How do you know when you are full?

Sounds simple, but I swear, I just can’t tell. I am embarrassed to admit it. I try to eat super slow, then kind of slow, then not-so slow, and chew, chew, chew, drinking, not drinking, and eating different stuff, yada, yada, and on and on. I don’t know how can you NOT know when you're full? I think I have to be stuffed like a T-day turkey to feel anything. Talk about needing to get your brain banded. My head definitely has some catching up to do. Thoughts?

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By the way, I just stopped eating my lunch, thinking, it must be time for me to be full (I'm sure that sounds weird, but you at least have to guess, right?). Literally minutes later my big tummy actually seems to be hurting from hunger? Maybe the different pouches (big and little) decide their levels of hunger separately? ?? Yipes—such a novice. :thankyou:

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THANK YOU!

It's not a stupid question and it IS hard to put your finger exactly on what it is that tips you off.

For me, I dont really wait for a physical full feeling, I just wait till the enjoyment of what I'm eating peters off, which is generally after about a cup. I just kind of "know", but I do sort of measure out what's appropriate too.

And I've always found even pre banding that if I'm still a bit peckish after I've eaten it's gone away after about 20 minutes.

Not a stupid question at all. Prebanding, I ate until I hurt. Now I can't do that, so it took me a long time to figure out when I was full as well.

I stop when I feel satisfied. Usually, for me, its when I look at the bowl/plate and realize I can't be bothered chewing anymore. I know that doesn't help you much though.

I've noticed I feel fuller quicker though, when I eat my hard Protein first. Are you doing that?

Angel, When you find out this answer, please let me in on the secret too!!! I had my first fill going on 2 weeks ago, and I honestly wonder if I even have a band sometimes! The only thing that lets me know is that I get sick immediately when I eat rice or even try bakery-type items (which I didn't do before! Today, I have followed the inamed statement on my band's info card about only being able to eat 1/4 cup at a time, and boy am I starving!!!!!

~cheri

Great question!!! I measure my food to 8oz I normally can eat right about 8oz and then I burp and sigh as if I am tired. I know then that it is time to put the spoon/fork down. Sometimes if i have ate and then eat again about 1 hour later because i think i am hungry I burp at about 3-4oz or 2-3. The burping and sighing is a sign for me. i have a 2.00 cc in a 9 band

Hi Angel,

I am like the last post. I burp. I too don't know when i'm full. It does sound weird, but i know now, that that's what got me into trouble in the first place. I have never been able to tell i was full unless "stuffed". I measure my food into 1/2 cup containers and i eat the hard protien first. Sometime i can eat about 3/4 of a cup of whatever, but when i burp, i stop. I figure it is some kind of signal. I have not thrown up yet and really don't want to, so i'll heed the warning. Take care. Criss

I don't measure my food but I use a salad plate and take a small bit of everything (except bread & rice) that is offered. I eat normally at first and when the food is about 1/2 gone I really start trying to pick up cues (I get none) So I just eat one bite at a time until I either can't be bothered, or I feel food pushing through the opening. Right before I get overfilled I swear there is one bite that goes down but with a little bit more difficultly and that is when I stop. I figure if I'm hungry in a little bit I could eat something else, but I rarely do. I was hoping the band would let me know more clearly when to stop, but it's still very vague -- unless of course, you go too far!

Are you filled? If not, that is why. If so, dunno then.

Thanks guys! Interesting comments.

Jenna, good question. I am filled--to 2.8. It was my second fill. Before that I didn't even feel like I had a band.

Funny how some folks have mentioned about getting to the point of not wanting to be bothered with eating anymore. That has defintely been happening to me since I learned to take nibbles and slow down. I don't know if I am full, but I stop. The problem is when it tastes so good that that moment doesn't come. **sigh**

Thanks for your help, though. I am glad to find out I am not the only one still stuggling with this.

I'm a hard-stop girl. I can eat just about anything (except super-spicey food) including breads, rice, etc. so I have to be very careful about eating my proteins first, veggies second, starches dead-last. By the time I get to starches, one bite makes me want to puke. That's when I know I'm full - usually 1.5 to 2 cups of food.