Can a stomach get smaller?

[Sallyb]

Is it possible for the stomach (not waist) to actually shrink as the amount of food
eaten decreases? Does anyone have any experience of this?

Many thanks
Sally

[not2late]

Originally Posted by Sallyb

Is it possible for the stomach (not waist) to actually shrink as the amount of food
eaten decreases? Does anyone have any experience of this?

Many thanks
Sally

The stomach is a muscle. Like any other muscle it has the elasticity to stretch and de-stretch.

So if you consistently put more food into it, it gets used to being stretched out enough to accomodate that volume. If you consistently put a smaller amount, it gets used to only accomodating that volume.

[Kisseslikepearls]

That it can. Its the principle behind stomach stapling. Those who seriously need it apparently can have stomachs the size of a soccer ball, vs say a softball which would be a "normal" stomach. The stapling is suppose to teach them when they are satified and portion control.

My question is, if the stomach stretches, how could the portion control/satisfaction really happen since they could just go ahead and eat what they did before and re-stretch the stomach? I'm sure the answer is something like "diet control" but still.

[not2late]

Originally Posted by Kisseslikepearls

My question is, if the stomach stretches, how could the portion control/satisfaction really happen since they could just go ahead and eat what they did before and re-stretch the stomach? I'm sure the answer is something like "diet control" but still.

This is why Atkins is so great. When ketosis kicks in, your appetite decreases, so normal portions of food will satisfy your hunger. If you do as Dr. A. said to do and eat only the amount that satisfies your hunger, you'll soon notice that a 3-4 ounce portion of protein and 1 cup of cooked veg is "enough".

"Eating until satisfied" is a mental perception. "Eating until full" is a physical perception.

The folks who mistake "eating until satisfied" and "eating until full" don't do themselves any favors because the way your brain knows your hunger is satisfied is by the stretch receptors in your stomach. That's why we recommend you eat slowly because it takes about 20-30 minutes for the stretch receptors in your stomach to signal to your brain "Stop eating!"

[womanpraised]

Stomach stapling patients can restretch their stomach..at first if they eat too much it makes them nauseaus.. but over time, it can stretch out again, if they dont control their eating.

[Sallyb]

Many thanks for all your replys, it is a question I often am curious about and it's nice having it answered. The stapling thing was another curious one...so two answers in one question, thank-you!

I don't have a problem with eating volume amounts of food, but whilst I was on my holiday I noticed at Buffet meals how much some folk can consume at one sitting,
serious amount of food and many trips to the buffet bar and yet some ate like baby birds! I could not help but wonder if when they went home would their hunger be extreme.

Thanks for all your replys.

Sally

[not2late]

Originally Posted by Sallyb

Many thanks for all your replys, it is a question I often am curious about and it's nice having it answered. The stapling thing was another curious one...so two answers in one question, thank-you!

I don't have a problem with eating volume amounts of food, but whilst I was on my holiday I noticed at Buffet meals how much some folk can consume at one sitting,
serious amount of food and many trips to the buffet bar and yet some ate like baby birds! I could not help but wonder if when they went home would their hunger be extreme.

Thanks for all your replys.

Sally

Buffets are odd places. It seems like people set out to get their money's worth and eat everything on the buffet. Bad place to eat if you know you are an over-eater....

[Brook]

I know of several weight loss/exercise programs that recommend a 2-3 day liquid fast in order to reduce the size of the stomach under the guise that it will help you eat less and feel satisfied with less. - Of course that doesn't keep us from restretching, does it?!

Megs- Dead on as usual - Sheesh. I almost dislike posting after you because it feels so darn redundant. Almost LOL

~Brook

[cajunthunder]

I know mine must have shrunk because it takes every ounce of willpower for me to get breakfast down most mornings because my stomach is full of the handful of supplements I take when I eat my breakfast! Don't think there's much room left for food!

[Sallyb]

Wow - it can shrink in as much as 2 or 3 days on a liquid diet...amazing, it must take a while for it to become enlarged, thanks Brook.

I wish I was full on my daily supplements, it takes me a little more than that!!

Have a great day folks .

Sally