Restriction or not??

[mhermanrn]

Ok, I have a question/concern... I was banded on 1/14/10 and have only had one fill so far. What is the difference between restriction and the sensation of food getting stuck? Is it the same? I have been having a lot of episodes where the food is sticking and it is very painful to the point where I throw up the stuck pieces. I am scheduled to get a fill next week and wonder if I will get this sensation a lot more once the fill is done. I can still eat a lot so I don't think that I have gotten to my sweet spot but am getting tired of the pain--even when I take small bites chewed well. What's the deal here? Should I get another fill? I only have 3.5cc in an 11cc band. Please HELP!!!

[janellody]

Sounds like you are either eating too fast, too big of bites, not chewing them enough, or a combination of all three. Yes, you DO have restriction, if you didn't, the food would not get stuck. If you are PBing (throwing it back up) then you need to start taking way smaller bites, chew them a LOT and eat a lot slower. If you continue to PB a lot, it can adversely affect the band, so you don't want to do that any more than you already have, if possible.

I am at 4cc in my 11cc band, and I can still eat a ton of food, just like you. We aren't at our sweet spot and the band isn't restricting the amount of food we eat, but it IS restriction the type of food and the quantity that you eat at once. Just be very very careful and start eating a lot slower with tiny bites. If I don't chew bread enough, it hurts going down. This has taught me to take smaller bites and eat slower and chew a lot more.

This is how we are supposed to eat now, so we just have to get used to it.

[CindyLou]

If you are currently getting stuck DO NOT GET A FILL until you resolve this. Chew more, take small bites, etc. If you do not resolve this before you get filled you will be in shock at how much things get stuck once you get filled!! You may find that once things aren't getting stuck any more that you are able to eat more and become full and actually lose weight. You may or may not need another fill.

Good luck...

[Kristi]

I agree with Cindylou, don't get a fill. You could really hurt yourself. I suggest talking with your fill doctor asap about this problem.

Also whenever I have had PB issues, I have gone on liquids to let my stoma relax some.

Keep us updated. Take care.