Dumb Questions About Jumping When Stuck

[Band. James Band. 5]

The last three times I've gotten stuck (which luckily is happening less often now), I've tried bobbing up and down, kind of like jumping repeatedly without letting my feet completely leave the floor.

I have found this to be effective in either quickly inducing vomiting or quickly taking down what's stuck. I've tried this recently because I have had instances of being stuck for like 45 minutes - where the build up of foam keeps making the problem worse - and it is complete torture.

Tonight I got stuck really bad, so bad that I'm convinced it would have been a 45 minute episode, but by bobbing up and down the problem was over in about 7-8 minutes. The other two times I tried this I was unstuck in like a minute or two.

My questions are (and they are admittedly kind of dumb):

-Am I just imagining this or does the sutto-jumping thing really help? (BTW, I'm afraid to completely jump because I don't want anything to fall around me due to my heavy weight hitting the floor)

-Has anyone else tried this? If so, did it help you?

-Is what I'm doing putting me at risk of having my band slip? Or is quickly getting unstuck actually helping to prevent a band-slip?

I guess I'll eventually ask my Doctor, but I know she'll just tell me to avoid the behavior that causes me to get stuck. But the reality is getting occasionally stuck in kind of unavoidable in my opinion.

[proshooperLinda 7]

A friend of mine told me about this - and it's called gravity...just kidding! You're dislodging the stuck food and that won't cause problems. It's better than all the misery and the foam and saliva getting you sick and ready to throw up. I have tried going up and down the stairs as that helps also....like you said to ideally avoid the situation but it can sneak up on you and you'll think everything is fine and BAM...there it is! I honestly don't think it has any effect on band slippage as I don't really know what causes it...but my friend has been banded over 2 years with no problems from the jumping! Good luck..Linda

[healthy and happy 64]

I do the same thing. I have only been stuck (really stuck) twice and I have to tell you that I dont know how anyone could stand that for more than a few minutes. I jump up and down also trying to shake it up and reposition the food so it will go down. I dont know if it helped or if it was just coincidence, but both times the food became unlodged and went down. I dont see how it could possibly be hurting you. After all, when you exercize (jumping jacks, jogging, etc) you are making the same motions so I think you are fine.

[Kim Lap Band Talk 10]

I've never heard of it but will have to try. Sometimes I just bend over at the waist.

[proshooperLinda 7]

I don't do that - unless I want it to come back up! Sometimes that is my last resort - unless I want to suffer for a long time...I find just "running" up and down the stairs a few times is enough of a jog to loosen it....good luck all... Linda

[smmrsue 56]

The binder my surgeons office gave me actually lists jumping as a way to become "unstuck". Jump away.

[Ajai 0]

I wouldn't suggest jumping. I was just banded Feb 29th, so I'm not eating solids yet. I learned back in Dec from my Dr's support group to eat small bites like a chipmunk. Chew it 20-30 times then swallow. I started eating like that before my liquid diet started. I must say it teaches you patience.

[healthy and happy 64]

No offense Ajai, I see that you are newly banded. Trust me when you have your first experience being stuck, I am willing to bet that you will be jumping if you think it can get the food down. We all know that the best thing to do is chew carefully and take it slow to prevent it to start with. I agree with you completely on that but we are human and sometimes we get in a rush or we simply forget and stuff happens. When it does happen though, believe me, you will be willing to try anything (including jumping) to get it down. I think the topic starter was just wanting to know if it is doing any harm for them to jump.

Good luck with your band journey and keep chewing slow!!

[Band. James Band. 5]

Thank you to everyone for your responses. I feel less dumb now.

It seems like I'm not alone in my tactic and that it won't likely contribute to a band slip.

Of course we all would likely agree that good band habits like chewing super slowly are a necessity, but when getting stuck does happen (which for me is impossible to avoid 100%), then I'm open to any and all suggestions on how to safely eliminate that extremely painful feeling!

[Cocoabean 430]

In four years I've never tried jumping...hhmmm, must add it to my repertoire...I doubt you'd cause a slip by the act of jumping. Other than unknown causes, the biggest cause of a slip is vomiting.

I have tried:

Waving my arms above my head.

Flapping my arms like chicken wings.

Rocking from the waist.

Walking...I've worn a path in the hall carpet.

Hanging over the kitchen sink to let the slime drain and wait it out.

Take a few gulps of water--be near a sink or toilet, this starts the launch sequence.

Lean over a toilet and work my stomach muscles. I can often bring up the item that way.

Last resort...I have a short gag reflex, finger down the throat, offending item up. Done

For me, if I am sliming, the stuck item is NOT going to go down. If I just have pain, there's a chance it will go down.

The book answer of course is to take small bites, chew the heck out of them, wait between bites, repeat. Book answer 2, if you do get stuck, wait it out, if it will not go down, call your surgeon.

I say there are those who have been stuck and those who will be. It is just a fact of life for us. At some point we are going to eat a food that now won't go down ("but it went down yesterday!"), eat too much, not chew it enough, take a bite that was too big.

When you are out with friends enjoying a meal...great conversation going on, you have a bite of something in your mouth, you want to say something, you swallow quickly, speak your mind, and oh...no.....stupid, stupid, stupid.

We were camping with friends. One day I had a bagel. The next day I had another bagel, sent me into an hourlong pain-fest. Now I can sometimes eat Bagels, sometimes not.

[Band. James Band. 5]

"but it went down yesterday!"

Story of my bandster life...

BTW Denise, congratulations on all your weight loss. Very inspirational.

[Cocoabean 430]

Story of my bandster life...

BTW Denise, congratulations on all your weight loss. Very inspirational.

Thanks, looks like you are doing well yourself!

[joyb1only 4]

The last three times I've gotten stuck (which luckily is happening less often now), I've tried bobbing up and down, kind of like jumping repeatedly without letting my feet completely leave the floor.

I have found this to be effective in either quickly inducing vomiting or quickly taking down what's stuck. I've tried this recently because I have had instances of being stuck for like 45 minutes - where the build up of foam keeps making the problem worse - and it is complete torture.

Tonight I got stuck really bad, so bad that I'm convinced it would have been a 45 minute episode, but by bobbing up and down the problem was over in about 7-8 minutes. The other two times I tried this I was unstuck in like a minute or two.

My questions are (and they are admittedly kind of dumb):

-Am I just imagining this or does the sutto-jumping thing really help? (BTW, I'm afraid to completely jump because I don't want anything to fall around me due to my heavy weight hitting the floor)

-Has anyone else tried this? If so, did it help you?

-Is what I'm doing putting me at risk of having my band slip? Or is quickly getting unstuck actually helping to prevent a band-slip?

I guess I'll eventually ask my Doctor, but I know she'll just tell me to avoid the behavior that causes me to get stuck. But the reality is getting occasionally stuck in kind of unavoidable in my opinion.

I don't know about bobbing up and down, but occasionally, when this starts, I've noticed that if I get up and walk around a few minutes or do something else (like make coffee, close a drape, start the dishes) that the sensation seems to ease, and I can then come back to the table, and work on my meal. That doesn't always work; it depends on how soon I realize I've got a problem, and how bad it is.

[Ajai 0]

It took a long time for me to decide to do the surgery. I went for my consultation on Nov 17th,2011. A week later I went to my first support group. I took the tiny bites to heart and started right away. I think that by preparing myself mentally and physically beforehand, I will have a better experience and hopefully not get stuck. I live in NY where rush society started and lives. Everyone wants things right away. Though I was just banded, I still crave a bite of chicken pot pie. (Which my Aunt made today and I can't eat it ) This is why we are here to support each other. Take it slow and enjoy life 1 bite at a time 1 ounce at a time.

[Band. James Band. 5]

It took a long time for me to decide to do the surgery. I went for my consultation on Nov 17th' date='2011. A week later I went to my first support group. I took the tiny bites to heart and started right away. I think that by preparing myself mentally and physically beforehand, I will have a better experience and hopefully not get stuck. I live in NY where rush society started and lives. Everyone wants things right away. Though I was just banded, I still crave a bite of chicken pot pie. (Which my Aunt made today and I can't eat it ) This is why we are here to support each other. Take it slow and enjoy life 1 bite at a time 1 ounce at a time.[/quote']

It sounds like you have a lot of motivation and discipline Ajai and I applaud your courage in getting the band and for approaching your newly banded life with such determination. I have found that getting stuck is going to inevitably happen to me on occassion despite my best, earnest efforts to avoid it by chewing slowly and making smart food choices. Best of luck and please keep us updated on your journey.