AshB

Great job!! Here's a bit of my journey...I had one pregnancy before being banded and that little guy is now 4 years old. I was 216 when I got pregnant with him and gain 45lbs. I had gestational diabetes, protein in my urine and TERRIBLE kidney stones. I lost all that weight in the first few weeks, just due to my horrible eating habits and the fact that I was too busy with him to eat, I didn't nurse him so I wasn't too worried about my own nutrition. I waited a year after being banded before trying to get pregnant again and was down to 165, it took much longer to conceive, 7 months instead of happening the first month like it did the first time. I couldn't even keep water down and had half of my fluid taken out at 10 weeks. After that I had an AMAZINGLY enjoyable pregnancy living it up and being able to eat all the things I hadn't in the last year and a half and I gained 60 lbs... But I had NO health issues at all this time! It's really was a fantastic pregnancy, but the weight didn't come off near as easily as it did the first time around! My daughter is now 3 months old and I'm struggling to balance weight loss with nursing. I lost half of it in the first 6 weeks and then went in for a fill, but it's been pretty slow going since then. Good luck and try to find an OBGYN who is knowledgeable about the band if you can, then you can relax and enjoy your pregnancy knowing they've got you covered on both ends!

Is anyone else here from Kearney? I'm curious if there are any support groups in town? I'm trying to restart after having a baby and am struggling to find ANYONE here who's in remotely the same boat! None of the doctors or anyone seem know anything about being banded, let alone pregnancy/nursing with a band. I checked into the Le Leche League, but of course their far more interested in breastfeeding then weight loss! I love Dr Holloway and Dot... but as far as local support I'm not finding much.

I'm really struggling with this right now! My daughter is 3 months old and I'm nursing so I know I'm suppose to have extra calories to be able to keep my milk supply up. But I had to take half of the fluid out when I was 10 weeks along because I couldn't keep water down even. After that I had a wonderfully enjoyable pregnancy, during which I gained about 60 lbs. :-( I lost half of it and I've had one fill since then and felt very tight for a few days but have only lost a few pounds. I really have this internal conflict right now about quickly losing this weight vs being healthier so I can keep nursing. This is not a real popular thing where I live so my doctor is 5 hours away and none of the doctors here seem to be very knowledgeable about anything to do with the band. I just can't seem to find anyone who's going thru the same thing as me that I can talk to about it, the non-banded just don't understand! :-)

I agree about the protein shakes, I wouldn't take them unless your doctor said you have to. My doctor says to EAT my protein, I use a small plate, half is meat, a quarter veggies and a quarter fruit and I don't drink anything with calories. My doc said protein shakes are good for bypass patients but not banders. I do see alot of people on here talking about shakes so other doctors must recommend them. Keep your head up & try to exercise if you can, it really makes a difference for me atleast! Good luck!

I feel EXACTLY the same way! I am 6 weeks out & have had 1 fill (which didn't change anything). Even though we all listened to everyone say "it's a process" & "a tool" you can't help but think about how much weight your going to loose after the surgery that it's a little disappointing when your not seeing the results you were hoping for I have been counting my calories but I had a hiatal hernia repaired when my band was placed so I still can't workout or anything. Eventually the band will work! It's still early, try & stay positive!

My doctor said not to drink protein shakes or anything like that because they're just extra calories. But I have seen a lot of other people taking about shakes so some docs must say differently.

I was banded 11 days ago & had a hiatal hernia repaired at the same time so I am still suppose to be eating things that pour off a spoon... And its driving me crazy!! I am so ready to be eating normal food and I feel hungry alot more than I thought I would. I was hoping to wake up from surgery and not be hungry, but instead I woke up & the first thing I said was "dang I'm hungry!". I'm a stay home mom so I'm used to munching throughout the day. I hope things change once I start eating solid food, but I'm worried I will feel this way until I reach my "green zone". I know I am suppose to take it easy and focus on healing, but its hard not to concentrate on the wieght loss too... Since that is why I did this in the first place!