What do you do when you feel something is stuck?

[send2steph 26]

I'm pretty sure I'm in the red-zone and too tight. On Monday, I'll be calling to get at least half a fill removed. But in the meantime...

When you are feeling uncomfortable during eating, what do you do?

The first situation is when I've taken too big of a bite or ate too fast (too many little bites) and I'm in pain. Of course, there are different levels of pain - sometimes it's just a little and you realize that last bite was a little too big, but it passes, you eat slower and chew better for the rest of the meal. But what I'm talking about here is that sharp pain and possible gut feeling and salivary reaction that tells you you're done sending food in and what you just sent may be coming back up. I can sometimes avoid regurgitating by standing up super-straight, raising my hands above my head, and tilting my head back - essentially stretching out my esophagus. I can then feel the bite go through - it's pretty dang painful, but it does pass. I wonder if that is actually better than just regurgitating that big bite back up? Is there anything else that can be done at that point of pain?

The next situation is where there isn't pain, per se, but just an uncomfortable feeling like something is stuck and hasn't passed through the band. For me, sometimes that's when the slime will come (and I'll eventually regurgitate some little piece of something - usually chicken for me along with that slime). Other times not I just wait it out. For instance, right now, I feel like there's something still in my throat. It's similar to when you have a tonsil infection and those tonsils feel like golf balls back there and you can barely swallow anything past them (except of course without the tonsillitis pain... just the throat restriction). If I drink, it will go down, but not quickly. About two swallows in, the liquid it my mouth is almost uncontrollably held there - my body won't let me swallow until that "funnel" at the bottom empties into my lower stomach. Sometimes I've had to go running to the sink to spit that next mouthful of Water out because my body wouldn't let me swallow more right then. Eventually this feeling passes, but sometimes it's an hour or two later. All the while, I'm feeling uncomfortable, sometimes even hungry (growling tummy), and there just isn't a whole lot I can do about it. Any tips on what to do?

Is the pouch above the band "stomach" in that there are digestive juices there that if a larger piece of something is stuck there that it will eventually be digested into small enough pieces that it does pass and/or is absorbed?

Is regurgitating really so bad? (not vomiting, just the stuff above the band - typically the last mouthful or maybe two)

Looking forward to the responses.

[labwalker 1,177]

I've been told that digestive juices will eventually move most stuck items through--and stomach muscles are there to help move food in the right direction. But, if it doesn't you may end up needing an emergency unfill to avoid becoming dehydrated.

I've found that rubbing my stomach (pressing just below the chest bone) seems to help with massaging food through the stomach. Standing and walking are the first two things I will do if I feel any discomfort.

If I screw up, it results in sliming and a few visits to the bathroom. Not pleasant! I think the worst feeling is when you realize that you just swallowed something that needed to be chewed a bit more--you know you screwed up before it happens.

[B-52 7,113]

If I feel uncomfortable while eating, it is either I am eating foods not band friendly, not chewing, too large of bites-swallows, etc. It was not from the band being to tight.

There are foods that are just too harsh for my band....period.

I have read posts where people feel they should be able to eat anything and everything they want, and if they can't, then their band is too tight.

But that's not getting stuck...that's uncomfortable while eating....

When you get stuck, you'll know it.....can't wait for the digestive juices to do anything...happens too fast for that....sliming starts big time...that's your digestive juices (saliva) backing up with no where to go......

When that used to happen, I would go into the bathroom and take small sips of Water...speeding up the normal process...and have it al come back up and out....

Then I was fine, and sometimes continued eating...having learned my lesson....

Screwing up is all part of the learning curve....you can run and avoid it, or learn your lessons to co-exist with the band...

There was a time when I got stuck 2-3 times a day...could have blamed the band....my Dr. knew better.

He knew I had every bad eating habit one could gave...a real pig!

I had to learn how to eat all over again and not blame the band so quickly....

I have not been stuck in almost 3 years now....there are foods I no longer eat, I eat differntly now, small and slow...I have learned to listen to my band, recognize the slightest "pangs" and change before I overstep and screw up.....Eventually it all becomes second nature...don't even thing about it all that much.

Edited November 30, 2014 by B-52

[stanpry 66]

I was taught never drink to get stuck food down. You do not want to throw up. I have learned what I can and cannot eat. For example red meat. No matter what cut I cannot get it down. I eat hamburger patties but only the one that I make myself. chicken I must eat as chicken salad with lots of lite mayo. I am a calorie counter and have been very successful watching calories and carbs. You will eventually find out which foods you can tollerate. It will take time. Wishing you success.

[labwalker 1,177]

If life with a band gets to point where I can not eat red meat, I will consider a revision surgery. I can eat most meats, except for chicken breast that has not been pounded and tenderized before cooking.

Steak has never been a problem, provided it is chewed, chewed,,,, and chewed.