So, I am new to this (banded 12/9). A few times, I have had food fill like it is stuck and I get a pain in the middle of my back. Usually if I drink something, I can get it to go down, but it hurts! Is this what it feels like to get "stuck"?

First of all you should NOT be drinking to get food to pass. This is a very BAD habit and it can hurt your stomach ( stretching) if you keep this up in the long run.

First take smaller bites and WAIT more time between bites.

Secondly, if you do get stuck (this sounds weird but) lift you left arm above your head or do the chicken dance ( needed for your left arm) this somehow helps some people to get the food to pass or do jumping jacks ( my band is a secret so I lift my left arm and play with my hair like I am fluffing the top back or something so it isnt obvious)

The pain in your back is kind of like the shoulder pain some people talk about. I used to get it but now I dont.

When you are stuck it feels like food is stuck in your esophagus. Non bandsters would drink Water but we are not supposed to.

Thank you soooo much. I will try these tips. I know I am not supposed to drink Water but it was hurting so bad I didnt know what to do. Thanks again. this has been the hardest habit to break!

I also learned that it isn't always food stuck. I had a severe middle back pain a few weeks ago. I thought I was dying and I hadn't eaten in for hours. I felt like I needed to throw up. After about 3 hours of this horrible pain I threw up this long green thing. I asked the doctor and he said it was a mucus strip and gas. He said that drinking out of a straw and drinking during meals causes this. It is very hard for me not to drink, but since that episode I haven't. You will learn everything. I'm not quite at a year and am still learning. I can't seem to lose anything and have been that way since late August.

I am still healing I guess...Had my surgery on 12/30/11. I have my first fill on Tuesday of next week. I have not lost any more weight post op which worries me too...=( I am super nervous about my first fill. My Dr. told me to not worry about drinking with food, he kind of prefers it, as it can help make foods mushy...but he says to chew chew chew and take small bites. So far, drinking has not caused any bad side effects that I know of, (still learning) But, I have HORRIBLE gas, like all morning and throughout the day, every day. I am always hungry, so I also have hunger pains that are noisy...lol... I had neither of these things before my band. Will this go away after my fill? I burp too after most meals, ususally just one good one and I feel better. I was told during orientation, before my band that gass x would be my best friend....I thought she meant just after surgery for that gas. Is gas a life long thing I am going to have?