It’s got stuck!

[JTT 2]

Hi, I’m 4weeks out from gastric bypass surgery, and just the other day I attempted some moist cooked shredded chicken to get my Protein in ,I honestly didn’t think I ate too much maybe a little too fast but about several minutes later the pain started ( remember thus was my first time). Well it hurt, I sat there going “this is not fun wow ,
So now I get to experience the dreaded it’s stuck!, well I fought it but then It came up!! more than anything it honestly wiped me out..my question is when does it get better??!

[catwoman7 10,846]

a lot of people have trouble with chicken the first couple of months out (and sometimes longer). It's pretty dry - especially the breast. Most people can eventually eat it again, though. Maybe try again in about a month and see what happens.

[JTT 2]

Thanks, Just knowing it gets better means there is light ahead ... I was just so tired of Protein Drinks and soft puréed food I wanted to use my teeth again!, but my weight loss has been great

[BigSue 1,320]

I had problems with meat getting stuck when I started eating it again after surgery. No matter how much I chewed, it seems like a bite got stuck at least once every time I ate meat. After a couple of months, it gradually stopped happening, and it hasn't happened for months.

Since you're only 4 weeks out, I would suggest you stick to canned chicken for a while. Canned chicken is a lot softer than chicken you cook yourself, so it doesn't get stuck easily.

[JTT 2]

Thank you , I have since only eaten canned chicken and tuna, but I’m once bitten twice shy about overdoing it, food just tastes different to me , it’s really been a major life change. I hate to rush my life but want summer to come when I’ll be 6mos or so out and see if / how my ability to tolerate food will be and how much more lbs will be off

[Arabesque 6,449]

Oh, yeah, stuck food’s not pleasant. And then that sudden vomiting to bring it up. At least we vomit differently now without the awful bile & I don’t have all the muscle spasms either but that could just be me.

Try soft foods at this stage. Stews, casseroles, minced meat based meals, chunky slow cooked Soups, etc. Foods half way between purée & solid. I found chicken thigh meat much easier to tolerate ( has way more flavour than breast meat too).

The changed taste buds is pretty common too but it is temporary. Don’t give up on any food cause while you may not enjoy it or be able to tolerate it now, yuh may be able to soon. Lots of trial & error along the way.

Good luck.

[MiraMar 4]

I've also been adding a little Bone Broth to all my meat in the final stage of cooking. I'm finding it makes everything a little moister and easier to swallow.

[Creekimp13 5,838]

Nothing worse than getting stuck or semi stuck. Been there and done it. My issue is corn on the cob. I can eat a big ole hunk of steak with few issues...but if I eat too much corn on the cob, look out. Not sure how or why it packs up...but it's the one food that I'm a little scared of....and it stinks, because I love it.

Next time you're stuck, try this: put your hands on top of your head to open up your chest as much as possible, walk and take long deep breaths. Your diaphragm pulling down will stimulate your stomach peristalsis to move and try to budge what's stuck. The movement of walking and gravity can help it along.

If you're only semi stuck and don't have saliva backing up, sips of warm Water while you walk around and breathe can help. If your saliva is backing up, just keep breathing.

Don't curl up or hold yourself, or bend forward at the waist if you can help it. Get your lungs full of air and keep moving.

Not sure where I read this trick, and I've only been stuck/semistuck a handful of times....but it helped a lot and did the trick.

I've never vomited. It's always eventually worked loose. Stay calm, walk and breathe.

Edited March 7, 2021 by Creekimp13

[mweiss1998 79]

My first attempt at chicken breast was awful. Last night I had a baked chicken thigh and it was sooooo much better. The thighs are dark meat (but not too dark) so they retain a lot more moisture. I couldn't even eat a whole thigh but it was good. I had it with a side of creamed spinach and the multiple flavors made it that much more enjoyable.

[Maisey 260]

I struggle with stuck food when I don't chew thoroughly enough or if I eat too fast. Still happens to me and I often don't realize it until it's too late.

As to your chicken issue, I had good luck with canned chicken. I added seasoning based on what sounded good. Mexican, add taco seasoning and have some Beans. Chicken and "gravy," add some extra bullion and a bit of potato. Italian, add Italian seasoning a little pizza sauce and some ricotta.

Nothing works for me other than eventually vomiting what is stuck. Walking, stretching, etc. does nothing. Even the tiniest sips of liquid make it much worse. Somehow, I usually end up with hiccups as well.

[JTT 2]

That is exactly what has happened to me, just wondering if this is forever or an issue for people who recently had the bypass.. yes the weight loss is great but this is too much