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Here's their menu, I'd go through it ahead of time so you have an idea what to order http://www.maxandermas.com/menu/index.php

How long has it been going on? Is it all the time? Have you tried a product like Zantac to see if it helps?

Did you eat something when it started? Have you had any carbonated drinks, like soda?

I eat between 1000-1200 calories a day. I eat at least 60g grams of Protein, no more than 125g of carbs, and no more than 20% fat. I don't buy white rice, bread or Pasta. Only whole grain and brown rice, and if the label says "bleached" or "enriched" I don't buy it. For me, this is the formula that works. Everyone is different so we all have to find what works best for us.

A meeting with a dietician would help you greatly. The thing is, you may be eating smaller amounts but that doesn't necessarily mean it's good food choices. Have you considered tracking your calories, carbs, Protein, and fat? I use an app called 'Lose It!' that I absolutely love. I've used it since the day I got home from the hospital and it's truly a life saver. You'll notice that everyone is recommended a different diet to follow. The trick is finding what works best for your body. We're all different so some people can't eat hardly any carbs or they won't lose, whereas others can eat tons without an issue. Some do really low calorie, others are more generous with them and do great. Some don't count calories at all and do fine. I only suggest you log your calories and nutrients, at least for awhile, so you can see where your food choices might be hurting your weigh loss efforts. As for me, I eat between 1000-1200 calories a day. I eat at least 60g grams of protein, no more than 125g of carbs, and no more than 20% fat. I don't buy white rice, bread or Pasta. Only whole grain and brown rice, and if the label says "bleached" or "enriched" I don't buy it. For me, this is the formula that works. Best wishes to you.

I have done that before too, but I still try not to because when the water is just sitting there by my plate it's so easy to start drinking while I eat out of habit. Once, I was in a rare snarky mood while out with my daughter having lunch. This waitress would NOT let it go! She was literally forcing a drink on me and one point brought me a glass of water that I'd already denied saying "Oh I figured you'd change your mind so I'll leave this here". I finally just glared at her snarled "Just like you changed your mind on wanting a tip? I have said no over and over because I have a Lap-Band and I can't drink while eating. Learn to respect your customers wishes, even if you don't understand them".

Both ladies above offer good advice. You're still healing and your stomach is still very swollen. Give it some time and be sure not to jump phases on your recovery diet. If your doc says liquids, then stick to liquids. If he says mushies then stick to mushies, etc.

congratulations, that's wonderful

As the others said, everyone is different and how much work you're willing to put into plays a big part. Until you have some restriction you're working on will-power, and for some it's just too hard. For others, they white knuckle through and remain strict even before they have restriction. I've lost 94 pounds in just under 5 months (so far), but I am also very strict with my diet, calories, and Protein intake. I have been strict with calories and protein since the day I got home from the hospital.

Congratulations!!

It's hard, I know when I go out to eat I struggle with it particularly. Waitresses get real sketchy when you don't even order a glass of Water and will repeatedly keep offering me one *chuckles* Because Fluid goes right through the band anyway, my surgeon told me drinking before meals is fine. So I will usually have some water before I am ready to eat, then when it's time to eat I push the water away. 30 minutes after I'm done eating, I have some more water. As for chewing and small bites, as Denise said above me, it's like aversion therapy once you have restriction. Sliming is so gross, getting stuck is uncomfortable at best and painful at worse, and no one wants to PB their food back up. You'd be shocked how fast tiny bites becomes second nature when you've experienced one or more of these things a time or two.

I don't consider that failing your band. I'm talking about the people who come on here "warning" others how horrible the band is, how they wasted their money, and how the band "doesn't work" and is essentially crap. Yet, you find out they never changed their eating habits, or they never followed up with fills, or had learned to eat around the band and did so regular. They are the ones who failed the band. What you're talking about is being human. We all struggle and this is a wonderful place for support and encouragement when we need it. There is a huge difference between someone simply looking for advice or support and someone blaming their band for own mistakes.

I'm a little shocked your doctor even wanted you to loose at all the first 4-6 weeks post op. This time period is for healing, not losing, it's pretty common for people to not lose at all during this time and even gain some. As bluetigereyes stated, this time period you're in is often called "bandster hell". You're recovering from surgery and your band is empty (or has very little in it). Once they're healed, most realize they can eat just like they did before surgery because they don't have restriction yet, so losing becomes a matter of will power until you've had a couple fills and some good restriction. Hang in there.

Most doctors wait until 4-6 weeks after surgery so you have time to heal.

Have you had a fill recently? If not, I would consider going in and requesting them to check your band placement, just to be sure you haven't slipped. The last thing you needs is a slip when you're traveling.

I think it's time to find a new PCP, one that will let you make your own choice which WLS is best for you. For the record, I had over 200 pounds to lose when I had surgery almost 5 months ago. I've now lost 92 pounds so far. Obviously, your PCP doesn't know the facts because you CAN be successful with the band, even if you have lots to lose, as long as you're committed to working for it.

It takes most people more than one fill, at least a couple, before they have restriction. Right now your band is likely empty (or close to it) and can eat pretty much like you before surgery. People often refer to the phase between surgery and when they have adequate restriction as "bandster hell" because you're pretty much stuck relying on willpower. Restriction will come, it just takes some time. In the meantime just do your best to make good food choices and try to moderate your serving sizes. Best wishes.

3cc may not sound like a lot to most people, but due to the position of the band and size of your stomach, 3cc may be a ton for you. I actually had a TON of restrictions at only 3cc, too. In fact, I even had some restriction when my band was still empty. I had a .5cc fill on Monday and spent the better part of the week really uncomfortable and unable to eat much of anything. I was taking small bites, chewing thoroughly, and pausing between bites. But, I still found myself sliming and even PB'd once. Today, I had this light bulb moment... "what if the bites aren't small enough?" So, I tried a bite about the size of my fingernail. It went in without a problem. I continued to eat a Lean Cuisine with the tiny bites, chewing well, and pausing between bites and was able to have a nice lunch without a single problem. It took me all week to figure it out, but when I did I was so happy. Perhaps you might want to try even smaller bites? I figure it's at least worth a try. If that still doesn't work, I agree with the others, you probably need a slight unfill.

That's not silly that's AMAZING!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!

I really like the Unjury Chocolate Splendor. A lot of the different ones I tried had this weird smell because of the whey protein, but Unjury tastes just like chocolate milk with no odd smell. I still have one for breakfast every morning even now, 5 months post surgery.

Or you could do a raw veggie tray with fat free ranch to dip in. Hidden Valley's fat free ranch is delicious, I can't even tell it's fat free it's so good.

I thought I'd update here, I posted earlier how I was having issues since my last fill. Well, I've figured out I need to take even smaller bites and now I am eating normally again. Just really tiny bites, chewed until mush, and pausing between bites.

It's definitely something you need to follow up with, not for the sake of the band but for your own health. I'd follow up with your family doctor and see what they say. Best wishes to you, I hope it all turns out well so you can have a healthy liver and still get your band.

Very good advice and wise words here. I started with over 200 pounds to lose. I originally was going to Gastric Bypass and at the last minute canceled. Logically I just couldn't rationalize cutting up and permanently changing a perfectly healthy organ without at least trying something less drastic first. So, I got the band. So far I've lost 92 pounds in just under 5 months. It's work, I've had to change my eating habits completely as well as learn how to eat with the band. But I have zero regrets and would recommend it to anyone willing to do the work necessary for success with the band.

As I stated at the very beginning, I fully realize the band doesn't work for some people. This is a fact, there are people who the band doesn't work for by no fault of their own. However, the majority of people who gripe and moan about gaining weight and the band not working it's because of their mistakes. Simple as that. As for the person who posted about eating bites the size of a grain of rice. If you look at the pic, it's not the size of a grain of rice. However, yes it is small. Call me crazy but I'd rather be able to eat anything I want without PBing or sliming and still lose over 90 pounds than eating bigger bites, not losing, and not being able to eat what I want. If small bites is what it takes for me to achieve those things, I'm more than happy to take the tiny bites.