I just read a post about pain between the shoulder blades that might be esophageal spasms. Has anyone had that and could tell me what it feels like? I'm almost 9 months post op and for the last couple of months if I don't follow the rules (especially the little bite rule) my lower esophagus near my stoma will feel swollen and I get pain in my back between my shoulder blades. I can always still get food down, but it it's a very uncomfortable and annoying feeling that lasts for days until I "baby my band" and do liquids. Thanks in advance.

Hi there, sounds like you may have found your soft stop. I am fascinated by this -- some people burp, yawn or sigh -- or shoulder pain, etc.

you should be having a stop point before the pain. the pain means you have pushed it maybe even 1 bite to far. i had a spasm once. and i couldn't drink, or eat. for a entire day. Water caused my spasm. it isn't fun and it isn't something you can work around. if you are having one i suggest warm liquids. i sipped tea. and i mean just wet my mouth with it sipped. after a day the tea started to go down all the way to the pouch. i stuck to liquids for days after. and remember that we have nerves running through our abdoman to our shoulder. to me it sounds as if you are getting stuck. i get sternum and jaw pain when i get stuck. and than the slime and than pb'ing. i really really listen so i don't get there. my pouch and band sends off more than one signal letting me know, no more . good luck

I had them a few times before surgery--and now will get it I eat too fast/too big a bite. THEY HURT. Seriously, the first time I had one I thought it was a heart attack. Total pressure/pain in the chest area. For some, I think it radiates to the back. They usually pass (for me anyway) after about 20 minutes. I literally have to leave the table if i'm in public and go to Ladies room...can't hardly talk or walk.

Here's how Web MD describes symptoms:

Most people with this condition have chest pain that may spread outward to the arms, back, neck, or jaw. This pain can feel similar to a heart attack. If you have chest pain, you should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible to rule out or treat cardiac disease.

Other symptoms include difficulty or inability to swallow food or liquid, pain with swallowing, the feeling that food is caught in the center of the chest, and a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn).

hey i did not know that was called a soft stop i just got filled today and am burping a lot even when im not eating does this happen to anyone else I dont know if its normal or if some thing is wrong

I was recently banded a week ago...a few days ago I got Protein shake sips "stuck".. I started sliming, and had pain that came and went over 20 minutes...it was radiating from my upper center chest/back then out. Had I not know what it was I would have thought it was cardiac related. I could feel I was swollen and the shake sips were just sitting in my lower throat...I had to look at the ceiling..open my mouth, and I could feel the Protein Shake eventually go down. Needless to say, I stayed on Clear Liquids for the next 12 hours. scared the crap out of me. I'm not swollen anymore, thank goodness..but now I know what will happen later on if I don't eat slowly and take small bites.