Choking with the Lap Band, especially in the morning.

I had Lap Band 2 years ago. I never had problems until my last fill. Now I am constantly feeling like I’m choking. I can’t get food down. I feel like my throat spasms, then my throat fills up with mucous and then feels like I’m choking. I feel that I have to throw up so I can get relief. I thought something was stuck but can I drink later and it goes down. The same feeling has occurred with drinking in the morning time. I can wait later and drink again and everything is fine. I’m very confused.

Macclenny, FL

Answered by Dr. Ron Hekier
Texarkana Weight Loss Surgeon.

This is actually probably a very simple solution. Lap Band patients should NEVER have choking after each meal. Your Lap Band is probably too tight. You also mention having trouble drinking in the morning but that it feels better later. Many people who had the Lap Band surgery for weight loss will see that they feel a bit tighter in the morning. So if you are having these issues, you should call your Lap Band doctor right away. You will probably do better with fluid removed from your Band.

This question comes up often and we just had a similar question answered by another doctor. See the post on Choking with the Lap Band

Posted by Dr. Ron Hekier+

Tagged as: too tight