Unable To Keep Down "real Foods"

[Cocoabean 430]

I have been banded since 8/26/11, i have 2.3 cc of Fluid in my band and i have lost 60 lbs so i am very happy with my lap bad, but ever since i started getting filled i have trouble keeping "real foods" down. I drink Protein shakes, Soup, yogurt, sugar free puddings, etc. When i try to eat any kinds of meat such as fish, chicken or veggies i usually end up throwing up. I am starting to feel like i am bulimic. My husband says i try to eat too fast but even when i try to eat slow i still have problems, my doctor does not seem to concerned about it. Does anyone else have this problem?

You are NOT bulimic because you are not throwing up to control your intake. Has your doctor done any testing on your bad, like an Upper GI to check your restriction level?

[MelanieClaire 3]

I was experiencing the same issues. I read to drink some warm liquids to loosen up the band in the morning and before meals or before I swollow meds. It really works!!! I just drink several sips of hot tea or hot Water in a pinch.

[littlerlou 7]

Im kinda going through the same thing. I can pretty much drink anything I want..but when it comes to "food" I can havea hard time. I dont consider myself "throwing up". The food usually feels "stuck" in my throat and I have to basically regurgitate or "spit up" to feel better. Its never the heaves or anything like when you actually throw up..its just spitting up the food that feels stuck in my throat. Hope that makes sense.

[Ebby42299 8]

Eating has gotten better over the weekend. I am taking smaller bites, counting between bites and chewing more. I have been able to keep more food down. I eat several small servings of about 1/4 c each day.

[Britneygirl 65]

I was just filled on Monday and am currently dealing with that as well. However' date=' if it hasn't improved by Tuesday I plan on going back in for a slight unfill. Not being able to eat isn't normal.

With that said, I also know it takes me a good 5-7 days after a fill before I can truly return to normal, hence why I am waiting a week.

Your husband may not be far off in his advice. I know after the fill before this one, I had to truly change the way I ate. I had to take very small bites, like the size you'd feed a toddler, and chew until the food is absolute mush. I always use a fork, even with things like sandwiches and pizza, so I don't accidentally eat too big a bite. I have to put my fork down and wait a good 30-60 seconds between bites.

All this was learned by trial and error. Perhaps some of this may help you?

Best wishes.[/quote']

Im really digging this post. In few words u helped me w my dilemma. I was going to start a thread seeking help and I read this and I feel like u answered my questions.

Where's the like Button here? Lol.

[pattiwagon30 14]

I'm with Brittneygirl. Thank you all for the information. I had my first fill on May 5th (banded Feb 27,12) and I have had a hard time with "real food" but I think I have been taking too big a bite and not chewing well enough not to mention that I have been under alot of stress at work lately and find it hard to have a relaxing non-rushed lunch. chicken has been my #1 nemisis since being banded but I continue to work to find ways in which I can eat it. I have a hard time eating it plain (with no sauce ect...). I know I havn't found the "green zone" yet but hoping with the next fill I'll get closer.

[kattraku 0]

Does anyone have issues with too much phlegm? Sometimes when I try to eat I just can't, then I end up coughing up all kinds of phlegm. And it always feels like food is stuck. I take tiny bites and chew til mush. I had a fill 2 weeks ago, was fine until the last 2 days. In the morning I am able to drink but as soon as I try to eat forget it. I'm 2 years into this band and having more issues now than I ever did. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[SageTracey 608]

The Like Button is in the bottom right hand corner of each person's post - so you can actually Like a comment.

[Cocoabean 430]

Does anyone have issues with too much phlegm? Sometimes when I try to eat I just can't, then I end up coughing up all kinds of phlegm. And it always feels like food is stuck. I take tiny bites and chew til mush. I had a fill 2 weeks ago, was fine until the last 2 days. In the morning I am able to drink but as soon as I try to eat forget it. I'm 2 years into this band and having more issues now than I ever did. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, the slime is mucous your body creates in an attempt to help the stuck food go down. Since the stoma is blocked it cannot go into your stomach, it must come up. It sounds as though you are a bit too tight.

[kattraku 0]

I was thinking that also. Funny I was fine the first 2 weeks after my fill. Then all of a sudden I couldn't eat. I'll call my drs. office Mon. Thanks for your repsonse.

[Cocoabean 430]

For many of us it takes a couple of weeks for a fill to take full effect. Odd but true. For me, this last one took a few months. I am having a slight unfill soon. After my fill in September, I got very tight in February. It's loosened up a bit since then, but still too tight. Go Figure.

[dk4k 15]

I was thinking that also. Funny I was fine the first 2 weeks after my fill. Then all of a sudden I couldn't eat. I'll call my drs. office Mon. Thanks for your repsonse.

I also seem to get tighter when the weather is warmer, or during my time of the month. So maybe one of those caught up with you a few weeks after your fill.

[Snigglez 1]

I was filled about a month ago from 6 to 7cc's after a week or so I went back and asked to have .5cc taken out they did it. I was doing very well its been a month now all of a sudden I cant eat/drink anything after about 2 bites very small bites and I always wait 10 minutes between bites I started feeling like I have to throw up. I end up bringing up the clear liquid and foam. Right now the only thing I had to eat was this mornings Breakfast a egg white omlette had 2 bites and bam it hit me. just a few minutes ago after a day of bringing up this stuff I tried to drink something and I couldnt even hold that down. I dont understand why this is happening now after a month of everything working fine with 6.5cc's in my band I was scheduled to go to 7 but I canceled and decided to stay at 6.5cc. could my band have slipped at some point? Any suggestions would be most appreciated. I am thinking maybe I should go down to 6cc's or call my doc on monday and ask to see him. July 13th will be my one year anniversary and I think I have to see him before that. but is there any advice out there that can help relieve the pain I am having from this until I can call my doc on monday. Oh another thing If I am sitting up the pain isnt that bad but the second I lay down its like I was hit by a tank or something the pressure of my sides and chest just is unbareable and that has just been as of today (saturday) Thank you

[kattraku 0]

I called my dr. My purpose was to get a bit of Fluid taken out but then I mentioned I was having an endoscopy done this month and he said it's better to have the band emptied for the procedure. So now I have an empty band. Amazing how much I can eat now. Then after the endoscopy I have to start over getting it slowly filled again. I only had 5.5 cc in my band but apparently that was too much for me. So we'll see once I start getting fills again. I can eat anything I want now which is scarey. I know I will put weight back on. I gain when I look at food lol. Who really knows what goes on inside our bodies. At least now I have an idea of how much fill is too much. I go back for my first refill July 3rd. Long time to have an empty band lol. But it has taught me how effective it really is and what a great tool. Thank you to everyone for your response and thoughts. Good Luck.

[kattraku 0]

Snigglez.... please call your doctor. Mine gave me a good lecture for not calling them sooner. Having pain like that is not normal. And like I said who knows what could be going on inside. I know my band is secured and chances of slipping are very minimal. But anything could have happened. Please call the dr. if you haven't done so..... Kathy