jgandg

Hi Everyone, I had an incident last weekend where I vomited a small amount of blood. I just came back from an upper GI series and the radiologist said he could only see the band, not the pouch, that the band was at the top of my stomach. I think I know the answer to this will be surgical revision, but I guess I'm hoping to hear from someone who has been through this that there is another answer. Thanks!

I was banded in September 2006, had a baby in November 2007, and here I am, weighing the same. I never got enough restriction before I became pg. The good thing is I only gained 15 pounds during my pregnancy, and it all came off within a few week post partum. But here I am, back at the same weight. I went to my dr's for a fill, and have the next fill in one month. But I'm feeling skeptical, b/c the band never seemed to work for me. I would feel restriction, but hunger. Wanted to eat again about an hour later. This is not how it is supposed to be, is it? Why are dr's so conservative with the fills? Is it possible I just never got enough restriction?

Thanks everyone. My fear is not gaining a reasonable amount - say, between 15-25 lbs - but gaining much more. We'll see what happens at the doctor's office. Thanks again.

I am 5 weeks pg () and wondering if I can refuse an un-fill. It is my surgeon's offices' practice to un-fill during pregnancy, but I am at a level of restriction that, when combined with Weight Watchers, has me losing about 1 lb per week. I can easily increase my Protein and veg to be on the moderately gaining side. I am seeing my ob next Tuesday and will speak with her about it too. Any past experiences or anecdotes related to pregnancy and the band are appreaciated. THANK YOU!

Thanks Julie. I have an appointment for a fill next Monday and I'm going to share my concerns with the PA. I'm just hoping I'm not denied a fill b/c of my weight gain.

Thank you all so much. I really, really appreciate the support. I'm hoping next week's fill will give me restriction and help to keep my mind off food.

That does help, thank you! I have an Inamed band, I don't know the size. I've had 1 fill that was 1.0 and the 2nd was .5, I think. I'll ask at my next appointment. Is that a normal fill amount? Can it take more than 2-3 to feel proper restriction? I am drinking a lot of Water, but some days are better than others. There are definitely days when it's 5PM and I'm like "OMG I've only had about 16 ounces today". So I can be more consistent there. My exercise has been limited to walks. I walk until I get slightly out of breath and try to stay that way for about 15 minutes until taking it easy again. I do this about 3x per week.

:think I was banded in September and have gained back any weight I lost pre-band. Only lost 2 lbs since being banded. I've had 2 fills, and feel very little restriction, unless I am nervous. For some reason I can't eat much then. But most of the time I can - and have been - eating whatever I want. I know this is MY fault, that I should be on a diet. I also know that when I go to my surgeon's office for my next fill (next week) and they see that the scale has gone up, I'll get a lecture. I'm just so annoyed at myself, but also at the band - b/c so far, it's not working. I feel the same as before, except like I said, when I'm nervous. Does it get better? Will I have more "will power" when I have restriction?????

Wow. I can't believe how powerful it is. I had my first fill a few days ago, and it takes less food for me to feel full, but I still want to eat. I mean, I really want to eat! How does everyone deal with this?

Thanks for the good wishes~ It went pretty well. The needle that contained the novocaine was the only thing that hurt, and it wasn't painful really, just a little sting and slight burning for about 3 seconds. I got 1 cc, and already had .5 in there, so I'm at 1.5cc. I have to say I felt it in a few hours. I was eating Soup, and I just wanted to stop. I couldn't believe it, I was full! Normally I could have continued eating; I think I had about 3/4 of what I normally would have had. For anyone with upcoming adjustments, it really was ok, and I'm normally not ok with needles. And the best part is you finally feel like you're really starting with the band.

I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited. I haven't weighed myself in a few weeks because I've been eating like I was pre-band, and I have a feeling I gained back any weight I lost. I am really looking forward to getting the weight loss started!

Thank you Alicia! See, my doc's office didn't really say that this wasn't a time for healing, and you are so right, the bad habits are hard to break. Teresita, I threw out all desert-y things. Thank goodness we don't have kids or Halloween night would have been torture!

I usually eat the crackers plain. But I put raspberry sauce on the cheese blintzes.:omg: Again, something I need to not allow in my house.

Thanks Tersita! My snack weakesess are crackers, and lately cheese blintzes from Trader Joes. :embarassed:

Thanks everyone. I have managed to keep off the weight I lost during pre-op, and you are sooo right - I need to not even bring the sweets into the house. Just keep them away. I like the idea of starting exercise by simply stretching; it's been so long since I've done any real strenusous physical activity that just the thought of it makes me feel like a failure. But stretches, yes - I can do that. I can walk too, so maybe I'll add a short walk to my lunch hour. I think I just want to be "perfect" at this from the start, and then I feel like a failure when it doesn't happen.