Question:
Worried about not getting full
I am two weeks out and have started on soft solids (eggs, beans, tuna) I have eaten as much as a 3 oz portion. I was surprised that I was not full after eating this. I was not hungry either but I am never truly hungry now. Mostly I think I have head hunger. I am really worried that my stoma could be too large and everything is just going through. Has anyone not gotten hungry on soft foods but was fine once on solid food. I also can drink as much water as I want without feeling uncomfortable. — Heather S. (posted on June 4, 2003)
June 4, 2003
Hiya Heather! You sound just like me! I had my surgery on May 19th, and
have experinced all the same things you said. I can drink large amounts, no
problem! I didnt think I was getting full, and worried that I could eat
like 4ozs of cottage cheese. I havent had any of difficulty others have
spoke of and it worried me.
What I've realized for me, is that "full" is different for me
now, than before post op. I was looking for the same full/over stuffed
feeling. Now, its more like a pressure. I just wasnt recognizing it at
first, and was eating more than i probably should. It's odd, a completely
different feeling for me.
Also, I can eat more of some soft foods than others. I think that's just
how it goes, but things are starting to settle down now and become more
"normal". I went back to measuring everything, and even when I
THOUGHT I wanted more..I stopped. That helped alot. When i actually stopped
eating, and waited a while..I didnt REALLY want more after a few minutes.
In my head I did ;) but I'm finding it isnt TRUE hunger.
Hope this helps some..but you're NOT alone in your concerns.
I even went back to my surgeon and tried to convince him he made some
terrible mistake with me and maybe didnt make things small enough
::giggle:: ;)
— Goodgirl
June 4, 2003
LB is right on the money. I had surgery last September and experienced the
same sensation. I, too, measure everything. I use the same containers
each day for my lunch so that I can exercise portion control without
appearing overly obsessive to others. I am obsessive about it. It helps.
You sound to me like you are doing very well at this point and should be
proud. The soft solids do go down better and you can tolerate them well so
you can eat more of them. Just keep your eye on portion and protein issues
and the rest will take care of itself. I have lost consistently the entire
time since surgery and I don't sweat ketosis or carb issues either. It
took a while for me to realize that I dumped on EXTREME amounts of sugar,
etc. I am not stuffed full, but I am satisfied with the amounts that I eat
and try to make wise choices. The head hunger for me lingers to this day.
I am nine months out and average 1000 calories a day. I eat consistently
all day to keep my head hunger in check. I was a snacker before surgery
and know that this has not changed so I deal with it by incorporating my
habit into my menu plan. Sample menu: 4 oz milk - bf, 1/2 cup fiber cereal
- mm snack, 3/4-1 c of leftover dinner meal - lunch, 1/2 cup fruit - af
snack, 3/4-1 c of food - dinner, 1 bowl of popcorn - eve snack, 1 no sugar
added fudgesicle. This works for me and keeps me satisfied. I don't
always do the popcorn, but I always have my fudgesicle, it keeps me away
from other foods. Continuing luck on your journey.
— Rhonda V.
June 4, 2003
Soft foods are exactly that- soft. So they go down alot easier than denser
foods. I wouldn't be too worried about eating 3oz of eggs or somethng along
those lines. Try eating 3oz. of chicken- you wouldn't be able to! Once you
reach solid foods, you probably won't stay as hungry. Soft foods just pass
on quicker, leaving the pouch empty and hungry. So it's probably part real
hunger, part head hunger. You're doing fine! Goodluck to you :-)
— Lezlie Y.
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