What does it feel like when YOU swallow food?

bigmatt · 03-22-2007, 07:59 PM

Hi everyone,
Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I've had my band for nearly a year now, and after my first ever PB tonight, I thought it was time that I finally come online and ask a question that has been nagging me for a long time.

When I eat a meal, I wait until I feel each bite of food pass through my band. At least I think that's what I'm doing. Is that even possible? When I take too big of a bite I usually feel it golfball pretty immediately. But if I take my time and control my bite sizes, I feel like I can follow each one down.

I've just had some concern lately that I might've dilated my band, and I'm trying to figure out if that's likely based on my eating habits. I sometimes eat too much at one meal, but when that happens it's stretched out over a long period of time, say 45 minutes. I'm hoping that that means that a lot of the food isn't sitting in my pouch at once, but I don't know if that's realistic.

So I guess my main question is, when you eat the way you're supposed to eat, what does it feel like going down? Do you feel every bite go through your band? Or do you just eat your small portion and not worry about it?

I'm still confused about this, and perhaps due to a communication issue, I don't know if I'm getting a real answer from my surgeon, so thanks in advance.

Matt

Ariel · 03-22-2007, 09:02 PM

I don't feel anything. It feels the same as post op.

somersetcowgirl · 03-22-2007, 09:23 PM

Hi, my name is Jessica and I was banded Jan 18, 2007. I understand what you mean. I just had my first fill last week. If i eat to fast or take big bites i get a pain in my chest and it will get stuck. Before my fill I could feel my esofogus tring to pass it thru. Now, it's coming back up, lol. I eat slow and only eat my 1/2-3/4, but I can feel it go down. I wait a minute then take another bite to make sure that fit that bit and i can take another one. I foound that I have a soft spot. I tend to burp (LOL):embarassed: right when i'm full. That lets me know i got about one more bit then i'm done. But i can feel it go down.

Louisianagirl · 03-22-2007, 10:13 PM

I was wondering the same thing. I get that feeling in my chest when I eat fast or take to big of a bite. I don't think I ever got anything stuck, the pain does not last long and I can feel the food going down. I just try and slow down. I never had a PB.

juliegeraci · 03-23-2007, 10:53 AM

Matt, I can feel every bite go down. Just try and limit your food intake to no more than a cup. In a 45 minutes span you are probably doing okay. It allows enough time for the food to begin to pass through the band so you probably are not stretching it out. Good luck.