WendyII

What if you pierced the tube that goes to the port somehow and damaged it? Also where the heck do you live that you have to go 1000 miles for a fill? There are like 10 places I could go to in my area. I admit, I've also thought about doing it myself, but would be too chicken. I'm be afraid I would poke something I shouldn't and bleed to death.

I have this issue too. Sometimes I will get restriction after only a couple of bites and my lower stomach will still be very hungry or I just know I need more nutrition to survive the day. So I will put it away and go back to it in 30 min or an hour.

Hi and GOOD LUCK with this pregnancy. I'm glad you got to see the US. You should not have to demand that given your situation. I hope you find a really good doctor in California and that everything is perfect with this baby. I have had 2MCs in the past year and I'm going to the doc in a few weeks. I am going to order the blood work for Thrombophelia. It seems like a pretty easy test and there are a lot of things you can take (including the shots). I wouldn't have thought to ask about this if I hadn't read your post. You and your family will be in our prayers.

In June I went to my gyno for a check up and he saw my scars and I told him about my band. He said that his banded patients do GREAT with pregnancy. He said that the only thing you have to watch is that you're getting enough nutrients because of absorbtion issues. So I'm thinking he's got lapband and bypass surgery confused. So then I went for a fill and the PA at the weight loss clinic asked me if I'm taking my chewable Vitamin. I said no, I just take a regurlar vitamin as they don't seem to get stuck. She says oh well you should take the chewable because the body absorbs them better. Now I'm confused. Does the band have any impact on how the body absorbs the nutrients out of food?

I just found this article on losing weight during pregnancy. It's Safe For Obese Moms-to-be To Lose Weight During Pregnancy, New Research Finds

I think when you're heavy that losing some weight during pregnancy is not unhealthy. How COULD it be unhealthy? The baby will get what it needs. I've read mixed reviews from good sources for both arguements. I would say that you should use common sense. Make sure the calories you do consume are very healthy and take the prenatal Vitamins. Maybe you can lose 10-15 before the third trimester and then be at a zero sum gain by the time you deliver.

I was banded 4/17. I hopped to have 40 pounds gone by now but I'm bounching around between 16-20. I just had my 4th fill yesterday. 7.5ccs in my 11cc band. Today is the first day I haven't felt hungry. Hope this feeling lasts.

I just want to say to the OP, that my 4th fill has given me a little more control. I'm just not hungry today like I've been over the past two weeks. Hope this feeling sticks with me. I don't think you can really evaluate the success/failure of this band until you've went through the fill process.

I'm in your same situation. I'm going for fill #4 next week. I hope to have some restriction then. Until then, I feel mostly like I did before the band.

My doc said that when you're smaller to begin with it takes more fills for the restriction to really start being noticable. I'm going for my 4th fill since getting banded in April. I've not lost much either but I'm hopeful.

It's good to hear any encouraging words on this topic because I'm in the exact same situation as the OP. I have an 11cc realize band. I was banded April 17 and I'm at 6ccs with three fills and have almost no restriction. I could eat a whole bagle and not have any problems. I'm finding myself slipping back into some of my old habits and it's very disheartening. I've got my 4th fill appointment next week. That will make 4 fills in less than 90 days of getting my band. The doctor said that since I'm on the smaller side that it will take more ccs for me to feel restriction.

I am TTC and just saw my doctor yesterday. He was excited that I had gotten a band and said his patients who are pregnant do GREAT! He didn't mention anything about potential complications.

I would call United and talk to someone. You probably are approved but you need to find out for what? Just the surgery? A percentage or all? Also find out how much post-surgery they cover. I have 100% covered for 1 year.

I am a side/stomach sleeper and was back on my stomach about a week after surgery. I'm three weeks out and I have no pain whatsoever in any sleeping position. I can feel the port and have slight pain when I stand up or bend over but that's about it.

I swore off Gum the day I got my band. I think you'll be ok with the candy though. Good luck.