Question about food getting stuck...

[CajunCutie 1]

I am not banded yet, but will be in a few months. I have been reading the boards and I am worried about food getting stuck. I read that many of you "make" yourself throw up. Does your body throw up on its own? Or do you have to put your finger in your throat? The reason I am asking is because I have had the UP3 surgery. This was done for my sleep apnea and involved removing the uvula and some of the surrounding soft palate. So, putting my finger down my throat does not make me throw up anymore. I am worried that if food gets stuck I will not be able to make myself get the food unstuck by making myself throw up. Does anyone have experience or any help with this matter?

Thanks!

[Jachut 487]

My body does not like to throw up. I'll suffer nausea that drives me insane (like during pregnancy), I'll get food poisoning, I'll catch a tummy bug and the whole family can be barfing up a lung and I'll be sitting there feeling terrible but not vomiting.

Likewise with PBing. I dont do it generally - only twice in 18 months - and I dont do it with ease. Both times took 45 minutes before the offending item made a reappearance. I get stuck sometimes, I get discomfort and sliming but I always have to wait for it to go through. If I *could* just instantly PB and it would be over with I think banded life would be easier and I would in fact probably have my band tighter, but all that will happen if I go tighter is that I will get stuck more often but not PB.

But I would never ever ever make myself sick by sticking my fingers down my throat. I doubt it would work for me either, but eating too much, too fast or the wrong thing and making yourself sick to relieve it is not exactly what I'd call healthy eating behaviour. I dont care to go there.

[Hedwig 0]

I rarely pb. When I do I get the slimes first. This lets me know something is stuck. Then I head off to the restroom. If I don't think it will pase. All I have to do Is gag and up it comes. I don't do this because I don't want the calories. I am uncomfortable and it needs to come out. Also it is only the bite that landed wrong. Not a whole meal. It is nothing like a long vomiting session. Sometimes I am just tight and take a bigger bite than I should. I would say in 10 months I have had a pb maybe six times. So really it isn't an on going thing. It can usually be avoided by taking smaller bites and chewing to goo. I have never had to stick my finger down my throat. The food is still sitting on top of my band. Everyone has a different experience. Really it sounds worse than it is. Just be careful of how you eat. Hope I helped.

[babygrl1234 6]

If I have food that is really stuck generally if I burp it will just come up instead of gas.

[CandiceNC 0]

I have found that if I am stuck, I drink some Water, while in the bathroom. It either immediatly sends it back out along with the stuck food, or pushes it through the band, and no more being stuck. I too have never had to put my fingers down my throat!

Candice

305/196/160:biggrin1:

[Wheetsin 714]

I am not banded yet, but will be in a few months. I have been reading the boards and I am worried about food getting stuck. I read that many of you "make" yourself throw up. Does your body throw up on its own?

Making oneself throw up is a poor practice and can (likely does, according to the research) contribute greatly to slipped bands. Letting the stuff come up on its own, which 99% of the time it will do, is still not great - but does not carry the same complication risks.

Your body will get rid of it on its own, most likely. It's just going to take a bit longer. And in the meantime, it does hurt. A lot of people won't endure the hurt so they gag themselves. If your body can't/doesn't get rif of it on its own, chances are your esophagus will irritate, you will swell, get tighter, and end up needing an unfill. Everyone I know IRL who is banded for a year or more has had to have an unfill at some point -- it's really not that uncommon.

[Wheetsin 714]

have found that if I am stuck, I drink some Water, while in the bathroom. It either immediatly sends it back out along with the stuck food, or pushes it through the band, and no more being stuck.

Be careful doing this. If you're stuck enough, adding any fluids (for whatever reason, this does not hold true to saliva... perhaps because it's such a small quantity) can (not does, but can) really add to the pain factor. Ugh, gives me chills just to think about it. And for me, never expedited the process... just doubled me over.

[travelgirl 3]

Both times I've pb'd, it's exactly like a burp, only it's not air. I don't think you should ever have to stick your finger down your throat. The idea is to chew well, and eat slowly so you don't get stuck....Even though sometimes it happens anyway, even with vigilance....

[niki 1]

I wouldn't start worrying too much in advance. I've been banded for 2 years and never had a PB, threw up or got anything stuck. I can eat it all: bread, Pasta, chicken breast, you name it! just be careful in taking small bites and chewing really well. Chew, chew, and chew some more. Eat small portions and take your time eating your meal. If you're stressed out, don't eat, wait till you're calm, food and stress don't go along well.

You'll be fine.

niki

[TRANAM1955 1]

HI Folks,

I am scheduled to see a fill doctor on Tuesday and will discuss the symptoms I am having to see if I need a fill. During my surgery, Dr Kuri discovered and repaired a hiatal hernia. The first few weeks after surgery, I stuck to the liquid and soft foods and had no problem. However, moving into regular food it is a hit and miss. Pasta is a no no and chicken fingers for sure....I purchased alot of healthy choices and can eat cheese based items, but cheese is not good for elimination. I think during my bronchitis, I blew out my hiatal hernia. Maybe this doc can give me some answers as I really do not want to live the rest of my life with wondering if what I eat one day will make me throw up or gag the next day??

I quit smoking 10 days ago so I am showing signs of a little more hunger. That is why I am going to get an adjustment. I just pray it does not close me up.