Purging

Out of curiousity, has anyone found that they reach a point that it almost feels like they are forcing a purge?  I don't purge often, but once something gets stuck it seems like its more likely to come up than go down anymore.  I am chewing my food - its obvious from what I see in the purge - and I'm trying to stay away from dense and doughy foods.  I definitely have different points in the day when I am tighter or looser and there are times when I get it wrong.  A little pain I can handle, but when I can't eat or drink anymore for hours something has to give.  I am working out the kinks and I'm not looking for suggestions, just wondering about the "purposeful purging".

Thanks.

Nope not normal and not a good idea.  Definitely something I'd discuss at your next visit with your doctor.  I've had the occasional time when it becomes obvious something isn't going to go down and/or stay down but that's within 15 minutes (usually less) of eating it.  Never had a problem hours later.

When I get stuck I somtimes have to force it a bit to come up. Other times I barely make it to the bathroom.

NO!  You need to work on your eating skills.  Tiny bites, chew it well and eat slowly.  In 2 years, I have only been stuck 4 times where the food came back up.  If you are doing all the right things you need your band looser.  Everytime you "purge" you are risking your band.  You need to talk to your surgeon.  This is not normal or healthy.

I don't think that is "purging" like in the bulimia sense.  I don't know your history so I don't know whether this is a problem for you.

Anyhow,  there are times that no matter what you do, or how loose, or just right or tight your band is, food will get stuck.  It is much better to get it out of there than to risk damage to your esophagus.

Try drinking a few sips of diet coke.  It will get it to dislodge quickly.

Thanks everyone.  This helped.

I was just creeping on  this board, and came across your post.

I had the band installed in 2003.  The first year was full of extreme hardships, and it only got worse.  I developed Bulimia, from which I got very, very sick.  I didn't want to admit it to myself, as people were just calling it 'Productive Burping'.... I was purging up to 15 times per day, and restricting the rest.  I even went so far as to begin adjusting the band myself, in order to binge and purge. 

I got very sick, kidney and liver failure along with stress on my heart, and bleeds in my throat.  This can be very dangerous.

I ended up finally getting treatment in 2006 after an intervention from my family.  I am now in remission from an eating disorder, but have gained all the 125 pounds that I lost, back.  Next week I will be getting the band out, and revision to the gastric bypass.

Please, monitor your symptoms and be aware of you actions.