Ive been banded since June 21st, and I have had one fill which was 2 1/2 cc's in a 14 cc band. Aftrer the surgery I had no restriction whatsoever, but ever since I had the fill I have had trouble with food getting stuck above the band and then eventually passing on through the band. My question is this...Am I not chewing enough? I realize food is going to pass through the band because I have not hit the green zone yet, but is it normal to feel this pain and sensation with every meal? And when I do finally hit the green zone, will I always expierence this pain when I am full?

You shouldn't be having pain. Are you eating too fast? Too much? Try slowing down and chew chew chewing! If you're still having pain, you may need a small unfill.

Chew more & slow down.

Does it happen on the first bite or subsequent ones? As a rule of thumb I take a smaller first bite, chew very well, then swallow. I then put my fork or spoon down and wait in between bites. I no longer get my next bite ready and on its way to my mouth before I swallow the bite I'm currently chewing. By putting your utensil down and waiting until you are ready for the next bite before you start getting it ready on your plate you will force yourself to slow down. Also, bites need to be WAY smaller than before you were banded. Not to mention it can depend on what you're eating. If I take a bite of pizza it can hurt. If I take a bite of mashed potatoes there's no way that will hurt unless I'm trying to wolf it down. Fruit is another one for me that can give me problems and cause pain if I don't take it VERY slow.

I kept having trouble with my food getting stuck on the way down even if I watched my bite size or chewed well. Well come to find out I was eating to fast I needed to be waiting in between bites before I took another one. I got an app for my phone called eat slower and it let's me time my bites I have not had a problem with getting stuck since. Good luck

~~~Stephanie

Thanks for the app suggestion Stephanie, this is just what I need.

this topic is for me, chewing slow is what I am working on, when I eat smaller bites and eat slower the food doesn't get stuck, but when I eat to fast it does, I think I wait too long to eat and then when I find time to eat I will eat my food quick which I have found out is a no no......good luck

Thanks.