Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group

Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.

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Lea123 11/15/2009

I'm putting this question out there because as I struggle to analyze my eating behavior, (I'm 1 week pre-op) , I can't say that I know for sure what 'Eat till your full' means. Does it mean eat until you no longer feel hunger pains? Or eat until I have that 'Full' feeling. If I eat until I am no longer hungry (pains) then that is just a small amount and most likely I will be hungry again in an hour or so. If I eat until I get that 'Full' feeling then that is bad because my stomach is stretched out! I know that this won't be an issue after the surgery, but for right now, just wondering to myself how other people do it. Do people eat until they are no longer hungry or eat until they are full? My whole life have eaten until I was full. And now I weigh 256. I can't let myself repeat the same behavior years after surgery. . .

deleted_user 11/15/2009

Lea: After you have surgery, you won't have to guess. You will know when you're full. In the beginning you will only be able to eat 1-2 ozs. and you will feel as if you've just eaten a big ol' steak dinner with all the fixins! And you won't even feel hungry for hours. You may even have to remind yourself that you need to eat because it's been 5 hrs. or so since you last ate. I know it sounds too good to be true, but it's not. I had to remind myself every day to eat or else I would go 6 hrs. or more and wouldn't be hungry. It won't always be like that, but in the beginning it usually is.

Good luck! Mary

deleted_user 11/15/2009

Well for me when it feels like the food is rocks hitting your stomach.....when you 1st come out from surgery the early mths....you will not eat much.....also you need to take a few small bites and wait a few minutes...before taking another bite....cause the fullness takes a little time to hit ya.
Some people say they feel stuff in back of throat is another indicater your full.

deleted_user 11/15/2009

Both I suppose you could say. You'll definitely know when you are full, so you'll be eating to that point....or just before that. Don't want to be too full and then have to deal with that . On the other hand, you may not be hungry for months. So you will need to develop a routine of little protein every so many hours, fitting in liquids in between. ..along with your vitamins and nutrients.

As was mentioned, you'll only be eating an oz or two at a time at first. You may not have an appetite, and you will feel full quickly.

Cindy

deleted_user 11/15/2009

You'll be eating until you get the full feeling, not to ease the hunger pains. Actually there will be no hunger pains at ALL for a good 6-12 months out. You'll just know when you're done by how you feel physically, and depending on the type of food, whether dense or thin like soup, you'll be able to eat different amounts of different foods. The whole purpose is to feel that full feeling, not avoid it. Just because you are feeling full, does not mean you are stretching out your pouch. So its not a bad thing. I know its hard to imagine now, and if you're like me you so want to know and imagine and finally be there and live it. In time, sweety, patience, and hang in there!!! Congrats on only one week to go!!!

deleted_user 11/16/2009

Lea, I know you can't understand now, but once your on a thickened broth deal, 4 or 5 spoonful and your done! Just like that.
Brett

deleted_user 11/16/2009

As the others say, you will know when one more bite is too much. In the hospital I would eat about 4 mouthfuls and then knew one more bite would sit real uncomfortably right in the middle of my chest. After you are home you will look at the clock and say to yourself...."OMG it's been 6 hours and I'm not a bit hungry but I know I HAVE to get some protein in". It becomes a real challenge to REMEMBER to eat something. I went shopping with my daughter the other day and told her "let me know when you need to eat because I won't get hungry." She did and I knew I could have went all day without eating. I even have to set my phone alarm as crazy as that sounds from someone who never missed a meal!! LOL

deleted_user 11/16/2009

Mine usually hits as I'm chewing, chewing and chewing that last bite..........something justs hits that I can't swallow this. Not sure why it hasn't hit before that, but maybe that will improve with me.
At first.......like 4 spoons.....done, and that lasted pretty much for almost 3 weeks.
They do tell you that you will be stretching your pouch out over a period of time to hold about a cup. At least that is what I was told.
Good luck.

deleted_user 11/16/2009

kfletcher, I get the exact same feeling. I just know that if I swallow that last bite I will be sorry!

I don't feel hunger either, but about 3 weeks ago (lap RNY on 7-23-09) I started getting a very uncomfortable, almost pain sensation, in my pouch area when it has been a while between meals. Eating something is the only thing that relieves the pain. That is my new "hunger" signal - my bodies way of letting me know it needs food. I'm glad to have something, but it sure can get annoying, and I absolutely cannot get away with not eating when that happens, even when I don't want to. Drinking fluids does not alleviate this either - only food.

UpNorthGuy 11/16/2009

First of all take a look at this:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/03/11/60II/main543614.shtml

We have a chance to redefine what "hunger" feels like... don't make the mistake of associating the "empty pouch feeling" with that of hunger. In many cases we don't have the ability to feel "full" anymore either.. so don't strive for any time of feeling that you want to associate with being full either. Just stick to the amounts that we are suppose to be eating.. and spread the eating episodes out to every 3-4 hours throughout the day and you will be fine. I can honestly feel just as content with 2 ounces of something as I can with 6-8 ounces of something else. It all depends on the density of hat you are eating and how much you can hold and tolerate of each individual food.. It's a trial and error process.. good luck!

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