the "ker-plunk" feeling

want2bmeagain · May 6, 2008

does anyone else experience this?:

When I am eating a meal, if the food is more solid like meats, some veggies, etc, I will take a couple of small swallows. Then, often it will almost feel stuck. I will get up, walk, take deep breaths, etc. Suddenly, I will feel a ker-plunk, the food goes through, and i am fine. Is this normal? I thought the food was supposed to sit on TOP of the stoma and slowly digest. And, I don't drink Water with my food, so water isn't pushing it down. I wonder...could I need a fill? or, plainly, what the heck is going on in there?

tripod65 · May 6, 2008

I don't know what you call it . I get that sometimes too! Usually it's if I don't chew enough or it's something tough like meat. I'm sure someone here will know the technical term for it.I just had my 3rd fill april 17th and I don't know that that has anything to do with it. Kerplunking(you invented a new term I think! lol) has happened to me a several times since surgery regardless of my fill level.It happened to me tonight with turkey breast...too dry.

Edited May 6, 2008 by tripod65

KelinTx · May 6, 2008

I have this happen quite frequently also. I sit and wait for that "kerplunk" to happen, i can literally feel it pass then i know i am free to continue with my meal.

abbyduvic · May 6, 2008

Happens to me alot. I just have to slow down and take smaller bites.

It sure can cause discomfort in the middle of my chest.

Detemined to stay with solid foods since that 's what we are suppose to be eating at this point. I'm one month and a few days post op.

Feeling great otherwise. Happy that I'm not throwing up at all.

aubrie · May 6, 2008

Yes, I think it's normal. I too get the kerplunk with dense solid foods. It's a very peculiar feeling, but it sure beats being stuck!! It seems to be more pronounced with meat, you're right, but I have had it with like baked butternut squash, rice and eggs. It definately keeps you from eating to fast.

Jennie1976 · May 6, 2008

Suddenly, I will feel a ker-plunk, the food goes through, and i am fine. Is this normal? I thought the food was supposed to sit on TOP of the stoma and slowly digest.

It IS supposed to stay on top. This has happened to me as well. But, I have a different take on it. Because the food is supposed to stay on top, I immediately stop eating when this happens. If I have eaten so much that it is forcing the food through, then I have eaten too much. That is my cue to quit! :-)

I don't know if that's right or not, but it my somewhat logical way of looking at it.

Daisalana · May 6, 2008

I have had the kerplunk feeling, and it scares me. I'm afraid it means that the band is being pushed down (re:slip).

Marimaru · May 6, 2008

The food you eat will begin to move through the band immediately, the idea being that you should fill up faster than the top portion of your stomach empties. Whenever that feeling happens to me, I evaluate how much I've had... if it's only been a bite or two, then I need to consider the size of the bites I'm taking, or how fast I'm chewing... if I'm further into my meal, I start considering whether it's time to just stop altogether.