I am currently 5 weeks pregnant. I know that saline is taken out of the band to lessen food restriction during pregnancy, but I was curious as to whether or not this is something that "must" be done.

If I am able to eat healthy and still take in the required amount of calories without ganing excessive weight, then I don't see why I need to make any changes to the band.

I am curious to know what understanding or experiences my fellow bandsters have with regard to pregnancy and deflating the band.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The official Inamed position is your Band should be deflated completely. However, depending on how much you weigh (usually the more the better for this case), many docs will play with your fill level in order to ensure that you don't gain too much weight, but gain enough. This is a decision that needs to be made by your surgeon and your OB together... so you really need to contact both of them. Even if they want to keep a partial fill in, many surgeons recommend unfilling during your first trimester due to nausea issues... and some will unfill just prior to delivery as well as one often vomits during transition.

Please contact your surgeon and talk with her about it. The first trimester is critical for development... so this is not something you want to procrastinate about. You can unfill now adn then refill in your second trimester, if it seems like you are gaining too fast.

Can you take prenatals? There are some chewable ones out there, or at least there used to be? If not, at least find a chewable with 600-800 mcg folic acid.

So far I have been lucky. No morning sickness - so vomitting hasn't been an issue for me thus far. I have also been on my prenatal Vitamins since late spring. They aren't chewables (I had them in the past as well), but I have been able to swallow and digest the "horse pills" without getting stuck.

Thanks for your input!!!