[LoLo]

This might sound like a dumb question, but are there any other people out there who have trouble realizing when you're full. Is there are certain feeling, I just don't think I'm recognizing it. Do you get that full feeling on a liquid diet, or does that come more after you've started with other foods. I know its a silly question, but has me concerned that I'll sabotage things. Thanks.
Lois

[Ladyhawk]

It has only been in the last few weeks I am getting a full feeling. don't know if I am just know learning to recognize it or if it really only started. I just make sure I stop early so that I don't take that one bite too mamy that makes me sick.

Just pay attention to your body, it will definitely start talking to you.

[lazell]

Hi Lois, You Are Doiing Really Well So Maybe Your Body Knows When Your Full. I Think It Takes A Little Longer For Our Minds! No Question Is A Dumb Question Is A Dumb One! There Is Al Ways An Answer To Be Found Here. Smile Your Doing Great!!!

[qt82699]

maybe it is because you are still on liquids, i always felt full expecially at first, now i am having some problems remembering to stop when i am full...good luck you will find your knack

[traciflud]

If I take it slow and chew well then I will recognize the full feeling. When I rush it I almost always regret going too far.

[sydsmom]

I am 7 weeks post op and have yet to feel "full." It scares me. I can feel "hungry" but not "full." I tend to eat my protein and even though I don't feel full, I will quit eating for fear of getting sick. My friends husband who had WLS has tried a few times eating until full, but then he gets sick. I guess I just have to keep trying. Take care.

[Rachael]

I find this question (along with its many variations previously asked by others, as well as me) to be so interesting!

I mean, how many of us evern know/knew what "full" feels like - or satisfied, for that matter - and the difference between the two. I mean, that is why I asked if "it" feels different after surgery.

Also makes me wonder how much of it is psychologic as opposed to physiologic and the roll it had/has to play in our being overweight to begin with.

It seems this is something that we have to get our heads working together with our stomachs on together, as surgery alone doesn't seem to "fix" this mechanism.

But how does it "break" to begin with? Is is something some people are born with but others not - or is it something we learn or unlearn or even lose later? I know it was something that we worked on a lot in hypnosis.

I find the question to be fascinating - not at all dumb.

[DocSanae]

Originally Posted by Rachael

But how does it "break" to begin with? Is is something some people are born with but others not - or is it something we learn or unlearn or even lose later? I know it was something that we worked on a lot in hypnosis.

I find the question to be fascinating - not at all dumb.

Part of it has to do with the brain receptors for pleasurable feelings. The receptors for satiety and pleasure are very close to each other, as well as being very similiar. I don't quite remember the details, but look up "endocannabis receptors" and you should come up with what's known so far on how they work, and how they affect our eating. Also, the close proximity of these receptors is thought to be one of the reasons that cross addictions take place.
The more recent medications being researched and developed for treating obesity mainly work in this area, but as with all the meds in the past, so far, once you are taken off the meds, your *behavior* reverts to what it was before the meds.

However, the whole system of hunger and satiety is very complex, and the more research reveales, the complexity increases, so there is no single factor that affects all this, but a series of reactions and feedbacks and counter reactions.

It does all boil down to *chemistry* in the end, as all our physical/phsiological/psychological activities are supported by the chemical changes-- in other words, *metabolism*--that takes place in us, activating and deactivating various cells that in turn will activate and deactivate our tissues and organs, including our brain.
So, somewhere along the line, a breakdown takes place in areas that probably were weak from the beginning--genes and heredity-- but it can break down even with a strong and intact system, if the stress is strong enough. It has to be rebuilt, or reinforced, or a new pathway developed, but whathever the case, surgery is a tool that buys you time to reset your system in this respect. That's why surgery is only a tool, and the post op has to work very hard in resetting your system, while you are physcially able to lose.

One thing to note, though. I read elsewhere that often, overweight people cannot differentiate between *hunger* and *thirst* so you also need to learn the difference there in order to eat and drink appropriately. That also is something to think about.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by DocSanae

One thing to note, though. I read elsewhere that often, overweight people cannot differentiate between *hunger* and *thirst* so you also need to learn the difference there in order to eat and drink appropriately. That also is something to think about.

I recall reading somewhere that a craving for ice cream is actually a signal of thirst.

It was very interesting in hypnosis learning the difference between full and satisfied, thinking on a scale of 1-10 and always trying to stay at a 3-4 (eating at 3 or below), trying to never going beyond a 5-6. I go into this panic thing sometimes where I think I need to feel full at all times, not realizing that it is satisfied I am aiming for.

For me, panic and hunger go hand in hand.

[DocSanae]

Originally Posted by Rachael

I go into this panic thing sometimes where I think I need to feel full at all times, not realizing that it is satisfied I am aiming for.

For me, panic and hunger go hand in hand.

That's true. Satisfaction and filling up to hilt are actually two different things. If your brain has been *trained* to think that you are not satisfied unless you are full, then that will cause a lot of problems, and the need to retrain the brain arises--just like, if you had brain stroke, became paralized as the result, so you need rehabilitation and train to be able to walk once again.
Being satisfied does not have to mean you have to be full, it's a combination of having enjoyed the company and conversation of the people you had the meal with, the presentation of the food--at least, that is what it is with Japanese cuisine, total presentation from the plates, cockery and other items to make a "scenery" out of the food and plates, preferably a representation of the season as well--the taste, and last (but not least) the amount. Even if you have some space left, you can be satisfied. Besides, in Japan, the saying goes, 80% full is best for your health.