simego

I'm 13 years old and I got my band July 2008. I've had a couple of painful moments, and PB'ed twice in school, but I was back to normal after an hour or so.

This has been happening to me pretty often in the past month or so, and I don't know if it's what you call sliming. I'm not really sure what that is.

I'm eating a burger and some corn on the cob, and after just two bites, I get pain. Not terrible, but not at all pleasant. It goes away after a minute and then comes back, and keeps coming back repeatedly until one moment when I feel starving. I feel like I haven't eaten in a week and I start salivating buckets. I feel weak like I can't move much and I stay this way until I wait it out. Walking doesn't help. After a while, I feel the food go down and I'm pretty much back to normal.

Like I said, this has happened often recently, and this is probably about the fifth time. Any ideas on what this is and how I can avoid it would be great.

Son of floridamom

July-08 218 lbs., Nov-08 198 lbs.

Some foods are more difficult to eat than others. A lot of people need to be more careful with the "real" foods like meat, chicken, hamburger. I know when I am eating those foods, or trying to eat a sandwich, what helps a lot, even more than a lot of chewing, is taking much smaller bites. Because the bite size really determines how fast you are eating, and you probably are eating a bit faster than you realize, which means not chewing as much as you should. So take small bites, and then put down the burger until well chewed and swallowed. Then pick it up and another small bite. Corn on the cob you're probably not chewing that much, which is ok if it's just a little, but enough of that bunched together and you could get stuck. I've had this. The warning pain (unpleasant feeling) is your time to STOP eating, put the food down until the pain is gone. The salivating is your body's way of trying to digest the food. It happens even before and with the food getting stuck. If you have to eat so slowly that you really never get full, you may be too tight. Good luck.

Excellent post and well balanced from someone who's walked on both sides. Thanks for your insight!

Jann

Thanks Jann, I really liked your post where you said you want to feel the band so that you could make the adjustment. Me too. You look great and also no smoking. WOW! Take care.

Thanks for the responses. :-)

What I really want to know, is whether or not it's uncomfortable for everyone else to eat. Like I said, I can totally understand when you get something stuck (had it happen), or when you eat too much... but does each bite of food hurt AS IT GOES DOWN? That's what's really freaking me out. Does having restriction also mean you can no longer even enjoy food at all because eating even a single bite is painful?

I just don't understand why the heck even ONE BITE of food will be painful going down my esophagus - long before it ever reaches my band or stomach.

Hi BeBe, I know that my response is days after you have posted, but I bet you're still interested in as many answers as you can get. I know EXACTLY what you are experiencing. Except for the part where you have pain the moment you eat. I think that could be a spasm because your body knows what is coming or anticipating the pain. But in terms of your other statements, I would get the horrible "stuck" pain often, several times a day. And I have had four separate episodes of severe stuck pain, that was just beyond terrible. On a scale of 1 to 10, about a 1000. I was emailing people, trying to find out if they had this too. If it's normal. This is what I learned. Most people, if they eat too much, too fast, not well chewed etc. etc., will get episodes of PB or sliming. Some of us, but definitely not most people, get this awful, awful pain. I don't even think it's 10% of people, but there are others. I know in my case, I kept thinking "I ate too fast" or "I didn't chew well." But in retrospect, it was relatively random. I mean it wasn't totally random, I did have to eat a troubling food like chicken for it to happen. But I wasn't chewing less or eating more than many other times when I didn't go through these horrible episodes. I finally went back to OCC last week for a partial unfill. I know it's too soon to say, but what a relief. There is now some correlation between what I am eating and if I have a problem. First I get a warning, like a tightness, or having swallowed a golf ball. So I wait. And after I wait until it passes, as long as I chew well and eat slowly, I know I will be ok. It is a relief I cannot even describe to know that I won't be having a severe problem. Also, in retrospect, and I know this doesn't sound like it makes sense, but here it is. I was favoring soft foods. I know everyone said that was a warning sign to being too tight. But living it, in the moment, it didn't really occur to me. It was my first fill, I figured this is "normal" and this is the way the band works. The fact that my painful episodes seemed pretty random also made me think that it was me not chewing well, not the band too tight. But in retrospect, I was favoring soft foods, almost unconsciously. Also, I was, in anything, gaining weight, because I was getting no satisfaction or full feeling ever from food. Both no physical full feeling and no psychological full feeling. So I literally ate ice cream every single night because I knew it wouldn't hurt and because I was so upset that I couldn't eat any real food and because I was hungry. Finally when I realized that, I thought it was so stupid I should have the band removed. Instead, last week, I had an unfill. And it's much, much better. Now I feel like Jann who said I want to have some control. I want to just feel the band a bit, be aware and make proper adjustments. So to try to answer you exactly, having now been on both sides, NO eating should not hurt. You should be able to eat real food, yes even a small sandwich, with small bites, one at a time, chewing a lot. At most, you should get like a warning, a full uncomfortableness in the middle of your chest which means: STOP and wait. In a few minutes it should subside letting you continue with small bites, well chewed. At times like this I will take a sip, just a sip of water (I AM NOT YOUR DOCTOR!! but this works for me) to wet my mouth, like a lubricant. Like you, I began to think that the way the band was supposed to work was that the pain would cause you never to want to eat, and wow, you would lose weight. But then it backfires because you're so frustrated about food all the time. Turns out that's NOT how it's supposed to work. It's supposed to feel like I just wrote, because I've been on both sides. Good luck.

Here is my most recent before and after, with the band I have lost 50lbs in 6months:

I just had my 4th fill on Friday and found out that my port is detached on one side also known as a "tilted port"... During my last fill my doc had a little bit of a hard time accessing my port but it was no big deal... This time when he felt my port he said that he thought my port was tilted which was exactly what I thought because it feels kind of pointed, like it doesn't feel flat like the top of a quarter.... Luckily he could still fill me, I had my original 2.35 and he added .15 so now I am at 2.6ccs.

My doctor said he has never had a Dr. Ortiz patient with a detached port so I don't know if this happened because I overexerted myself at some point or if all the poking from the last fill maybe dislodged it or something but if I look at this pic of my 1st fill on April 17th-

Notice how the needle is straight up and down?? That's how it should be!! So sometime in the last 3.5 months the right side of my port detached so it is still attached on the left and if you were to take that same picture during this fill the needle would be 30* leaning towards the left (my right if I'm looking at my belly).

So I guess that's the update, so far no difference in my eating after the fill but I have PB'd a few times on really cold liquids... Pretty weird I can eat the same amount but that drinks are bothering me, maybe that means I am getting closer to my sweet spot if nothing else it means no way I can eat my weekly Blizzard (probably a good thing) so we shall see if it "kicks in" in the next week or so!!

MamaMichelle,

When I went for my first fill at the OCC, Dr. Acosta said my port was tilted. I was banded by Dr. Ortiz, and this was only six weeks post-op and I definitely didn't do anything to exert myself or move the port. Also, the port is still pretty sensitive. I don't know if that is b/c it is tilted, or same for everyone. Anyway, I thought you might want to know that at least one Dr. Ortiz patient has a tilted port, definitely from the surgery, not from any exertion.

I hope no one thinks I'm being naive or downright dumb for asking this, but I have a question:

I realize that having a gastric band won't "cure" my food addictions, but will it help manage the issue by not allowing me to binge? I am an emotional eater and a binger. I know that the band does nothing for me psychologically (ie won't solve the issues that make me binge in the first place) but would it help control my binging in a physiological sense? Will I become ill if I try to binge after a band is placed?

There's a medicine sometimes prescribed to alcholics called Antabuse. When the drug is taken and alcohol is consumed, the person becomes severely physically ill. Does a lap band work in the same way in that if too much food is eaten, the person will become physically ill?

Thanks!

I literally had to re-read the name to be sure that (somehow) this wasn't an old posting of mine that was misplaced. I had the same questions. I was banded mid July, so it's only been two months, but for me, the band has been extremely helpful with the head hunger. I felt exactly as you do, I know it's a tool and it's a physical implant and not for the brain. And this is only my experience, but eating has being much less appealing to me. That fact has helped the addiction part. I compare it to a meth addiction. I was literally: where's the needle, just shoot me up, when it came to food, especially sweets. After the band, food is not nearly so pleasant. I would say people don't talk about that part of it so much (maybe it's just taken for granted?) but eating is so much more of an ordeal. It is not pure pleasure. You don't even realize it before you get the band, but even though you eat for emotional reasons, actually, eating is really fun physically. Well, after the band, it's not really that much fun to eat. (sorry, but it's true.) Not to scare you. For me at least, it was totally worth it to give up an addiction that felt out of control. But eating is now 1000% slower, chewing a lot, don't have as much etc. etc. Pain with certain food makes eating that food just not interesting. But in exchange, the addiction feeling is much, much less. For example, last night, we were at a picnic, and I ate a tiny brownie. Like three bites. Not only did I not want more, after I ate it, I realized I didn't even want it in the first place. The band didn't stop me physically, and I'm very, very far from perfect. But the head hunger is quite a bit less. It's like this thing that only felt great before (eating) is now this thing that doesn't feel so good (eating.) For me it's been worth it, but it is an adjustment in that (cliche) your relationship with food will change.

Yes I agree! Food is not near as appealing as it used to be!

I agree with both of you. It WOULD be appealing if I could eat more, but it's such a hassle, it's so much less appealing. I don't want to eat more b/c of the pain, but I remember wanting to eat more, just that it's not for me.

Thank you so much for taking the time to write and post this. Many of us appreciate it! Do you know if I park next to the border, is it obvious how to walk across the border and catch a cab? Lori posted the location of a parking garage right near the border and I thought I would park there and walk over. Have you seen folks do that? Thanks, simego.

Thats what I'm talking about, Dr. Ortiz told me 3 important things must be followed. 1 no solids in the first 21 days, 2 wait as long as you can for that first flouro fill and get it at the OCC, 3 food choice and make you're mouth a food processor chew chew chew.

Why is it so important to wait as long as possible for first fill?

Thank you guys.

Hi I had my surgery May 14th and I still get the shoulder pain, I haven't figured out

yet what triggers it. It will be fine for a few weeks then all of a sudden it will start

hurting again, at least it is not constant pain anymore. Gas x still helps.

Do you remember how it felt post-op? I am five days out and most of the time, or at least a lot of the time, I feel this tightness in the middle of my chest. It's not really related to drinking anything, it's just mostly there or randomly comes back. It's pretty painful; maybe a 5/10 on a pain scale. Did you have this? Is this just how the band feels? Does this sound normal to you? I'm not worried about any other medical issues or anything, it's clearly from the procedure/band, but it's more than I expected. I guess I thought the band was more or less painless if you don't overeat. I am not overeating or anything. Today I just had water and three protein shakes all day. Probably only 500 calories total. I this #1) normal post-op #2) temporary #3) how long does it last. I guess I'm mostly scared that this is how the band feels all the time. From all my reading on the lapbandforum I really didn't pick up having this much (and fairly continuous) post-op pain. Thanks,

That's internal swelling.

Your liver, stomach, esophagus and a few other ograns got moved to put the band in. And THEN, to add insult to injury, there's this new piece of silicone they all have to get used to...especially your stomach. It's now narrowed into something that will fit inside this little strip of silicone.

It's mad, it's swollen. It will be okay. Liquid vitamins, plenty of sleep and ibuprofen worked wonders.

Thank you Phoenix. Although even Vicoden is not really helping. It's just kind of scary (in addition to hurting.) It is reassuring to hear that it is the band/surgery, and just the way it is supposed to be now. In your case, how long did this pain last? And is that what it will feel like when we get a fill? Thanks.

I remember your pain all to well. Try to splurge on yourself if you havn't tried them and get some of the fresh soups that Safeway, FredMeyer or Schlotsky's makes. My favorite was Safeway's Tuscan tomato basil bisque. I ate it everyday and never got tired of it. So go to the store if you can and buy some liquid treats!! I like Cathy's suggestions also. I too ate alot of the frozen sugar free popsicles, they really have some great ones.

:lb4:

If you look at what a short time 2 weeks is compared to the rest of your life.....I didn't listen to this either when I was chewing my nails off wanting to EAT!! But hey maybe just imagine it for a second.

Julie, do you remember about your post op pain? Do you remember if you felt this tightness a lot of the time in the middle of your chest? Is that the band? It's not related to anything I'm drinking, it's just there or just randomly comes and goes. Thanks for your help.

Eating solids at this point can do some serious damage to your band. It sounds like you're ok but you shouldn't do that again. You should be in the full liquids stage so you can try some soups with a little more body to them. You can even take whole soups and run them through the blender until they are the consistency of milk. You can also try yogurts or sugar-free fudgecicles which will give you the added bonus of having something to chew on. Right now you can basically have anything which will go through a straw.

Your pains sound like gas pain. Some people use Gas-X strips but taking short walks throughout the day, especially after eating, will also help. The walking has the added bonus of getting your blood flowing which will aid in healing.

Thank you for your answer. I know you were banded back in 2006, but do you remember if you felt this tightness a lot of the time in the middle of your chest? Is that the band? It's not related to anything I'm drinking, it's just there or just randomly comes and goes. Thanks for your help. Also, I've already been really active.

I had to stay on clear liquids for the first 7 days, but all doctors are different. Once I started the 2nd week, phase 2, I could have creamy soups and my favorite was creamy potato. There is a recipe for it in the food/recipe section of the forum.

I too had terrible shoulder/neck pain as a result of the gas. It finally subsided after about 2 1/2 weeks! My pain tended to come on at night, so I would get the heating pad in the bed and apply heat for 30 min, then turn it off. I also took pain meds the first week for the pain at night. Once you are cleared to exercise, walking cleared it up for me. I walked a little during the day, but it would always creep back at night. I know it hurts, so hang in there...it will soon disappear. The gas pain for me was worse than the actual surgery!

Denise

I was banded five days ago. May I ask you a question about the gas pain? I have this sharp, intermittent pain around my left collarbone. It just comes on randomly, lasts only ?few seconds/half a minute and goes away. Keeps happening. It's fairly severe. Is this the gas pain?

Congratulations! You've done the best thing for yourself!

The gas was in my left, too, but if it bubbled up right in you, then same thing, just opposite shoulder.

I needed four things:

a) time (sorry, but after 18 days, I was free of it)

a waist nipper, old fashioned corset like thing from JCP that held my muscles in place for me for 10 days.

c) "slantedness" When it hurt like hell, I put my hurting shoulder down and the rest of my body at a 45 degree angle

d) drugs: GasX and Ibuprofen.

It will pass, honest. It hurts, but you'll live no worse for the wear.

Hi everyone, I could use some advice. I was banded five days ago. I was having true physical hunger pains as early as the first day post-op. I held out as long as possible, and on the fourth day post op I had one scrambled egg, tiny, tiny bites, chewed until virtually liquid. The protein helped my hunger and I thought it was ok. But OCC has told me NO! Stick to liquids only. My question is about this physical pain I have, as I think the only people who can really answer me are people who have been banded. I have two types of intermittent pain. One is occasional waves of a tightness feeling in the middle of my chest. The other is sharp, brief pain around my left collarbone. Both pains seem random to me and definitely not related (time-wise) to drinking anything, or eating the egg. I get either of these pains pretty frequently, especially the tightness one. From what I'm describing, does this tightness sound like the band? And has anyone else had these really sharp pains around the collarbone area? It's a bit scary. I'm not worried about any other health issues as the cause. And do you guys think it was so damaging about the eggs? They kind of freaked me out... What have other people (honestly) done post-op? Dr. Miranda said she has had patients who've slipped because they ate cottage cheese!

That was hilarious! THanks for sharing and congratulations!!

ABSOLUTELY NOTICEABLE!! Keep it up!

In the second week, when we can have "creamy" liquids, can I have a protein shake?

This is fun! I just want to be able to throw on jeans and a tee shirt to go about my day. I'm not really that into fashion and it's such a chore thinking about and finding something to wear. I have about four different sizes in the closet, and the largest one barely fits. So it's very hard to get dressed, and I long for the days I don't have to think about what I have to wear at all. To me, that's heaven! Except for a nice evening event. I would love to wear a slim fitting dress, not something "flattering" that has to be loose-ish to look right.

I found a great website called kayak.com that checks all the hotels in an area; scans 140 sites, gets best prices and reviews. Map, location. It was great.

I was glad to read everyone's responses. I don't know why I'm not being alerted (via email) that people are writing on this post. That used to happen; anyone know how I can get that back? Anyway, I'm glad I posted, I feel like we're all in this together. I am going to have the band this week. I wish all of us good luck in our respective journeys.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm starting to feel "normal" now that everyone is reassuring me that what I feel is ok. I tried bowling yesterday. (I bowl twice a week) It wasn't too comfortable. So I guess I'll give it another week. I was able to throw the ball but not at the speed I use to have. I also couldn't bend over well b/c of my port site bothering me. So we'll see. I'm 21lbs down from my starting weight so all is going well so far. I am starting to get hungry before I should be so I have to talk to the dietician about that. I'm getting hungry about an hour before I should be. I've still be waiting until I should be eating though. I'm not eating anymore than I should be nor am I eating earlier than I should be. So it looks like I'll definitely need a fill as soon as I'm allowed to have one.

Does your surgeon allow solid foods one week post-op? Thanks.

GOOD JOB CRAZYCOOLBUTTERFLY!

Thanks you guys. And yes! I booked my surgery for two weeks from yesterday. CRAZY. I am reading everyone's post, trying to figure out how I will feel when it is over and just everyone's experience. I am most anxious about just the fact that I HAVE to change my life, and that I can't, once in a while, just overeat when it's fun (like at Thanksgiving or similar.) Of course, we shouldn't do that anyway, sigh ... I am hoping that when the pounds start coming off I will feel happy enough about that that the other stuff doesn't matter as much. Truly, I can't imagine what all this will feel like.