Hello,

I am going to be banded in August...I hear a lot about food being stuck...what does that mean? What does it feel like? Do you feel like you are choking? What do you do when this happens? Any feed back will be great! Thanks.

Having food stuck doesn't feel like choking, it feels like pressure and PAIN in your sternum area. Most times, if you give it a minute or two, (DON'T try to wash it down...just WAIT) it will pass. Other times, you'll sort of burp, (Productive Burp, or PB) and the offending food will come up. This is not like vomiting, really more like burping. Sometimes it will be accompanied by some heinous slime.... Everyone's experiences are different, and I've even found that it's not always the same for me every time.

It should be avoided, if possible, and this can MOST times be accomplished by

1. Take small bites

2. Chew Chew Chew Chew

3. Slow down and THINK about each bite....Am I still hungry? Or am I SATISFIED? If you're satisfied, and no longer hungry, stop eating for a few minutes. If the hunger returns, then take another bite...

Sometimes, though, even if you've done everything right, it can still happen. If it happens often, and you're following your surgeon's recommendations for eating, then your surgeon should be contacted so he/she can try to figure out why it's happening, and remedy the situation.

Hope this helps, and sorry it was so long.

what happens if the food doesnt come back up. how do you know if there is a blockage?

The paaaaaaain, the paaaaaaaain. ( i'm sorr I couldn't help myself)

If you can help it, you don't want the food to come up. Very, very seldom does the stoma get blocked for a long time, it should go down or come up after some time.

thanks. I need to hear that information too! I always need reminding. I just my band filled after a 8 month hiatus! I have gone from being able to eat whatever I want to restriction again. I am glad to reminded of what I have to do! It is actually good to feel my band helping me now!!! I am glad to be back on track!

Believe me........You will KNOW if you have a blockage!!! If you don't know, then you don't have one... I am one of those people that have to learn the hard way too!. I have to remind myself...especially when I have super hungry...(when I am ready to attack my meal), to take it SLOW! Don't just start sholveling the food in..... Slow and Steady Wins the RAce!

It feelsl like you ate a golf ball, one with spikes sometimes!

I've only ever PB'd twice, but it was no burp, it was a loud ralph, lol! Not horribly painful, only embarrassing and impossible to do quietly.

Usually any blockage I have clears with some (very violent) hiccups.

thanks for the feedback i havent had the surgery but i am in the program right now and im trying to get all of the facts, so far all of the professionals in my program are trying to get me to do the bypass but im not to comfortable with doing it, it sounds to risky

there are days when I wish I had the bypass.... but, oh...... there are so many more risks. The good thing with Lap-band, is that it is possible to convert over to bypass if necessary!