roziecakes

Hi there, I'm wondering if there is anyone on here with experience breastfeeding with your lapband. How did you calculate how many calories you needed? I have found some conflicting advice. I'll talk to my doctor too, but I was wondering what your experiences were. Thanks in advance!

Thanks for the words of advice! I like that idea of getting small fills over time and building back up. I was concerned about having enough nutrition while breastfeeding.

I got pregnant one month after being banded, and this was after 9 years of infertility. I had a miscarriage; but within 5 months, I was back and preggo again!!! I would definitely say use an alternative birth control method if you're not looking to get pregnant.

Congratulations!! I also agree about the progesterone. Taking progesterone supplements helped me I think.

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 17, and I was told by several doctors I'd never get pregnant, and that I was too heavy, etc etc. I got pregnant by surprise ONE MONTH after being banded, but that pregnancy ended in miscarriage. However, my experience prompted me to really take charge of my fertility. I worked with my doctor. I did take some natural supplements (Vitex and DIM) to help balance out my progesterone levels, and I took progesterone supplements after I got pregnant again in January! (yay!) I'm almost 35 weeks pregnant with my baby daughter Maisie and I've had almost no problems. I did have a kidney stone, but it's not related to my weight or the PCOS, sometimes it just happens when you get pregnant. So YES you can!!! Best of luck ladies!! Edit* I also might mention that I also have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis which affected my fertility.

Hi everyone! I am back after a bit of a hiatus. After having a miscarriage in September of 2011, I took a lot of time to myself and took a break from most of my online forums. We got pregnant again in January of this year, and I'm just about 35 weeks now, and almost ready for my daughter Maisie to be born! I feel like I owe my pregnancy, and good health during pregnancy to my weight loss. I've gained 17 pounds this pregnancy, and I'm still at almost 9 months pregnant about 10 sizes smaller than I was pre-banding. I've had no real complications with the band and being pregnant except that I had some problems with gas being trapped in my stomach that was pretty painful; but haven't experienced that since about 15 weeks. I have NO gestational diabetes and no high BP. I am so thrilled! I am not updating my weight loss ticker for right now. I might do one for post-partum weight loss. I'm not sure when I'm getting a fill in my band after pregnancy. Since I've been on last, I had one 2cc fill, but they took it out when I got pregnant to allow for maximum nutrition. I have another fellow bandster in my local La Leche League group. Her little one is 11 weeks old and she hasn't gotten a fill yet. Anyone who's been pregnant with the band... what was your experience? When did you get a fill after having your baby? I plan on breastfeeding, does that make a difference? Thanks in advance. Looking forward to catching up with everyone!!!!

I just weighed in, and I'm at 268, so that's another pound lost

I had to be on liquids for 10 days, and then mushies (puree'd stuff) for another 5 weeks. I definitely wasn't ready for solids until then. I would stay with mushies for a while, and eat really slowly, and really feel each bite as it goes down, and wait a few seconds between bites, and see how you feel after each one. If it still hurts, slow down. Just find a pace that works for you, and incorporate solids slowly, one ingredient at a time. Good luck!

Good luck by the way!! I really hope you feel better soon!

I recite the alphabet in my head when I'm chewing, and I swallow at 'Z'. I don't time myself between bites, but I do wait till I feel the sensation of everything going down before I take another one. Hope that helps!

Yummy! I sure love cottage cheese. It's one of my staples

This is what we tend to call 'sliming.' My guess is that you have a lot of inflammation still and that's what's causing it. If it keeps on, or gets really bad, call your doctor. Did they put any saline in your band when they did the surgery?

Welcome!! It is normal to not lose any weight for the first six weeks you have your band. Any weight lost during that time is just a bonus. You'll see this a lot, but everyone will tell you that the first six weeks are for healing I agree with Corrigan about the warm prune juice, while you're newly banded that's one of the best options to help 'get things moving.' Congrats on your band, and nice to meet you

I have never been stuck like that too, but I've heard the pineapple juice trick too, since the enzymes will break down what's stuck in there. Don't drink anymore water because it might make things worse. If it doesn't get unstuck, you'll probably have to talk to your doctor.

I think it's totally normal to feel the way you do. It's also totally normal not to lose any weight during this stage. Don't worry too much! I think you're on the right track

Have you had your thyroid checked before? I have hypothyroidism and before I got diagnosed I used to feel this way when I lay down to sleep.

Okay, here's some pictures! BEFORE: TODAY!

I had about that much to lose total, and I'm about halfway there! I think it is possible at this point, we'll see how it goes!

Congratulations on your surgery! I hope it goes really well for you!!!! Just remember to do everything your surgeon says and you should do just fine!

Do you have more space in your band for a fill? Maybe talk to your surgeon. I do know that plateaus happen, our bodies lose weight so fast, and then they are sort of done... BUT that doesn't mean that you can't get out of the plateau. I would talk to your doctor.

I'm really excited today because I reached my 100 pound milestone since starting my pre-op diet in April! I lost 25 pounds on the pre-op diet before my surgery, and since the surgery I have lost a total of 80 POUNDS!!! My surgery was June 8th. I have 2cc's in my 10 cc band. That was put in during surgery, and I haven't had a fill yet. Not only did I meet the 100 pound goal, but it's a 105 pound loss!! I lost 6 pounds this week I am just completely thrilled, and really proud of myself! I never imagined that I would get to twoderville... and I'm on my way to onederland! I was stuck for so long, and this band has been exactly what I needed to kickstart my health into gear. I wanted to thank everyone on this forum for being so wonderful and supportive, and for all of the great advice, camaraderie and support that you all have given me on my journey so far! Just 89 more pounds to go!!!!!!!! YAY!!! I'll post a pic later today after I take a shower.

Name, real or screen~Roz Age~29 Weight on November 1st~277 Weight on November 8th-275 Weight on November 15th-269 Goal Weight for November 29th~ 267 Date Banded~ June 8th, 2011 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 80lbs.

I agree with Dave! In my case, I had been able to lose some of the extra weight, but I kept gaining some back, and I had hit a plateau for like A YEAR and felt stuck. My back was bad before the surgery, and I was stuck in a loop of not being able to exercise enough to lose weight, and to not lose enough weight to exercise... it was ridiculous. The band was the exact tool I needed! I will never ever regret my decision!!

Yes! Vitamins vitamins! I take prenatal vitamins because the ratio of healthy stuff in there is awesome.

I do think that I get treated differently. I get picked up on basically everywhere I go, and that didn't used to happen at all. I also get looked at differently everywhere I go. People used to get out of my way, and look in my grocery cart, and give me dirty looks. Kids used to laugh at me. Now I just get acknowledged like a 'normal' person. Part of it is that I'm 6 feet tall, which is unusual for a woman anyway, and when I was 350+ pounds, well, yeah... I guess I stuck out like a sore thumb. Honestly, sizeism makes me sick. People have no idea what someone's story is, and I think it's incredibly rude and disgusting to judge someone by their appearence. I feel this way about folks who are discriminated against because they are too thin as well. The beautiful thing about this world is that we're all different. Wouldn't the world be boring if we were all the same size and the same weight and the same color, etc? I think so! I love the diversity in human beings; it's what makes us special. One of my goals is to be a yoga teacher for people who are 'overweight', 'obese', or who are otherwise afraid to go to a 'regular' class because they are worried someone will judge them for their appearence or ability in some way, so that they can feel comfortable and can have the benefits of yoga.