Always throwing up

[Lauren L 0]

Ok, so ever since i had my first fill back in January, I have been having this problem.

Basically, when I eat (almost all of my meals) doesnt matter what it is, how well i chew it, or anything, I get this really nast mucusy blob that comes up. Its really uncomfortable. It feels like horrible indigestion and its just UNCOMFORTABLE. When it comes out, there is no strain on my stomach or anything it comes straight out. My husbad makes fun of me because he thinks i have just learned how to puke quietly, when in all honesty it just flows out. Its nasty, and once its out I usually can continue eating

ANYWAYS... When i called and talked to my nurse and surgeon, they both said they have never heard of it. Has anyone else ever heard of this? or had this problem themselves? I mean I know to stay away from breads, and crackers, etc etc... but typically i cant eat much. When i have my fills I have to go back on liquid and soft foods like Soup and mashed foods for about 3-4 weeks. ITS THE WORST!

Anyone in Lapband world with advice would be great!

[spoiltmom 44]

Is it slime? If so you may be too tight and getting foods stuck.

[suzahhn 19]

I had the same thing happen, it never made it down. I got an unfill and things improved dramatically.

[ABERG 0]

I am pretty sure you are too tight. If your practitioners have not heard of this before they are either lieing to you or not very well educated on the band and its side effects. Do they do a barium swallow before you get a fill, or have they ever done one? If not, you need to find someone that does do barium swallows or use who does fills under the flouroscope ((sp?). This will allow the practitioner to see how tight you really are as well as if there are any problems with the band, esophagus or stomach. I think you should do this ASAP and do it regardless of the cost. Something about your symptoms is simply not right!

[Melissannde 41]

If you are bringing stuff up with EVERY meal (or nearly all of them), you are most likely too tight.

I think the idea of getting an UGI (upper GI) study is a very good one (some people call these barium swallows.. my radiologist friend says he doesn't like that term.. if a barium swallow is ordered, he does an esophagram. For band evaluation, a UGI is more appropriate).

If your band surgeon is unwilling/unable to help you, ask your PCP to order an UGI for you. I'd seriously consider getting a small unfill. .5 to .2 cc's might be enough to relieve the problem.

The other clue that you are too tight is this sentence: When i have my fills I have to go back on liquid and soft foods like Soup and mashed foods for about 3-4 weeks You shouldn't need to be on liquids/softs for that long. At the outside limit.. maybe a week. Preferably back to solid Protein in a day or two according to my doctor.

If you continue to throw up as often as you say you are, you might be risking a band slip eventually. Even though there's little to no force behind the vomiting, it's still not very good for the band or you for that matter.

Best of luck to you.

[Cupcake1986 1]

Hey Lauren,

I have become the queen of this particular situation, my fiance was banded as well and never or rarely suffers from this and he is tighter then I am. Since day one I have suffered from that slime. Some say its because I am not chewing well and blah blah but I came to the conclusion that it always happens if I want to eat solid food and I haven't drank anything or had some sort of a Soup like substance before eating something solid. I usually solve the problem by having some sort of a brothy soup before I eat and that also helps cut down the portion size and I can feel my insides loosening up. Once the slime thing began, I started researching and found out that our bodies naturally create that slime when I feels like you are choking, so your body thinks the food is stuck and starts producing the natural slime to help slide the food down, but unfortunately for us our body has no idea that we have this foreign tool in our bodies that creates the blockage, so the slime builds up and builds up until you truly are choking and you have no other choice but to run to the bathroom and let it come out.

I hope this helps, if you need any help or ideas on how to get around it you can always message me!

[Lauren L 0]

Well everyone, I ended up going to the ER on Sunday night because I literally couldn't keep ANYTHING down... not even Water. I was lucky because my surgeon was in there for another patient. He came in and took all but 1.5 cc's of Fluid out. and I will say it made a WORLD of a difference. Now I have to face the struggles of not eating much. until i can get back in there to get it adjusted and start all over again ... Oh well. I'm working hard to maintain my diet, and do find that I'm still not all that hungry.

Cupcake0701- I'm sorry that you go thru the same things that I do! but at the same time I'm glad I'm not a freak show loner either. That's EXACTLY what I have realized too. Its when i try to eat solids if i haven't eaten in a while. The slime is so nasty and builds up to the point of feeling like i will explode. I KNOW that i chew my food and take small bites, but it doesn't matter. It is amazing right now to eat and not feel that with solids. Almost like i expect it to start building up but it doesn't. When i get tightened up again I will make sure to try your trick of eating some broth or Soup type "appetizer" before my meals. Well, Keep up the good work and stay encouraged!!!