Hello, i am on vacation in the USA, have been banded 3 years, my Dr decided to leave me completely unfilled for my trip so i wouldnt run into any trouble, BUT

las night at dinner i got something stuck ( am thinking steamed broccoli/ carrot ) and its nearly 24 hours later and i cannot keep anything down, when i breathe deeply is REALLY hurts, and it hurts bad if i try and drink more than a teaspoon of water, it feels like its blocked. And i foam & slime after drinking that small ammount of water, the whole thing reminds me of when i was filled to capacity and got a small bit of meat stuck, but it came up after an hour, so this time am worried as have no fill, and am terrified i will need surgery to sort it out.

last night i kept sipping and vomming hoping to would come up or go down, tried cold water, hot tea, jumping, laying flat, yoga, even hung upside down off the bed, but all to no avail.

So my question is three fold, how do i get it to unbudge,

could it be slippage, and if so what are the symtoms and what do i do , can i leave it for 4 weeks ?

How else , if it is blockage do i get it unblocked, oh and to top it off, i am only 3 days into a 4 week vacation and didnt take out vacation insurance.......

And my Dr is away on family emergency leave.

So am hoping one of you good American bandaids will come to my rescue !!!!!!

Have you tried papaya enzyme? (get it at a drugstore or large grocery store) If it helps then you know to just do liquids for 48 hours to allow the internal swelling to subside. If that doesn't help, I think a trip to the ER.

And did you have problems with this type of thing before the vacation? I only ask because, at least as far as I know, it is uncommon to "unfill" a patient for vacation and usually unfilled people, especially 3 years post op, don't have any trouble eating. So if you had issues before, you may have a slip. Only your physician or an x-ray/barium swallow etc could tell; we aren't really the best ones to ask if you have a slip, and/or if you can make it for 4 weeks as you are.

That being said; I hope the enzymes help you and you feel better and can continue your vacation safely.

Edited July 27, 200917 yr by RestlessMonkey

Thanks, have never had a problem like this before, we decided to leave it unfilled so i could have a bit more food while here on vacation, do you think it could have slipped ??? Will go out now and find the papaya stuff ,

how long does it take to work ?

WHY was it unfilled? (you said leave it unfilled....why was it unfilled to begin with? I am not just nosy; it may pertain!) and yes if the papaya enzyme is going to help (get one formulated with other enzymes...words like cellulase, ok?) it will help within about 10 minutes. Keep in mind if you've been stuck this long you will be sore and swollen.

do you think it could have slipped ??? Will go out now and find the papaya stuff ,

how long does it take to work ?

i understand reflux to be a big indicator of a slip - but wow w/an empty band, i'm very surprised at your stuck episode.

i've heard some also drinking pineapple juice as well to get through an episode such as yours.

just think a teaspoon of Water here/there wont' sustain you 4wks - dehydration will be a serious issue.

good luck!

Well , chewed around 12 of the papaya tablets,

and about 20 minutes later took a sip of water, then another, than another, THE BLOCKAGE IS GONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didnt feel it move, but it has gone.

RestlessMonkey, i CANNOT thank you enough,

you probably just saved me thousands of dollars in hospital bills, i was so worried , not having insurance while on vacation here, thank you thank you thank you !!!:crying:

You are truly the best BandAid EVER

WOW and i had never heard of that remedy , so will be sure to always keep a bottle on hand, for now am staying on liquids for at least 48 hours, i was even thinking of getting it removed when i went home as i was sooooooo worried,

How does the papaya enzyme work ???? :thumbup:

Thank you to everyone who answered this post !

Our stomach (and intestines if I recall my physiology) produces enzymes. Different ones aid in digestion of different foods. For example, papain (which is the enzyme in "papaya) aids in digestion of Protein. Cellulase digests vegetable matter etc. However foods in our pouch aren't where digestion can occur (and it only works on "dead" food, not on us, so you don't have to worry) So Papaya can help break down food that's stuck so it can go on through the pouch! Glad it helped you! :crying:

Hope the rest of your vacation is worry free.