'll see if I feel "fuller" then.  I'm not so worried about feeling full when I eat have my planned mid-day mini-meals/snacks; those really just keep me from mindless snacking/grazing.  I think I am going to try the 5-day pouch test; can't hurt, might help.  If nothing else, it will give me a good reminder of the difference between real hunger and head hunger!   Thanks again for your thoughtful replies; it's appreciated!!! Kellie