Food Sticking In Esophagus?

[TornadoKnight Matt 5]

Heya everyone,

Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it normal to have food take a long time to make its way down my Esophagus to the stomach at this point after my surgery?

(Since I haven’t had my 1^st fill yet. They thought that I shouldn’t have that problem.)

My food either takes quite a long time to move down or it seems to get stuck before it even gets to where my LapBand is located.

I have been using the Bariatric Advantage Meal Replacement 8oz drinks for my Breakfast & lunch. Then I might eat a small dinner.< /span>

Thanks,

Matt

[elcee 3,341]

What are you eating? Are you following the post op diet your Dr has recommended?

Usually your food would not be getting stuck as after surgery most people spend 2 weeks on liquids then 2 weeks on mushies then 2 weeks on soft before following a "normal" diet.

If you have been cleared to eat then possibilities are:-

Your bites are too big

You are not chewing properly

You are not waiting long enough between bites

The food is not a band friendly food.

Even without any fill the band because of how and where it is placed does make a certain amount of difference.

The other possibility is that your band put some Fluid in your band when he/she did surgery. This does sometimes lead to problems.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Hi Matt,

Some people do have some restriction even with no fills, I know I did. Also keep in mind you still may have some residual swelling from the surgery too.

As elcee aptly stated, too big of bites, not chewing enough, and not pausing between bites could cause the sensation you're describing, and even more so if you still have swelling from surgery.

There is also what people call "first bite syndrome", where the first couple bites seem to feel almost stuck. I've had this happen a couple times. If I wait a couple minutes, the sensation passes, and I'm able to eat normally so long as I'm careful to take tiny bites and chew like crazy.

Hang in there, everything with the band seems to be a learning experience but it does get easier

[2muchfun 8,927]

First bite syndrome. Oh yeah!

I had something similar myself. As time went along it went away and in fact, I had completly forgot about it till your post. I agree with both previous responses. Smaller bites, slow down and chew, chew, chew.

Although, in my case, I was on solids 4 weeks out and on soft foods about 2 weeks out.

tmf

[Timsgrl50 0]

I'm happy to see this post because I thought I was going crazy!!! I was banded on June 8, 2012 and have recently noticed the same thing. I can feel the food going down slowly (almost like getting stuck), and boy is it painful. I have learned to eat smaller forkfuls and slower. I'm not due for a fill until July 28th, or something like that.

[TornadoKnight Matt 5]

_{Hmmm. Interesting. I wouldn't say it's painful. It's a bit uncomfortable. I think it's what you all described that it's the learning experience. It's one thing to read about it but to experience it is a different thing. It does seem to be getting better.}

_{I agree. I just have to get used to smaller bites & lots of chewing. I beleive i'm watching what i'm doing at first and then I slowly go back into my old mode of eating. I just have to keep working at it.}

_{Thanks for the advice,}

_Matt

[OldMomOf3 52]

I was banded 9 days ago and the same thing happens to me, and I'm on mostly liquids still. Everything makes me feel just as you described. I actually appreciate it as it keeps me from overeating. I think mine may be due to swelling since I'm just over a week out from surgery. I hope it lasts because if it does then I won't have to get a fill. I guess I like it and dislike it at the same time.

[hopingtobebandedsoon 89]

how do you know when your food isnt moving through the band and stuck? im newly banded 11 days post op

[2muchfun 8,927]

how do you know when your food isnt moving through the band and stuck? im newly banded 11 days post op

Start at the top of this thread and read down. This is what we're talking about.

tmf

[TornadoKnight Matt 5]

Has anyone had any trouble with straight tuna Fish getting stuck? My wife warned me that she has troubles unless she mixes alot of mayo into it. I had a can of Tuna straight. (Yum!!) But it did tend to get stuck even though I took small bites & chewed it like crazy.

Anyone else have problems with Tuna?

Matt

[OldMomOf3 52]

Yes, I did have the same issue with tuna. So, I didin't drain the can to make it more watery, and I used relish and mayo. I don't like to use mayo, but really wanted that tuna. Since it was the only solid food I ate that day it didn't seem to affect my weight loss.

[TornadoKnight Matt 5]

MomOf3inOC,

That sounds like a good idea. I enjoy a good tuna Fish sandwich. I'll give that a try. Num!

Matt

[alley-gator 96]

I've also heard of folks mixing it with laughing cow cheese wedges instead of mayo, that's something I plan to get after I am banded.

[adorkbl 156]

I've also heard of folks mixing it with laughing cow cheese wedges instead of mayo' date=' that's something I plan to get after I am banded.[/quote']

What a great idea.