Stuck -bad experience TMI alert

[hmarko 0]

Hi gang - ok so a week after my first fill - I must have eaten chicken too fast.. and I got the pressure in my chest which i figured was just full but it wasn't going down. So I'm trying to burp up and nothing.. then I remembered they told me to drink hot Water - WELL that would be ok if I were home but I was at work. Suddenly I felt nauseous and before I can even make it to the bathroom door I almost projectiled foam and it even came out of my nose too! At work!!! HORRIFYING!!!! It seemed like I was having a coughing choking fit with gurgloing, but maybe my coworkers were polite and pretended not to notice they all know I had this surgery.

So I made it to the bathroom and threw up (not wretching type throw up; it just plopped up but there was a bit of push there too).

Sorry this is gross.. so what are u supposed to do - sounds like forget the Water and wait it out??? When you throw up do you only throw up what is in the pouch or do you also push thru the lower contents thru the stoma to the pouch? I mean can that happen (that sounds like it would be bad).

Is this something I should report to my doctor or its part of the growing pains?

How do I know if I should worry - ie pb sounds ok - a little more than pb ie some exertion sounds like throwing up. SO confused.

Lastly - I think i figured out the difference between stuck and normal pressure? If you can get some air out thats ok but once no air (burps) come out then your stuck?

[Dana36 0]

The same exact thing just happened to me. I was in my car and having a piece of tilapia fish. I threw up all over myself and my car. I had to come home from work.

[b9409 1]

I had the same experience, also with Tilapia fish. I didn't feel like I was vomitting, and I just leaned over the tub and it came up. But, that was one week ago today, and I am STILL sore!

The next day, I was so incredible sore, I didn't even think I could stand up straight to go to work! It was horrible for about the next 5-6 days. In fact, today (day 7) has been a bit better.

I ended up calling my dr. and going to see the surgeon just because I was having so much pain and I was scared. He gave me the all clear and just said that when the food got stuck, it was traumatizing for my esophagus, which is why it's sore.

I will ALWAYS chew, chew, chew from this point forward. I hope this never happens again!!! It HURTS!

(But, it sounds like you had a typical lapband experience).

[hmarko 0]

Did you guys go on liquids after? I'm not feeling sore as of yet - I did liquid after that had dinner but still a bit came up so I'm not right yet. I should prob be doing liquid tomrrow but i am hungry on the liquid which tells me I am not that swollen.

[kiz 1]

I guess the hot Water did bring it up, but it doesn't sound like the best way to do it unless you're really under distress and like you said, not in public. The time I had a pb was on Chinese chicken and broccoli. I didn't listen to my body's signals, and I was getting plenty, and kept eating. Lesson learned, that's for sure.

For a Protein stuck episode, try chewable papaya enzyme. It doesn't work for everyone, but once, when I thought I was going to have a pb, it worked like a charm. A few other times, I was starting to get that tight feeling when eating meat, and it made the feeling go away immediately.

[hmarko 0]

Kiz - so either let it be (if not in distress) or do the papaya enzyme right? Where do you even get that? I don't think i have seen any in the big drug chains store.

Do i have to be on liquids tomorrow or try to eat slowly and see what happens? I only did liquids for about 5 hours after. food is ok but I have to eat even SLOWER than usual

[Padanelle 2]

I had a really bad bout of pb/sliming after my 2nd fill. The longest lasted 4-5 hours. It was awful. After that I went for a bit of an unfil, and have not had problems since.

I would recommend another day on liquids, or at least purees. I stupidly didn't do that the first few times I got stuck. Also, I found drinking something when I'm stuck mad it much worse.

The papaya enzymes unfortunately don't work for me, but a lot of people swear by them, so I would certainly give it a try. You can get them at GNC, Vitamin shop,etc.

Walking seems to help me. Also, bending over - but be sure to have a waste basket or something under your chin, as things have a tendancy to come flying out quick.

The important thing is to learn the signs, so you can stop eating in time. Its a real learning experience.

Today I went for my 3rd fill. They only put in .3 cc. I hope this gives me some restriction, as I have started to eat too much and have gained almost 5 lbs back.

Good luck!

[kiz 1]

"The important thing is to learn the signs, so you can stop eating in time. Its a real learning experience."

That's the best advice of all. I know right away that I feel tightness (pain of sorts), or runny nose, or a bit of mucus comes up. When I had my pb, I had all of these, yet I took another bite. That's not to say, unfortunately, you can't get stuck without any warning at all.

Based on your experience, hmarko, I don't think I'd try the hot Water unless I felt like nothing was going to move one way or the other. I hope not to get that stuck. But having Water spew out everywhere or being in a terribly painful situation and after trying the papaya, walking, stretching, I'd try the water too. It's good to have several weapons in our arsenal.

I got my papaya/pineapple chewables at Trader Joes. But like Pad said, you can find them at various Vitamin shops, and I've heard Walmart too. They're inexpensive, and they taste pretty good too.

[Padanelle 2]

Regarding drinking hot Water when stuck, it is meant to relax the stoma BEFORE eating. If you drink it after something is stuck, it will probably back up, and make matters worse.

Regarding the chewable enzymes, I would recommend the Papaya/pinapple combination. The ine I bought just had papaya, and didn't work for me.

[kittkat2009 0]

Ive not had anything stuck yet but I've seen some people recommend drinking pineapple juice when they are stuck. I'm guessing just very small sips at a time.

[hmarko 0]

Thanks this is a learning experience for me today I went to support group and that was helpful too... i seem to have the first bite thing going on too.. so i really did not overeat, but I am probably guilty of not chewing; and i could have just waited it out but thought the hot Water would expedite - live and learn.

I am surprised that my coworkers actually were so engrossed in their work that they did not notice what went on before I hit the bathroom door :thumbup:

[BillOh 15]

Lastly - I think i figured out the difference between stuck and normal pressure? If you can get some air out thats ok but once no air (burps) come out then your stuck?

Yup, good description, that was a classic episode, and I think chicken is the biggest culprit. Consider it a learning experience, and as I approach the 1 year mark, its a lesson I get occasional reminders of.