Hey Y'all

I Have A Question.......how Is It That food Gets Stuck So Quickly And Why Does It Get Stuck In The First Place? I Thought The Band Was Supposed To Make A Little Pouch That Filled Up While You Eat And Made You Feel Full. And That The Food Would Slowly Pass Through The Band To Your Stomach Making You Feel Fuller Longer. Well Sometimes When I Eat, Something Gets Stuck Right Away. So I'm Confused If The Food Is Slowly Supposed To Make It's Way Down Like An Hour Glass How Can Something Get Stuck Right Away? I Never Really Thought About It Until Tonight At A Bbq Someone Asked Me To Explain The Band To Them. So I Did As Much As I Could. I Explained That Sometimes If I Take Too Big A Bite Or Eat Certain Foods It Gets Stuck, Burns Like Hell And Then Sometimes I Have To Spit It Up. They're Reply To That Was How Is That Possible? I Sat There Thought About And Didn't Have An Answer. I Probably Sound Really Stupid But, I Don't Get It. They Didn't Change Any Thing W/ My Esophgus So Why Does This Happen? So Any Ideas Would Be Great. Thanks Y'all

I think you answered your own question, perhaps the bites are too big? Also, the digestive system breaks down different foods different ways, thats why whey you eat certain foods its harder to go through the band...also when its too big...i'm just thinking about it physiological and thats what I come up with...dont know if it's the right answer...

This guy is on a roll, responding everywhere... don't respond to him or feed into it.

Regarding the explanation of what is happening.... your stoma is at the bottom of your esophogus... it is the opening into your new pouch. When you take too big of bites or eat too fast or eat the wrong things (things that may be gummy like bread or dry like dry meats), they do usually get through your esophogus, but then get stuck at that opening.... which is the size of a baby aspirin... so if you are eating the right things.. band friendly foods, taking bites the size of peas, and chewing 15-20 times with each bite before swallowing, there shouldn't be an issue unless you are too tight with a fill. I would recommend that you try drinking a warm/hot cup of tea or Water right before eating... the warmth will relax your stoma making it a little easier for foods to go down... but following the band rules is essential for overall and long term band heath. Hope this helps.

Kammi in Everett, WA

335/302/180

DOB 5/27/08

Dr. Kuri - TJ Mexico

My understanding is that the well chewed food sits in the stoma for a while and slowly seeps through the very small opening to the rest of your stomach. That is why you feel full longer because the hole is so small that it takes a while for the food to move through. Also, because of the small opening, liquid takes a while to seep through so that is why you shouldn't drink before a meal--you'll feel full faster with the liquid sitting there. If you drink during or right after a meal, the the liquid will take some of the well chewed food with it as if seeps through at a faster rate, then your hunger is not satisified as long. I know that I am rambling, I hope this helps.