I was banded 1st week of may and everything is going fine. I've had 1 fill so far (VG band) but still don't have any measurable restriction (but I was expecting this with the VG until after a couple fills). One thing I can't understand is that the band keeps food above it and fills up your new "little" stomach. To me, the band basically causes food to get stuck above it. Why doesn't it hurt when the band works normally but it hurts when food gets stuck because the bite is too big (I just can't see why they don't feel the same).

Well, as soon as you start eating, things start moving through the band... slowly. If you take a bite that is too big or isn't chewed well enough (or even sometimes when you eat too fast), the food *can't* get past the band, which causes discomfort. If things are moving like they are supposed to, you aren't stuck..

When foods get "stuck" they are actually stuck between your new stomach and your old stomach. The only way to get unstuck is to either a)wait it out, b)PB or c)drink a little water to see if it will go down. For me, I usually have to PB. This gives me instant relief. Good luck.

It took me almost 5 months to tell the difference between "feeling full" and food "stuck". I do have lots of trouble with vomiting...which from others I know say they have not. It doesn't seem to matter what I eat, I still vomit, which the docs will tell you is not a good thing since it can cause the band to slip.

I recently found out the difference. WHile on vacation I ate too well and had a piece of food get stuck. The pain lasted almost two hours and was so intense I thought I was dying. I even took a trip to the ER to rule out a heart attack. It felt like an elephant was standing on my chest. That was enough to rethink what and how much I can eat. I mixed a little meat tenderizer and warm water and it took about 30 min to clear. My surgeon and nutritionist told me to carry some, the doctor at the ER had a fit, but it worked.

I recently found out the difference. WHile on vacation I ate too well and had a piece of food get stuck. The pain lasted almost two hours and was so intense I thought I was dying. I even took a trip to the ER to rule out a heart attack. It felt like an elephant was standing on my chest. That was enough to rethink what and how much I can eat. I mixed a little meat tenderizer and warm water and it took about 30 min to clear. My surgeon and nutritionist told me to carry some, the doctor at the ER had a fit, but it worked.

Meat tenderizer and water???? Just what is it suppose to do? How much do you take?

I am a nurse and when feeding tubes become clogged , we would use meat tenderizer to breakdown and soften the obstructed food. It worked some of the time. When someone comes to the ER with food stuck in their esophagus, i swear by having them sip on coke. I have had really good results with Coke, (never used it in conjuction with a lapband blockage..)..It takes a little bit but i have seen it clear obstructions..although i do not know how the carbonation would feel on your tummy.

I am a nurse and when feeding tubes become clogged , we would use meat tenderizer to breakdown and soften the obstructed food. It worked some of the time. When someone comes to the ER with food stuck in their esophagus, i swear by having them sip on coke. I have had really good results with Coke, (never used it in conjuction with a lapband blockage..)..It takes a little bit but i have seen it clear obstructions..although i do not know how the carbonation would feel on your tummy.

:whoo:I'm a nurse too...yeah, another sisternurse! Anyway, Coke is what I was always told to use in plugged feeding tubes and it does work wonders. I don't know how the meat tenderizer would be effective, but I guess it would be worth a try.