I keep reading about gagging and slime and pb's? Ya all make it sound like having a band is an awful thing. I was banded 12 days ago and after reading some these posts I'm wondering about my decision to have it done!

PB stands for productive burp and according to my surgeon, only happens when you don't chew properly or take too large a bite, or both. Some bandsters would disagree but for the most part, that's when it happens. If you get in a rush to eat, forget about the band etc, a bite of food gets stuck and if it can't go down, it must come back up. Never done it (no restriction yet) and hope I never do. Some don't ever! So don't borrow trouble as my mom would say; just remember once you are getting "fills" to chew chew chew tiny bites and proceed with caution if trying a "new" food.

Hey RestlessMonkey, I have not had anything come up but a tablet pain med the day of surgery, so I want to know if regular burping is ok? I though it was because it makes me feel clear when I do, and I think that I'm chewing well so please fill me in if I'm messing up.

Thanks

I have had my band for 5 wonderful months. I have lost 45 pounds at this time but only with one of my fills (in July) was too tight and I had a rough time with PBing. It is a situation that no matter what or how you eat, it comes up. I would chew - chew - chew - drink - drink - drink, even a smoothie, no matter - it came up! What happens, the food / drink is mixing with stomach acids and in myself a lot of drainage from my sinus', and that is the right mixture to not go through the hole of the band. You'll feel a tightness in the chest, sometimes no cough, sometimes no burp, it just comes up, I kept a small cup near me in case I could not get to a sink and could just spit it out in the cup. I finally had .4cc of the saline removed and now - no problem! I'm losing slower now, much much slower, but it is a process. The band is the best thing you will ever do, don't worry, relax and follow the rules - the new life we are getting is well worth it all. Best of luck to you and everyone else!!!

Nina, if regular burping is a problem I think almost all of us are sunk!

Thanks so much! This is very helpful. I knew that could happen. I just didn't know what pb meant.

The only time I PB is if I eat too fast and not chew my food, so far. I haven't experienced it with just liquids. But regular burping happenens all the time!

Almost two months since banding and well the weight loss is so wonderful a few big burps and occasionally a bit of discomfort from eating too fast or two big a bite is a small price to pay for how I feel otherwise. Don't worry too much but remember to chew, chew, chew and small bites all the time.

Yes, what they said! :teeth_smile: Regular burping is normal!

And if you get TOO tight nothing will go down....