Brandi

It's been quite a while since I last posted on here. I had my baby on January 12th and everything went wonderfully! I only gained 11 pounds during my pregnancy (thanks to my band) and since delivery I've lost about 26 pounds so I'm 15 pounds lighter than I was when I first got pregnant. It's nice to be back on track. It's hard to believe, but I'm within 20 pounds of my goal weight!!! I do need another fill though. I'm not as restricted as I'd like to be. I just wanted to post on here in case anyone had any questions about pregnancy with the band because when I first found out I was pregnant it was hard for me to find anyone who had had a baby with the band that I could ask questions to.

Hi everyone! It's been a long time since I've been on here. Glad to see this thread started...good thinking Shelly! My pre-op weight was 265. Surgery Date 8/19/03 One year post weight 208. I've had 3 fills, totalling 2.0cc's. No complications, never filled too tight, actually I was getting ready to go have another fill in May since I had been at a 2 month plateau, then found out I was pregnant. So far everything with the pregnancy is good. I havent had to have my fills taken out since I'm eating enough. They're keeping close tabs on how well the baby is growing and developing and everything looks perfect so far. I'm about 4 1/2 months pregnant. I haven't gained a pound!!! My OBGYN isn't worried about it though. She says I don't need to gain any weight as long as the baby is growing. So as soon as the baby is born I'm going for another fill. I've lost almost 60 pounds and I can't wait to lose the other 40. By the way, ShellyJ you look amazing!!!!! I'm so proud of you and I can't wait to be able to say that I've lost 100 pounds!

Hey everyone- I'm about 9 months post-op and I just found out I'm pregnant. I'm only about 4 weeks along but my first doctor appt isn't until June 8th and I have some questions before I go... First of all, is there anyone who is pregnant or has had a baby with the band? I'm looking for advice and your experiences. Did you have your fill taken out? How do I know if I'm eating enough or if I should have the fill taken out? How much weight did you gain if you did have your fill taken out? Have you lost it since you delivered? I have tons more questions too, I just can't think of them all. I know this sounds so selfish and stupid, but I'm terrified that if I have the band "unfilled" I will gain all my weight back and have to start over. Gosh, after reading that it sounds REALLY selfish!!! I'm just trying to be honest though. Thanks to anyone who responds.

Yes, it is nice that even though it took me 4 or 5 months to decide that I was going to make some changes, the band was right there waiting for me!!!!

Usuall for lunch I eat a "Smart Ones" frozen dinner. It's the weight watchers brand. They have some really good stuff, believe it or not. Then for dinner I usually have whatever I want but I make sure to eat my meat FIRST!!!! Then there's usually no room for anything else.

Hey everyone...it's been a while since I've posted on here, but I just thought I'd post my progress....I'm halfway to my goal! I can't believe it!!! Six months ago it seemed like such an impossible goal, but now it's so much closer. I just wanted to post my story for everyone who is thinking about being banded.... My weightloss at first was REALLY slow. I lost 11 pounds in the first month while on Clear liquids, then NOTHING for about another month. Got my first fill, lost 2 pounds....second fill, one more pound. I was feeling so frusterated. I felt like I was a failure, like I had gone through all this for nothing. Even though I did have restriction, I was manipulating the band and breaking all the rules. I would drink with meals, eat lots of carbs and sweets and chew enough so that I could eat whatever I wanted. I have an aunt who had the band a year before me (who is now at 120 pounds and in a size 6) and I couldn't understand why it wasn't working for me like it did for her. So I went and got my 3rd fill and I think it was my "sweet spot" because I was really restricted, but I don't really think thats why I've began to see the numbers drop....I think I made up my mind that I was NOT gonna be a lap-band failure and that I did NOT go through all of this to lose 14 pounds. So I started following the rules, eating Protein first, not drinking with meals, not snacking all day-every day. And now I'm down almost 50 pounds!!! Well, 47 pounds to be exact, but it's more fun to say "almost 50". So that's about it....I just wanted everyone to know that the band is definately not a quick fix. Unless you're willing to totally change your lifestyle, it absolutely WILL NOT work for you. I'll post more on my progress and let everyone know when....not if.... I get to goal!!!!

I went to that site....what a cool thing!!! Maybe someday I'll be able to afford one...lol.

What is the endless pool????

My surgery was on August 19th and I've lost right at 40 pounds. My weight loss has been slower than I expected, but 40 pounds in 6 months isn't too bad. Hopefully it will be another 40+ in the next 6 months. NSV's... *went from a size 22/24 to a 16 *feel MUCH better *am able to keep up with my 3 year old ****too many more to mention.

Another self-pay. My appt was the last week in July and they could have gotten me in for surgery 6 days later, but my daughters birthday party was already planned for the first weekend in August, so I waited until the end of August.

Good luck...I'm sure you will love Dr. Boutt. Also, all of the nurses there are extremely nice. One suggestion....as soon as you wake up, Walk, walk, walk and then walk some more. Walk as much as you can around that circle. The nurses will encourage you to walk. They are right about how much faster you will heal. It will help get all the gas out and you will be in MUCH less pain. You won't feel like walking, but it will be so worth it!!!!!

Bailey- I sent you an Email.

My psych exam was about 2 hours too...but I never had to take a test. Oh well, I'm sure they'll get the report to the surgeons office in time. Are you dealing with Tammy at Port Huron? She's awesome. When you go back to your PCP, tell them that you need a full pre-op physical. You'll have to have this regardless, so they might as well do it while you're there. Maybe that's what they're planning on doing to give you "clearance". But I'd double check. Good Luck!!!

I'm sure you'll be happy with Dr. Boutt. I have no complaints about him or anyone in that hospital. From the pre-op nurses right down to the food service people. Everyone was incredibly nice!!!

AL- Are you having Dr. Bhesenia or Dr. Boutt do your surgery? Dr. Boutt did mine and Bhesenia did my aunts....both were wonderful. I'm sure you'll be pleased that you chose Port Huron. I go for my 3rd fill on Monday, Jan. 19th. Good Luck with everything!!!

My aunt bought me some jeans for Christmas....size 16. Then a week or so later, she asked me if I had tried them on. I said "no, I haven't tried them on....there's no way I'll fit into a 16". She said she could really tell that I've lost more inches and told me just to try. So I did...and they fit (a little snug, but I actually wore them out in public)!!!!!!!!!!! Although the scale has been at a standstill for almost a month, I'm still losing inches. It's so exciting to me because when I got married I was a 14 (which I thought was HUGE) and pre-band I was in a 22/24. So it feels so good to be almost where I was at my wedding. My first mini-goal was to be in a size 18. But I've passed that and went to a 16. My next goal is a 12. Who knows, maybe I'll skip that too

My advice would be to start a list of questions now and keep adding to it. If you write your questions down from now until January, you can go in and ask everything! I wish I would have done that because I was always thinking of questions I wanted to ask. But when I got there of course I couldn't think of any of the questions I had.

I told family only, and a few of my closest friends. It is frusterating for people to ask you "how much have you lost" or "why haven't you lost anything in a month?". People aren't educated about the band and think it should be a quick loss. Also, people have said to me "Well I'd just stop eating before I'd let them cut me open". They think it's as easy as that.....just stop eating! Most people don't understand, so my opinion would be to tell as few as possible.

I had a similar experience last weekend....my husband, my daughter (3 years old) and I went out to dinner and my daughter ate more than me!!!! It was so awesome.

I forgot to mention....maybe you could have your back surgeon write a letter stating that it's medically necessary. Maybe if they have more than one doctor telling them, they'll approve it. Just a thought.

I would definately write an appeal letter....and another.....and another, until they finally give in. I have heard of other people having this same problem and not giving up until the insurance company gives in. Maybe someone at your doctors office could help you out with the appeal letter and tell you exactly what to include. I HATE insurance companies!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't imagine how you are feeling now, especially since your doctor told you it shouldn't be a problem. But hang in there and don't give up.

I have 2cc's right now. I don't think they'll give you more than 1cc at one fill....I know my surgeon wouldn't, but maybe yours would. But I would suggest taking it a little slower rather than too fast. For me, 2cc's is ALMOST my sweet spot. I think I might just need .5cc's at my next appointment. You will know you're at your sweet spot when you take a bite that's just a little too big or not chewed quite good enough and you have this horrible discomfort like it's stuck. After this happens once or twice, you'll start eating WAAAYYYYY slower and ALOT less!!! That's how it is for me anyways. But I'm still eating more than I think I should....they say you should only be able to eat 1/2 cup. I can still eat about a cup at one sitting. But I stay full for a good while too so I'm not snacking like I used to. Thats why I think I only need .5cc (if any). You just really have to pay attention to your body. I would just STRONGLY suggest not to take it too fast. It's better to not be too tight! The weight WILL come off....just be patient:)

That is SOOOOO awesome!!!! I would have given anything to have had my date moved up. It will be over before you know it and you'll be well on your way. I wish you the best and DONT FORGET to post how you're doing when you come home!!!

I missed it too!!!!

Welcome- You don't have very much longer to go! How are you feeling? I was freaking out a couple of weeks before surgery. It was my first surgery and I was terrified. But it was so easy....and SOOOO worth it!!! I hope you find answers to all your questions on here!