Foamies and air in pouch

Good afternoon, I have two questions.  First what causes foamies?  I have had two episodes and cannot figure out what I am doing wrong. Second, I am getting a tremendous amount of air in my pouch.  So much so that I am having a difficult time eating anything other than liquids.  I am chewing my food to the point of it being a liquid and am careful not to swallow air when drinking.  I am having a problem with sinus drainage from allergies and the docs don't seem to be able to curtail it.  I am 11 weels post-op. Any and all suggestions or comments will be appreciated. Rich

Ok....this is a post made by "Dx E" . (not trying to steal your thunder budy). It realy helped me and maby it will help you out.....    F   is for "FOAMIES"-

The Slang Term for a condition caused when you plug your stoma with something And the saliva, and mucus produced in the esophagus linings And upper most portion of Stomach (the part used to make a pouch) No longer has an exit below So it comes out the one above. Can be caused by- Eating too fast, Not chewing well enough and Swallowing something to big To go through the little hole (stoma) out of your pouch into you intestines. Bread is a bad one. Particularly soft bread. Even when you chew it well Bread can "gum-up" and plug your stoma. Take a pinch of white bread And try to mu**** up in your fingers. Since your pouch isn’t Adding stomach juices to the mix, This is the same thing Pretty much that happens To bread in your pouch. (this is why often Docs recommend Toast rather than Bread early on) Swallowing a pill can do it too for a few folks. The reason Most Docs recommend crushing pills early post-op Or opening capsules and taking with juice, pudding or applesauce. This tends to not be a problem further out Post-op. Meat (Dry Chicken or pork get a lot of folks) That is not chewed thoroughly Can plug in for quite a while. (Some at 5 years Post-Op can still have a Problem with dry meat) Many folks claim that sipping ho****er With some meat tenderizer in it will speed its passing. Papaya Enzyme (buy at health food store) certainly will.

Now the Papaya enzyme IS a good thing, And works however, It Only works on MEAT that's stuck. It doesn't break down carbs of any kind. It works by breaking down the muscle tissue in protein. So, lets say you get a hunk of bread or cheese stuck – It doesn’t do Squat! Carbs require a special set of enzymes to break down. If you have a Vitamin Shoppe near you, You can pick up a bottle of Nature's Plus Nutri-Zyme. It has enzymes specifically designed to help in the breakdown of carbohydrates (Amylase & Lipase ) (Works on proteins too with Papain ) and comes in a chewable wafer. It does have 3 grams of sugar - so if your SUPER sensitive to sugar, :toilet: Not such a good trade of one problem for another. If you can't find it locally, The Vitamin Shoppe online carries it priced too. (And No! Drop the fear. Meat Tenderizer, which is the enzyme found in papayas, in roughly the same concentration as found in the fruit when eaten, Will not "Eat or Dissolve" Living tissue, it’s a totally different protein structure of dead/cooked flesh, and flesh with not only a living blood supply of oxygen, but a lining that is used to the highly destructive and corrosive properties of Stomach Acid. This accounts for the LACK of Thousands of Law suits against the McCormick Spice people over the last 70+years they have had it on the market.) Now, all of this is predicated on having a problem after eating some solid food. If you are "kicking back" a shake? Or really mushy food? Have the Doc give it a look! This is the primary symptom of a stricture forming That is closing down the diameter of your stoma That leads from the pouch to the intestines. Fixable, but needs to be addressed soon. As for "normal" bout of the "Foamies?" Best way to avoid them- CHEW! CHEW! CHEW! Your food! Now *Some completely unsolicited advice! If you are having - A lot of gas issues after 2 months Post-Op. If you are constantly - Plagued with Nausea, Vomiting, Pain, Or the "Foamies" (saliva spit up) And you’ve gotten it checked out by your Dr. And He/She has found your pouch To be working just fine? No Stricture forming- Here’s some Non-Medical advice, Or at least, This is "What Worked for Me." Take it or leave it – Even if you are already eating with INSANELY SMALL BITES, Take Smaller bites, Chew them more, And STOP. Chew, and then CHEW some more. Don’t swallow anything larger than the eraser on a Pencil. Stop One to Three bites BEFORE you feel "Satisfied." Not FULL, Satisfied. If you stop then, As the food expands and As the signals from your pouch Finally catches up- You won't be Too Full. If you need to eat more To get in your Protein, Put it in your liquid between meals. Use these first 6 months to learn to "Hear" That delicate little signal that will allow you To not hurt or feel nauseated later. It's a Very Quiet little signal. If you learn to hear it now, It will pass on into non-conscience habit later. Eat less now, slower, and in smaller bites. Repeat- Eat less now, slower, and in smaller bites. EVEN IF- You are CERTAIN That you are already taking It Way, Way Too Slow, And that your Bites are Way, Way Too Small, And that you are- Absolutely Stopping Plenty Soon! If your Dr. has scoped you, And the pouch is OK, Then listen to it! You've had a Lifetime To hear your Pre-Op stomach, You knew its Voice Even before you knew your Mother's. Take your Time to Learn this new one. Best Wishes- Dx Hope it helps.

Dx, Thank you for you very informative and helpful reply.  I will try smaller bites and chew even more.  My surgeon recommends chewing for 3 mins and wait 3 mins before next bite.  I have been following that pretty close but will expand both. Rich

Rich, I get the foamies when I eat too fast and too much.  I had the VSG so I do not have a problem with air in my stomach.  Try smaller bites and chew, chew, chew.  Listen to your body it will tell you when you are full. Good Luck, Kent