In pain

CLOE · June 8, 2006

:help: I am 14 days post-op and was given the go ahead to start soft foods a few days ago. So last night I had a salmon fillet and today I had tuna. Both times after a few minutes I got alot of pain I guess where my band is. I figure I'm either eating to quickly or not chewing enough. Have I hurt my band? Whats gonna happen when I advance to steak and stuff, why would I think I wouldnt get the pain then?

PhotoNut · June 8, 2006

Nah, you didnt hurt your band. *hugs*

Try starting with some softer foods for a while. Also, if you mix a bit of fat free dressing into that tuna, it will moisten it up and make it go down easier. Salmon can be kind of dry. Since you like fish, try Gortons frozen fish fillets (unbreaded). They are microwavable and very very moist.

Also, take really small bites, chew until its hardly there anymore and dont drink with your meal.

Once the swelling begins to subside you'll be able to eat more solid foods. Although there are usually a few foods that just don't get along with a well-restricted band. Steak, hamburger, chicken, breads.. all are on the list.

CLOE · June 8, 2006

This is going to sound gross, I'm sorry. I just slimed my tuna lunch, 3 times. But the last time it looked like there was blood in with it. I'm freaking out, I'm such an idiot...please:help: .

PhotoNut · June 8, 2006

Aww, calm down and go back to liquids for a day or two. Then start with much softer, more moist foods. tuna can be very dry!

PhotoNut · June 8, 2006

CLOE? Are you ok?

Yoda · June 8, 2006

Sorry Cloe...how r u doing?

I have no advice since I didn't go thru any of that. If it was blood, it may just have been cause it is irritated/swollen.

But if you are concerned, call your doc.

You'll be okay.

CLOE · June 8, 2006

Hi guys, only my ego hurts now. I'm so _issed at myself!! . The pain finally went away about 15 minutes after last PB. Man, does that hurt!!:think . I had to call in sick to work 1/2 hour before I was to go, felt like an idiot!! All because I don't know how to chew and slow down. It really scared me bad, I don't want that to happen ever again. I just hope I can form these new habits. I was such a binger before, I'm sure my throat is 4 inches wide(lol), I'm not sure if I ever chewed my food before I swallowed. I had just left it too long before my lunch, so I was really hungry. Anyway I'm going back on liquids...FOREVER..LOL (for a few days). I just hope I didn't do any real damage, I equate this with the beginnings of erosion. AAAAAAHHHHHH I'm soooo mad at myself:frusty: . Thank you so much Photonut for your help, I was actually PBing inbetween talking to you, you helped calm me down:hug: . Well, I'm no longer a virgin(PBer).:phanvan

DonnaB · June 8, 2006

Hey Cloe,

I think you might give your doctor a call. They'll probably just tell you to go back to liquids for a few days, which you're already doing, but I think it's a good idea to have this kind of thing go into your medical chart for future reference.

Sorry you're having a hard time of it right now. It will get better.

PhotoNut · June 8, 2006

Hi CLOE! I am so glad you're ok! Phew! I was really worried about ya. DonnaB is right.. do let your Dr know about the incident and tell him of your plans to return to liquids. I'm sure he'll be pleased.

Don't be too hard on yourself about this. You're making very good food choices and it takes some time to re-learn how to eat. You're right about needing to take small bites and chew till it's goo. But also remember that some foods are just more likely to stick and tuna with no salad dressing in it can be very dry.

I'm sorry you went through such pain but I'm glad you're ok. Oh, and by the way... If that happens again, don't keep trying to eat. Take a break and walk around, lifting your arms up in the air to get the food to work its way free. The slime was a good indicator that this particular kind of food is going to get stuck. So if you decide to try tuna again, be sure to make it very moist by adding that fat free dressing ok?

argon · June 8, 2006

Hey Cloe... I missed this earlier. I'm sorry it happened to you!

Since you're essentially supposed to be on pureed right now, I think you should maybe do that instead of trying to chew things yourself. Marie said I could 'self puree' in my mouth, and that's what I did without any problems like you're having... but maybe to be safe, you really should puree things. But yeah... do liquids for a few days again, then try again. I'm sure you'll be fine.

Mandi

CLOE · June 9, 2006

Good morning, feeling better today, Thank you to everyone for all the support and advice, it really helps. I decided that, yes, it was a good idea to call Dr. Cobourn. I wrote a e-mail around 8:00 last night and a few minutes later Marie called me back, incredible. She was wonderful, she assured me I hadnt done any damage to the band, but yes going back on liquids for a few days was a good idea. This is all such a learning experience. Anyone who tells you that we have had surgery because we are too weak, is full of crap! This is the hardest thing I have ever done!

loriely · June 9, 2006

i am so glad for this forum all the questions& answers & the advice is great .sorry cloe that you had to experience that so soon after having the band i would panic too. it is good to know to really chew i inhale my food too lol loriely