What is happening?

[Guest guest]

Hello cindywebb1667,

Sunday, October 7, 2007, 8:55:35 PM, you wrote:

> 1. I know I have some restriction but something happens that I'd

> like an explanation for (if anyone has one).

> When I chew too little, take too big of a bite or eat certain foods -

> it gets stuck - it feels like my throat is backing up and my chest

> hurts. From what I understand this is a normal consequence of eating

> incorrectly. However, if I chew just right, eat band friendly foods

> and take tiny bites everything goes down perfect UNLESS I take a

> drink of something. Yes, yes I know I'm not suppose to drink

> anything while I eat but IF I do take a drink I feel STUCK

> immediately and it is pretty painful. Why does this happen?

The food you chewed is in there and just sort of " loose " . The drink

sort of " pushes it down " and jams up the stoma.

> Normally, I can eat lots of different foods, without getting stuck

> but if liquid is involved (especially cold liquid)during or after I

> immediately get stuck. It passes within a few minutes but I'm afraid

> I'm hurting my band and/or my stomach. Any explanations?

In general cold things, especially liquids, tighten us up. Warm

things loosen us up. This is the same way other muscles react as

well. Well, don't know that you're hurting it, but you're not helping

it. Consider it the band giving another reminder to you to not do

that. Drink right up until you start to eat, particularly cold

liquids. That'll tighten you up and fill you up with liquids so there

shouldn't be any problem with being really thirsty for an hour after

eating. If you've " water loaded " like that, any thirst after eating

is " mouth thirst " and not " body thirst " .

> 2. My second question. I've been pretty good with my eating and

> have made largely good food choices. This past week, I was on

> vacation and ate WAY too much food and now I'm afraid I've stretched

> my pouch - is this possible?

Possible, yes. Likely, no. At least not in the sense of permanent

stretching. It is when people do that all the time they have

problems.

dan

[Guest guest]

Good questions! all the band rules have a clear reason WHY, and it's

good to know what that reason is.

We are not supposed to drink fluids with a meal for a couple reasons.

First, it can swell the stuff in the pouch to where we are too full,

and this causes pain and barfing. then, it can also wash food thru if

the pocuh is not too full, and then the band 's resriction is

sabotaged and we can eat way too much. Just stop drinking with meals!

That's VERY important. Pain means " stop this! You're hurting me! "

(says the pouch)

Drinking with meals is just a habit to break. Drink a big glass of

water right before the meal, and your mouth and throat will be

lubricated . Have MOIST foods, and use lots of marinades, salsas,

lowfat gravies and other " food lubes " to keep them moist. Very impt!

, no one is perfect. We all overeat sometimes, and vacations are

a big temptation. It's hard, though, to stretch the pouch unless we

have a too-tight fill and then overeat consistently. We're all

a " work in progress " and we all goof sometimes. Just take the basic

rules to heart and keep learning and growing.

You'll do fine! Don't know about YOU. but I had about 50 yrs of bad

food habits to change, and I sure didn't change overnight! and I'm

still far from perfect!

Sandy r

>

>

> I have a question, well actually two questions.

>

> I was banded 7/24/07 1st fill 8/24 2nd fill 9/17

>

> 1. I know I have some restriction but something happens that I'd

> like an explanation for (if anyone has one).

>

> When I chew too little, take too big of a bite or eat certain

foods -

> it gets stuck - it feels like my throat is backing up and my chest

> hurts. From what I understand this is a normal consequence of

eating

> incorrectly. However, if I chew just right, eat band friendly

foods

> and take tiny bites everything goes down perfect UNLESS I take a

> drink of something. Yes, yes I know I'm not suppose to drink

> anything while I eat but IF I do take a drink I feel STUCK

> immediately and it is pretty painful. Why does this happen?

> Normally, I can eat lots of different foods, without getting stuck

> but if liquid is involved (especially cold liquid)during or after I

> immediately get stuck. It passes within a few minutes but I'm

afraid

> I'm hurting my band and/or my stomach. Any explanations?

>

> 2. My second question. I've been pretty good with my eating and

> have made largely good food choices. This past week, I was on

> vacation and ate WAY too much food and now I'm afraid I've

stretched

> my pouch - is this possible?

>

> I try very hard to abide by the rules, but I do slip andnow I'm

> paranioid I've sabatoged (sp?) my goal.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you Sandy and Dan,

I'm in the process of trying to forgive myself for eating too much of

the wrong foods. I did not eat too much at a meal (I was actually

pretty good - choosing things like chicken etc., but I did lots of

grazing and sweet eating. I even drank two sodas.

I do notice that when I eat with a regular fork I can't control my

bite size or bite speed. Somehow using a shrimp fork keeps my bites

small and seeing the unusual fork going to my mouth reminds me to

stop and put it down. Especially since our vacation was actually a

conference with lots of people around and lots of meal time

distractions.

I guess I'm not drinking enough throughout the day cause I'm always

thirsty and was especially thirsty with meals.

I am very proud of the fact that I just bought $20 worth of candy

from a confectioner and I came home and threw it in the garbage!

Thanks for the reassurance and guidance, I needed it.

> >

> >

> > I have a question, well actually two questions.

> >

> > I was banded 7/24/07 1st fill 8/24 2nd fill 9/17

> >

> > 1. I know I have some restriction but something happens that I'd

> > like an explanation for (if anyone has one).

> >

> > When I chew too little, take too big of a bite or eat certain

> foods -

> > it gets stuck - it feels like my throat is backing up and my

chest

> > hurts. From what I understand this is a normal consequence of

> eating

> > incorrectly. However, if I chew just right, eat band friendly

> foods

> > and take tiny bites everything goes down perfect UNLESS I take a

> > drink of something. Yes, yes I know I'm not suppose to drink

> > anything while I eat but IF I do take a drink I feel STUCK

> > immediately and it is pretty painful. Why does this happen?

> > Normally, I can eat lots of different foods, without getting

stuck

> > but if liquid is involved (especially cold liquid)during or after

I

> > immediately get stuck. It passes within a few minutes but I'm

> afraid

> > I'm hurting my band and/or my stomach. Any explanations?

> >

> > 2. My second question. I've been pretty good with my eating and

> > have made largely good food choices. This past week, I was on

> > vacation and ate WAY too much food and now I'm afraid I've

> stretched

> > my pouch - is this possible?

> >

> > I try very hard to abide by the rules, but I do slip andnow I'm

> > paranioid I've sabatoged (sp?) my goal.

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hello cindywebb1667,

Monday, October 8, 2007, 7:43:10 PM, you wrote:

> I'm in the process of trying to forgive myself for eating too much of

> the wrong foods. I did not eat too much at a meal (I was actually

> pretty good - choosing things like chicken etc., but I did lots of

> grazing and sweet eating. I even drank two sodas.

Hey, most of us have done worse than that a time or two. I know I

have. Personally, I can only eat dark chicken meat, as the white is

too dry unless it is in a TON of sauce. So I just don't do it. Yeah,

grazing will beat us all the time. The band won't stop much grazing

as long as it is slow (think of grazing as what COWS do, not what you

do. You're not a COW)

> I do notice that when I eat with a regular fork I can't control my

> bite size or bite speed.

YES YOU CAN. Like any breaking of any habit, or any learning of a new

habit, it isn't especially easy, but it IS POSSIBLE. I'll bet your

grandma told you to chew every bite 20 times and to always put your

fork down between bites, and to take little bites on the end of your

fork. Right? I thought so. Just remember her advice. It is still

good for all of us, even if we're not banded.

> Somehow using a shrimp fork keeps my bites

> small and seeing the unusual fork going to my mouth reminds me to

> stop and put it down.

That's fine as a temporary help, but I'm sure you'll get past it.

> Especially since our vacation was actually a

> conference with lots of people around and lots of meal time

> distractions.

Yes, we always have problems when engaged in conversation with people,

as it distracts us from the business at hand...eating. All the more

reason to put fork down. Sometimes I see if I can be the " last person

done " (assuming I even finish what is on the plate at a conference

meal).

> I guess I'm not drinking enough throughout the day cause I'm always

> thirsty and was especially thirsty with meals.

You should have a MINIMUM of two quarts a day, preferably three. Two

quarts is the old " eight glasses of water a day " that has been

preached for at least fifty years. Of course they mean old fashioned

8 ounce glasses, not " big gulp " size 44 ounce glasses.

> I am very proud of the fact that I just bought $20 worth of candy

> from a confectioner and I came home and threw it in the garbage!

Great. And next time you may decide not to even spend the twenty

bucks ...

> Thanks for the reassurance and guidance, I needed it.

Hey, we all do. I know I do.

--

Best regards,

Dan mailto:honu@...

[Guest guest]

How were you able to drink soda

penny day

-- Re: Re: What is happening?

Hello cindywebb1667,

Monday, October 8, 2007, 7:43:10 PM, you wrote:

> I'm in the process of trying to forgive myself for eating too much of

> the wrong foods. I did not eat too much at a meal (I was actually

> pretty good - choosing things like chicken etc., but I did lots of

> grazing and sweet eating. I even drank two sodas.

Hey, most of us have done worse than that a time or two. I know I

have. Personally, I can only eat dark chicken meat, as the white is

too dry unless it is in a TON of sauce. So I just don't do it. Yeah,

grazing will beat us all the time. The band won't stop much grazing

as long as it is slow (think of grazing as what COWS do, not what you

do. You're not a COW)

> I do notice that when I eat with a regular fork I can't control my

> bite size or bite speed.

YES YOU CAN. Like any breaking of any habit, or any learning of a new

habit, it isn't especially easy, but it IS POSSIBLE. I'll bet your

grandma told you to chew every bite 20 times and to always put your

fork down between bites, and to take little bites on the end of your

fork. Right? I thought so. Just remember her advice. It is still

good for all of us, even if we're not banded.

> Somehow using a shrimp fork keeps my bites

> small and seeing the unusual fork going to my mouth reminds me to

> stop and put it down.

That's fine as a temporary help, but I'm sure you'll get past it.

> Especially since our vacation was actually a

> conference with lots of people around and lots of meal time

> distractions.

Yes, we always have problems when engaged in conversation with people,

as it distracts us from the business at hand...eating. All the more

reason to put fork down. Sometimes I see if I can be the " last person

done " (assuming I even finish what is on the plate at a conference

meal).

> I guess I'm not drinking enough throughout the day cause I'm always

> thirsty and was especially thirsty with meals.

You should have a MINIMUM of two quarts a day, preferably three. Two

quarts is the old " eight glasses of water a day " that has been

preached for at least fifty years. Of course they mean old fashioned

8 ounce glasses, not " big gulp " size 44 ounce glasses.

> I am very proud of the fact that I just bought $20 worth of candy

> from a confectioner and I came home and threw it in the garbage!

Great. And next time you may decide not to even spend the twenty

bucks ...

> Thanks for the reassurance and guidance, I needed it.

Hey, we all do. I know I do.

--

Best regards,

Dan mailto:honu@...

[Guest guest]

I Just did. I don't think anything noticeable is suppose to happen -

I just think that over time carbonation could stretch the pouch.

C

>

> > I'm in the process of trying to forgive myself for eating too

much of

> > the wrong foods. I did not eat too much at a meal (I was actually

> > pretty good - choosing things like chicken etc., but I did lots

of

> > grazing and sweet eating. I even drank two sodas.

>

> Hey, most of us have done worse than that a time or two. I know I

> have. Personally, I can only eat dark chicken meat, as the white is

> too dry unless it is in a TON of sauce. So I just don't do it. Yeah,

> grazing will beat us all the time. The band won't stop much grazing

> as long as it is slow (think of grazing as what COWS do, not what

you

> do. You're not a COW)

>

> > I do notice that when I eat with a regular fork I can't control

my

> > bite size or bite speed.

>

> YES YOU CAN. Like any breaking of any habit, or any learning of a

new

> habit, it isn't especially easy, but it IS POSSIBLE. I'll bet your

> grandma told you to chew every bite 20 times and to always put your

> fork down between bites, and to take little bites on the end of your

> fork. Right? I thought so. Just remember her advice. It is still

> good for all of us, even if we're not banded.

>

> > Somehow using a shrimp fork keeps my bites

> > small and seeing the unusual fork going to my mouth reminds me to

> > stop and put it down.

>

> That's fine as a temporary help, but I'm sure you'll get past it.

>

> > Especially since our vacation was actually a

> > conference with lots of people around and lots of meal time

> > distractions.

>

> Yes, we always have problems when engaged in conversation with

people,

> as it distracts us from the business at hand...eating. All the more

> reason to put fork down. Sometimes I see if I can be the " last

person

> done " (assuming I even finish what is on the plate at a conference

> meal).

>

> > I guess I'm not drinking enough throughout the day cause I'm

always

> > thirsty and was especially thirsty with meals.

>

> You should have a MINIMUM of two quarts a day, preferably three. Two

> quarts is the old " eight glasses of water a day " that has been

> preached for at least fifty years. Of course they mean old fashioned

> 8 ounce glasses, not " big gulp " size 44 ounce glasses.

>

> > I am very proud of the fact that I just bought $20 worth of candy

> > from a confectioner and I came home and threw it in the garbage!

>

> Great. And next time you may decide not to even spend the twenty

> bucks ...

>

> > Thanks for the reassurance and guidance, I needed it.

>

> Hey, we all do. I know I do.

>

> --

> Best regards,

> Dan mailto:honu@...

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>> I Just did. I don't think anything noticeable is suppose to happen -

I just think that over time carbonation could stretch the pouch.<<

For many people, carbonation causes pain. Almost instantly.

[Guest guest]

I did not know that. I downed 1/2 bottle of carbonated orange soda -

wonder why I didn't feel anything? I wonder if something is wrong?

>

> >> I Just did. I don't think anything noticeable is suppose to

happen -

> I just think that over time carbonation could stretch the pouch.<<

>

> For many people, carbonation causes pain. Almost instantly.

>

[Guest guest]

Hello cindywebb1667,

Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 10:42:26 AM, you wrote:

> I did not know that. I downed 1/2 bottle of carbonated orange soda -

> wonder why I didn't feel anything? I wonder if something is wrong?

It is not wrong to not feel pain. Some might, many of us don't. But

like with other things, just because you can doesn't mean you should.

--

Best regards,

Dan mailto:honu@...

[Guest guest]

, " no carbonation " is one of the basic band rules in both the

Inamed Guide, and the Band Guide In the files here -(That i think I

also sent you thru Obesity Help).

Most things don't cause immediate problems, but are still dangerous.

Sandy r

S

> >

> > >> I Just did. I don't think anything noticeable is suppose to

> happen -

> > I just think that over time carbonation could stretch the pouch.<<

> >

> > For many people, carbonation causes pain. Almost instantly.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

what bothers me most about soda pop and why i don't drink it is that

the stomach becomes full of carbonated bubbles with a very narrow

stoma as an escape route. i have had, prior to banding, intermittent

problems with a spasming esophogus that would not allow air in my

stomach to be expelled through the mouth. it is an extremely

uncomfortable sensation. i'm doing fine without soda (i drank at

least 6 cans of orange soda per day prior to banding)

that pressure on the hiatal valve represents unremitting pain for me.

george

>

> > How were you able to drink soda

>

> I think most of us are ABLE to drink soda, but follow the

> recommendations that we do not do so.

>

> Why do we avoid soda? First, most of them are liquid calories.

> Second, many are high in caffeine, which adds to dehydration. Third,

> though I don't personally believe any of the ideas that it could

> " stretch your pouch " or " make your stomach burst " or any of that,

all

> sodas are acidic, and as most of us have much more sensitive

stomachs

> after being banded.

>

> There may be other reasons, as well.

>

> On a few occasions I've had tonic water at cocktail party types of

> events. As a recovering alcoholic, I don't consume the alcoholic

> beverages and " tonic and lime " lets me have something in my hand.

As

> tonic water is fairly high in calories, I also sometimes just

do " soda

> and lime " or even " water and lime " . I sip them very slowly as well.

>

> --

> Best regards,

> Dan mailto:honu@...

>

[Guest guest]

My church blessed me with a gift so I could fill my prescription for

darvocet. I've been taking them and very much enjoying being able to

be up out of bed all day (from 9-4) and attending studies, luncheons,

run an errand, etc. for two days now. I haven't had a decent nights

sleep since I started taking them. You would think that I would sleep

better because I've been up and doing things. NO, I'm sleeping

fitfully, waking every 3 hours, it's maddening. I have to walk a very

fine line between what I do in order to manage my pain level, I know

this. However, what good is it if I have good pain management during

the day, am able to be vertical, if my pain is ratcheted up so much as

a result in the night that I'm unable to sleep?

[Guest guest]

_ladyluvvylinda@..._ (mailto:ladyluvvylinda@...) writes: << My

church blessed me with a gift so I could fill my prescription for darvocet.

I've been taking them and very much enjoying being able to be up out of bed

all day (from 9-4) ...I haven't had a decent nights sleep since I started

taking them. ...However, what good is it if I have good pain management during

the day, am able to be vertical, if my pain is ratcheted up so much as a result

in the night that I'm unable to sleep? >>

I'm sorry that I can't offer you any scientific reasoning on this, but I can

offer my own experiences and hopefully it will help.

First, I am very happy for you that Darvocet is providing you with some pain

relief. Having pain sucks, no matter the cause or duration. Unfortunately

for me, Darvocet didn't do a single thing except upset my tummy.

I'm going to generalize with the term " we " from here on out. I am

post-gastric bypass. I don't know what anyone else's education or interest level

is on

the subject so I apologize if anything sounds elementary or contradicts any

fellow bypass post-ops' information.

There are many types of bypass surgeries (I had an " MGB " ) and therefore many

variables, depending on the surgery, surgeon and patient history. However,

as an overall rule particularly for MGBers, we are prohibited from taking any

NSAIDS for life. We are also only permitted acetaminophen in low doses and in

emergency cases only. This is because gastric bypass has a tendency to

compromise our livers. So imagine if you will, being post-GB AND suffering from

chronic pain (like moi). Finding the right medication for your pain and one

that does not jeopardize your overall health can be a real pistol.

The GB info ties into my experiences with Darvocet. Not only did the

medication do nothing for my pain, but because it has a high amount of

acetaminophen

in comparison to many other meds, ate my stomach and intestines alive. What

I found with many of the lower potency pain meds is that I get wired for

sound as the day wears down and evening comes. I cannot get myself to lay down

to

sleep, and if I do it's a short while before I'm back up and pacing the

floors several times a night. Well to sum up my story, I typically can't take

the

medications that don't pack a punch.

Two things you may wish to try, but please consult with your physician or

pharmacist before taking my input: I don't know what your dosing schedule is.

Before the non-GB Drs believed me about the effect of the gastric bypass and

pain meds, I was forced to try making things work with what I'd been given.

Oh, coincidentally, I got migraines with Darvocet. One thing was never taking a

dose past 6pm, with a bedtime of 11pm. So about 5 hrs before heading to bed.

It didn't stop the insomnia issue entirely but it did help some to get at

least 5 straight hrs of sleep vs 2.

The other idea, and I strongly suggest you check with your pharmacist first,

is to try OTC Melatonin if you haven't already done so. That made me sleep

like a baby! But Melatonin can interfere with some of your prescription Rx's

so please research it before taking it.

One more idea that can be costly but I'm living proof that it made all the

difference in the world (for me), was ditching the mattress and box spring we

had. My husband was livid because I couldn't stop complaining about how

horrible my sleep had become. He blamed it on my pain, anxiety and medications,

as

did I, but I also felt that my bad back just amplified how uncomfortable our

bed set was to me. Luckily it was an old set he had before we married so I

won that battle when we bought a new bedroom set; now even he sleeps so much

better. Sound, truly restful, comfortable sleep. Now I'm still a little wired

before bedtime and I need to address that at my next pain clinic appt, but at

least when I do settle down I'm out like a light for hours and probably

wouldn't wake up if an earthquake hit. I don't hurt nearly as much upon waking

as

I used to. Absolute bliss.

Other meds besides Darvocet that I found hyping me up were Lortab, Tramadol

(UGH), Norco, and just now am experiencing this with Opana IR. I just started

Opana IR this week and hope that it resolves itself because I find it to be

a nice medication controlling my chronic pain levels.

Sorry if I babbled too much for nothing, but hopefully you'll find

resolution soon. You've got to get your rest. Hope you feel better and get

straightened out.

All the best,

Patty A

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