8 days post op

[Hendrix83 0]

I'm 8 days post op from having the sleeve. Today I've noticed myself being able to drink with out the filling of being full. I drank a full Protein Drink in about 30 minutes. No cramps or full feeling. I'm worried if this is normal. Why am I not getting "that's enough" feeling now when I eat or drink now

[ChunkCat 728]

When we have surgery a lot of nerves are cut that take months to regenerate. The ones that send the message that you are "full" haven't healed yet, that's why you aren't getting the signals. Odds are in two to three months you will notice your signals for fullness are different from what they are now. "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." definitely applies here. Don't worry, your restriction is there, you just can't feel it. And fluids are way different than restriction from solids...

[Ana Eats 0]

Did anyone else eat solids before time line given, or is it just me? I gave in to eating Pasta in the second week (I had the endoscopic sleeve on the 18). I was vigorously Chewing every bite like 100 times before swallowing. Now I’m freaking out wondering if my sutures are going to break

[Arabesque 7,240]

You may have been lucky this time but I wouldn’t push it. There are a lot of sutures & staples holding your tummy together & the staged return to eating is in place to protect your wounds & support your healing & recovery.

Generally we’re told to avoid Pasta - not just during the staged eating phase. It, like rice & bread, are more highly processed, nutrient poor food that will swell & feel heavy in your tummy. It fills your much smaller tummy restricting you from eating the nutrient dense foods you need to be eating like your Protein. In a while you may be able to add carbs back into your diet, but then the rule usually is eat your protein first, then any vegetables & finally if you’re able any carbs you are allowed.

[catwoman7 11,212]

OP - 1) the above commenter is correct about nerves not being healed yet. 2). liquids go right through you, so you're not going to feel full on those, healed or not. You'll start feeling some restriction once you move to solid foods.

[SacB 26]

I have the same thing, and I'm 5.5 weeks post-op. I've never yet felt that "Stop! You're full now!" warning. And like you, it does worry me. I hadn't heard about the nerves being cut and that's why I'm not receiving the signals. Very interesting. And it makes sense. I just wish they'd hurry up and heal because I really don't want to stretch my stomach.

[Arabesque 7,240]

32 minutes ago, SacB said:

I have the same thing, and I'm 5.5 weeks post-op. I've never yet felt that "Stop! You're full now!" warning. And like you, it does worry me. I hadn't heard about the nerves being cut and that's why I'm not receiving the signals. Very interesting. And it makes sense. I just wish they'd hurry up and heal because I really don't want to stretch my stomach.

Remember too you’re only eating very small portions at this stage. If you keep to your portion size recommendations you likely won’t feel your restriction unless something is sitting more heavily in your tummy, you’re drinking while you eat or eating to quickly. (I was advised 1/4 - 1/3 cup from purées gradually increasing to about a cup by 6 months but check with your team for what they suggest for you & your needs.)

Many of us find our signals are different now too & it can take time to work out what they are for you. The goal should not be to eat until you feel full. It takes 20+ minutes for that message to get through to our brains. (One of the reasons we’re told to eat slowly.) So by the time you feel full you likely have eaten way past full. Try to work out your ‘I’ve had enough’ signals. I ask myself do I need another bite or just want it. If I just want it I stop.

Oh & it would take a concentrated effort of eating large quantities of food over a long period of time to stretch your tummy.

[NCL04321 161]

If you are not exceeding your portion size, then you wont "feel" the discomfort. Stick to the portion size. Also, Pasta is a no no. I would not start "cheating" at this point in your journey. This is they honeymoon phase where we all should be very careful about what we eat. Pasta, bread, and rice have very little nutritional value and that kind of carbs are not good for weight loss.

[SacB 26]

On 10/29/2023 at 8:19 PM, Arabesque said:

Remember too you’re only eating very small portions at this stage. If you keep to your portion size recommendations you likely won’t feel your restriction unless something is sitting more heavily in your tummy, you’re drinking while you eat or eating to quickly. (I was advised 1/4 - 1/3 cup from purées gradually increasing to about a cup by 6 months but check with your team for what they suggest for you & your needs.)

Many of us find our signals are different now too & it can take time to work out what they are for you. The goal should not be to eat until you feel full. It takes 20+ minutes for that message to get through to our brains. (One of the reasons we’re told to eat slowly.) So by the time you feel full you likely have eaten way past full. Try to work out your ‘I’ve had enough’ signals. I ask myself do I need another bite or just want it. If I just want it I stop.

Oh & it would take a concentrated effort of eating large quantities of food over a long period of time to stretch your tummy.

I really love your thoughtful reply. I'm definitely eating too fast. But the info you just gave will definitely encourage me to slow the heck down! At 6 weeks post-op, I don't think I should be eating as much volume per meal as I am. I'm doing about 1/2 cup each meal. I'm going to stop that immediately. I'll do 1/4-1/3 cup, as you suggest, and then just wait. I probably won't feel hungry after the wait, and I'll be better off for it. Thank you!

[Arabesque 7,240]

Check with your team as to whether 1/4-1/3 cup is appropriate for you. Some do encourage people to eat more than that. Slowing down can be difficult at first until you establish a sort of eating routine. Little things like putting my cutlery down between bites, sitting back from the table, if with people not taking a bite while someone’s sneaking all helped slow down my eating (& the mindless shovelling of food in my mouth). I also used a teaspoon and then buffet forks (sporks) & dipped them in my food versus scooping spoonfuls.

[SacB 26]

2 minutes ago, Arabesque said:

Check with your team as to whether 1/4-1/3 cup is appropriate for you. Some do encourage people to eat more than that. Slowing down can be difficult at first until you establish a sort of eating routine. Little things like putting my cutlery down between bites, sitting back from the table, if with people not taking a bite while someone’s sneaking all helped slow down my eating (& the mindless shovelling of food in my mouth). I also used a teaspoon and then buffet forks (sporks) & dipped them in my food versus scooping spoonfuls.

Those are all great suggestions; thank for telling me. Since last commenting back to you, I have been slowing down. Your tips will help.