Hello Lap Banders -

I am 8 months pregnant and having my lap band removed today. It's been a long ride but I haven't been able to eat solids in at least a year and now liquids are giving me a hard time too, plus having acute abdominal pain and they ruled everything else out... I've had the lapband in for nearly 2 years and with no fill since 6 months in. The doctors don't think it's a slippage and couldn't see what is wrong but from my research and reading I am thinking this might be the esophageal enlargement issue?!?

In any case, I am nervous first and foremost to have the surgery while pregnant since they cannot monitor the baby during the laproscopy, and also so nervous about future weight gain. I had lost 102lbs in my first year and even with almost or no fill, but now I'm worried I will lose control, especially given the pregnancy. But I can't keep living on Soup and ice cream my whole life, not to mention that right now even those won't stay down...

Has anyone been through anything like this and/or had their band removed during pregnancy?

I am also concerned about post op pain and recovery since my post op after putting the lap band in was AWFUL!!!

Any advice and words of wisdom are welcome!

Thanks!

Jo

Wow how awful. I'd be scared out of my mind.

Why did you wait over a year get it fixed? And being as you've already waited this long, why not wait a couple more weeks until you safely deliver the baby?

Just curious.

I waited because neither me nor the surgeon were sure what was going on in there, and given that the lapband can be moody and inconsistent sometimes I thought that maybe it would get better. I think I am also very afraid of gaining all the weight back and loosing 'control'...

The OB team and my GI feel that at this point in my pregnancy not being able to keep down any food and recently even liquids for another 2 months and medicating the pain for that length of time would be worse for the baby then removing the lapband. I've been on an IV since Wednesday just to stay hydrated... So even though I'm nervous about this on several levels, I do trust doctors' recommendation.

So sorry for your troubles JoJo. Wishing you an easy procedure and a quick recovery.

SO Sorry your experiencing this during a time meant to bring you tremendous JOY. I can't comment on being pregnant and removal but I would trust your Doctors at this point the Safety of you and your baby are what is most important Congratulations on your impending delivery and ENJOY that New LIFE!!!!

JoJo

How did the removal go? Are you able to keep things down now and doing better?

As I'm going through posts..I came across this one. Was wondering if there is an update you would like to share. Currently thinking about trying soon.