Greetings and Salutations! I was banded 10/19/07. 1st week I had constant chest pain when i went for my post op visit the MD removed about .8cc of residual Fluid and I had relief right away.

HOWEVER, now the "pressure" "pain" is back on and off. I can relate to the comment "weight loss by choke chain". I came to the boards hoping someone would tell me that this will go away - that it's just the healing recovery period that you feel the band.

If this doesn't go away I may be one of those post band people. I'm down 20lbs already but have to force myself to eat. I don't want to slow my metabolism down so I make sure I eat at least three meals a day. Usually egg for Breakfast, yogurt for lunch, and chicken salad for dinner. Not getting anywhere near 60 grams of Protein a day but I'm trying.

Don't do well with liquids as they seem to increase the gas. Found I do better with hot liquids then cold.

Just wish there was someone who could tell me that they had real crappy experience at first but it got much much better.

Katie

I've never felt my band, my port often, but never my band. I've felt pressure around the band because I've not chewed enough. My mom says she can feel hers, but I think she's crazy too, ......just kidding, LOL.

Hi kate, I was recently banded on 10/25/07 and am down about 12 pounds. I'm on my first week of pureed food. I feel something in my chest and and I do get full really fast. I havn't had any fillls or adjustments yet. My first fill appointment is not till Dec 12.

On the gas thing, I was drinking everything through straws and sippy cups and was having tremendous gas pain and passing a lot of gas. The last two days I've switched to sipping from the straw to the edge of the glass, and this has helped my gas a lot. Not sure if that will help you or not.

I get really paranoid and am really conscious of my band and I visualize everything going down. I'm trying to baby it. I'm really worried about switching over to soft/chopped solid food in a few weeks.

I am a year out with the band and have always felt my band. the funny thing is that I slipped about four months ago - and temporarily lost the ability to feel the band (that is feeling that the food goes down, stops at the band, then slowly trickles through) after the revision. I didnt like not feeling the band because I felt scared that I would have a blockage and wouldnt know it. the food slowly trickling through had been calming for me that I knew the food was going down. After my first fill after the revision I was again able to feel it - and was relieved - even though it is sometimes uncomfortable. I find that if I am VERY careful about chewing - I just have the slight pressure and not the pain with it. So try to chew and take very small bites and good luck.

Katie, How Are U Feeling Now? Have Things Gotten Better For U? Lisa