Heather_8.1.14

I lost 26lbs within the first 3 weeks and I am still gaining and losing the same 3lbs. Im really discouraged I havent had anything done to my band since my slight unfill when I was 11 weeks, and half the time now my band still feels tight so I am not able to eat as much as I should be since Im breastfeeding. I really wish I could get more of this weight off faster.

This might sound a little off the wall, but have you considered INCREASING your calorie intake by 200cal a day? Nursing takes a lot out of you (no pun intended), but as your baby gets older they require more (obviously) and for that, you might try to increase your food intake. Now, obviously that doesnt mean having a few handfuls of Cookies, try to keep the calories healthy, but honestly, I am having the same problem. I KNOW that I am not eating enough to do both and that is why my loss is stalling. I have started drinking Protein shakes to give myself more calories and Protein. Maybe try incorporating a shake or two during the day as well?

Good luck hun!

I am 5 weeks PP and not having trouble with my band. I think my only complaint is how my port is currently sitting. It seems like its sitting higher then it used to, but I know with all the stretching in my muscle walls it probably is just having a freak out in there, and Im hoping as I continue to lose the baby weight and get my muscles back together that it will settle back into its place.

I have noticed that after giving birth that my band seems tighter then it was. Although I am also under a tremendous amount of stress due to my personal life I am not sure which to chalk it up to. I dont plan to get a fill for awhile since I am breastfeeding and already having a bit of trouble consuming enough calories for me and to produce a decent amount of milk.

Wow! Congrats!! I wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy!

I am 5 weeks PP and I have not had my band refilld yet. After giving birth to my son all the sudden my band became a lot tighter and I am actually having some trouble getting all of the calories in that I need (I am breastfeeding). I am drinking Protein shakes to add calories and Protein where I am not able to eat it.

My suggestion is see how you feel a few weeks after delivery. Your hormones are going to be all over the place and can cause your band to tighten like mine (some women notice their band getting tighter during their TOM as well)

Good luck!!!!

No, I've never gotten a fill, I had a slightly unfill at 11 weeks. I dont think your doctor is going to fill you if you are pregnant though. Hang in there hun! You might not have gotten the whole morning sickness hit yet LOL.

I am kind of distressed over how much I've gained so far in my pregnancy, and also still having about 10 weeks to go. My goal was to gain 15lbs TOTAL and for my past two check ups (still going once a month) I have gained 15lbs EACH time! So I am up to 30lbs gained at 29 weeks.

I am so afraid to put any more weight on. I lost 75lbs before I got pregnant and watching the scale go back up is really upsetting. I understand I have to gain for the baby etc...but I never intended to gain twice as much as I *should* have gained.

So what did you guys gain during your pregnancy? Did you find it easier or harder to get it off (or, the bigger question, HAVE you been able to get it off?)

Thanks!

Good luck on your weight loss journey and your TTC journey. I was banded on 2.22.10 and got pregnant in October of '10. I was about 8 months post op and had lost 75lbs. My surgon knew ahead of time that one of my main reasons for this sugery was so that I could have a healthy pregnancy. When my husband I felt we were ready, I asked for my surgons "blessing", she told me that she was very proud of my success and my loss, as well as my health conditions improving, and gave me the OK to get pregnant.

So here I am starting my 3rd trimester of pregnancy I am due at the end of July and baby and I are doing great

My little one was transverse for the longest time and would head butt my port. It would KILL. Now my port is sore more then anything and I can feel some of the scar tissue tearing a little, which can be pretty painful.

My port sticks out like a turkey timer, to the extent people will touch it thinking its a foot and then go "OMG WHAT IS THAT?!" hahahahaa

She was amazing. So very nice and took her time with me. I was banded on 3/18/11. I went through an eight month process with her. I have already lost 8 pounds...not hungry, just sore and tired right now. I have been on Clear Liquids. Magee Hospital is a wonderful place, I am so glad that I went through the process there.

I am SO glad to hear it went well! Make sure when you go for your fills ask for Gina, she is AMAZING! Good luck to you

Congrats, Dr Hamad was an amazing surgon and her team is amazing!! She has such a great bedside manor and will really put your mind at ease! She banded me on 2.22.10.

How far into your process are you?

GOOD LUCK!!

Dont be nervous!! Be excited I got pregnant 8 months post band and was about 65lbs down. I am currently 19wks and so far my pregnancy has been going well.

The first trimester was a little rough because I had some pretty bad morning sickness, and my band decided to get a death grip on my stomach which made the vomiting that much worse, so at 11wks I had 1.6cc's of Fluid removed and I have been doing muuuch better. I had lost almost 10lbs due to being sick and have gained 6lbs back so far, so Ive pretty much "broke even" so far.

As for my port area, my son is transverse right now and his head is right there, so he likes to headbutt it from time to time, it doesnt hurt, but feels a little weird. I will say because of my port being flipped and angled, mine sticks out like a turkey timer LOL. However everyone is different so its going to vary from one person to another.

Good luck to you and I wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy!

I wish I could be of some help, but I am planning to be done having kids by the time I'm 30 (I have an 8yr old, a 2yr old, and Im currently pregnant again)

I agree with one of the the other posters, is your home a place you wouldnt feel safe raising a child or would you ideally just like more room and or other luxeries that would suit a child more (backyard, own room, etc).

As for the age thing, modern medicine has come such a long way and I would be certain you could have a very happy and healthy pregnancy at 34,35,36, etc...

Good luck to you!!!

Honestly, maybe you should try to get the baby weight off first before TTC. I know its not the advice Im sure you want to hear, but you were banded for a reason, for weight loss and to be healthy. Getting a fill while TTC isnt going to be the answer, since you are already experiencing problems you'll more then likely have to get that Fluid removed again.

I know the struggle of wanting to lose weight but wanting another baby at the same time. I was banded and within 2 months I wanted to be pregnant so badly, but I told myself I had a ways to go, and that the end result was going to be soooo much more worth it. I lost 75lbs and thats when my husband and I TTC and because I did so well with my WL, I got pregnant within the first try

Good luck, and I hope you make the decision you feel is best for you

I have Keystone and I got my approval after everything was sent to them in 24 hours. It was the surgery date that took a little longer, because of having to go by the doctors schedule.

Your best bet is to call on Monday. Call the surgon, call the insurance company. The harder you push the faster this will go through. GOOD LUCK!!

For those who have been pregnant with the band did you have Fluid taken out? I've been having problems eating the past few weeks and my husband has demanded I get my Fluid taken out. I have an appt on 2/1 to get 1cc taken out but my dr hasnt had experience with pregnant women and the band so Im a little worried

Im due 7/27/11

#1. Surgery date? Feb 22, 2010

#2. State you live in? PA

#3. Doctor/Surgery Center? Dr Hamad/Magee Womens Hospital

#4. Insurance or self pay? Insurance

#5. Age and height 25 5'6

#6. Current weight and goal weight? My stats are 281/266/170

#7. What was your deciding factor for having this surgery? I have been overweight since having kids and I've had the worst time trying to get it off. I'm too young to be this heavy. My husband and I would also like another child but I am not in any shape to get pregnant right now

#8. Do you have the support of family and friends? I do. And I have found so many wonderful guys and gals on here who are just so amazing

#9. Concerns and questions? Nope, just glad to have people to walk this road with :biggrin:

Hi all. I'm 6 days post op and I'm tired of wearing yoga pants or pj bottoms, and I'd like to wear jeans.

Do you think its ok to wear them now? When did you start wearing them again?

Thanks!

I'm going to follow you I am getting ready to be banded on the 22nd. Here is a link to my blog as well :thumbup: Happy Banding and good luck!!

The Road to Normalsville

Hi. I'm from Pittsburgh and I'm currently 4 months into my 6 month diet. I am being banded by Dr Hamad at Magee Womens Hospital. I meet with her Nov 10th for my consult, then hopeful to be banded in January :blushing: Good luck to you!

Hi. I'm Heather and I am new here. I just met with my PCP today and she has agreed that its time for me to take the steps to get some help with my weight loss, and gave me the name and number of Giselle Hammad. I am attending her seminar on August 7th at Magee, and I was wondering if any of you out there has gone through her. I've heard from my doc's office that she is great.

Also, after I get my approval from my insurance, what should I anticipate next? What is the time frame I am looking for from testing to surgery day? I am a stay a home mom so I can get a lot of my testing done as quickly as they can schedule it.

Thanks!

Heather