• Registered: Sat, 17 Apr 2010
  • Posts: 663

Topic: Feeling full

The last few days Dad has said he has a full feeling in his stomach.  He is not swollen, not in any pain, just says it's annoying and uncomfortable.

He is still eating, little and often, but when this feeling comes on he doesn't want to eat.  The other day he had it as soon has  he woke up so all he ate was cereal for breakfast and a sandwich for dinner.  Yesterday he didn't have the feeling until night time so he managed to eat, cereal, piece of cake, jacket potato, icecream, 2 rounds of tomato on toast and cheese and crackers, which I thought was really good.  I've suggested perhaps an easier to digest menu but Mom said she's rather give him what he fancies, which changes daily.

The nurses have suggested Ensure drinks but dad doesn't think he needs them as he is still eating ok most days.

Anybody else have experience of this full feeling?

Devoted Daughter to the most wonderful Dad a girl could ask for.  Sadly lost his battle on 19.02.11, peacefully in the arms of Mom and I.  As requested by Dad "we will keep on smiling".
  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,312

Re: Feeling full

Andie....your Dad me have some problems digesting his food especially, food with a high fat content, as it is more difficult to digest.
It takes about six to eight hours for food to pass through the stomach and small intestine before it enters the large intestine (colon.)
It had been suggested to take small meals, low in fat, high in proteins, and to move around a bit right after ingestion.  At times it may even help to eat while standing up.  Definitely, moving the body aids in the digestion process.
My husband loved to eat, and really loved to eat food high in fat.  (He was not overweight, though.)  I had to use some tricks while preparing his meals, but in most instances it worked out quite well, although, cheese eventually had to be dropped from the menu.  Possibly, your Mom can find a way to

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
  • Registered: Sat, 17 Apr 2010
  • Posts: 663

Re: Feeling full

Thanks Marion,

I think the main problem with Dad is that he changes what he wants daily so Mom never knows what to give him from day to day, and he's also a fussy eater at times!

He also has an illestomy as he had part of his bowel removed nearly 10 years ago when he had bowel cancer.  I'm not sure if this effects his digestion too.  I know certain foods don't suit him anymore and can cause gas and bloating.

I have told Dad to note what he has eaten before the full feeling as perhaps like you say certain foods aren't helping with his digestion.

I will have a word with Mom and perhaps between us we can work out food that would be easier for him, that he will still eat.  If he could eat cream cakes and trifle all day I'm sure he would, he's also very slim so any pound of weight loss makes a big difference to his apperance.

Best wishes
Andrea

Devoted Daughter to the most wonderful Dad a girl could ask for.  Sadly lost his battle on 19.02.11, peacefully in the arms of Mom and I.  As requested by Dad "we will keep on smiling".
  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,312

Re: Feeling full

Andie....I agree. Your Dad should eat those things most enticing to him.  Perhaps you could try a day or two eliminating the fat.  Some people also have problems digesting milk products.  Ice cream and trifle....hmm... I much understand.  Who wants to willingly give that up? 
Best wishes,
Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
  • Gavin
  • Gavin
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  • From: Scotland - Dundee
  • Registered: Tue, 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 5,057

Re: Feeling full

Hi Andrea,

When my dad was having these types of issues I spoke with his specialist about them and he siad that eating smaller amounts but more often was a good idea. And he also suggested eating things that were easier to digest like mince, soup etc. My dad also had the Ensure drinks when he came home from the hospital after his diagnosis as a supplement to his normal eating to help keep his weight up.

My best to you and your dad,

Gavin

  • Registered: Sun, 29 May 2011
  • Posts: 7

Re: Feeling full

Hi Andrea
I too have a feeling of fullness after I eat. In my case, I have scar tissue from the sternum down to just above the navel and across to either side from the operation to remove the gall bladder and part of the liver. This tissue gets very tight and uncomfortable when I eat and cuts off my appetite. I also begin burping more than usual, so evidently eating builds up stomach gasses that also cause the feeling of fullness. I agree with Marion that exercising or moving around after eating relieves the fullness, as does the burping.

  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,312

Re: Feeling full

Dario.....enzymes may also aid with digestion as do stool softeners one half hour prior to each meal. 
All my best wishes,
Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER