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.

I appreciate you posting this data. It is interesting and I think most people go into the surgery knowing that there *may* be some post op work needed further down the road. We just all hope it doesn't happen to us. Given that, I wonder what kinds of improvements the bands have undergone since this study. I hope I don't ever lose my band because I really feel it is saving my life.

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.

I was just thinking about this. I just don't ever see myself as someone who is going to get exercise regurlarly. Really all I probably need to add in is cardo. I'm naturally a spaz and probably don't sit sitll for more than 5 minutes at a time. My problem is with food.

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.

BC/BS is different in every state. And just because one BC/BS covers you, doesn't mean if you switch insurance that the other will. For example, Empire Blue approved me at 100% for surger and a year's worth of follow up. If I switch to BC/BS of MI through my husband's insurance it's not necessarily covered.

Here is my theory on this... I started out at 258. My ideal weight on the charts is like 130. There is no way I'm getting to 130 or want to get to 130. I'd be happy at 150 especially if I have a lot of loose skin. So my theory is that many people don't lose "100%" of the weight they are targeted to lose because that is not what they really want to do.

My surgeon told me to wait a year. My goal is to get 50 pounds off (36 more) and then to TTC again. I'm 38 next weekend so I don't want to wait very long. We're going to start TTC in September. That will 5 months. I have been pregnant twice but lost both babies. I'm hoping a lower BMI gives us a better chance this time.

I had the following tests before surgery... Psych Exam (required by insurance) Endrocrine (required by insurance) Chest x-ray Gal Bladder ultrasound 5 vials of blood drawn (don't know what they tested) Breathing test height/weight urine test.

You know, I had a few days of the blues after surgery too. I got sick from the anasthesia and it hit me that I had really done something dramatic to myself. I also had horrid gas pains in my shoulder. BUT - just keep focusing on the long term goal. The next few days will go by quick and you'll start to feel better and better.

I have little restriction, however I've just been measuring my food out and eating six times a day like the doctor said. It is tough at times, but still not as difficult as before. If you really think you're not going to make it to 8 weeks call and see if you can move the appointment up? Don't beat yourself up.

Hey - 30 pounds is GREAT!!!!! Congratulations. Don't worry what other people are thinking or not thinking. You're doing this for you kiddo. They will notice soon enough.

My surgeon uses both and compares the to Coke vs. Pepsi. I got to handle both devices ahead of time and honestly there is very little difference. The port on the Realize band is slightly lower profile so if you get really really skinny there is less of a chance of it sticking out. Some people say the Realize band has better online support but I have been on there using my Realize code and it's just ok.