Question:
Does anyone else feel like they have to belch and can't?

Everytime I finish eating, I have this horrible feeling of wanting to blech, but it never comes up - then I throw-up and then and only then will the "burp" come up. I've tried eating way less than I can tolerate, i've tried eating slooow, every and anything - nothing works. Please help!    — Melissa M. (posted on March 3, 2003)

March 2, 2003
I have had this happen to me many times. It seems like if I try to eat slowly and (as silly as it sounds) breathe slowly during my meals I don't get the feeling as much. I'm like you though, when I need to belch and can't it makes me vomit. Wish I had some great advice but I really don't, however I'm anxious to see other's answers and maybe it'll help both of us. Robin
   — Robin V.

March 2, 2003
This happens to me almost everytime I eat. I have to eat a lot less than most people and like you said no matter how slow or fast I eat this happens. Then I throw up. I have not figured out what causes it, but when I have learned to control it. After I eat I sit up really straight and make sure my diaphram is stretched out real well, when I feel the need to throw up, or the pain from that air trying to push back out I just take deep breaths and it seems to "stretch" that area out. If I can hold it long enough the burp will come out and the food stays down. Also, it sometimes helps to put my arms over my head and kind of "rotate" my shoulder baldes around....dont know why. I am a real hair trigger on my puke button, everything makes me sick. So I have really learned how to control that aspect of my body pretty well, or else I would starve to death. If you can wait, that air will work it's way out. Good luck **1 year PO, -194lbs, Current Wgt 126**
   — smedley200

March 2, 2003
At first I had the same symptoms. I just remembered what I was taught at all the preop meetings that I attended. First of all, you should not drink anything for 90 minutes after you eat. Make sure you are eating pure protein. White meat and steaks are a little harder to digest. When you are eating, you should take about 20 minutes to eat and chew your food really well. I chew my food for 20 to 30 times depending on what it is. When you take a bite of something put your fork down and chew. Breath and relax while you eat. Stretching is also a good idea. Make sure you don't eat too much. Depending on your days postop, you should not eat more than 1.5 ozs of food until you are 2 months postop and the maximum amount of food should be less than 3 ozs. I have been very strict in watching what I eat, because the last thing I want to do is vomit. It is not good for you to vomit, because is can mess up your pouch. If you are still having problems, I would follow-up with your doctor, maybe you have a blockage in your esophagus. Email me if you have any other questions or comments. [email protected] Good Luck!!
   — Robyn W.

March 3, 2003
Try tipping over onto your left side. Flat. Not "sorta". After my revision, I had trouble burping. Had to tip over frequently, even in public. But, it worked to relieve the air pocket & soon I was back to normal. If the left side doesn't work, you might want to actually check the pouch and make sure nothing oddball is going on.
   — vitalady