Question:
Is anyone having difficulty swallowing?

I had the band placed in 11/03. I did great initially, (33lbs) and all of a sudden I am finding it difficult to swallow all solid forms of protein. I used to be able to eat chicken if it was in sauce, now I find i have resorted back to soft and mushy things because the pain is overwhelming when food gets stuck in my throat. The dr put me on Reglan but it is not helping. Any ideas?    — Karel (posted on May 13, 2004)

May 13, 2004
I had my surgery in Nov. 2003 too!! I also have had problems, but mine is mostly liquids. I have been to a GI doctor who stated I was normal. I have been to a throat specialist and just went this week to a swallowing disorders center in Pittsburgh. Nothing is wrong with my throat and all my swallowing problems are related to esophagael motility per the specialist, Dr. Carrau. I have had 3- EGD's,where I was stretched 3 times, been put on Prevacid, Protonix and Nexium all of which did not help. I also have reflux-including nasal regurgitation frequently. I am going to get a second opinion from another GI specialist because the swallowing disorders doctor states that this is the problem- an esopagael motility dysfunction. All bariatric doctors state that REFLUX DOES NOT OCCUR- because our new pouch does not produce acid. But that is not so in some of our cases. Alot of my friends whom have had WLS complain about proteins being the worst foods for them to digest also. They drink protein drinks, eat protein bars or softer, mushier foods like you. The only time I had problems with protein or other foods was before my first EGD, after that it became much easier to eat. And everytime I have another EGD (again I've had 3 total) it becomes easier and easier. If your stoma is not open enough the food will just keep backing up into your esophagus- maybe you need to ask your doctor for an upper GI, barium swallow or EGD to get to the route of your problem and see if this is what is happening in your case?
   — CATHY B.

May 14, 2004
Please follow through until you are checked internally. If your band has slipped, it can posibly be fixed NOW without much fanfare, but if you wait, it's possible that it will settle in the wrong spot. If you did a lot of vomiing early on, sometimes that can unsettle them. The key is to check NOW, when the issues first start.
   — vitalady