how do you know when you are full

[jamieq 310]

Hi everyone!

My name is Jamie and I am new here. I read this forum a lot prior to surgery but never registered. Thank you all for being so helpful with such a huge decision!

I am 36 and married with no children. I have a high level position with a national catering company and have been event planning for over ten years.

I had my surgery on May 11th.

I know this is a crazy question - but how do I know I am full? I don't feel hungry so I am not entirely sure when I feel full either. I called my nurse a few days ago because I could drink fluids (and soup) easily and I was afraid I would stretch out my stomach. She said not to worry about it.

When I did my one week post-op appointment they added watery grits and oatmeal and greek yogurt. I have had 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup but I am worried that I cant tell when I am full until I am too full.

Does anyone else experience this?

[jane13 2,256]

Hi. I am 5 days ahead of you and I have been on soft food for a couple of days. I try to stay under a half a cup when I eat. I actually "sense" I am full and stop, no issues yet and not really hungry. I have been blessed so far.....

[Bufflehead 6,358]

You won't feel a real sense of fullness until you switch to solid foods. Then and now, you should plan how much you are going to eat and stop when you get there -- or before if you start to feel full, uncomfortable, or like you just don't want to eat anymore. Sometimes, especially in the beginning, "full" can be an emotional feeling as much as a physical one. Also, if you get to the point where there is so much food crammed into your tiny sleeved stomach that your vagus nerve is irritated (it runs along the top of your stomach), you can experience things like sneezing, a runny nose, or the hiccups. If you get those symptoms, it means you ate too much and you should be careful to eat slower and eat less the next time. Good luck!

[JamieLogical 8,727]

In the early days, especially while on liquids and purees, it's best to just measure out your food. You won't feel restriction with liquids and purees the same way you will when you eventually move on to more solid food. I was supposed to eat 2 oz. at a time on purees, so I just weighed everything on my food scale and ate it slowly. Trust and believe that you WILL feel FULL when you get to more solid foods. You will definitely know you feel full then!

[jamieq 310]

Thanks so much. I have been eating everything out of a 4 oz cup with a baby spoon. I think I am just so desperate for it work and such a rule follower that I am afraid of doing it wrong

[joatsaint 2,814]

My 1st sign I'm getting full is a feeling of bubbles moving around the food in my stomach, if I go past that stage (and eat a little more), I'll get this poking sensation where my throat and stomach meet - not a good feeling. I've only gone past the pokey threshold once, and I got this very painful tight feeling in my stomach. I quickly learned to eat slower and pay more attention to my new "full" signals. :-)

[jm726 27]

Thanks so much. I have been eating everything out of a 4 oz cup with a baby spoon. I think I am just so desperate for it work and such a rule follower that I am afraid of doing it wrong

Hey friend, I'm 30 and my surgery was also on the 11th. We're in the same boat!! I have no clue when I'm full... But others suggested just to keep measuring, so you know you're still in the safe zone. Also, one member mentioned that it took her about 2-3 months to regain that feeling. So the responses I received varied from... Full at first bite, to 2-3 months. So very individualized. I think as long as we stick with the basics & measurements we'll be OK. ????