thefitmother

My Doc's policy is a complete unfill when you are pregnant. I was really worried about gaining weight, but I am really pleased with where I'm at. I only have 9 weeks to go and am looking forward to getting back into weight loss mode.

I am hoping to have a fill pretty much as soon as I'm out of hospital.

Just wanted to drop in and share my story.

After being told that we would never conceive naturally due to my PCOS and weight issues I decided to have lapband surgery in January of 2009 in a last ditch attempt to lose weight and hopefully either get pregnant naturally or help our chances of IVF.

I managed to lose around 20 kilos (44 pounds approx) in just over a year and was so in love with my band. I had and ultrasound done on my ovaries in the November of 2009 which revealed that due to the weight loss I no longer had cysts on my ovaries. My cycle also returned to every 33 days. Before the band I would only get around 2-3 a year.

We managed to conceive naturally in April of this year and I am now 31 weeks pregnant. Without the band helping me to lose weight I don't think this would have happened.

To those of you out there struggling to conceive, please don't give up! I have another friend who was banded after seeing my success with weight loss (they had been trying for over 2 years to get pregnant). She is now also pregnant and due in May of 2011.

I am now looking forward to meeting my little one and will be back on the weight loss wagon again the birth.

Bella

That is great news Vala!

I was banded in January of this year and was told yesterday that I no longer have the cysts on my ovaries and no sign at all of PCOS!

I hope to have good news on the pregnancy front soon!

Congrats again!

Bella

I was banded 8 months ago and have just been given the all clear of PCOS. I have not symptoms of it at all.

I am currently mid way through my 2 week wait and am hoping to have a positive test on the weekend or early next week.

I'll keep you posted.

Bella

Just got the news......

I HAVE BEEN CLEARED OF PCOS!!! :tongue2:

No signs at all and I have definatly ovulated!!!

I'm bummed out! I called the Dr's yesterday to get my ultrasound results and they only had the preliminary ones in and will not tell me anything until the definate ones arrive. My Dr is now away until next week, so I have to wait until then.

My boobs are still tender and feel really big. I also feel really bloated. I need to resist getting the early pregnancy kits.......

That is not good at all.

Have they told you why they think it's your fault?

Maybe keep a diary with exactly how much you are eating (weigh and measure your food) and then also write when you are bringing food back up.

Take that information to your Doctor and see what they say. If my Dr was just telling me it was my fault and not wanting to dig deeper I would probably be looking for another Dr.

Let us know how you go.

Bel

:thumbup::thumbup:Congrats redhood!!! It's always great to hear stories like that! :thumbup:

Well I went and had my ultrasound done this morning. I believed that I ovulated on the weekend. A urine test said that I did, but I know with PCOS sometimes they can give false positives. Apparently there is a collapsed follicle in my left ovary which confirms (in theory) that I have ovulated.

I have to call my Dr this afternoon to get the results.

She also mentioned that a collapsed follicle will hang around if the egg has been fertilised. HERE'S HOPING!!!!

Even if I'm not pregnant this month, just the fact that I'm ovulating is such a blessing. I LOVE MY BAND!

Congratulations all you newly banded ladies!

I think we all go through the whole "what the heck have I done" stage. Trust me it is all worth it!

Kyla - I had a giggle at your breath comment. I remember waking up one morning thinking.... what is that smell. I was horrified when I realised it was my breath!

The things we do!

Bel

Woo Hoo! Isn't it an amazing feeling!

You'll never see the 200's again!

Keep going strong,

Bel

I had quite a lot of pain around my port area which is on my right side. I was unable to sleep on that side for a couple of weeks.

Hi Bookworm,

I have been banded since January of this year. I can pretty much eat anything I like and in that time have only slimed about 3 times (my own fault of not chewing properly) and have only ever had 1 PB (again not chewing properly).

I have fantastic restriction at the moment but am very careful not to overeat and to chew, chew, chew.

The only things that I can now not have as much of is wine and coffee. If I have too much of either I get and acidic feeling in my stomach the next morning which isn't nice.

Everyone is different and the band affects them in different ways. Just do your best to follow your Dr's rules and you should be fine!

Hope this helps.

Bel

Lastly, say you needed a pacemaker. Although not happy about it, would you tell your cardiac specialist "OH NO. Other people don't need pacemakers. That is the WEAK way out. No thank you" Or would you be regretful that you need it but glad it's there, and GET IT INSTALLED?

I think of the band as a pacemaker for my appetite. I'm not weak, lazy, useless, easily swayed, incapable. Neither is anyone else on here.

WHAT A FANTASTIC WAY OF LOOKING AT IT!!!

I can't even see your scar! That is fantastic!!!!

I have 5 small scars. At first they were very purple but are fading nicely. I've been banded just over 6 months and haven't applied anything to them.

Bel

Well said pool girl!

I think you will find most of us have been through this!

I live in a small town and run a business there so just about everyone knows me. I've told nobody that I've had surgery. It's none of their business and I don't need their opinions.

Do what is best for you. Think long and hard about why you want it.

The band is just a tool to help you. It's not an easy way out. You still have restrictions to what and how much you can eat even though your mind will tell you that you want more.

I'm glad that I had this done in my early 30's and wish now that I had of had it done 10 years ago rather than stuggling for those years trying to lose weight.

This has been the first time in my life that I have felt 'in control' about my eating habits.

Whatever decision you make it will be the right one for you.

Good luck with it all!

Congratulations Kiss! I hope to be pregnant this year!!!

Just Banded,

I was banded in January to lose weight and hopefully correct my PCOS symptoms. I would only get a cycle about three times a year.

I was banded on the 29th of January and so far have lose just over 30 pounds. My cycle is now back to 33 days on the dot.

I am going for an ultrasound sometime this month to check my ovaries again and see what is going on.

Getting my band was the best thing I ever did. I stuggled with my weight for years and finally I now have a tool that can help me get to goal!

Good luck!

I have been banded for 6 months tomorrow. Here are my progress pics.

So far I have lost around 15kg (32 pounds???). Best thing I have ever done!

Lucky you eye! I'm jealous!!!!

I have a phone appointment with my dietitian on the 10th of Jan and I'm hoping she will allow me to go to mushies then, but if not then it's only another couple of days.

I hope everyone is doing well and healing nicely!

Bel

Hello all!

I am back home recovering! Had my surgery at 1.15pm on Thursday and was out of the hospital by 9.30am the next morning. I hated staying in the hospital and couldn't wai to get out. The surgeon was surprised to see me sitting up with my bag packed by the time he came to see me in the morning. I wanted to go home and sleep!

I have been stuggling to get my fluids down. I called the dietitian this morning as I was worried that I wasn't drinking enough, however I have this feeling of fullness and I'm worried I might move the band if I keep going.

She told me to keep sipping as I need to get everything working again. My diaphragm might be tight which is giving me the feeling. She also asked about my stool movements. :tongue: This morning was the first time I went and I did stuggle a little. She told me this could also be why I have that tight feeling across my tummy and that I should take some Benefibre and some pear juice. I couldn't find pear juice at the shop, so I've just grabbed the benefibre. Fingers crossed this helps.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Bel

Thanks for your replies ladies! I am just a bit of a stresser and was really cranky with myself for slipping up.

I have spoken with my dietitian and she said it will be fine and that I can still rid myself of the glucogen (sp??) stores before Thursday.

Hey Kiz - yep Thursday is the big day. I can't wait. I am so sick of being so hungry all the time!

Thanks again everyone,

Bel

We went out for dinner last night and I mindlessly drank a rather large glass of red wine without even noticing it!

I am really upset with myself and am now hoping that I haven't stuffed this whole pre diet up.

It has been a huge wake up call for me. How can anyone drink a whole big glass of wine and not even taste it or realise they have drank it! :scared2:

I have tried to call my dietitian this morning, but I'd say that they are closed today.

I don't know what to do!!!!

Great to see there are a few of us scheduled for the 29th!!

I have been for all of my pro-op appointments and am still really excited about the surgery. It is still in the back of my mind that there are risks, but I think the slight risk is well worth it!

How is everyone else going with their pre-surgery schedule?

I am on a liquid diet and i'm HUNGRY!!! :cursing:

One of the benefits of banding is the feeling of fullness... THAT I CAN'T WAIT FOR!

Here's a thought: Your fiance could help you out here by drinking more Water. If he stays well hydrated it would probably thin out his bodily fluids plus it would be a health benefit to him.

Maybe he could help you by drinking half himself! :thumbup::cool2::thumbup:

JOKES!

Gee I thought that once you were married you didn't have to do that anymore???? LOL

Sorry that I can't help, but I'm a quitter!