I have only had the (mis)fortune of being "stuck" one time. At that time, it was completely my fault as I was "testing" my band in a way I shouldn't have by eating meat that was too dry. After excruciating pain and panicking when I felt like I couldn't breathe, after several minutes, and a visit to the ladies room - it passed. Phew.

I have noticed many people have had their own experiences with being "stuck" and wondered how they handled it or if anyone has suggestions. Certainly, chewing slowly, small bites, avoiding foods that are likely to cause it are first and foremost; however, (in case it does happen) what did you do and what worked for you?

After reading several blogs and articles, I wondered if my trip to the ladies room was the wrong thing to do. I have read that you should lie down, drink liquids, etc. and avoid vomiting (which may cause a band slippage).

Thanks everyone!

Boy...after reading these...I am not looking forward to a real "stuck" episode. I have finally had enough of a fill that I can feel it and things have gotten partially stuck--probably from not fully chewing and/or not eating the right stuff (such as that bite of bread that looked so good). I had one this weekend and the only thing I could think to do was to take a couple drinks of Diet Coke...the bubbles did help me to burp which seemed to shift the item and it went down. It did hurt a bit afterward and I noticed that any appetite I had before was gone.

Good luck to everyone!!

What are your ideas about waiting 15-30 mins and drinking a hot tea. I think I had a mild stuck episode twice with fish and it was dry. I took 2 small bites, chewed well and it was stuck. I saw on a you tube video that a woman bakes her fish with a little Water and cover (steam it) or she gets stuck everytime on fish.

I was told that if you use hot tea, or anything hot it will stretch your pouch. I was told by my doctor to wait 30 mins before and after meals, so I think if you wait 30 to drink hot tea (and only 2 sips) and it worked immediately. Now 15 mins is too soon, but my first time, I panicked and went on the chat room and was told by 3 people there to do the tea. They did not say to wait, I waited.

I have nothing in my band and I am getting a fill on the 19th.

What are your thoughts and has anyone done this or done this over a long period of time.

I was told that if you use hot tea, or anything hot it will stretch your pouch.

Who told you that? Your surgeon? First I ever heard of it.

Drinking a small amount of VERY hot Water has worked very well for me. The band is plastic, so hot liquid will soften it just enough to let whatever's in there pass through. This was recommended to me by my surgeon's office...

Also, someone on here said that they can press on their chest where the band is, and that will push food down. I tried it once and it seemed to work, but it's not something I feel very comfortable with since I don't know if that could cause a slip.

My lesson learned... prevention is key! I will get this right!!!

Prevention KEY!

You Learn QUICK!

Pay attention to what your body is telling you!

Good Luck everyone!

Drinking a small amount of VERY hot Water has worked very well for me. The band is plastic, so hot liquid will soften it just enough to let whatever's in there pass through. This was recommended to me by my surgeon's office...

Also, someone on here said that they can press on their chest where the band is, and that will push food down. I tried it once and it seemed to work, but it's not something I feel very comfortable with since I don't know if that could cause a slip.

I find it hard to believe that drinking a hot liquid could convey enough heat through the stomach walls and into the band enough to change the rigidity of the band. I wonder if what your surgeon meant is that a hot liquid can lubricate and relax the stomach (and esophagus) to make it possible for stuck food to pass through the stoma and into the lower stomach.

The hot liquid tip reminds me of yet another tip, to prevent stuck episodes and other eating problems that I've heard from a number of bandsters: that drinking a hot beverage before you begin to eat can lubricate and "soften" the esophagus and stomach. Might be worth trying.

I just had my first serious stuck episode and it lasted all night and half the day! Thank the Lord my surgeon is also my brother-n-law so I had to tattle on my self... I wasn't stuck in my band, I had no trouble getting my bacon sandwich down...my pouch is were the trouble started bc the bread wasn't toasted enough...I know I know I fell off the right track but this has helped me! His advice was a 1tbl spoon or 2 of meat tenderizer and sprite....it helped it come up and now I'm dealing with a hurting stomach but lesson learned! Hope this helps!

I have found that the only way is the finger down the throat.... And I am not a very big vomite

I have found that the finger down the throat is the only way! I do not vomit very easy..... The food that was stuck is usually all that comes up.

I also heard meat tenderizer works!

I don't know if I was ever truly "stuck", but once I had a small bite of a croissant with eggs and started such an intense pressure above the band and felt so AWFUL! It made my mouth water like crazy and drinking didn't help (don't think it hurt though).

Supremely uncomfortable feeling, but I just had to wait it out for like 10 mins until it went away.