What are Foamies?

It was mentioned in the thread about chicken boobs. I can't say that I've had foamies or even know what they are. Can someone enlighten me? Lisa

Hypersalivation Question What are the common or uncommon etiologies for hypersalivation? Is there any specific treatment? Response from Erica Brownfield, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Staff Physician, Department of Medicine, Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia
Saliva is produced in and secreted from the salivary glands in the body and functions to initiate digestion. The secretion of saliva is under the control of the autonomic nervous system. Hypersalivation, or increased saliva, can be caused by overproduction or decreased clearance of saliva. There are many medical conditions that can cause hypersalivation; therefore, it is a common symptom. Causes of saliva overproduction include pregnancy, excessive starch intake, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pancreatitis, liver disease, serotonin syndrome, oral ulcers, and oral infections. Medications that can cause saliva overproduction include clozapine, pilocarpine, ketamine, and potassium chlorate. Toxins can also cause hypersalivation. These include mercury, copper, organophosphates, and arsenic. Causes of hypersalivation due to decreased clearance of saliva include infections such as tonsillitis, retropharyngeal and peritonsillar abscesses, epiglottitis, and mumps. It can also be caused by problems with the jaw such as fracture or dislocation; radiation therapy; and neurologic disorders such as myasthenia gravis, Parkinson's disease, rabies, bulbar paralysis, bilateral facial nerve palsy, and hypoglossal nerve palsy. Treatment of hypersalivation should be directed toward the underlying cause. Some patients find relief with use of mouthwash and tooth brushing, which might have a drying effect.

LOVE the haircut!

Thanks, Alison!   I love it too!  I should have taken a lesson from you other shorties a long time ago!

I would describe it as the feeling when you know if you breath wrong, you're probably going to puke, accompanied by a lot of saliva and constant swallowing.  With the VBG, I'd throw up about 75% of the time I got them, because something was lodged where it shouldn't be, was not chewed well enough, or was too dry.  The saliva doesn't go down well, because there isn't anywhere for it to go in a small pouch filled with chicken.  I suspect, with DS, it's similar, but your chances of puking are less, since your 'outlet' is natural and will make the adjustments, but you wait it out with the saliva (foamies) and swallowing.

I would just add to Mary's post (good description) that it's something I mostly experienced in the first several months after the DS and rarely experience now.  It happened early on until I got used to eating more slowly, chewing more thoroughly, and stopping as soon as I was full (FAST, first thing out). Gradually one's stomach stretches, one readjusts back to somewhat more normal sized portions, and the foamies aren't an issue anymore -- or at least they weren't for me. I remember recovering during the first week in a motel, getting that backed-up-in-the-throat/saliva-y feeling, and thinking, "Oh, THIS must be the foamies!"  It's not at all like throwing up from your guts or anything ... much shallower.

The throwing up is almost like the Himleck (sp) manuever.  Hard, short and instant.

As unpleasant as that sounds, it is a releif that it isn't like really throwing up when you have the flu or virus.  That is good news since I'm pre op and I've heard just about everybody has an experience with it till they learn when to stop eating. B

Okay. I've officially never had the foamies in my 13wks of post-opness. I'll consider myself lucky. Thanks for the info tho! lisa