Hey everyone I have 4 days of eating normal soft food already. But im having a hard time knowing when i should stop eating. I stop until I feel its time to puke and I know thats not a good sign. Is there any sign or any tips that tells us when we should stop eating? Eating slow is a big issue for me as well bc i was a fast easter but im trying my best.

For me it's a sharp pain in my chest. That tells me that it's time to stop. I've also seen others say they begin to burp or have the hiccups. And that's their sign to stop. Everyone is different but pay attention to those things

It seems soft foods I stay hungry when I eat Tuna I get full .. And I get nausea but cheese I eat 2 pieces a time of string cheese or baby bell but don't get a full feeling

I weigh all my food before I eat so I never have to guess if it's too much. So far, doing that has worked out really well for me. I haven't been hungry either, although I do still have head hunger and weird cravings at times. I use a timer before/after to make sure I can start drinking again as soon as possible afterwards and that helps as well (although, it might be a bit anal!).

I did drink a protein shake too quickly one time and it was just a really uncomfortable feeling. It felt like something was stuck in my throat.. not like heartburn, but just like it wouldn't go down. I got nauseous and had to sit pretty still for a while until everything settled. It just.. was not a fun experience at all that I don't really care to repeat ever.

At this stage, you should not just be eating an unspecified portion until you are full. You have to start distinguishing between being satisfied nutritionally and being full. I know you probably want that Thanksgiving full feeling, but pushing that boundary is going to make your sleeve dilate in later months when you can eat solids.

You must must must measure all your food at this stage, and for as far out as you are that is no more than 3 tablespoons to 1/4 cup per meal at the very most. This standard will hold true until you are at least 3 or 4 months post-op. Serve only this amount and eat very slowly (I know its hard!) and stop when you begin to feel restriction, not when you feel full.

You have to measure out portions this early out until you get used to what a small portion looks like. I have pushed limits due to head hunger and vomited or drank a Protein shake too quickly and ended up sweating, nauseous and sick for 30 minutes.

I've had foaming with vomiting also-horrible experience with a baby cucumber that has ruined cucumbers for me at this point.

I purchased these off Amazon and they are fantastic (BPA free) and measure out a perfect 2oz portion. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QZBEFK/ref=oh_details_o00_s02_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If I follow the 2oz portion, I never get sick or full. I use small plates/bowls and try to eat slowly (it's hard to re-learn how to eat, especially when your mouth and brain are so excited to eat again after being on liquids for a month). If I don't eat slowly, It feels like it sits in my chest and kills. I take deep breaths and take a break if I swallow too quickly.

Good luck! It is truly one day at a time.

I understand why you are asking, I can't really tell when I'm full either. I'm on soft foods, but feel a little uncomfortable from the 1st bite- same with purees. I took the recommendations on this site and make sure I measure out every meal, usually 3oz, and I don't always finish it. People talk about the burping, but sometimes I do that after one or two very small spoonfuls. I haven't learned to recognize the difference between a "full" burp and a "swallowed air" burp. I've just resigned myself to measuring- and trying to learn what "my" servings look like so when I do finally go out to eat, I can estimate a portion safely.

I was told that when you start feeling any type of pressure, that indicates that your full. A feeling of full is different to us now after the surgery. For me it's a slight pressure which indicates I should stop. As per my NUT, that is a meal and you should stop eating at that point, otherwise if we wait for that pressure to pass, we are just going to continue eating. Hope this helps!!!

So if im going to eat grilled chicken I can only eat 2 or 3 onz of chicken without any companion?

So if im going to eat grilled chicken I can only eat 2 or 3 onz of chicken without any companion?

Exactly.

And going by your comment, try to get out of the thinking that you have to have a "companion" aka side dish with every meal. If you do its only going to be a spoonful. Like 2oz chicken and a tablespoon of green Beans.

I personally just go with the 3ozs of chicken. Much more satisfying and filling.

Remember with the help of the sleeve we are eating to live not living to eat.

Edited July 5, 201412 yr by Bob2013

My nose starts running and not another bite!!

Oh great points! I'm in pain a lot and end up having to make myself vomit to get relief. I haven't been paying attention my amounts, so I need to do better about that.