stuck in my chest

[snickelfritz]

question for anyone ,i have a lot of trouble with chewing my food into small pieces(out of bad habits) so now i have bad stomach pain and it feels like i have a rock stuck in throat all day every day.Im worried i messed up my band.i feel so ashamed.Also it i think i eat the wrong foods.please help.thanks

[Guest marys]

Hey girlfriend,

NO Reason to be ashamed - there are probably only a handful of bandsters that haven't done what you've done probably many times - you didnt say when you were banded but I've been banded since last Nov and I mess up plenty! If we didn't have bad habits we wouldn't have needed the band. so first, relax you have not done anything to damage your band - you are experiencing the pain that comes from stuck food and it may pass through (painfully) don't drink ANYTHING until it passes and/or you will throw it up - called a PB - which can also cause pain. You should not eat anything the rest of the day and only after it passes, or several hours after a pb should you drink liquids very carefully. If you have heartburn or reflx, CALL the DOCtor.

Now, to taking small bites - I know how hard that is as I never even chewed before the band -just inhaled my food - so i sugest getting a toddler fork and sppon or using chopsticks or using a cocktail fork until you learn what a small bite is. Take a bite the size of a dime (almost as flat as a dime too) - that is the size of your bite - in fact, i don't even call it a bite any more - it is a NIBBLE OF FOOD.

Then put it in your mouth and PUT THE FORK DOWN (A MUST) and chew until liquid, swallow and watch a clock for 30 seconds and make sure it is all the way through and down before another bite. I know this sounds elementary to some but to those of us with extremely bad habits when it comes to eating it can really help.

you can do it! now you know why the band is considered a TOOL - it will help you remember to take a small bite and chew well because the consequences hurt like heck.

You will be ok - walk around - do something and this will pass. Let us know how you are. Mary

Hey girlfriend,

NO Reason to be ashamed - there are probably only a handful of bandsters that haven't done what you've done probably many times - you didnt say when you were banded but I've been banded since last Nov and I mess up plenty! If we didn't have bad habits we wouldn't have needed the band. so first, relax you have not done anything to damage your band - you are experiencing the pain that comes from stuck food and it may pass through (painfully) don't drink ANYTHING until it passes and/or you will throw it up - called a PB - which can also cause pain. You should not eat anything the rest of the day and only after it passes, or several hours after a pb should you drink liquids very carefully. If you have heartburn or reflx, CALL the DOCtor.

Now, to taking small bites - I know how hard that is as I never even chewed before the band -just inhaled my food - so i sugest getting a toddler fork and sppon or using chopsticks or using a cocktail fork until you learn what a small bite is. Take a bite the size of a dime (almost as flat as a dime too) - that is the size of your bite - in fact, i don't even call it a bite any more - it is a NIBBLE OF FOOD.

Then put it in your mouth and PUT THE FORK DOWN (A MUST) and chew until liquid, swallow and watch a clock for 30 seconds and make sure it is all the way through and down before another bite. I know this sounds elementary to some but to those of us with extremely bad habits when it comes to eating it can really help.

you can do it! now you know why the band is considered a TOOL - it will help you remember to take a small bite and chew well because the consequences hurt like heck.

You will be ok - walk around - do something and this will pass. Let us know how you are. Mary

[snickelfritz]

thanks that helps i still wonder what the thing is that feels like i have bread stuck in my chest,it wont move i had this for a couple of days.iam so scared.my surgery was 6.27.06 i had heartburn last night soi think iam not sure.but i have been i pain.not real bad just uncomfortable.the chewing part is sooo hard.and also alot of foods i dont like the taste of them anymore since i have to chew it more.iam just so weired.iam realy scared.thanks

[Guest marys]

Hmm, since it hasn't passed and you had some heartburn, I woulld say give the doc a call tommorow - just to be on the safe side - it sounds a little different than when I first read your email. They may want to give you a slight unfill....take care and keep us posted! Can you keep liquids down? does it hurt to drink???

[ClaireinCO]

I haven't been banded yet but I *have* done tons of research. I've read many bandsters reccomending a warm/hot drink beofre a meal. Not enough to break the 'no drinking' rule. But enough sips to help relax your stomach and open up the passageway a bit more.

[snickelfritz]

i can eat and drink it just feels like that the thing i still stuck between my chest and throat ,i did call my doc he said that it happens to anybody not to worry.he said that he will unfill me so the piece of bread will go down.Now i wonder will i get my 2 fill then august 17?hmm bummer iam so upsaid about this mess.i wish i could eat slow and little amount of foods.thanks guys for all the support.

[Guest marys]

Is Ortiz your doc? I guess I thought so since most here are his patients - no matter if you have been in touch with your doc but everyone messes up - i did the same thing and had to have an unfill and am just going to get another fill in about a week. I was told to wait 3 weeks after the unfill for everything to heal. Dont rush this process - you want to keep that band for life. You need to take every meal and every bit of food slow - don't have distractions (tv, talking on phone) just prepare your plate and go slow. Believe me I've struggled with this too and the minute you forget or are over hungry and try to scarf down food, you will pay. You have to tell yourself you can do it - decide how you are going to do and make a commitment to yourself you WILL do it.b

[PAMMIE]

HAVE YOU TRIED PAPAYA ENZYMES AT ALL? PEOPLE ON OTHER BOARDS TAKE THEM WHEN SOMETHINGS STUCK. I GUESS THEY ACT LIKE A PROTEIN DISSOLVER FOR FOOD. ONE GAL POSTED SHE USED ADOLF'S MEAT TENDERIZER AS IT'S THE MAIN INGREDIENT IN THAT ALSO EEEEEECK LOL

[LoriBecky]

you have probably irriated yourself from swallowing too much at one time and not properly chewing it. You can always go liquid for a couple of days to let things settle down. but it is always a good idea to check with your doctor!