BP vs. Burp

Margo · August 25, 2005

I am sure this question has been asked and answered somewhere on this board...but can't find it. So, when we BP that is different than a "normal" burp, right? I ask because I am only 8 days out and nearly every time I eat I burp....it's not gross, nor does anything come up....just a burp or two. I call this my STOP you are done eating burp!!

Any comments?

the best me · August 25, 2005

I call this my STOP you are done eating burp!!

Exactly! That's what it is, you are right on.

A PB, or a Productive Burp (my hubby calls them BP's but I remind him that's a Gas Station ), is when your upper pouch wretches, similar to a vomit, but more like a burp, and it brings up something stuck in the stoma. It can also loosen what's stuck and it may go on down from there. This is why it is so important to chew chew chew. All food needs to be well-chewed so it doesn't get stuck and cause a PB. This heavy duty stomach activity can loosen the band and cause slippage. It feels like a vomit without the acidic vomit stuff...sorry to be gross, but it's just the food that comes up, and usually a bunch of slime or aliva that your body produces to help loosen the stuck food. Hope that description helps!

kat72 · August 25, 2005

Are PBs an ongoing thing experienced by bandsters forever, or is it something that is experienced only with new bandsters?

Margo · August 26, 2005

Thanks Kathy....your description is excellent and understandable (is that a word???). You guys are the best.....

the best me · August 26, 2005

Are PBs an ongoing thing experienced by bandsters forever, or is it something that is experienced only with new bandsters?

Any bandster can PB at any time. The factors involved are the amount of restriction you have, the size of your bite, and how well you have chewed. After lots of practice and changing old habits, PB's tend to become much less frequent with seasoned bandsters; much like Jack (above) who knows and understands the subtle differences between what will be a hard stop and a soft stop.

Many new bandsters who get through the recovery and are slowly moving to more and more solid foods, find that they have little to no restriction and are surprised after a few fills, or just one! to find the PB's coming like freight trains! Slow down, learn to listen to your body as it does it's little dance with the band. With a little work, they learn to get along just fine.

loopylou · August 26, 2005

I know what you mean about the burps - man I'm a machine sometimes. Good thing DH has a sense of humour or I would be out on my ear! lol But what I have found is that if I eat r-e-a-l-l-y s-l-o-w-l-y and do lots of chewing before I swallow that hugely reduces burpies - hehehe that makes it sound like some sort of exotic pet doesn't it? Oh no, I read it out loud and now it sounds like a not-so-exotic STD!!! LOL