Is it normal to have a difficult time swallowing?

[BookWormJoy 7]

I had surgery in Aplil 2009..since then I have had two fills...all I can tell is that it is just harder to swallow..I end up regurgitating it when I can tell that it is just sitting there...but I still don't have a satifisfying experience when I eat a meal...so I graze all day which is not helping my weight loss. I am not losing anything anymore. I am afraid that my espophagus will become dilated bcs. food just seems to build up in my throat! I am soo frustrated...What is like to feel satiated when you are at your "sweet spot"? and how much food can you eat when you are there? PLEASE HELP...getting depressed...

[Jodi_620 37]

Yes grazing will sabotage your success. With good restriction the food should go down slower but you shouldn't have difficulty swallowing. You may need a slight unfill.

When I am restricted I eat 3/4-1 cup of food. It takes about 20-30 minutes to eat. Sometimes, like in the morning it goes down much slower. During tight times I do feel a little pressure and even hear gurgling noises. A hot cup of tea about 30 minutes after my meal really helps.

I honestly think the sweet spot is an individual thing. Some of us prefer to be tighter than others. The sweet spot is where you are not overeating, not physically hungry between meals and you are losing weight. Yet are able to get food and Water down without pain, vomiting or reflux. Each person has to find their comfort level between too loose and too tight.

[sandyswhisper 0]

I too had my band placed April 2009, and I just had my 2nd fill a week ago tomorrow. I was doing really well with the post fill liquids, but the past 3 days have been tough. I start eating and get this feeling in my throat. Today was the first time I have vomited since surgery. I had a ripe peach cut up with yogurt..I'm thinking it was the skin, but something just didn't go right...THEN, again tonight I had some very tender chicken that has been in the crock pot all day...it did NOT stay down.

I keep getting a 'pain' in my chest that seems to come and go. I first felt it when I knew the food was going to come back up. Now it hurts, but I'm thinking it might be from having thrown up.

THIS is not fun, and not what I expected. I hope that a good nights sleep (let's hope) will help 'dissolve' whatever might be sitting there. I am sipping on tea for my dinner. I tried about 4-5tsp of yogurt...that came up to. I guess I just need to give it a rest tonight.

Is this what restriction feels like?! or, is this simply 'stuck?'

Any feedback welcome!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

We are learning a new way to eat, most of us. This takes some time. Think of how long it takes babies to master the process? We've got the part about holding the utensils down pat (most of us LOL) and no flinging food at your brother...but how well we chew, no drinking, size of bites, it's ALL different once you have restriction.

I suggest carefully carefully following the band rules. Chew well (for me that's 40 times...it varies by person) smallish bites (I can take a bite about 1/2 to 2/3 my normal "old" size but not everyone is that way; you may need smaller bites). Eat SLOWLY. Put your fork down between bites. I find if I am talking to my husband or have company I eat faster and run into trouble so be aware of the mechanics of eating. Pay attention. Don't drink during or soon after a meal (follow your surgeon's directions)

IF none of this helps you (and it should help immediately) then go see your surgeon pronto.

AND...hydration is VITAL. My surgeon told me that getting at least 64 oz of Water in each day largely removes that "can't eat in the morning" syndrome lots of people have. The band tightens up as we dry up.

I start my day with 16 oz of Water before Breakfast, coffee, anything....and don't have a psycho band. I could have 3 oz of steak for Breakfast just as easily as I have it for dinner. So make sure you get WATER in.

Again...that should help you immediately. If it doesn't, call your doc. Don't just suffer and graze; that's not the point or use of the band.