Question:
If I take two or three bites of food too fast I end up vomiting

I'm 8 weeks post-op and If I take a couple of bites too close together about 5 min. later I feel the tennis ball forming in my chest then I start the salivating then I end up vomiting. I do this about 3 or 4 times a week. I feel fine immediately afterwards but I am worried I am hurting myself. It is never violent(is that the word I'm looking for)vomiting, it just kind of plops out in a big mucus ball. I'm a hairdresser and I am so used to getting 5 min. to eat a meal that it is hard to slow down but even yesterday I was eating soup and I took the 3 bites one right after another and 30 min. later I had to excuse myself to the bahtroom. Does this eventually go away or do I literally need to take several minutes between each bite?    — Jennifer T. (posted on March 5, 2003)

March 5, 2003
Slow down and take your time eating. Eating too fast is part of what made us MO in the first place. Eating slower will help your body understand sooner when it is full.
   — salymsmommy

March 5, 2003
Smaller bites will help. It also helps fool your brain as well. It is used to sitting down to a feast and wont be happy with a few bites. It takes a while for your brain to realize that there is food in your stomach, and if you eat smaller bites it slows you down enough for your brain to catch up and realize it's full now.
   — dkinson

March 5, 2003
Jennifer, I'm 18-months post-op and I still throw up if I take bites too close together. It took me a long time to learn to slow down because I used to eat very quickly before WLS. You will just have to slow way down on your eating. It is a very good habit to get into. I will say this, though--the time between bites will shorten over time. But it (the need to vomit) won't entirely go away, I don't think--unless you just abuse the tool. But don't worry--I was a very slow learner and I vomited daily for the first 6 months because I couldn't get the hang of eating slow enough. LOL I finally learned, though. Best wishes in your journey.
   — artistmama

March 5, 2003
Jennifer, it may just be a matter of time for you. You are an early post-op and as the months go by, you may find that you can eat quicker between bites with no vomiting. At around 6 months post-op I started noticing that I was taking normal sized bites, not chewing as well, not waiting between bites and I was just fine. Hopefully this will happen to you too.
   — Cindy R.

March 5, 2003
Welcome to your tool!! This is part of what it is all about. I am a nurse, and fully understand the 5 minute lunches. Find a different way to "eat". Maybe eat a regular breakfast and dinner, and while you are at work, stick with protein drinks so that you do not have these issues. I have found that the "plugs" happen not only when I am eating fast, but also if I am stressed when i eat. Now, at 15 months post op, I still sit down and eat, take my time and enjoy my meal. Any other way, and I am sure to run into problems. I do depend on protein drinks to fill in for me when I do not have the time to sit and relax for my meals.
   — Vicki L.

March 5, 2003
At 6 months I could eat nearly normally. You must be patient. By a year you wouldnt think about it.
   — bob-haller

March 5, 2003
I could have written this post. 8 weeks post op as well...same thing. The only thing is that I don't usually feel fine afterwards. Once I throw up I'm done eating for the day or else I'll throw up again (even if I eat slowly). I can drink protein drinks after that but my pouch is still sore. Like you I've worried about hurting myself. I hope it's all temporary. Slowing down is tough. Preop I was an Olympic speed champion while eating. I have slowed waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down but still go too fast sometimes.
   — susanje

March 6, 2003
I had surgery almost 2 yrs ago (5/2001) and in the beginning the same things happened. I too was a speed eater. Even now ~2 yrs later I still get that same full, tight feeling in my chest if I eat too fast. Sometimes I do end up throwing up but isn't that often. My Dr said from the get go, as soon as you get that "full" feeling stop eating immediatly! Well he is so right. Sometimes I think OK one more bite wont hurt. And thats the one that puts me over! It is a learning experience for sure, but eventually you will figure out your body and it's limits. Good luck to you.
   — M P.