why does a pb happen?

Monica S · January 24, 2006

Anyone know what's going on with the pb?

princess_n_thep · January 24, 2006

Well I am going to give it my ole' college try in explaining. The doctor would be the person to ask about this, but I will share what my understanding of it is.... here goes...

The PB (or productive burp) is caused by several things. 1. Not chewing properly 2. untolerated foods (ie fresh doughy bread) or 3. too big of a chunck or bite. When the food slides down the esophagas it goes into the pouch where it "sticks" in the stoma of the band not allowing anything to pass. The esophagus and stomach then naturally produce a secretion ("slime") to help it pass through. The slime then accumulates and either pushes the lodged object out or you will "throw up" the slime. One way or another, it is going to be free. The pain and pressure you feel is the top pouch portion of the stomach trying to naturally contract and release (as if it didn't have a band) to free the lodged item. This is why sometimes people get hiccups because they are working (forcing air back and forth) to get the piece free. The dizziness that some people feel is from the panic we put ourselves in and do not regulate our breathing very well and really has nothing to do with the band itself.

The "PB" is bad to our band because of the stress the body places on the band when trying to "free" items. The esophagus is also working hard and can become swelled and irritated. Therefore, if you have a complaint of constant PB then are you giving your lower throat time to heal with the 24-48 hours of liquid only? Or are you trying to eat again in a few hours just because you feel you can. (i.e. "testing the band")

Therefore, chew chew chew, eat recommended foods, and take small bites. When we choose the band as our WLS option we agree to those terms. We don't always "live" by those terms but it is what we agreed to.

We (including me) should try not to not cheat, lie or work around our bands. Plus, the bands never believe us when we lie and try and tell it that the food we want to eat and eat quickly is okay. Damn, I wish it would listen sometimes though!

Again, I am no doctor or expert. This is just my understanding of it. Hope it helps somehow.