Ok, I've only been on this website once before and don't really know how this whole thing works but I've been reading some interesting stories and have a couple of questions of my own.

Is it normal to have gurgling sounds in your stomach and a lot of belching when you eat/drink anything? And more seriously, a few days ago I tried to eat a few bites of pizza and I guess I didn't chew it very well because the band felt like it was hurting. For the rest of the day if I tried to eat anything it hurt and the day after a little too. I decided to take it easy for a few days and did only liquids & mushies for about three days. Today I ate a little bit of solids and chewed very well and feel fine but I'm concerned that I may have damaged something. Anyone else had a similar experience?

The gas and stomach noises are all part of the banding. LOL. You'll eventually get used to it. As far as the pizza goes, you likely did not chew it well enough and that caused your discomfort. You'll have more of these episodes but they rarely damage the band which is securely sutured to muscle. Welcome!

Thanks for the feedback Elisabeth.

I have the band for a year now but have not had sufficient restriction for a long time now. I have only lost 40 lbs so far but I feel like this incident is actually a little bit of a "good thing" because I feel like I've sort of recommitted myself to the weightloss.

The belching is unreal for me! I can burp like a big ole man now!!! I don't have restriction yet, and it feels as if it's coming all the way from the tips of my toes. I wonder if that will change once I get a fill??? It cracks me up, especially when I'm in a place that I can't let 'er rip!! SOMETIMES I have to ACT like a lady, anyway!!

Surby,

ME TOO!!! I keep telling my husband it was the gas after surgery, but now I think that must all be gone, and it's just me.:confused:

Hopefully first fill will lessen it.

Like I said it's been a year that I've had the band already and the gurgling/belching seems worse than ever. I embarrased to eat with people who don't know I have the band because of the sounds my stomach is making while I'm eating or drinking. I THINK it might be a problem with not having enough fill because the food seems to be just passing through as I'm eating it.

Just curious, what size band do you have and what is your current fill level?

I have the opposite problem with burping. Sometimes I feel like I need to burp, but since getting my band, I just can't. Now, I do get some major hiccoughs. And when I am eating, I will do a couple quick big hiccoughs and I have learned that is my band telling me to stop eating or the next thing will be a pb.

I have the same thing when it comes to the burping. My doctor told me about the "heaving" that's what I call it. He told me the same thing that it is the band giving me a warning the my stomach is pushing against my sternum and it is causing the hiccups. But I had planned to have the band removed but changed my mind I was having problems keeping food down because my band was way to tight. Know I feel so much better and have not pb.

I have a 4cc band and this sounds bad but it's been a while since I've had a fill so I think I'm at 2.2 or 2.5 cc's.

I will have the problem of not being able to burp when food is blocking the air way and I should stop eating and I will also get the hiccoughs. That happens on those days when I have more restriction than others. I think on the less restrictive days when the food is just passing through is when air gets in and the gurgling and belching occurs.

I've been reading about the burping and the gas and I have to say, I think that freaks me out the most!

Tramatic High School gym experience with gas and have never been able to burb or whatever in public! My husband thinks its hysterical that I refuse to pass gas in front of him and we've been together forever.

Now i have this sinking feeling that its going to be inevitable. EEEEEKKK.

Hey Soniacan,

I feel the same way you do. I have been married for 7 years and could count the times on one hand that I had passed gas in front of my husband up until the past few months (not that it's now out of control or anything). I do feel uncomfortable burping in public and now when I eat my stomach is making all kinds of noises and it is embarrassing.

Now it also seems like the need to pass gas comes and the MOST awkward times in front of my husband too and I have no control of it. For me this has really been the only bad thing about having the band so I really can't complain when I hear what some people have gone through but it has made some situations uncomfortable.

I notice my stomach makes the gurgling, rumbling, monster sounds when I wait too long to eat. My hubby gets a good giggle out of it, but like you said it is embarrassing in a restaurant or at a dinner party with friends. Everyone knows I was banded and I explain before a meal that I can only eat so much and that my stomach monster may voice an opinion. I also explain that when I get the hiccups it is my cue to stop eating and just enjoy conversation. Best of luck to you.