Question:
Okay - I am really confused. Why do things get stuck

If the only changes are to the stomach and intestines why and where do things get stuck. I have heard a lot about getting pills and food stuck and the pain it causes. I did a bad thing this morning and now I am a little concerned. I was running late and I guess I just slipped back into my old habits and I took all my vitamins and medication at one time. That was seven pills at once. I did not have a problem and before surgery it was normal to take everything at once. I also find that I can take larger bites and it does not bother me either. I know everyone is different, but is this normal?    — Kathy P. (posted on March 28, 2002)

March 28, 2002
From what I understand from our surgeon the new opening from our stomach to intestines (stoma) is made smaller to slowly let our food out to give us the feeling of fullness longer. The pain comes from food chunks or pills that are too BIG to fit through the stoma getting stuck. Hope this helps...
   — Allie A.

March 28, 2002
i've asked the same question since my operation 5 months ago. i know the stoma is small, but why so small, i've learned to deal with it, chew everything to death, mash pills, i did get some vegetables stuck, i didn't chew them well enough, called my doctor, he told me from the sounds of it i was plugged, he said, drink some club soda (straight of course) and if i didn't feel the plug move in 2 hours call him either way, he said if i didn't feel better he'll see me in the e.r. ten minutes after i drank that club soda i felt the plug move, and in an hour i felt fine,,, the fear of a plug is just something we must learn to deal with, after losing 140#'s in 5 months the problems are worth the results..good luck..
   — bruce M.