I am sort of wondering about this, as it is VERY embarrassing while eating out or at other people's houses. My coworkers just cringe and let me run back to the bathroom because they know what's coming...

I was filled to 5 ccs in August. I have been having issues of the food feeling stuck right at the breastbone, then higher up in my throat, and then I start to burp and I gag up a mouthful of thick, slimey mucous. Once I spit that out, I can continue eating normally and without issues. However, I never burp up food...just that thick slimey mucous. It's clear, with no food particles in it. It's like the food is going down and the mucous is coming up. Very weird.

Even with the smallest amount of food it will happen. I had a couple pretzels and it happened bad. Then I went on to finish a sub sandwich with no issues.

The MD said I need my band loosened, but other bandsters living nearby said it's just me eating either too fast or too big of bite or not chewed well enough, and that loosening the band is not the answer. Anyone else have issues about slimey mucous?

The MD had said previously that I should drink hot Water, tea or coffee just before eating to "wake up" the esophagus. Has anyone heard that the band could cause esophageal dismotility issues??? I don't recall that coming up in discussion with my MD. :bored:

At 5ccs I doubt you are too tight...although it is possible. It could be that you are eating too fast, not chewing enough, are eating too much, or are eating things that are just not agreeing with you (which is what happens to me!) There are just certian foods that my band will not tolerate. I definitely cannot eat any pretzels, or bready products at all. However, I am super tight--I have about 6.3 ccs in my band and most people cannot beleive I am this tight with that small amount of a fill. But you might want to try a small unfill and see what happens. What is your weight loss like?

I started doing the same thing after my first fill. I have the realize band and they put in 3cc's. I was going to go have a little taken out then I decided to up my water intake and it helped. I think I was dehydrated. I am really glad now I didn't get any fill taken out. You might try more water and see if it helps. I was also under a lot of stress on the days this was happening. I think stress can cause this. I hope you can resolve this soon because it is no fun!

You are either too tight or you are taking bites that are too big/not chewing well enough/eating too fast.

My suggestion would be to cut your food (all of it, before you start eating) into bites the size of a nickel. Take a bite, put it in your mouth, put down your untensil, chew well (about 20-25 times with Proteins especially), swallow. Only then should you pick up your untensil to take another bite. If you eat this way and don't feel stuck or slime or PB, then that's your problem.

If, on the other hand, you still feel stuck, slime, or PB, then you need a slight unfill. Ask for .2cc to be removed. It's just a little but it can make a HUGE difference. The weird thing is you can get a bit of an unfill and later get filled to that level or even a little more and have no problem....

I too have had a hard time with the mucous but with time I have learned the sequence of eating that helps prevent this. sometimes I spit it up before I eat to have a more peaceful meal. I leave all bread and fluffy foods until last. Eating soup before helps usually, but I am wondering if there is a more dramatic substance to use, any tips coming in?

I have dealt with the 'thick' stuff as well. It happened after my second fill, no food. For me it was not like food getting stuck. I felt like I needed to burp and could not. I have had food stuck and it is painful - and it usually will come back up - I do not fight it anymore, because I always feel better after food has been stuck.

But the thick stuff does not hurt - just need to burp!

I have been really careful about eating slowly and chewing until the food is almost liquid, and taking gas x - it has not been happening since!

I hope this helps! Hang in there!:thumbdown: