CompletelyRevised

I'm right there with you guys! I was banded in 2007or2008 cant remember. I was overfilled and pregnant and only gained 12lbs so I was good with that. A few months after the baby I went and they completely unfilled me and said I'd stretched my pouch. Got an unfill and gained a bunch back. Went back in to check and see if I could get a fill and they said it was permanant damage and I'd have to get it removed eventually. For now I have a bit of restriction but not enough:/ to really help. So i was down to 169 and now I'm back up to 207. Which I'm thankful that I've still kept off about 100 lbs. I was over 300 before the band.

I'm just so frustrated because it's my fault that I don't have the tool to help me now.

I was banded and about 1 1/2 years later got prego with my second. I was overfilled to begin with and all through the pregnancy I had reflux at night I thought it was just because i was prego and it would go away after the baby was born but it didn't. after the baby was born I went in and was told I stretched my pouch, I had to have a complete unfill and was told the pouch may never go back to normal and to come back in a 8ish weeks for a check up. I went back 6 months later and it was still stretched and I could not get a fill. All this happened a little over a year ago.

My second child is almost 2 and I'm pregnant again (due at the end of June) and this time nothing is in the band. I plan on going back 6 weeks after the baby is born for another checkup and I'm just praying it's gone back to normal size after waiting all this time, and I hope I will able to get a fill. When I was prego with the band I only gained 12lbs but stretched my pouch and may not be able to ever get another fill only time will tell. Wasn't worth the risk but I made the bad decision of being overfilled in the first place.

My advise is to just get an unfill. I refused to because I did not want to gain my weight back (My first I gained 60lbs), but it was not worth ruining my band!!! However I must add that I was overfilled to begin with, so as long as you are not too tight I would think you should be fine:) I do regret my decision of staying filled while pregnant though. I should have just played it safe and not taken the risk, but then again my band was too tight before getting pregnant.

1. Did you get an un-fill? If so, was it a total un-fill or just partial? At what point did you refill the band?

I did not get an unfill, I should have. I had reflux through my whole pregnancy and realized after that it wasn't due to being pregnant but because I was too tight. I had to go in about a month ago and get completely unfilled and they determined that my upper pouch was stretched. I'll be going in about 1 month to get a slight fill.

2. Did you feel that your band in any way hindered you ability to eat enough foods or to breastfeed, to push during labor, etc. (especially if you did NOT have all your fill removed)I had a csection. My dr said in no way that it would effect my pregnancy the port and stomach is far enough away to not have any concerns. It did hinder me from eating much during pregnancy. I gained 12lbs so when I had the baby I actually had lost weight. I was afraid of gaining too much weight during pregnancy (I gained 60 w/ my first pregnancy) so I stayed filled. I'm very fortunate that I did not cause more damage other than my pouch being stretched (I asume I didn't I will find out for sure in about a month when I go back to get a fill).

3. Did you port give you problems as your belly got bigger with the baby? Did it become something that was visable or uncomfortable as more of your insides were filled up with the baby? I was a little uncomfortable but nothing major. It stuck out a little but no one could see it my hubby could feel it just by pressing slightly:)

4. Were you able to find an OBGYN who had experience with an expecting mother who had had the band or did you feel you had to do the educating of your doctor(s)? I went to the same dr as I had w/ my first pregnancy. He was not concerned as long as I was able to eat he said I was fine (I didn't tell him I had a hard time eating, against my better judgement).

Hope this helps, the baby is 11months now:) Feel free to email w/any questions you might have. I looked and looked for info from people while I was prego and had a hard time getting any advise/experiences from anyone. So just send a message if you need support:)

I am almost 4 months pregnant. My doctor doesnt see any risks for me with my band, everything has been positive. I do not have the same high blood pressure I had with my previous two because ofthe band (when lost the weight, got off the meds) so it has been a positive experience

I had my band for the whole pregnancy. There is no risk whatsoever according to my dr. However, I realize now that I had an overfill just before pregnancy and ended up having reflux (I thought it was just due to pregnancy) I did not get unfilled during pregnancy and I should have. I continued to have reflux after the baby was born and a little over 1 month ago I went in and got a complete unfill:( boo! I am lucky that I didn't slip since I was too tight for the whole pregnancy! I did cause the upper pouch to stretch. I'm planning on staying unfilled for a while and going back for a small fill.

My only advise is to get a complete unfill, and that's what OCC will tell you too. I was too afraid I'd gain the weight back so I stayed filled (not understanding I was too tight in the first place) bad combo!

okay so how do i find the old post??? he he

I just had my baby 3 months ago(csection) and he is a cute, healthy bundle:). I do wish I'd gotten unfilled due to current reflux issues, but that's a different topic. While I was pregnant I did nutrisystem because I usually didn't want to eat (morning sickness) but I knew I needed to eat something. I also drank milk and protein drinks and lots of water. I prob ate about 1200-1500 calories a day. I tried to drink my meals because everything getting stuck. I only gained 12 lbs total and after the baby was born I lost about 35. I do not breastfeed because of my experience w/ my first child.

I carried low so the port wasn't really an issue and my dr. assured me not to worry because the csection was nowhere near the band. I did get stuck a lot and drank water while I ate which is a big no no and think that's contributed to my reflux issues. If I could do it over again, I would get a total unfil and would NOT drink while I ate.

I did not get unfilled while I was pregnant. I didn't want to gain 60 lbs like I did previously. They said it wasn't necessary unless I was having a hard time eating and getting the nutrients I needed. I wish I had though. So the whole time I was prego, I laid propped up so I wouldn't throw up (stomach acids) in my sleep and then breathe it in. I've been doing liquid since Sunday and it seems to be better. I'm going to give it until next Sunday and then try solids again and if it's still happening I'll have to go get an unfill. I did go to the OCC and that's really the only place I feel comfortable going back to. Although, I've never been on a trip of any sort by myself so that's what makes me hesitant.

Susan how are you doing haven't heard anything lately? I'm having the same exact issue. This started happening to me right after I got prego, so I thought it would go away after I had the baby. It hasn't, so I'm doing the liquid diet for a week along w/ Mylanta/Maylox.

I don't have very supportive people around me, so that was a HUGE factor in my decision. I even told people I was "thinking" about getting the procedure done (I had already done it, and I wanted to know their reactions). IT WAS HORRIBLE, got talked down on for even thinking of doing something so "drastic", everyone said just exercise and eat right blah blah. That was even after I tried explaining the details.

My hubby and sister are the ONLY people that know. I'm not ashamed and I do not regret getting banded, not for a second. It's a personal decision that each person has to make. I don't want to be judged and I prefer not to deal w/ the questions, so it's a secret I can always change my mind later, but once I decide to tell people, I can't take it back! So maybe in the future I'll tell people, maybe I won't.

Most people (family around me) just see it as the "easy way out" because they don't understand or want to understand the details, they just want to judge. Like I said that's the people I know though, well most of my family and hubby's family lol. Family is the toughest cause they do know you best. I have a few friends that I know would be supportive and totally non judgmental, but for now I choose not to talk:)

Hey thanks for your help. I called my fill doctor here in Utah and told him I was pregnant and asked what I should do about being unfilled. He said to do nothing at all. He said that unfilling a pregnant patient was, in his exact words "bull crap and old school thinking." He said that as long as I was doing fine and not having any problems, they would just leave me where I'm at. I have a pretty good fill at 1.7cc's. I would say just about perfect. I am so glad to here from someone else who not only had the band while pregnant, but also kept your fill in the entire time. I think I am going to work on drinking more water too. Hey did you feel like your OBGYN responded well to you having the band? I wondered about them being judgemental or something. Anyway, thanks again for your help.

My ob has been awesome! He doesn't treat me any different than with the first baby:) I did kinda expect him to ask questions but he didn't. I thought it would be an issue but I'm the one asking him all the questions:) He did tell me not to eat rice lol which I don't anyway. He's not concerned about my lack of weight gain (again something I brought up) because the detailed ultra sound showed everything was great and he has measured me to make sure I'm growing at the right speed. He did say to get plenty of protein and nutrients which I try hard to do:)

Not trying to be a smart a$$ here, but have you told your doctor how much water you are drinking? Most people do not know this, but too much water can be toxic causing water on the brain among other things. Check out this link to read about it. http://drbenkim.com/drink-too-much-water-dangerous.html

Actually I have heard of water poisoning (a nurse in the family-I get to hear all kinds of stuff) and I heard about that story too (the contest). I only drink a glass at a time though, not a gallon. I've been measuring it one day a couple of weeks ago and it's more like a gallon to a gallon and a half of water in a whole day THROUGHOUT the day, from the time I wake to bedtime:) I guess it just seemed like more as I'm always thirsty:) Thanks for the concern and article.

I too had lost about 60 lbs (took a year) and then got prego.

I'm 30 weeks prego, have gained 10 pounds and never got unfilled (I think I'm at 2.8mm). I've had no complications so far. I take lots of vitamins and get lots of protein. I drink a TON of water, like 1-2 gallons a day (drives hubby crazy as he has to keep refilling our 5 gallon jugs (6 of them) at the water store ever week and a half to two weeks instead of once a month lol). I have to say drinking so much water has made a huge difference as I'm not getting cramps in my legs yet and I'm in the last trimester. I didn't drink as much water when I was prego w/ first and got cramps in the night in the beginning of the second trimester.

I did have terrible morning sickness, throwing up a couple of times at the beginning and a couple of times this week. Feel free to ask me any questions at all!!! I only have 9 weeks left YEA! (csection a week early due to medical reasons). I'm not done w/ the pregnancy yet but I know I was scared in the beginning cause I couldn't find anyone else that had been prego w/ the band to talk to, so I'm here if you want to ask me anything:)

Hi, I'm prego (28 weeks). I had the lap band for a year before becoming prego. I've had no complications so far. I do take lots of pills though, throughout the day (can't take them all at once:) I take an extra chewable calcium, a prenatal, folic acid and DHA. In addition to getting lots and lots of protein. I by the protein shakes and drink plenty of those. I've only gained a total of 10 pounds so far but I lost 8 in the beginning from morning sickness and gained it back in the 2nd trimester along w/ 10 pounds. I never had an unfill as I'm too nervous about gaining a lot of weight (I gained 60 w/ my first). My dr is/was never concerned at all except about the baby getting the nutrients it needs. I guess the biggest prob w/ prego lapbanders is that they baby is anemic. All my checkups have been totally normal and I'm trying hard not to gain more than 15 pounds although the past couple of weeks I've been craving sweets and have given in, and also gained about 4 lbs in 2 weeks. So I just have to be strict again:) Also I'm having a csection and my dr is not concerned about complications since he says he will be nowhere near the band.

Feel free to ask me any questions. I know I was super worried and couldn't find anyone that had been prego w/ the band!

Here is a link to the 5 day pouch test...

http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html

Hope this helps you!

Jude =)

That's what I was searching for, thanks guys!

I was reading something about a diet on the forums where you eat liquid the first day and then gradually add protein, etc. It was posted to get back on track and also to do this diet if you think your band has slipped. Any help appreciated, I've spent an hour searching for it.

1) How old are you?30

2) Have you been overweight your whole life or did you gain weight as a result of pregnancies, surgeries... or whatever

My whole life, since about 2nd grade

3) How many times have you lost and gained (approximate times and how much on average). 3x's lost over 80 (first time in highschool using drugs, 2nd and 3rd times bulimia/anorexia)

4) After lap band surgery has your weight been coming off easier than when you dieted before? Yes and No. When I eat healthy it comes off easier and I can control my portions now. When I eat unhealthy, I fall back into that trap, but at least the portions stay down and I don't gain like I had before. SO it's still a battle that I just have help winning now:)

5) What is your average weekly weight loss? about 1lb a week when I eat healthy. However, I'm prego so I'm just maintaining right now. Was banded sept of o7 and have lost 60 pounds total.

Thinking about pregnancy? Read this study. It helped calm my nerves:) We are going to start trying in the next month or so for kid number 2. I had to have a csection w/ the first because of my pelvis. I will have to have a csection w/ the next also. I do not plan to get unfilled, but will if necessary. I gained over 60# w/ my first and am finally down to the weight I was before I got pregnant the first time. I'm no longer anxious about the whole process:O The study was taken place in Australia. Highlights: Followed 22 women in the study who got prego after surgery. All had an unfill at the beginning and those who had excessive weight gain were given a fill at 16 weeks "...to limit excessive weight gain rather than assist w/ weight loss". It's a very interesting read for those interested.

Pegnancy Study

Have lost 40lbs in 7 months. Lately my avg. is about 5 pounds a month. I'm hoping to kick it up a notch real soon. I am at my sweet spot with my fills, however like everyone else I struggle eating the good foods. I will do well for 2 weeks (during which is when I loose 5 lbs). Then the next 2 weeks I will fall back until I start over again. Plus I drink occasionally. Gotta step the game up!

History about self: Taking anti depressents for past few years. Was bulimic for a year (before having a baby and on and off when I was younger) and got down to 200 from 280 (size 28 to size 14). Got prego and gained everything back because I refused to do anything harmful to the baby. Started back into the bulimia after the baby, I knew it was horrible and stopped doing it about a year later.

In july of 07 I was seriously researching ways of suicide that could be untraced. (I had also been taking alli which I later found out that suicidal thoughts are linked with the drug). Found a way and was on the boarder of going through w/ it. For some reason or another was talking to someone (she is a close family member to me, and I won't say what relation because we are both keeping the procedure secret.) and she mentioned getting lap banded. She knew I had wanted to have some kind of WLS and she was considering it also. She had already talked to someone about it and if my memory serves me right, had already scheduled an appt to get it done (not sure though). She knew the things I'd already been doing and I had told her about my recent "researching" on suicide. I think that is the only reason she told me that she was considering it, because she knew that I deathly hated myself because of my weight.

There is/was no way I could pay for it and so WLS was not an option or thought. She offered to pay, and said she doesn't expect me to pay her back. I said I would and she said that's fine if I can someday but she wasn't expecting it. I was able to talk my hubby into it. Thus began my new life with much hope!!!

Wow, I've never really sat down and thought it through like this! I'm so thankful for her (family member) I can't even express it. Not just because of this situation, but because of our friendship. But wow, this really makes me appreciate her even so much more. Who knows what I would have done had I continued taking Alli w/o knowing that was a side effect.

I ordered Optifast through the occ website. It was kinda expensive but I split it w/someone. They tasted okay, but not filling. so I added half a banana and some strawberries and made a smoothie. I liked that. I figured that it equaled out buy the time I over ate on other crappy food.

at the hotel, If you are staying in your own room, you need to take your stuff w/ you. If you are staying in a room w/ someone you can leave your stuff at the hotel. We had to ask to find out. I went with someone but we got seperate rooms which was nice. We figured we are still paying the same amount, might as well have the room to ourselves. We just requested it in advance. It was nice having the bathroom, tv and time to yourself. For my first fill, we shared a room cause we obviously had to pay for it:)

I'm sure that slimfast would be fine also. For me it was more getting used to drinking liquids before the surgery so any liquid supplement would have been fine for me. Everyone is different though.

Name & Location: Kelly, AZ

Age: 29

Gender: F

Band Date: Sept 11, 2007

Height: 5' 9 1/2"

Highest Weight: 298 (before pre op) 287 day of surgery

Current Weight as of 3/11/08: 256

1st Goal Weight: 165

Ultimate Goal Weight: 138

{for my records cause I'd like to track progress:)}

Current weight as of 4/11/08: 251

Current weight as of 5/11/08: 244

Current weight as of 7/21/08: 239 (trying to get back on track)

Current weight as of 10/3/08: 230 (just trying to maintain cause I'm pregnant)

11/11/08: 227 (morning sickness:()

1/23/09: 232 (23 weeks prego)

2/19/09: 235 (27 weeks prego)

4/8/09: 242 (34 weeks)

5/4/09: 244 (38 weeks)

6/5/09: 213 (baby is 3 weeks old:)

7/18/09: 200

9/17/09: 187

10/17/09: 179

12/16/09: 170 (pretty sure I updated in nov but ???)holiday foods bite!!!

4/15/10: 186 (got unfilled 3/6/10)

9/24/2010: 180

11/2010: 192

2/2/2011: 212 18weeks prego

The only people that know are my sister and my husband. I didn't feel like it was anyone else's business and I didn't want to feel like I was being watched with every move I make. Honestly I just didn't want to deal with other people's stupidity:) I mean how much research did I do before I got the surgery? Many many hours, days altogether. Other's don't understand because they don't want to take the time to actually listen to what you are saying. I don't know what I would tell people if I got those questions. I guess I would just say: I want to lose slow so I can keep it off, because stats have shown that most people who lose fast end up gaining it all back plus some.

Okay, I have always passed out when I get my blood taken and am really afraid of needles. I've even been put to sleep for a filling (from the dentist) before. I think I toughened up after having a c-section. Anyway, this was nothing. It felt like a pinch and then a weird feeling (the part where the needle is going into the port-all you feel is a little pressure). I think the feeling is kida cool, but unexplainable. I've had two fills in TJ. Hope this helps ease any worries that you really shouldn't have:0

Karen, I'm not pregnant but hope to be at the end of the year. When in your pregnancy did you get an unfill? Also, was it at the OCC? I have one child right now and want to wait until I lose weight to have another. I have researched the band and pregnancy and there is not a whole lot out there. How has your pregnancy been with the band (other than the port sticking out?) I ended up gaining like 60-70 pounds when I was prego with the first and I'm scared to get pregnant with the second after so much hard work to lose the weight. I'm hoping the band (even if unfilled) will assist in not gaining so much the next time around.

Thanks for the directions! Did this for my first fill and will be using it again.