You seem to have had really good luck with your lap band. I had mine about 6 years ago and two years ago I asked the doctor to remove fluid. Since the surgery I had had adjustments and alway had back flow of saliva in my mouth, pain in chest where band is and vomiting. He supposedly removed the fluid, but I have still had these systems since. I am worried that the pain in the esophagus might lead to scar tissue there, cancer, etc. Obviously all the fluid wasn't removed or something else is going on.
I am planning on going back to the doctor and have a chat with him. The pain is really bad and as you said you can feel a sensation of the food going down. I have figured that when I get this pain, that it is the food trying to pass through and I suffer through it knowing it is going to pass. Sometimes it will last a minute or so. Then at other times I just go to the bathroom and throw it up. If all the fluid is out then something else IS definitely going on.
I lost 50 lbs. before back for the undo. I think a lot of that was due to the fact that I was carefully choosing healthy food. As to date, I however, have gained it all back. So, I am back at square one.
I applaud your success and realize these bands don't work for everyone. Maybe mine was placed to high up because I don't get a sensation of being full. The food just usually backs up and then I have to throw it up.
My doctor did say that you have to prime the lap band by eating a little soft food before eating something heavier. At mealtime I try to remember that, but not always focusing on it.
You keep up the good work with your weight loss. You are one of the lucky ones.