Question:
Why does my food seem to sit right at the base of my thoat

I had gastric on June 8th, Dr put me on soft diet on the 22nd, everytime I eat it just sits there and I can actually feel and taste it and it gags me somewhat, have to sleep sitting up until I guess I just fall down to sleep. I switched eating soft food to just lunch time and broth at nite and still the same thing. When does this go away or could my food just not be going down right    — Nancegee2 (posted on June 24, 2009)

June 24, 2009
Soft foods so soon after surgery, really isn't giving the stomach, (new pouch) a chance to heal properly. What you are experiencing is your food isn't being chewed enough. You really need to chew chew chew your food since you are on soft food. The opening to your new pouch is only the width of your pinkie finger. It isn't the same as before pre op. So take your time and chew your food very well, to mush, as you will. If you chew your food and don't experience this feeling please email us and let us know how you are doing and if we can help you further during your journey of a new life. I was still on liquids at this time after my surgery and your doctor has you on soft foods. Your pouch is very sore, give it time to heal, I would just have small bites and chew. best wishes to you.
   — Kristy

June 24, 2009
I found that happened to me too. I had gastric bypass 7 months ago and I still get that feeling if I eat too much. I now use it as a tool to know when i've had enough to eat. Good Luck Kate
   — qwerty1

June 25, 2009
I'm not sure I agree with the others...I had a stricture, and my symptoms were just like yours sounded. I would eat my one ounce and feel very full, but the fullness never went away. And if I tried to drink (as you're supposed to) 45 minutes later, it didn't go down at all, and I'd end up vomiting. This started for me at about 4 weeks, but I didn't talk to my doctor about it until I was 6 weeks out. I ended up having to have an EGD and get the stricture dilated. I told them I wanted to be asleep when they did it (even though it only takes about 5 minutes), and they were very accommodating - I never felt a thing, and was in and out of the day surgery center in about the time a regular doctor's office visit would take. That very day, I was able to eat and it felt normal and went down just fine. You should talk to your doctor, right away.
   — Erica Alikchihoo

June 25, 2009
So if you chew your food well and your food goes all the way into your pouch or don't feel full after only a few bites, you don't have a stricture. I had that happen to me (food sitting at the opening of the stoma) which is only the size of your little pinkie, when I first had my RNY 3.5 yrs ago and talked to my doctor and he did process of elimination, chew well and if it is still there we would take the next step.
   — Kristy

June 26, 2009
First off, you are so NEW post op...I would stay on LIQUIDS for a while longer. Your stomach might not be ready for any type of solid foods, even soft. Then try to eat slower, and cut your soft diet portions down even more (I know they are not much right now to begin with). spread them out to several times a day TINY TINY TINY portions. With that said, you have to start watching for signs of a stricture. I had 6 stricture "episodes" after my surgery (for the first 2 years post op). Scar tissue can build up around your surgery sites inside your stomach (especially if you are like me and had the RNY). The scar tissue can form, and keep forming until it blocks off the stoma completely, and nothing passes from the stomach to the intestines. When that happens you wont be able to eat at all...or everything you eat gets thrown back up because nothing will pass through your stomach. You will start to notice that even liquids will not go down or pass. If this keeps persisting, and you start having problems with liquid too...please tell your doctor immediately. I didn't the first time around, and I landed up in the ER dehydrated....and let me tell you Potassium drips are VERY PAINFUL via IV (to re-hydrate). My first stricture happened about 3-4 months post op (but it was going on for a while before that)...and then every couple of months there after, it would happen again. Luckily it finally stopped. If it is a stricture, they are easily fixed by mild sedation and a scope through your mouth, down into your stomach. The most dicomfort you will suffer after is irritation and soreness of the throat. Once they scope you and fix the stricture you have immediate relief. Hopefully this isnt what is happening to you. You are so new post op....I am hoping it is just you adjusting to the new foods and quantities....but, if it continues..TELL YOUR SURGEON...dont wait like I did.
   — JEANINE_RNY_2002