Hello ~

First, let me say that I am about 2 and 1/2 months post surgery and have had 2 fills. I am not in the green zone yet, though I can tell a very, very, very subtle difference in getting full on less. I think I am getting there and hope that the next couple of fills do the trick.

Right now, the biggest difference I feel is that I find that when I eat too big of a bite or don't chew enough - particularly certain breads (really doughy) or dry chicken, it gets stuck and I throw it up.

Anyway, today I was at a lunch meeting and there was a nice lunch served - grilled chicken, spinach salad wild rice and bread. I took a small bite of bread and shortly after was in the bathroom throwing it up. I went back and tried some chicken....taking a small bite and chewing thoroughly. Well, I was once again in the bathroom throwing it up. I should have stopped at that point, but I was actually hungry and felt better after getting the stuck food out- so I tried a little spinach salad and again, chewed well. THAT came up. So I gave up altogether. I haven't had touble with that stuff in the past - well, maybe if not chewed properly - but nothing that would have made me avoid it altogether, forever!

So, the meeting was over and I went back to my office and was starting to feel very hungry (after all, I threw up everything I ate) so I went to the cafe and got a BLT on toasted sourdough bread. I ate the whole thing with no problems. What gives?!?!?!? I am totally shaking my head at this. Was I not hungry enough when I attempted the grilled chicken and spinach salad? My doctor did tell me that sometimes ya just never know what is or isn't going to agree with you, so I guess this was one of those occasions.

Anyone else ever have a similar experience?

I was banded on 5/11/09 and have two fills. I'm still learning myself but from what you describe, you need take smaller bites and chew more before swallowing. Also, I am avoiding white meat chicken ( for now) and stick to dark meat chicken. You must avoid doughy bread altogether. Toasted bread works the best. Rice can stuck as well so you may want to avoid it if it served dry. Rice wet - like with stewed tomaotes works for me but you can only have a very small amount in your spoon.

Be proud of what you have accomplished. I attend business lunches and tell them ahead of time what I did ( Lap Band) and ask - what's on the menu. If I'm not comfortable, I ask for fish ( filet of sole or tilapia) and I haven't had a problem.

Also, you must be careful and discuss with your Doctor if you keep on throwing up as you don't want the band to slip.

For me and for you , it remains a learning process. Good Luck.:wink:

Thanks for your reply, John!

You are right - this is a learning experience - so I guess I can just chalk it up to that!!!

I, personally, find that every meal is a mystery for me. Every day is different and every meal is different. I just never know. It can be the same food as well. I could have scrambled eggs now and eat them just fine and have them again later today and throw them up.

I do find that chewing makes a big difference. Also, I have started taking really small bites and really thinking about the chewing process. If I don't, I get stuck. Even small things will get stuck for me if not chewed properly.

I eat a lot of grilled shrimp and I cut them into tiny bites an they go down great. I can do chicken the same way but must have some kind of sauce or juice to moisten it.

The only food I have not tried is steak. Still scared of that one.

sistasassy (love the name!)

That is totally what my dr. told me to expect.....to NOT expect anything! You might be fine one day with a particular food and throwing it up the next day. And that certain factors can affect the band....stress etc. So I guess that sticking to the guidelines of small bites and chewing (at least 20 chews, I was told) - we can avert some (but not all) food challenges!

when you do get something stuck and throw up, its is not uncommon to be unable to eat for a while. The inflammation would have meant NOTHING WAS going down until you were settled a bit. Trying to eat immediately after pbing is not the most sensible thing to do. Its likely to result exactly as it did for you.

I am in agreement with your signature and praise God with and for you! Congratulations! I'm just behind you. Pray for me. I am determined to win this battle. By the way, steak has been good for me. I've absolutely NO problems with steak. Take care.

I, personally, find that every meal is a mystery for me. Every day is different and every meal is different. I just never know. It can be the same food as well. I could have scrambled eggs now and eat them just fine and have them again later today and throw them up.

I do find that chewing makes a big difference. Also, I have started taking really small bites and really thinking about the chewing process. If I don't, I get stuck. Even small things will get stuck for me if not chewed properly.

I eat a lot of grilled shrimp and I cut them into tiny bites an they go down great. I can do chicken the same way but must have some kind of sauce or juice to moisten it.

The only food I have not tried is steak. Still scared of that one.

My advice - Listen to JACHUT! She's an expert as far as I'm concerned. I respect her advice and opinions.

Funny, I had this same talk with the nurse today. I had something for lunch that wouldn't go down at dinner, another day I had something get stuck at lunch that I had eaten without problem the day befor. Because of this I don't want a second fill. Getting stuck is just the worst and I want to avoid it at all costs!!! I haven't been hungry between regular meals. Most mornings I don't "eat", I have protein drink or just a swiss miss mocha. I start my day with a glass of water and then the mocha, eat about 3 hrs. later. I have late nights, so my days start around 10 or 11 my first meal is usually lunch. I don't call what happens throwing up because it's just slime or foam. Since I am taking off about a 1 1/2 lbs. weekly, and I don't have hunger issues I have decided to wait on a fill. She questioned me about the dryness of the foods I've had problems with. I haven't had any food that I couldn't eat, at least the first time I've tried it. Prime Rib, Ribeye and Tbones are fine for me, sirloin and NY Strips just don't work. Chicken, tuna and shrimp are OK. Fish would work fine I guess I just can't eat it broiled! I keep trying and everytime I fix it, I can't get it into my mouth. :sad:

Edited June 19, 200917 yr by niterun

I have a question. Is "getting stuck" anything at all like what happens with a hiatal hernia?

It sounds like it.

There have been times when I have a bad time with it that I cannot swallow anything.

At first, it feels like it's going down really really slow and then "sticks" in mid chest.

It is incredibly painful and I can barely even breathe (probably because I start to panic).

Then, I find if I get up and walk around and raise both my arms up over my head, that it subsides and I can -- sometimes -- finish my meal.

On a very rare occasion, I will throw up everything I've eaten just prior to the point of it getting "stuck."

I have a question. Is "getting stuck" anything at all like what happens with a hiatal hernia?

It sounds like it.

There have been times when I have a bad time with it that I cannot swallow anything.

At first, it feels like it's going down really really slow and then "sticks" in mid chest.

It is incredibly painful and I can barely even breathe (probably because I start to panic).

Then, I find if I get up and walk around and raise both my arms up over my head, that it subsides and I can -- sometimes -- finish my meal.

On a very rare occasion, I will throw up everything I've eaten just prior to the point of it getting "stuck."

I find the sensation/pain very similar, yes, but the walking around with your arms up won't fix it. At least it doesn't for me.