OK this may sound really dumb but I have so many questions before I get banded next month.

1st question: after being banded can you feel it inside you? I know the port can be felt but besides that, do you walk around feeling this foreign object in your body?

2nd: how does it feel when you get stuck, and how do you fix it? Liquids?

Thanks for listening

Hi,

First off, no question is a dumb question......

To answer your questions...no, you can't feel the bandinside. And how to handle something stuck? That depends what it is. I have had a huge problem with bread. I basically can't eat it. Wraps are ok, but regular bread or donut....It becomes a dough ball and gets stuck. I have to be very careful to chew everything very well. I have had a problem with meats....especially a tiny piece of steak getting stuck. It is hard to describe the sensation when something gets stuck. If a sip of liquid doesn't loosen it, I end up getting neaseaus and throw up. I was banded 2 years ago in august. I lost 70 lbs, but have gained back 20 because of being on steroids for my asthma. That was so frustrating! I have terrible allergies and asthma. I haven't been able to get the fills like I should have because I get mucus plugs that cause me to throw up. I had sinus surgery this summer to open my sinuses...hopefully that will help. It is important to remember to chew! And, don't over eat. Be sure to take your Vitamins and eat protien. My hair started falling out and that freaked me out. I also take thyroid meds....partially this caused the hair loss and partially the diet. I started taking Bioten and that has helped to get my hair back to the thickness it was. I have been a foodie my whole life. I can finally not think of food as a comfort. It is for nutrion only. Best of luck on your journey!C

I'm sorry to hear about your problems, I live in San Antonio and Mexican food is abundant as well as my favorite. I'm not a big bread eater though, I guess that's a good thing. I have been reading a lot about the band but books don't answer questions like this...hee hee. I thought it would be good to hear from someone who has one already. I really want to know what I'm getting into and want to be successful at this. Thank you for answering my questions -Kelly

I have never had a stuck incident. I am paranoid about it so I chew, chew, chew. I don't eat Pasta, white bread, steak because I dont't want to worry about the stuck issue. Also, you will figure out to eat what counts for the good, (I.e. Protein and veggies). Eat what you enjoy, but make it worth it.

I was really worried about having a foreign object in my body, but you do not know it is there other then not being able to eat as much as you used to and if I push on my port area, I can feel the port.

You will need to find things to occupy your time instead of eating. It was a challenge for me, because I have no young children and I was a boredom eater! But, you will figure it out. I bought an iPad and now I chat all the time if I am not working, exercising, or on vacation! Life is great!

I wondered about the port as well, I've heard some people say they can't sleep on one side because of the port, and others say its always tender. I have had dreams that my port was protruding and everyone could see it. My Mom had chemo treatments and had a port, I hope it's not as big or bothersome as hers was. I guess it's something I can talk to my surgeon about.

Hi! The previous poster was right - there's no such thing as a dumb question! No, it'sbeen almost 3 yrs since being banded for me and I can't feel anything inside of me. Now, the port is a different story. I can feel it thru my clothes. The more weight you lose, the more it will protrude. No one else ever notices it tho. Cept my husband - he calls it my "contraption".

As for getting stuck - my advice: EAT SLOWLY. For over 2 yrs, I ate too fast. Learned from Army basic training. If you didn't eat in 5 minutes, you didn't eat. I would eat too fast, get stuck, and end up vomiting all my food up. It got to be my normal. Until about 6 mths ago when my band slipped from excessive vomiting. Now I eat VERY slowly, and chew my food VERY well. I've only had 2 stuck episodes since - both I had to vomit to relieve the pain. It's the only thing that works for me. DON'T drink while eating either! That'll just give the food thats in there the "cork effect" and make all that you drank come quickly back up. At least it does for me. I used to time it for 45 minutes after eating, I could drink. Now I can just feel when the food is into my tummy and then drink (usually 30-60 minutes)

The only time my port is tender is for a couple of days after a fill. My PA numbs the area so I don't feel it when he give me the fill, but it turns black and blue and feels like it's bruised afterwards. Other than that, it doesn't bother me to sleep on it. It does feel weird when you press on it, like there's something growing inside. No biggie tho. I'd take them all over my body if I meant that I could lose 100 lbs again!

Good luck to you! Have a fantastic surgery!

Marci