Chicky abby

Hi Ladies- first hope all of you are well! It's been a while since I posted but now that I am post delivery (my little girl is 2 months old already!) I wanted to share my experiences being pregnant and delivering with the band should it be helpful at all: - My 10cc band was filled to 5.5 cc at the time I learned I was pregnant - My surgeon suggested we leave the band filled as long as I could eat- subsequently I never had an unfill throughout my pregnancy - Food: Before I got pregnant I had not eaten any bread/crackers or other types of carbs since my surgery. My first trimester was filled with daily nausea and I got through it by turning to carbs to settle my stomach also ginger ale which I would let go flat first. - Weight Gain: I gained 50 pounds during my pregnancy- most of it in the last 3 months. I did notice that as I grew so did my appetite and most days did not feel much restriction At delivery I was over 300 lbs and suffered no complications- in fact my entire pregnancy was pretty uneventful (thankfully!). I had the normal swelling in the last weeks and some carpal tunnel in my hands but that was about it. - Delivery: My daughter was 2 weeks late...and after 17 hours of labor we ended up need a c-section to finally get her out! Now post delivery I have lost 30 pounds from delivery but find my appetite and sweet spot gone. My surgeon would not do a fill without an upper GI first to make sure the integrity of the band was intact after pregnancy and delivery. Happy to say the test went well and have had my fill (6 ccs) and feel the return of the sweet spot! All in all, I experienced NO complications with my band during pregnancy and delivery. The only thing I noticed was that the port was VERY easy to feel as my belly was huge towards the end and many times it was mistaken for the baby's foot :-) Would also like to add that I have NEVER vomitted either post surgery or throughout my pregnancy. Good luck to all you ladies and am happy to answer any questions! Have happy and healthy pregnancies! xoxox abby

Hi ladies, In my 14th week here......my band remains filled at 5.5 cc's, my doc did not unfill me. I have gained 10 pounds so far....and happily developing my baby bump. I would love to hear how you all are ding with your pregnancies- if you are still 'filled' and is your band working? I feel as if I do not have a band at all sometimes....I am HUNGRY a real gnawing hunger almost every 2 hours. This is my first pregnancy so not sure if this is 'normal' ? I would love to get my band tightened further but realize would not be best. Should also add that I am eating things I have not eaten since surgery.....pasta, bread, etc. My need for carbs came back when I could not eat Protein or much of anything else due to morning sickness. Thanks for your help! Abby

Hi Ladies....I hope you are all doing well! I am doing great- albeit for the usual fatigue and morning sickness. I have an update and interested in your experiences/feedback as well: -Met with new bariatric surgeon ( just moved) and he told me to leave my band as is; which is currently filled to 5.5 cc. He said as long as I can eat well with no vomiting, etc that there is no need to unfill. Of course he said to evaluate as we go along but I guess I am still concerned because I thought when pushing during labor I could damage the band if it is filled- but he said no. Thsi seems to be contradicting what I have read here- what do you ladies think and what have you done? - H1N1- have you recieved the vaccine? First of all I can't even get the regular flu shot- everyone is out! In regards to the H1N1, I don't know- I feel very uncertain about it- it's such a new vaccine and was rushed to market so quickly how does anyone really know what effect is could have long term? -Weight Gain: OMG...before I tested positive for pregnancy I was down to 260- almost 85 pounds from 2/3/09!!! Now 9 weeks along, I have already gained 8 pounds and I am very nervous. How much weight did you gain in first trimester? I am eating more, even with a restricted band. I find that I am eating more carbs than I have the whole time pst banding; I think it is because Protein is making me ill right now and the carbs help ease my queasiness. chicken, meat, turkey, all turning me off right now where prior to pregnancy I was eating majority protein and veggies. I am so scared I will put on everything I took off by the time I deliver...what did you ladies do to control weight gain- did you have similar cravings for sweet and carbs and did it pass? Thanks for your help!! xoxo

I have PCOS and was banded 2/3/09. I have lost 80 lbs YTD. We had met with a fertility doctor just last month and he gave me the grim news that we had a 2% chance conceiving naturally due to my age (37) and PCOS and he also saw signs of ovarian dysfunction. We decided to do IVF in November. Well- guess what- I am 4 weeks pregnant!!! We have TTC for our years and I believe without a doubt it was my weight loss that helped (also we used Pre-Seed this month to help increase chances of conception). Good luck to all bandettes TTC.....I tell you we are still in shock!

12 pounds to goal for me!!! Name.......................... Start Wt....... Current....... Goal....... To Go 3ShotRoc..................... 345.............. 244............ 220........ 24 Alabubba..................... 464.............. 446............ 400........ 46 Alleycia....................... 255.............. 217............ 198........ 19 Annieemmm................. 200.............. 198............. 170....... 28 Ashleyrenee................ 240.............. 240............. 199........ 41 Barb12590.................. 173.............. 156............. 155.......... 1 Betelnut..................... 295.............. 262............. 245........ 17 Bklyn1984................... 317.............. 235............. 230........ 5 Blaze21...................... 200.8........... 183............. 170....... 13 Blklab70282................. 241............. 241.............. 220........ 19 ChickyAbby................. 314............. 282.............. 270........ 12 Clcort......................... 236............. 200.............. 200........ 36 CountrygirlNY.............. 253............. 217.............. 182........ 35 Crzytchr.................... 237.............. 229.............. 210........ 19 Ewiedbingcott ......... 215.5.......... 205.9............ 198........ 7.9 Fab by 50.................. 215............. 190............... 175........ 15 Fordgal88.................. 199.............. 175.............. 193........ 18 Hdsantoni.................. 252.............. 198.............. 190......... 8 Htaylor1021............... 210.............. 203............ 185......... 18 itsjustducky................368...............368...............328... .......40 Jazma....................... 261.............. 261.............. 235......... 24 Jeni 85...................... 170............. 169............... 158......... 11 Jennyt71................... 245............. 197............... 170......... 27 Keepingfaith08........... 225.............. 225.............. 190.......... 35 Lalaredd................... 240.............. 190............... 150......... 40 LessJess................... 228.............. 199............... 199......... 0 Letsgetitstarted......... 229.............. 211............... 199......... 30 Libbyjane1976........... 283............... 262.............. 250.......... 12 LilMissDiva................ 251.6............ 247.6............ 227.......... 20.6 Liz_hager................. 158............... 151............... 145.......... 6 LisaRT..................... 254............... 248............... 225.......... 23 Long2BThin.............. 192............... 180............... 169.......... 11 Loveislovely............. 191............... 175............... 169.......... 6 Mair....................... 222............... 215............... 199........... 16 Mamacj.................. 316............... 269............... 233........... 36 Melody_Mary_42f..... 277............... 231............... 170........... 49 MsNickelback.......... 172............... 155................ 149........... 6 Nicolerose.............. 365............... 288................ 260........... 28 Nursemelly............. 245............... 201................ 185........... 16 Onehotmama.......... 272............... 237................ 210........... 27 OneHotMomma........ 285.............. 275................ 250............ 25 Pbpuniser............... 212.............. 212................ 182............ 30 Peachwood............. 251............. 251................. 230............ 21 Picklesix................. 197............. 170................. 170............ 0 Sexylips................. 238............. 238................. 199............ 39 Sadie77................. 277............. 250................. 220............ 30 SillyGoose.............. 258............. 234................. 228............ 6 Simone.................. 182............ 172.................. 160............ 12 Ukcatsfan.............. 340............. 340................. 300............ 40 Workingmom........... 214............. 214................. 175............ 39 ZiggyLove.............. 226............. 202................. 180............ 22 Health4life..............279.............222.2................195..... .. .....27.2 __________________

I have PCOS, would go 3+ months between cycles. I have been TTC, 4 rounds of injections no luck. Am THRILLED that after surgery on 2/3/09, I have had 2 cycles; 31 days apart. Fingers crossed next month brings baby dust the natural way!!!!! CONGRATS and do not freak out...you are getting back to normal in terms of hormone function!

Praying for you....! Best of luck!

I had the opposite experience; I was the one banded and ready for some love after 2 weeks but DH was treating me like a fragile little doll...so we didn't consumate pots band :-) until 4 weeks post op!

I had my surgery on a Tuesday morning; discharged from hospital Thursday, back to work Monday. Granted however; I work from home which made things much easier.

This is my first weekend away and eating all my meals out with family. I have traveled on business too since surgery; but stuck with Protein shakes/wendy's chili, etc. I have good restriction on a day to day basis but wondering how others handle the whole restaurant thing. For instance, last night I ordered: appetizer: lump crabmeat cocktail (ate half) salad: garden salad with blue cheese dressing (split with hubbie and then at half of my portion) dinner: steamed groupers with sauteed veggies (ate half the grouper and few bites of veggies) dessert: bailey's ice cream cake (we shared, I literally had 3 bites) Now, pre op; I would have devoured it ALL, no sharing! Post op- it's a whole new me- and I am pleased with my decisions and self control- wondering though what others do- do you stick with appetizer or just order dinner? The previous night I only had an appetizer, salad, no dessert. Thanks for feedback!

Like Kristen I too still do not eat Pasta, rice, bread, etc. I was cooking italian food and making roasts 3 days post op. I just needed help getting pots and pans down etc since I couldn't bend/stretch. I thought cooking would irritate me but it was actually soothing; at least I could touch and smell the food! I only lost it when my family ordered chinese takeout 1 week post op, that KILLED me. I love my chinese food! I had some egg drop Soup but then had to leave the room :-) Last night we ordered again for the 2nd time since surgery and I managed to eat the inside of an egg roll and a few pieces of steamed chicken, and a few bites of DH hot and sour soup. Yumm!

So I had surgery almost 8 weeks ago, lost over 35 pounds, and a TON of inches. I was disappointed that I went out last night with the girls I haven't seen since Christmas, who KNOW I had surgery, and no one said anything. Not even 'you look good'. I was crushed. I am wearing clothes I haven't been able to wear in two years, I wore high heels that I hadn't been able to walk in, and nothing. I ate half a salad because I wasn't hungry. Nothing. It's like it is a taboo subject? I felt so miserable when I came hom. I have such a long road ahead and I thought, wow, I am so fat no one can notice 35 pound weight loss? Is it just me?

Go for it! Heck, I even started to have half caf and half decaf!

What exactly are your symptoms- why don't you feel good?

Big Hugs to you all :-) Loved hearing your stories and advice too! So nice to know we can lean on one another, even for seemingly trivial things like my post! I knew my LB family would get it! xoxoox

Thanks Mimi! Never thought of the NSVs, love the idea and as it happens getting my hair and nails done tomorrow!

Thank you :-) Makes me feel better to hear your words of encouragement! My DH says the same, that they might be feeling jealous or insecure now that the token fat friend has made some serious changes. I just felt so deflated...before surgery I could barely walk half a block that's how bad I was. Just 35 pounds later I already feel like I lost 100 lbs because the pressure on my knees is gone! I just would have appreciated a little 'you go girl' from my two closest friends that I have known over 20 years.

Hey Twiggy I am right there with you. Also had pretty good retriction but after an upper GI to rule out a slip decided to go for it and have a 1.5cc fill. I think in the last few weeks it was 50% the band and the rest me and I felt my appetite getting stronger. Good luck!

Had my first fill today which was 1.5 cc. Doc actually wanted to put more but I wanted to be consverative for first fill as I have had no PBs or Vomits and do not want to start!

This is a great post- I have been freezing my tush off. Two blankets on the bed, and sweaters/hoodies over tshirts in the house at all times. Looking forward to not being the sweaty betty this summer1

I agree and have had the same happen to me. Coffee does not taste the same, nor do I enjoy pasta. I tried a lean cuisine entree a few times (raviolo, mac and cheese) and both times it ended up in the trash. I have though, been craving FLAVOR. Everything tastes so bland to me. Decided to go have Indian for lunch today and I just had a small salad plate with curry chick peas, spinach and chicken...now I feel so much more satisfied! Although us 6 week post ops banders can have rice starting next week, I am staying away from carbs as much as possible. Good luck...give it a chance for you stomach to settle and see what if wants or not..you'll know!

Gosh, I just can't wait to get to twoderland at this point! Am so thrilled for you and this is so motiviting me too. Congrats and you go girl!

I'm from NYC and my surgeon is Dr. Ferzli. He holds 6 patents on laparoscopic surgery and has been on NY Magazine's top surgeon list for 12 years. He has offices in Staten Island and Brooklyn and does fills at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn. He is FANTASTIC.

I know I can't believe it's been 5 weeks! Been doing great- down 21lbs. No sliming or PB thank goodness. I MISS diet coke more than anything but know it's best for me now that I am off the soda. The only think I have to complain about is some bad bad pain in my upper back the last 3 nights; Dr. sending me for an upper GI to rule out a slip. I have been so paranoid about sex and bending down, etc. I mean it is so hard not to start doing more when you feel good, you know? I try not bend but I do anyway; something falls on the floor you have to pick it up, no? Hopefully everything is ok in the meantime, it's so much fun to shop in my own closet and see things actually fit!

Hi folks, Wasn't sure where to post this but I am on 5 weeks post op and was doing great except for last 2 days. It all started Sunday morning; I had excruciating pain while laying in bed, so much so it was tough to turn over and get out of bed. Added to it was the pain I felt when I breathed in deeply. Same happened early this am; it hurts throughout the day but seems to be worse when sleeping. It so happens I had my post op follow up today and told my Dr. how I am feeling and he suggested an upper GI but feels very small chance it's a slipped band since I am not vomiting, salivating profusely, etc. Wanted to reach out to you folks to see if anyone experienced similar either with or without a slipped band. Also, and this falls under TMI, DH and I had sexual relations for the 1st time on Saturday since surgery and then all of a sudden this happened. Not that we are swinging from chandeliers (yet:tongue_smilie:) but could that have caused something to go wrong with the band? I have been so paranoid about sex and the band post op which is why I made DH wait a month. Also- been taking Gasx in case it was residual gas pain but not been to helpful. Thanks to all in advance for your insights.