I was just banded on April 8th. I know I am still in the "recovery mode" but I am wondering how long the gas pains in the shoulders last? More importantly I am wondering if this pain I get just under my sternum is supposed to be the "full feeling" or is this just because it is so early in the process. The surgeon and staff said I would feel full. I am still on protien shakes and yogert, but after a few bites/swallows I get a pain in that area. I am curious if this is normal or is what they consider to be the "full feeling?" It basically feels like some one punched me in the sternum (I wouldn't call it sharp pain, more of a moderate irritating pain)? Does this get better with time?:thumbup:

Edited April 15, 201016 yr by Curly Girl

I had shoulder pain for about two weeks. It'll get better, just try to be patient :thumbup:

The pain you describe after swallowing a bit of a Protein shake is not so much what "full" feels like as what "irritated stoma" feels like. You may experience it again after fills. It happens because the tissue under the band is swollen.

As the swelling recedes, that pain will recede. You'll then learn what "full" feels like. However, contrary to:

The surgeon and staff said I would feel full.

it may take several fills for you to really get a good feeling for restriction and fullness. If your pouch empties into your stomach below rapidly (due to non-restriction), "full" can be very ephemeral and hard to pin down. But you'll get there!

I still think full is completely different than before banding. It took me quite a while to figure it out, but to me, it is a little like you are describing. I don't think it is uncomfortable, just a tightness that was never there before I was banded. If I am stuck, it is quite uncomfortable. You may want to thin down your yogurt and protein shakes for a day or two to allow healing, then be sure to sip them so they aren't building up above your stoma. hugs!!!