Question:
Will the Heimlik Maneuver damage the pouch?

I almost choked yesterday on my vitamin pill so I was wondering if the Heimlick Maneuver would damage my pouch. Of course if I were choking to death, it would be better to use the HM to save my life no matter if it damages my pouch or not. But I was just wondering if does harm the pouch in any way. Is there any other method other than the HM to save someone who's choking?    — lalasmommy (posted on January 28, 2002)

January 30, 2002
I appreciate the one person who gave a reply to my question. However, I should have been more precise in my question. Is there anyone else who can give me an answer to my question to whether the Heimlick Maneuver can cause damage to the pouch or not? I DO KNOW that the HM pushes the air out of the LUNGS and not the stomach. My concern is for the strong force applied to that AREA of the upper abdomen which is SO CLOSE to the pouch, if not right on the pouch! My fear is if I were to be choking, and someone saved me from choking using the HM, would I need to go & get my pouch checked out to be sure the staples are intact? Would I feel any pain in the pouch if there were damage done due to the HM?
   — lalasmommy

January 30, 2002
Call a physican, that's the best idea.
   — Laurie A.

January 30, 2002
Your pouch is your stomach now, just smaller. I cannot imagine the HM harming it in anyway. As you said, if someone is doing the HM on you it's to save your life. So SAVE YOUR LIFE and then deal with the consequences (if any) to the pouch later.
   — Noddie W.

January 30, 2002
I asked my surgeon this same question and his answer was," It would not be a good idea to push hard in that area during the first week or two after surgery, but after that all is sealed and Heimlich manuever should not harm the pouch."
   — Carolyn G.

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