Good morning ladies....

I am new to the board and have a question regarding opening my band....I am 4 weeks pregnant and was wondering when to have my band opened up. Its pretty tight now and I can mostly only get liquids and Soups in during the early part of the day...after 1 or 2. My band usually relaxes after 5 or 6 so I eat a pretty normal dinner but there are days when its completely uncooperative and I don't get much down. I have never been able to eat much meat and have gotten most of my Protein from shakes, supplements, fish and cheeses. I am very concerned (more like freaking out) about gaining weight but there is a strong possiblity I am carrying multiples so my doctor is very concerned about my diet and protein intake.

When did everyone have their band opened and how quickly did you start gaining. I will do what my doctor asks but I am scared of the weight gain. Any helpful tips, ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much!!!!

That is a great question.... Have you told your LB Doctor? What does he/she say? I would think that as long as you are eating and getting nutrients to the baby... you should be good. Continue to take your Vitamins . and maybe get in some extra smoothies with extra Protein. Track your intake of calories and protein and then bring it to your OB and ask if what your eating is enough to sustain one/or more babies...

I have seen on this site, women that get preg and have the band "relaxed".... and gain a lot of weight. So be careful if you do that....

In a normal pregnancy (one baby), you should expect to gain about 25lbs or so.

Was your goal to lose weight to have a baby?

Good luck and congrats .....

My goal was to lose weight to be healthy....then have a baby. My weight was not the overriding reason we could not get pregnant. I was always told getting pregnant would be a challenge for me for other health issues and because my husband is a diabetic. I have not been to my regular OB yet because I am still under my RE's care. We did IVF and I will be released from them at 8 weeks. This is my RE's concern and I still have to contact my regular Endo and bariatric doctor. Just was hoping to get an idea of a time frame first.

Stupid question... but, what is an RE?

Not a stupid question...its a Reproductive Endocrinologist...

Hi teacher girl. It sounds too me Lyk your band may be too tight at the moment. Especially if you can only get down ssoups and liquids before 2. Be very careful though u may initially lose weight this way eventually u will start to gain weight again (this happened to me). Your band has to be in the right zone, too loose or too tight can cause major concern. Try removing a small amount to start with. You should be able to eat a healthy chicken salad and be satisfied afterwards in the right zone. I advise doing this asap as it sounds to me that you aren't in the zone. But if you do wait the 6 week mark is usually when morning sickness will begin and it's very important to be able to get some nutrients to you and your baby during this time as eating can become very difficult at this stage. Good luck and keep us informed.

P.s I'm 10 weeks pregnant and I have a sustainable amount in my band where I can still eat enough for baby and me but I don't overeat.

I am hoping to make it without removing liquid one has not been tight so hoping even with some swelling I'll still be good!

Good luck with your pregnancies ladies. We are 5 weeks

I'd agree with a couple posts above...it sounds like you might be a tad too tight as it is right now.

I'm 36w5d pregnant and haven't had to have an adjustment...I do have to eat a smaller amount for Breakfast, but a normal (for me) size lunch and dinner, plus a couple Snacks in there too. I've been craving milk, so I'm getting more Protein from milk throughout the day as well.

I had decided early on to not worry about weight gain and if I needed an unfill, I'd cross that bridge when I came to it. It's about getting enough nutrients to your baby, BUT as far as "eat an extra 300 calories a day" philosophy...yeah, I haven't done that so much. Still eating what I was eating before, plus some extra milk...and OJ (another craving!) My baby is right on track for how far along I am...not too big or too small. And I've only gained about 15 pounds or so with about 3 weeks to go!

I've also been waking up lately at like 3am, hungry! So that's new. Ha! I'll have some milk and a piece of toast and normally that is plenty to make it to breakfast.

Good luck, mama!!

I agree with one of the other posters. It sounds like your band might be a little snug right now. Dont feel stressed or anxious if you have to get some Fluid removed. I had fluid removed when I was 11 weeks pregnant because all of the sudden it felt like my band had a death grip on my stomach. I had gained a little more then anticipated but I got the majority of the weight off within about 4 weeks after having my son.

Good luck!