I had my 2nd fill last week and I can notice a difference in the amount of food I can put into my mouth. I am really trying to be more in tuned with the soft stop signals to avoid discomfort. But last night it didn't work. My family went out to dinner to Celebrate my last day of teaching summer school-my vacation officially began!

I looked at the menu choices and decided a sizzling steak would be a great option. It's not that big and I could easily bring half home. I had 1 glass of sangria and nibbled on the salad. The steak came and I had 2 pieces. I cut them up nice and small. Well all of a suddent I got SO sick-it sort of felt like heartburn, but with the need to throw up (gross I know). I made 4 trips to the bathroom within 15 minutes. I am not one of these people wh can make themselves throw up-it goes against my nature! I was slimming like crazy. I manage to throw up in the toilet a little, but that was no relief. I went back to the dinner table after my 4th trip and said I need to go home. Fortunately dinner was over anyway. I brought home my dinner. Outside I felt sick again and threw up slime. Then I felt sick again and stood outside the car. WTH! When I got home I felt better.

I kept thinking about my upcoming cruise and now I am thinking about not getting a fill for it. I still need to learn what my body can and can not tolerate. I am guessing a steak is a no-no! Maybe I should just stick with seafood (which I love anyway).

So I learned that there are 2 kinds of being stuck -I've experienced both:

1. Hard stuck- when it feels like a rock is caught in the middle of your chest. You are slimming like a rabid dog! This is so painful you feel as if you may have to go to the ER if things don't improve! This happened to me when I was standing over chinese take out and pooped a shrimp in my mouth whole (during my 1st fill stage). OMG- it was the worst pain ever-seriously!

2. Regular Stuck -this feels like really, REALLY bad heartburn with the need to vomit. Slimming happens at this point too. You can sit and feel a need to walk around.

I guess I am headed to GNC to stock up on some papaya enzymes to keep in my purse.

Does anyone have foods that they must avoid on the Band for fear of being stuck? What are good choices for dining out?

Thanks Davey and Melissa. I often try eating that way now just to try to get a feel for how it will be. I just wasnt sure exactly how small the pcs should be. I have found that by the time I chew it over and over and over that there isn't much taste left. Very interesting. Thanks for your input. I really appreciate all the comments and advice. I have learned so much on this site in order to be prepared as much as possible before my surgery.

I'll throw something out here with a different slant.

Getting stuck is a good thing. what I mean is, eating foods such as steak, that will get stuck easily, can be good. It teaches you a new, better way to eat. Rather than being a "Pig"

1) It forces you to eat the small pencil eraser size bites, chew very thoroughly, and put the fork down between bites, in order to get through it.

2) When eating something like steak, I can only eat a very small portion. Maybe 1/4. Fish or tender chicken, I can eat 3 times as much because it is easier. So which is better?

Knowing the fears and feelings of being stuck many times, I have become conditioned to a new way of eating, rather than the old way. First sign of pain or discomfort and I either slow way down, or stop altogether.

Now if I can just figure out Ice Cream!

BTW, IMO there is only one kind of stuck. The mild will lead to the first if you push it. How do I get rid of it? Go in the bathroom, stand over the sink or toilet, and drink Water. If you are stuck, the water has no where to go and will right back up, usually bringing the food - slime with it.

I think B-52 makes a good point. Getting stuck was kind of the whole point of the lap-band! One sure-fire way to not get stuck: don't get a lap-band!

Thank you all so much for you input. I'm feeling better and understand more.

On another note, my surgeon is requiring an ABG (OUCH!!!!), a chest xray, and a pulmonary function test. I'm a bit nervous for these appts cuz i don't know what to expect. Any insights would be great. Tx so much

I had my surgery in January 2010 and I STILL can't tolerate any type of beef - not even ground beef.

Bread is completely out of the question. I missed it in the beginning but now it's not a problem.