Daniella

Hi. I'm 22 weeks pregnant. I was banded in July 2011. the pregnancy was not planned. I had a fill a month before I found out I was pregnant. So far. I haven't had to have anything taken out. I am 6cc out of 10cc band. My baby is growing perfectly. thank goodness I haven't had any morning sickness. That probably helps me. The only thing I notice is my band is a little tighter sometimes. I have to really make sure I'm chewing my food. I haven't gained a lot of weight either. Probably not even 10 pounds. My port seems to have moved up higher, but I think that is because of my uterus. I'm excited though. One of the reasons I got banded was to be more healthy and eventually get pregnant.

Congrats to everyone. I had my surgery in July 2011. I just found out that I was pregnant two days before Christmas. I am now 12 weeks about 3 days. I am so excited. I have had two miscarriages in the past. My husband and I are really happy about this baby. My band feels a little tighter. I have 6.5 cc's in my band. My OB told me no more fills, but she feels that the baby is growing and developing very well. I'm still not able to eat a lot. I notice also that food gets stuck a little easier. So I have to chew very well. I'm still eating pretty good. I do indulge a little more, but I do not go over board. I'm very careful about what I am eating and how well I'm taking care of my baby. I'm not sure how much weight I gained. But I'm really trying to keep it in check. I have other issues to worry about. My blood pressure is fluctuating. I've been really focused on that. I also have diabetes, but I've been able to learn to keep that in control prior to the pregnancy. I think having the lap band has really helped alot. I hope to be able to talk more and we can share our stories of our new journeys.

I'm glad to have found people I can relate to. I had my surgery in July 2011. I was not prepared for my Christmas gift. I found out I was pregnant in December. I'm 12 weeks 3 days. My band feels a little tighter and I have to be careful to chew very good. Thank God I don't have any morning sickness. I have had three ultrasounds. The last one showed a very busy little baby. The doctor said the baby was doing well.

I didn't have to sign a contract. My doctor told us that 90% of their patients that want to get pregnant, do so the first year. We just didn't think we would be a part of that group. But here we are. This is the first child for my husband and I. I pray everyday for a healthy baby and a safe pregnancy. I'm happy for everyone and wish everyone the best in their pregnancy journey. I hope we can share more stories with each other.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I just found out I was pregnant a couple of days before Christmas. It was surprise for me as well. I just had my surgery in July 2011. I notice that my food gets stuck easier than before. I eat pretty good. I have to chew well though. So far my OB hasn't asked that I get any Fluid taken out. She just told me no more fills. The baby is actually doing well. I'm 12 weeks 3 days.

It has been a while since I have visited. I have been really down in the dumps and depressed. I am about to have my third fill and I am scared. this next appointment I have to have the x-ray to make sure my band is in tact. I have yet to hit my green zone and nothing has worked to far. I have about 2 cc in my band. How do I get back on track. I have had a lot of junk food and been really discouraged about doing the right things. My heart wants me to get back on track and my body has been begging me. I feel the difference. I decided that this was a good starting point for me to find my way back. Please help me.

Don't feel bad. I lost 7 pounds in a month since my surgery. I'm not happy with the weight loss, but it could be worse. I've only been walking. Two of my incisions are healing slow so I haven't been released to do anything else. My next fill is on 9/7/11. I',m hoping to lose 10 pounds. Since my journey started, I've lost 20 pounds.

Sorry guys I've not been around, been kind of depressed about my lack of weight loss. At one point my home scale was saying I was down 8 lbs a week after surgery...now it saying only 2 lbs. It's my fault because I've not been sticking with a strict diet....I just don't have the willpower right now and the band has no restriction so it's just like it was before. I'm really hoping for some better results after my fill on the 18th.

Shauna

I had my first fill on Monday the 8th. I feel tighter, but I was very disappointed. Since my banding on 8/5 I only lost 7 pounds. My nurse said that was still good considering my doctor left my band empty. Something I didn't know. Any tips? I feel like I'm doing something wrong.

Yes. I'm with you. My husband loves it though. He's so excited.

Warning for TMI: has anyone else's sex drive gone through the roof? I'm seriously distracted by this! I'm completely consumed by this spike in my libido. My poor DH doesn't know what to do. This is great exercise, though.

Just curious if any of you is having this issue? I remember having the same problem a few years ago when I got really skinny. It didn't go away until I got pregnant and stayed fat. Meanwhile, I feel hormonal changes in regards to my TOM, less acne (yea!) and an out of the blue desire to have a baby. This is insane, but the ride is fun.

I have those. Thanks for the suggestion. I've been using a rubbermaid set and they hold 1 c. I found what works best is I seperate each shake and meal in different containers. My husband bought me this wonderful Meal Replacement shaker with a whisk ball. It has helped mix my shakes great. My weakest moments seem to be at work. I have really long days and find myself hungry between meals and my brain tells me to snack. I'm scared beacuase at home I don't feel that way.

I don't think I've shared this, but my #1 recommendation is.....< drumroll > Glass custard cups with lids (by Pyrex or Anchor)!! I bought them at Walmart (4 cups and 4 lids) for about $9.50.

These are great because....

---They hold 1 C each, making my 1/2 C meals very easy to "eyeball"

---When I make a meal, I make a couple of extras, slap the lids on, and freeze them

---They're easy to eat out of

---Dishwasher safe (lids and cups)

---Contents don't ever stain (because they're glass!

GO BUY SOME!! I have two sets now (8 cups) and I'm going to buy another two sets tomorrow. So helpful!

http://www.walmart.c...torage/15114589

I'm not even constipated. But I don't go often and when I do, it is like baby poop. Scuse my language. I made it. It's been 12 days.

I had it after eating some ice cream (I have problems with dairy sometimes...) It was AWFUL!!! (But I did lose some extra Water weight from it!)

It gets better. The second day is the most painful. I told my husband it felt like gravity was pulling my stomach down. LOL. Around day three and four, I felt so much better. My doctor told me to rest as much as possible. You aren't suppose to be doing anything. Be lazy. I did.

I definately gets better... tv, a heat pad and sleep are my best recommendations!

I don't know how much weight I lost so far. I didn't want to weigh myself yet. I read that you should weigh yourself at certain times and not everyday. I'm scared too. I know I lost some ionches because my work clothes are a lot more loose and comfortable. I'm happy about that.

I hated the chicken broth more than the shakes. I ate a lot of sugar free popsicles. I found out that the popsicle brand and the blue bell brand sugar free popsicles are the best. Today was the first day that I had a serious hunger issue. I ate Breakfast at 6:45 so by 11:30, I was really hungry. I'm happy to meet new people and share stories. It is making me feel better.

My first three days, I didn't want to eat much of anything. I think I might have ate four teaspoons of broth at a time. My husband had to force me to eat. I slept most of the time. the worst day was my second day. After all of the hospital medicine wore off. I felt more pain. After the third day, I did a 360. By the weekend, I was doing little chores around the house. Today, I feel really good. I'm moving around real good. Being back at work is great. Moving around makes me feel great.

Add me as a friend, we can talk.

Hey, Daniella.

Congrats on surviving your first week! I am only 1 day post-op, so 7 days seems like a lifetime away. I can't wait to get there!

Don't get discouraged yet -- it's only been a week! One year from now you will be a completey different person, but rememe=ber, it takes time.

I'm looking forward to mushies too. I think I'm starting to get a little hungry. I suppose that happens when one hasn't eaten in 2 days! I'm eating some broth now, and that helps, but the lasagna in the oven is making my tummy growl!

How much have you lost the first week?? I can't wait to step on the scle at 7 days!

Hi everyone. I'm seven days post op. I just went back to work on Monday. This week has been rough for me. I don't know. My emotions are all over the place. I feel like nothing is happening. I've lost some inches. My clothes fit a little loose. But, nothing else. My first fill is next month. I'm eating thicker liquids this week. My hubby made me some vegetable Soup and then put it in the blender. It was pretty good. I'm looking forward to next week. Mushy food time.

I'm really looking for friends to talk to. I'm tired of people asking me what it feels like. I want to talk to people who understand the big change that I made. I wish everyone luck.

I am on day 4 post op. I was banded on 7/5/11. Today has been the best day so far. I went shopping on my own. I didn't drive, but it felt good to enjoy my favorite past time. I cleaned my kitchen today including loading the dish washer and sweeping the floor. I bought a smoothie from Smoothie King which was on my list given to me by my doctor. It is high Protein and I've been eating it over the last two days for my shake.

Does anyone have a clue as to when you are full? I have a feeling that I am drinking to much. On average how many ounces, do you drink at a time? When do you start eating mushy foods. My week 2 says I can drink thicker liquids, I don't think that is mushy.

How do you add friends?

I haven't mixed my shake with anything but coffee. I bought chocolate flavor and it tasted pretty good. I'm going to sick to the shakes the old fashio way. I bought a lot of Jello, pudding, popsicles and broth. I just got banded on 7/5/11. I'm still getting use to this. I have serious gas pains.

Hi was banded on Thursday 7/7 and am quite sore. I haven't had any gas pains , luckily. I have no desire to eat, but took in some cream of wheat mixed with Protein powder( yuck) and some yogurt with protein powder(yuck again) Were you told to put Protein Powder in all of your food?

Thanks for that infomation. I don't know what to do. I have to go back to work on Monday and I do not want to look silly. The gas catches me off guard. I haven't had any ice cream today so I am proud of myself.

Daniella: My surgeon says Clear Liquids for the first 48 hours and full liquids for at least five days after that. A full liquid is pretty much anything you can get through a straw, though he suggests Protein Shakes, yogurt, pudding, and Soup or Cereal (like Cream of Wheat) that's been thinned out with milk or Water. If the soup has any chunks of anything, they need to be put through a blender.

I think that during the full liquid recovery period, the ice cream is okay, though not something you should get used to. My dr. said that there were a lot of things allowed during the first week that wouldn't be a good idea later. But the NUT in his office also said that she suggests allowing yourself a treat once in a while so you don't feel deprived.

This is a lapband diet guide that I found online; it's very similar to the one my doctor uses. Maybe it can help you, too: www.laplose.com/Media/Forms/LapBandDietGuideNew.pdf

As far as speeding up the process, all you can do is stay hydrated and walk, walk, walk to get the gas out.

Hope you're doing well!

So that little thing they give is suppose to help you get rid of the gas? I haven't used it since my surgery. I have been having this little pains in my side and in my breast bone area. I figured it was just gas. It can be kind of uncomfortable and painful at times. I have so many questions. I was just banded on 7/5/11. I don't have many people who understand me. I'm looking for some help.

I got banded yesterday and the only chest pain I've had was when I needed to take a real deep breath. You know how they give you the little breathing thing after surgery? Once I do that a few times the chest pain is mostly gone. My sister just had lap band and was having lower abdominal and shoulder pain after her surgery. She went to the ER and they told her she was dehydrated and the pain may have been coming from the way she was laying during surgery.

I had a c-section about 2 years ago and the pain from the lap band surgery is really nothing compared to that. Remember that everyone's experience is different. A lot of it depends on your physical condition and age before the surgery, etc. Don't let others' experience scare you off - just ask A TON of questions.

I was banded this past Tuesday. I'm still having gas pains and I'm still unsure when I am suppose to eat. I don't really have an appetite. I also think I broke a rule. I bought sugar free fat free ice cream and I had a little bit. For the most part I feel good. I just wish this gas would pass. Does anyone have any ideas of what I need to do to speed up this process.

I was banded yesterday. I'm not hungry and I don't feel any hunger pains. I've been drinking a lot of Water and eating popsicles. I feel pains, but I'm not sure there are good pains or bad pains.

I had my suregery yesterday, 7/5/11. I felt pretty good yesterday, but today my body is so sore. My neck hurts and my belly hurts. I'm assuming where the port is at. I'm confused about eating. I really don't have an appetite. I tried to eat a little broth and some popsicles. I had a small cup of coffee. I'm not sure what the best diet is for me. I don't feel hungry and I really don't feel full either. I have some weird feelings going on in my stomach. I don't know if it is gas or what. I am finally able to urinate a little better. I haven't had a bowel movement. I've been drinking a lot of Water too. I'm hoping for the best.

Hi everyone,

My name is Daniella. I live in Houston. I was just banded today. I'm excited to be on this new journey. I'm in a little pain and the gas is irritating. But my biggest problem right now is the inability to truly urinate. My bladder is full, but I can't fully empty yet. that's how I found this site. I was trying to search on google to see if there was any help on this. I know this is a big lifestyle change for me. I welcome it. there are many goals I am trying to get to. That is what keeps me pushing forward. I look forward to making new friends and learning from others.