always feeling stuck - too full after eating?

[mrsboomer 0]

I was banded on Feb. 8th and have lost 41 pounds so far with no fill yet. But, I have been having a problem with always feeling "stuck or too full" after I eat and it is so frustrating. I have been trying to be extra good with what I am eating and how much and chewing really well but nothing is helping. When it happens, it feels horrible. It's been lasting like 2-3 hours or so and I have tried to make myself vomit (which doesn't work), walking, stretching, burping but nothing works. I am miserable and am not sure what to do. Has this happened to anyone else and if so, what works?

[sfwaitinginma 0]

Are you eating a cup of food or less (or whatever you're docs guideline is)? Chewing until liquid and pausing a minute or 2 between bites? If you're just feeling full, I would think that was a good thing? But by stuck do you mean that horrible, extremely painful feeling in your chest? If so, I would contact your doctor immediately. You shouldn't have that with no fill and eating by the right guidelines. Or maybe it's the foods you're eating. chicken is difficult for a lot of people, so is bread, past a and rice.

Also, if you are stuck, the only thing that ever worked for me, was downward facing position or a modified version of it. If you can't put your jhands on the floor, use a low stepstool or chair and stay in that position for a few minutes or longer until you feel some relief.

Edited April 24, 2010 by sfwaitinginma
added to it

[bambam 0]

Mrsboomer -

I haven't had this happen, but if I were you I think I would talk with my doctor's office. Go over with them how you are feeling, what you are eating, how much, etc. They will be able to help you and see what changes can be made in what or how you are eating so you are more comfortable.

While liquids aren't a long-term answer, maybe going back to liquids for a few days would allow things to calm down a bit and you could gradually work back to soft foods, then solids to see how you do.

Check with your doctor's office though as they are the ones best able to advise you. Let us know how you are doing!

[Astrasmom 1]

I was banded on Feb. 8th and have lost 41 pounds so far with no fill yet. But, I have been having a problem with always feeling "stuck or too full" after I eat and it is so frustrating. I have been trying to be extra good with what I am eating and how much and chewing really well but nothing is helping. When it happens, it feels horrible. It's been lasting like 2-3 hours or so and I have tried to make myself vomit (which doesn't work), walking, stretching, burping but nothing works. I am miserable and am not sure what to do. Has this happened to anyone else and if so, what works?

Are you chewing at least 25-30 times before you swallow? Are you eating no more than 5-6 oz for your meals? As someone else stated it could be the foods that you are eating. Or it could be the fact that you are just eating to much. You really should try liquids for a couple of days because everytime you try and make yourself vomit you could be irritating your pouch. If its the foods you are eating you may want to try something else. I know i can not eat red meat anymore. Its way to difficult for me to get down. I also stay away from bread, Pasta and rice. I do eat alot of chicken but only if it's moist enough. I tend to mix it with stuff. And I live on broiled fish of any kind.

If you are still feeling this way and you are truly sticking to your guidelines then I would see your doctor. I feel this way if I don't chew enough or if I eat to much food. Remember there is no shut off valve. Your band isn't necessarily going to tell you that you are full. Your mind will tell you to keep eating.

[KimmieJean 0]

It's odd that's happening to you without a fill. Have you talked to your doctor? I had some problems right after surgery and had to be hospitalized and have my esphogus stretched cuz it had somehow closed.

I just got a fill last week and I was doing good until yesterday. Now, when I eat, I get that stuck, very painful feeling in my chest. The weird thing is that I've eaten a hotdog and it was fine...I ate fish and a baked potato and it was fine. But last night I tried to eat hamburger helper and I thought i was going to die cuz it hurt so bad. then this morning I tried french toast and same thing happened. I was in so much pain I was yelling at my husband to make me throw up. Even trying to drink Water to wash it down hurt. I was banded back in July, so I know all the dos and don'ts so this is really confusing me. Before my fill, I could eat whatever and for the first 5-6 days I could eat whatever but all of the sudden I can't eat anything. This ever happen to anyone? I'm doing a lot of exercise. I started "boot camp" where I work and there's a lot of running and sit ups...my husband seems to think that I over did it and somehow my band slipped...is that possible? :biggrin:

[Divamom1970 0]

I have the same thing if I eat anything more solid than tuna fish consistancy but that only happened after my first fill. I have been sticking my mushy only diet, it's working for me, I'm losing wieght and don't miss the food. If I need to chew I have some popcorn(a slider food for me)

But if you are struggling with this then you should call your DR!!!

[Astrasmom 1]

It's odd that's happening to you without a fill. Have you talked to your doctor? I had some problems right after surgery and had to be hospitalized and have my esphogus stretched cuz it had somehow closed.

I just got a fill last week and I was doing good until yesterday. Now, when I eat, I get that stuck, very painful feeling in my chest. The weird thing is that I've eaten a hotdog and it was fine...I ate fish and a baked potato and it was fine. But last night I tried to eat hamburger helper and I thought i was going to die cuz it hurt so bad. then this morning I tried french toast and same thing happened. I was in so much pain I was yelling at my husband to make me throw up. Even trying to drink Water to wash it down hurt. I was banded back in July, so I know all the dos and don'ts so this is really confusing me. Before my fill, I could eat whatever and for the first 5-6 days I could eat whatever but all of the sudden I can't eat anything. This ever happen to anyone? I'm doing a lot of exercise. I started "boot camp" where I work and there's a lot of running and sit ups...my husband seems to think that I over did it and somehow my band slipped...is that possible? :biggrin:

I find the tighter the band goes the more picky it gets. There are certain foods that I could eat before that I can't eat now. I would never be able to eat hamburger helper and I have NEVER been able to eat French toast. I don't think that your band has slipped or that you have over done it. You just have to learn the foods that you can eat now.

[KimmieJean 0]

Thanks Astrasmom...that makes sense. I've done more research too and you are exactly right....each time you get a fill, your body has to readjust and there will be some things that you will never be able to eat again. Noone ever told me anything like that before. All in all, it's a good thing because things like french toast is what got me in the shape I was in to need the lab band to begin with! :biggrin:

[NurseShay 24]

Mrs boomer, I'm about 2wks post op & have obviously had no fill. I get the stuck ache in my chest that just about makes me want to vomit whenever I eat thicker foods & no position or liquid flushing helps. I just have to sit & wait for it to pass. I feel full & nauseous for at least 2-3hrs and usually feel full with no physical appetite for like 8-10hrs. I am still sticking to mushies & although my doc says I can eat soft foods like tuna I can only eat a few bites before I feel sickenly full. It helped me also to use a toddler spoon to slow down the amount I put in my mouth. Everydays a learning process though! For some people though my doc told me just having the band in place provides some restriction without any fills. But like I was told this can help keep you out of 'bandster hell' waiting months to feel any restriction & relying on will power to stop eating!

[cdelcid1 0]

I second that downward position. I can even just bend forward and rest my head in the seat of a chair while standing and the pain is significantly relieved. Try that. I have also learned that rice, hard boiled eggs and flour tortillas are not my friend. It might be the food you are eating...Hope it gets better soon...on the bright side you are doing awesome with no fill.

[Astrasmom 1]

Thanks Astrasmom...that makes sense. I've done more research too and you are exactly right....each time you get a fill, your body has to readjust and there will be some things that you will never be able to eat again. Noone ever told me anything like that before. All in all, it's a good thing because things like french toast is what got me in the shape I was in to need the lab band to begin with! :scared2:[/quote

Plus the tighter your band gets, the more aware you are of HOW you are eating. Your eating habits tend to change very drastically as you get your fills. My biggest problem as I go along in learning to eat smaller bites and learning to eat slower. To bad the band isn't a cure all for old habits as well.

I'm on my 4th fill now and I can honestly say yes there are times when it gets annoying because you really have to watch how you eat or you will experience that stuck feeling. But I would NEVER ever go back to the way I was. I DO NOT regret having this band on at all. I would have never been able to do this on my own. I will definately put up with the few quirks that I've had for the rest of my life.