PB vs Vomit

October 28, 2004

Sorry, I know this is gross, but I don't believe I've ever PB'd. However, I have vomited several times, apparently under the same circumstances others PB. Does anyone else share this experience?

Thanks, R

MeganA · October 28, 2004

Thought I'd define the two for newbies...

PB (Productive burp) is undigested but chewed up food that sits in the pouch - so when it comes back up there are no stomach acids that come with. I think of it as slimed, chewed food. Usually tastes the same as it did going down. Gross, I know! This is an expected part of being a bandster, but it is recommended that you take care not to do it.

Vomit- stomach acid and partially digested food come up. This is extremely dangerous for the bandster to do. It can cause slippage and reflux. Take any and all precautions not to do this. If you have food poisoning, the flu, etc...my doctor says to contact him immediately.

R-

I've never vomited since I was banded.

Hope this helps!

Megan

New Hope · October 28, 2004

Megan described it perfectly! Pb is a lot like baby spit-up. If you're doing this frequently, you really need to see your band dr.! How long have you been banded? If you're a new bandster, please follow your surgeon's post-op rules and don't try to eat foods too soon. Are you eating solid foods yet? If so, are you chewing, chewing, chewing? The opening is about the size of a pencil eraser, so anything larger is going to get stuck and cause problems. Best of luck to you!

Marimaru · October 29, 2004

R-

I agree with the explainations above, but I will say that sometimes 'burp' seems kind of a mild discription for what happens. Last week I had some Pasta, which is usually ok, but this didn't have enough sauce on it so it was really dry, and the PB that took place was a bit violent with my tummy trying to get rid of it. No stomach acid, but it was a little painful. Is this what you are talking about? Either way, if it's happening alot, make sure to take to your doc. Too much can cause slippage and/or erosion.

October 29, 2004

Thanks a lot for your replies. I think what I am experiencing is the same as what others are referring to as PBs. I don't think I would have called it productive or a burp because it's not something I could manage to do in a room with other people, and not much food comes up. A couple of times when the overactive saliva has started, I have found that if I don't swallow the spit (very gross I know), the sensation has finally gone away after about a half hour (during which I have felt terrible, but at least I didn't risk any damage to my band). Thanks again for your responses.