Can food back up??

October 16, 2003

This has happened several times lately. Maybe I'm pushing the regular foods too soon, or eating too fast. Anyway, I'll be eating something (this morning it was a crumbled bisquit and gravy), when I get pain in the middle of the chest and a feeling as if the food is not moving, or maybe backing up instead of going down. I have to get to the bathroom quick because it keeps building and up it comes, fast! It's not a chunk of food, sometimes it's more like thick mucus, but it makes me sick and then I vomit whatever else is in the stomach. I was banded on 9-8-03 and the band hasn't been filled yet. The doctor said it was very loose, so I don't think I'm restricted much. This concerns me because my first fill is in two weeks, and I know I'll be restricted then. Has this happened to anyone else?

BandAid · October 16, 2003

Linda, try smaller bites and waiting a little between bites. My theory is that sometimes food passes through the stoma so slowly, the body *thinks* it's stuck and starts forming the mucous stuff to try to get it unstuck. (And on the other hand, sometimes it really is stuck. LOL)

Alexandra · October 16, 2003

Linda, I think BandAid is right. It's been several weeks since your banding so you should be able to handle solid food by now, but you may be like so many others who are never really able to tolerate bread products. These kinds of foods can swell once they've gone down, so a bite that seems one size in your mouth can get larger as it goes down your esophagus.

Please be careful; vomiting is something you want to avoid. If you know it always happens with biscuits, then just avoid biscuits. Waiting between bites is also a very good idea.

Good luck with your fill!!

leo · October 18, 2003

I was banded about 3 months ago and food still gets stuck all the time. The last 2 days the restriction has been really tight, even swallowing Water is hard. I think it might be the change of the weather lols.

BandAid · October 18, 2003

Leo, I've blamed the weather more than once, as well as hormones, stress, etc. LOL

GeezerSue · October 19, 2003

Linda,

Some, but not all, banded people have a problem with certain foods post-op, regardless of restriction. The foods which are most often mentioned are doughy breads, pastas and rice, dried fruits (including raisins), and drier meats and poultry.

I have problems with most of those, even when I have no restriction.

They "clog up" my stoma. My brain thinks that something is stuck and starts pumping out saliva, to help it all wash through. When that doesn't work, it starts with what I lovingly refer to as 60-weight saliva, really gooey, viscous stuff...mostly by the quart. When that happens, I have to hit a restroom--sometimes for quite a while--and spit. Usually, the plug will works its way through and the saliva stops as soon as that happens.

HOWEVER, when the saliva is swallowed, you know, there is only so much room between your mouth and the clog...eventually, you will feel the urge to regurgitate. That's when the banded "vomit" saliva. It's weird. And pretty gross. But has nothing to do with vomiting as when you are sick.

So, you need to learn what clogs you up. It may be that you won't be eating any bicuits. I can have a teeny bite, if it is slathered with butter. But crumbling it up into little pieces, as you did, only makes it worse for me, because it is better at absorbing all the liquids in there and turns into concrete.

AND, you need to learn what you can't eat before you go fo a fill, for two reasons. First, there are some doctors who won't do a fill if they get the idea that you are sufficiently restricted...which they will, if you tell them you are plugged up and vomiting. And, if you DO get a fill, this will happen more often, which will irritate your esophagus...and you don't want that to happen.

Good luck.

Sue

bobby_hamrick · October 20, 2003

Sounds like there is already some restriction to me!! You may be lucky enough that one fill does the deed!! Some folks are restricted at different times of the day too especially mornings from what I hear/I don't eat a lot after I wake up either now and I used to eat first thing...

soon2bskinny · October 20, 2003

I agree! Just stay away from those foods that make you vomit. It can cause your band to slip. I cannot eat biscuits, loaf bread, donuts or anything doughy like that. I cannot do rice (which I love) or any meat that is real dry. I too cannot eat first thing in the morning. Sometimes I try runny oatmeal but for the most part I do a Protein Shake. Usually in the evenings though I can eat most anything I want. I too feel changes in my restriction with the weather. When it is rainy sometimes I have to return totally to mush as I cannot digest solids. Funny but true. We all also struggle with taking smaller bites, chewing well, and slowing down. Perhaps this could be part of your problem. Good luck!