I have experienced having food get "stuck" a few times in the past few times. Generally it's when I just forget and take too large of a bite or don't chew long enough. Last week however, was the absolute worst experience. We were having a group lunch to Celebrate my boss' birthday. I had just taken a bit of my chicken and someone told a joke. I started laughing and that made me swallow that piece of chicken before it was fully chewed. Needless to say, within a minute I knew I was in big trouble. I pretended my pager went off and left the party to head to my office.

Thankfully I have a private office where I was able to close the door and sit at my desk...in horrible pain from that piece of chicken. Luckily I did not have anywhere I HAD to be for a while so I was able to wait this out. But as I sat there, with my wastebasket on my lap, I wondered if there wasn't some way...other than sticking my finger down my throat to make myself throw up the blockage, to get past this faster.

Even though I know we are not to drink during a meal, would having a big swig of liquid help me get unstuck? What has worked for others in this situation? I am finding myself getting really paranoid when it's time to eat at work.

I would love to get some advice from others who have found ways to deal with getting stuck at terribly inconvenient times.

I read somewhere in the forum that Downward Facing Dog is a good position to try if you get something stuck. I don't have restriction yet, but as I posted earlier, a bit of food that was either too squishy or not squishy enough got stuck a couple of days ago and I tried the Yoga position and it provided some relief.

I am such an advocate of the water flushing trick. It helps me su much and my doc does not have a problem with it. Obviously, the preferred method is to not get stuck at all BUT, if it does get stuck, the water trick works.

Here's a link for Downward Facing Dog which has alleviated the pressure for me every time. Granted, I haven't ever been seriously stuck and hope never to be but any time I have a hit of pain, I try to get as close to that position as possible.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

I personally just sip on some real hot water.....the stomach is a muscle and its spasming when you get the food stuck so the hot water relaxes the stomach and allows for the food to gradually pass through....at least that is what I was told so I tried it and it worked ! :redface:

The nurse told me nothing helps but to get up and keep movong around. She said drinking water to try and move it only can make the feeling worse.

Tiny, and I mean tiny! Sips of hot water seem to help.

Good luck! Getting stuck really hurts me and I took a big gulp of water the first time it happened, and the pain became twice as bad.

Hello everyone! I actually started this topic and I am so glad to have all the opinions and contributions. Thank you for posting the link to the downward dog position!! I could not quite get my head around what I was supposed to do but seeing someone in the position really helped.

I had been advised NOT to drink anything when experiencing something being stuck but I decided to find out for myself if the Water flush worked or not. Sure enough! Worked just fine and dandy...thank you very much.

I think that unless someone has experienced these things, they really cannot give advice. Except of course, my surgeon. I will and do listen to him.

However, as far as those who don't have a band and have not experienced the terror of knowing you have something stuck and there is no way in hell to wait it out because you have a meeting or you absolutely MUST be able to speak without throwing up within the next five minutes, well, they really should not be giving advice. Until they walk in my shoes, they have no clue.

So a huge thanks to all of you who replied with helpful hints and information. Keep the good ideas coming!

The nurse told me nothing helps but to get up and keep movong around. She said drinking water to try and move it only can make the feeling worse.

Apparently she has never been stuck!!!!!!!!

I lay on a flat surface and it seems to make the stuck food flow back.

I got the tip from someone's post a while ago. Doing the yoga "downward dog" position moves it right out! I have used it twice.

Sometimes I just try to keep burping and take deep breaths for a few minutes. This will help food pass through if it's not too big of a blockage.

I will live and die by the praise Jesus pose to unstick my stuckness put your arms over your head and move around that does it every time for me

Glad I am not the only one that uses the Water trick, however my question is how much damage are we doing by bringing the food back up? I recently got a fill and well since I have been getting stuck very regularly.

Thanks

dacoz

I will live and die by the praise Jesus pose to unstick my stuckness put your arms over your head and move around that does it every time for me

I can relate to this one, stretching your upper torso like this or sitting up straight as possible and as tall as possible then relaxing helps. If its too big of a piece coughing it up may be required.

As for the Water, people need to differentiate between a sip (hot as some have suggested) and a gulp. A gulp of water definitely makes things worse.

I have been banded for 4 years now.... I always get stuck. It is a part of my life. I always eye ball the restroom locations whenever I go to eat out. Just in case...lol I still have a hard time not over eating, but I am restricted enough to stop at a good point. I actually just "spit" the food out now. Weird...but it works. Doc didn't say anything negative about getting "stuck" He has a Lap band now for over 12 years and says it still happens to him sometimes when he isn't careful. Said his kids called it the "Daddy's got that DEER IN THE HEADLIGHT look" I hope this helps. good luck!!