I have a real big fear of getting stuck! I am being banded next week and all I can think of is that I will be getting stuck all the time.

I wanted to understand how it feels and what works to get rid of it.. and how you know you have a serious problem

I did get some Papaya enzyme so I would be ready.. but I am really worried!

Don't worry too much about getting stuck. Just be careful and go slowly and you'll be fine. Once you do get stuck though, just remember what caused it (eating too fast, a certain food, etc), that way you can avoid it in the future.

I've only been truly stuck twice. It is AWFUL, but really it was my own fault (I ate something I knew might cause problems). It was a painful, cramping sensation like a boulder was shoved down my throat and was just sitting on my band and there was nothing I could do. About 20 minutes later the food came back up. Then my stomach could not handle solids for an entire day (the first time I did solids for dinner after having a Breakfast episode and the whole cycle started over).

I haven't found anything that help once I'm stuck. Not papaya enzyme, pineapple juice, or small sips of Water. I just had to ride it out.

Good luck and don't worry too much about getting stuck, just do what you know you should and avoid what you know you shouldn't do and you'll do great!!

Don't be too afraid, although it's not pleasant, it's not the end of the world either. As long as you eat slow, and be careful with stringy foods, you should have no problems. I ran into problems when I would eat quickly at a lunch break or something like that. Everyone is different though. My partner got banded 3 weeks before me, and he has never been stuck, while i've been truly stuck about 3 times since July.

I am starting my fifth month and have never been stuck. I sometimes feel food "scrape" through the stoma but no problems. There is no food I have not been able to eat. I do chew well and try to remember to go slowly.