Possible lap-band slip, need some advice!

[Tribecca26 4]

Hello!

I tend to get a little worried if something out of the ordinary happens to me, so I just want to put it out there and see if anyone has had anything similar to what im going through!

I had my surgery in December, everything has been going pretty well since except for the occasional stuck episode. I got a fill on Thursday and was on liquids and soft foods till yesterday (Sunday) Everything was going down fine, no problems until last night. I had a small bite of pizza (which i haven't had issues with before) and it got stuck so it was coming back up for about an hour. It was probably the most uncomfortable I've been after something like that has happened. I was sitting up in bed after this and started feeling a tightness in my chest where the band is, and though there didn't seem to be anything left that was stuck i was burping for hours after. When I woke up this morning the tightness was still there, the burping subsided so i just made a smoothie and it went down fine but was burping the whole time drinking it, which doesn't usually happen. I burp during meals to help get it down but not as often as i am now. Is this maybe a band slip, or maybe just inflammation from the food coming up last night? I usually don't worry if that happens as much, but the pain was a little more intense this time so I wasn't sure. Since its Memorial Day, my doctors office is closed so any advice you guys may have would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

Unless you violently vomited I doubt there was damage. BUT since you are clearly inflamed and it's a holiday weekend, stick to creamy Soups and liquids another day to rest the band. Better safe than sorry. The burping could have been from the acid from the pizza.

Live and learn.

If it's not slightly better in twelve hours, or gets worse, call your doc.

Every office should have an emergency number.

[2muchfun 8,927]

Most likely it's inflammation. Cold Icy drinks like slushies might help with the swelling and they go down easy too. I agree with justwatchme, rest your band.

But it does sound like you're struggling to eat like a Bandster. Eating too fast, taking large bites and not chewing to a mush or creamy Soup consistency can cause food to back up into your esophagus. This can be painful to uncomfortable. It's not like you're getting stuck each time, you're food is not thin enough to pass through the stoma so when you continue eating, food will stack up and your esophagus will produce saliva/phlegm which only causes more discomfort. We call it slime here btw. Slow down, small bites and chew chew.

tmf

[KateP 359]

I agree with the PP. the most likely scenario is irritated tissue. Stick to liquids or soft foods for 24 hours and if there is still an issue then, phone your doctor.

[Tribecca26 4]

Thanks guys... I've definitely slowed down a lot, take smaller bites and chew thoroughly but maybe I need to pay attention even more so. Appreciate the feedback!

[catlover602 85]

I've noticed after each fill bites of food need to be smaller and I really don't know what to expect after a fill. I've had one stuck episode a few months back. My chest was sore for 2 days. I stayed on liquids and then soft. I felt fine afterwards. just recently I had to go in for an unfill of .2cc. I can only handle tiny fills at a time, even coffee was giving me problems in the AM. you should never have problems with liquids. best wishes.

[manda81305 24]

Good Morning!

I know Im a month or so late to the party here, but here's my advice (being I actually do have a slip and have to have my band removed next week)

#1 you're only 7+ months into your band. Under no circumstances should you be eating pizza 4 days after a fill. Do your Clear Liquids (I found 3 days work good for me, you'll find what works best for you), 3 days on full liquids (creamy Soups, greek yogurt, etc.) 3-4 days on "mushies" (scrambled eggs, mashed potatos, cottage cheese) then move onto soft foods like boiled chicken, super steamed veggies, etc. bread, Pizza Crust, toast, english muffins, croutons.....they are way to heavy to put against your band and you will notice that over time. You will most likely not eat bread at all. I hardly do and Ive been banded over a year and a half now. And you probably won't miss it at all, I know I don't.

If you don't take care of your band and have to keep vomiting to dislodge a clog - you can end up giving yourself a slip. I know I did and I am more than pissed off at myself over it being it has to come out and be replaced. All because of vomiting from not eating the right foods and forcing myself to purge the cloggs.

Take care and be smart!

Hugs~

Amanda