Chest pain after eating...

[boricua123 0]

I just started eating soft food and I don't feel full, but instead I feel a pain in my chest like the food can't go down and it even hurts my throat and it is very uncomfortable. I do not get stomach pain or gas pain. It feels like in the esophagus and throat. Almost feels like I can't even breathe. Is this normal? Am I forcing the sleeve too much? Does it get better? And even scare to eat and having a lot of regrets and depressing feelings.

[DaisyAmy 561]

It's probably normal. Did you have a hiatal hernia repair? Just had my two week follow up and the surgeon said that the sternum pain is normal. It resolved for me by the first week unless I take too large of bites

[tmcx28 297]

Are you watching the size of the bites you're taking and taking a little break in between them? I find it feels like food gets stuck in my esophagus if I don't chew well enough or my bites are too big. If it still feels like things are getting stuck talk to your surgeon to make sure things are alright.

[Angry Banana 37]

This was normal for me if I tried to swallow to big of a bite, the wrong foods or ate too fast. Gotta go slow and make sure anything you eat is chewed to mush before swallowing. I really found that using a blender on a lot of stuff helped as it controlled the urge to swallow too big of pieces of food.

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[glitter eyes 1,398]

That happened to me to in the beginning. I just made sure I ate tiny tiny bites (I used baby spoons and tiny cocktail forks for months-they helped me with the portion size of my bites). I also chewed my food until it almost disappeared in my mouth. I watched the time on a clock or my phone, waiting several minutes between bites.

This turtle speed eating was very annoying until I got used to it then it was second nature. Now at a year and a half post op I chew and eat almost normal again without any problems.

Good luck

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Are you weighing/measuring your portions. I don't feel "full" with the sleeve like you may be used to. I go from satisfied to one bite too many.

As others have suggested: watch your portion size, eat slowly, take small bites, and chew thoroughly. You'll get the hang of it.

[caressaxoxo 4]

Lol at least twice a day I feel like I'm swallowing an elephant.. After a few minutes I'm OK.. Normally that after eating my pudding or applesauce. I guess a chicken enchilada is out the question j/k.

[jennolsen 140]

I had pain like you describe in the beginning as well, when I transitioned from clears to full liquids. My surgeon had me back off and go back to clears for a few more days then try again to progress. I had he same when moving to purees. Back off a little and progress real slow. Small bites, smaller than you ever imagined and eat/drink slowly. It is normal, and it will pass. Good luck!