Question:
pain after eating

My friend had band surgery about a month ago. She has been eating soft foods. No problem. This morning after eating scrambled eggs, she has had quite a bit of pain in the center of her chest. Could she have eaten too fast or not chewed enough? What can she do at this point to stop the pain? Thanks.    — SlowLearner (posted on May 18, 2009)

May 18, 2009
yes, I'm 3 months post op and still have problems with pain after eating especialy if i eat to fast or don't chew enough so slow down and take your time the foods not going anywhere. good luck
   — mpreap

May 18, 2009
My surgeon says to train yourself to eat bites the size of your little fingernail. When you do that, you will automatically not eat too big a bite or too fast. I'm two months out, and I use that pain to train myself. Once you feel it, QUIT EATING until it goes away.
   — jtoothman

May 18, 2009
I agree with the comment you received on May 18 - If you don't pulverize your food and take the 20 chews for each bite - you certainly will get the pain or nausea or worse. Also, there will be certain foods that will do that to you no matter what because some foods are just hard to digest. I am 9 months post surgery and I have problems with steak which I don't have very often but even though I chew the tiny bites the correct amount of time, etc, I can still get that "heavy" feeling in my chest and/or stomach. Therefore, I am very limited as to how often I eat steak at all and how much I will even put on my plate. Pork does not do that to me but everyone is different. Also, it is possible that the scrambled eggs are too dry when cooked. I always add a little cheese to them or don't cook them as hard/done. I have been very fortunate to not have some of the problems that others have but I stick to the rules. Good luck to your friend.
   — KathyStarling

May 19, 2009
Some people have problems with eggs, she can try egg beaters or egg whites and sometimes that helps. Also tell her towalk when she has the pain. It helps with gas and digestion.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 19, 2009
It can't be stopped...It just has to pass! Eating slower next time, especially dry food that will clog at the stoma causing pressure and that awful pain...Like a high heel stuck in your chest...Walking helps get it moving...Papaya tablets help too! They taste good and a if you chew a few the papaya enzymes actaully shred protein and break it down like stomach acid...It's the same ingredient in meat tenderizer and it REALLY works! But it doesn't do it immediately...Chew two or three papaya and walk it off...but better yet..CHEW CHEW CHEW til food is liquified in your mouth...Saliva also has enzymes that start digestion in the mouth...So the longer you chew the less chances that will happen again! If she's anything like me...It will happen again...Get some papaya !
   — .Anita R.