RockerGirl

Hi Everyone, I am 16 weeks pregnant and starting to definitely show. I was wondering if the port is going to show when I really start to protrude. I can and always have been able to feel my port easily under the skin but now I really wonder what the port will look like with a big pregnant belly. What did your pregnant belly and port look like? Did you have any issues or do you have any recommendations for a fellow pregnant bander? I would love to hear all!!! Thanks!

Hi Everyone! Just checking back in with you all. Sounds like everyone is doing great! :clap2: I had my dr appt yesterday. All was good. I got to hear the babies heartbeat again...love that! We also found out it's going to be a little boy!!! WWWOOOOOHOOOOO!!! :whoo: Hubby and I were so happy. His expression was priceless when the tech said, Dad you're having a son! I'm up 12lbs already but the Dr didn't really scold me or anything....he said that it may just be a growth spurt but if I continue to gain this quickly we may have to talk about eating healthier and exercise....ugh. :faint:I guess I will try to be good but it's the holidays and this is such a hard time for me already. Doesn't help that I'm going to The Melting Pot for dinner tonight with some girlfriends or that there is a cookie exchange this weekend! Lol, oh well I don't really care all too much because I know that I have my band to help me afterwards right. I am starting to wonder if the port will show once I start to get bigger. I have always been able to feel it, even right after surgery and where it is placed (under my left breast about 2-3 inches down) doesn't have too much chub over it. How about you guys? Does your port show? Have you had any band related issues in pregnancy? This is my first pregnancy and everything is soooo new! :help:

Thanks for the replies and well wishes! :biggrin1: It is good to hear that one does show and one doesn't....i guess I will just have to wait and see. I will keep you all updated. So far I have not had ANY band related issues but I got a COMPLETE unfill as soon as I found out. I was too nervous about morning sickness and throwing up and didn't want to risk any possiblity of messing up my band or putting the little one in any danger. It has been very uneventful so far. My only real concerns now are what complications or issues will the band have during labor, with the pushing and so forth? If anybody has any insight or further info on the port showing question please let me know. This is my first pregnancy and everything is new. Thanks!!!!

Yes, I love Dr Ortiz too! His staff is amazing. Did you get a complete unfill or did you leave some in. I'm thinking I should have left some but I'm hesitant to go back since I really dislike getting anything done without fluro. It was really a pain to find the port without the fluro when I got my unfill. THe Dr had to keep trying cause it kept sticking in the port plastic and not in the part that he needed to get to with the needle. I guess I worry about getting a leak and it's not worth ruining my band over but man do I miss my band and the restriction and control it gave me. I have absolutely no self-control and now I feel like I'm gaining much too quickly. I will just have to try and watch myself I guess. Oh well. I am due May 13th. I have my next OB appt on Mon. the 5th. I'm hoping to hear the heartbeat at this appt. Next week starts my second trimester! :whoo: Woohoo!!! Have you guys thought about names and good stuff like that. I have already scheduled a 3-D ultrasound for my 16th week because I HAVE to know the gender ASAP. Rainey, I bought the Intelligender test too! I took it on Monday and it said I was having a boy. I would be completely thrilled with either or but if I had any say in the matter I would prefer a boy first. How did your test go?

Hi Everyone, I am 12 weeks pregnant and so happy to have found this thread! :whoo: This is my first pregnancy and I am trying to be careful to make sure that I don't go overboard on the weight gain. I am going to work very hard to only gain the recommended amount. I found this calculator that I thought would be good to share with the group since we are all focused on a healthy pregnancy. Weight Gain Calculator for pregnancy. Weight gain when pregnant. One of the things I read that I am very excited about is that the pregnancy weight is so much easier to lose with the help of our bands! Gawd, I love my band. I had a complete unfill at 8 weeks and it has been really hard not to go all out. I have to admit that I have not been eating very healthy (too much fast food and dining out) since my unfill. I'm inbetween my regular clothes and maternity clothes right now. So I decided to go to our outlets and stock up on some work clothes that are 2-3 times larger than my normal size. The Lane Bryant Outles has some very cute career and casual clothes that I am wearing now and I think they will work just as good on the 9 months down. Well, I wanted to introduce myself and say Hi. Here's to a very healthy and happy 9 months to all of us! :clap2:

The 10cc band is the 4cc band. Here's how it was explained on another forum- There are two issues here: 1) Band size 2) Fill volume There are three sizes of Inamed Lap Bands. The size refers to the inner diameter of the band. The 3 band sizes as per Inamed are 9.75 cm, 10.0 cm, and the VG (the Vanguard, which I believe is 11cm, but all the reps call it VG, no-one calls it the '11') Fill volume: The 9.75 and 10 cm bands can hold a maximum of about 4cc of saline. The VG holds a max of about 10 cc of saline. Hope this info helps to clarify any confusion out there regarding band sizes. =)

Girl You hit the nail on the head there. I couldn't agree more!!! =)

Night all...it's 9:20 here and I'm calling it a night. Thanks to everyone here and stay strong team! Have a great evening.

Hi Jeanette...I get banded with Dr. Ortiz on the 25th! Maybe we'll see each other in Lucerna. =)

I think you are a source of inspiration and strenght for all of us here.:rose: You have a real gift BabyGB. It's so cool to read your posts. We currently live in Florida but are hoping by the end of this year or early next year to relocate back home to San Diego. But my famly is still in SD so coming to get a fill will be great since I can do both..visit my Mom and get a fill. Tickets are so reasonable, other the holidays, that it's a great excuse to come home. BTW...I am so happy that I switched Docs. Lori has already made me feel so much more comfortable with the whole procedure. Before I was real nervous of traveling alone and the whole procedure but after reading your experience, visiting the website, researching online, talking to Lori on email and seeing peoples scar stages on this site my nerves are at ease...well naturally I'm alittle anxious but I'm no longer questioning if I should go through with it. I'll be sure to tell everyone at the office that Audree says Hello! :biggrin1: I am going to register on Dr Ortiz's website so we can all coordinate fill dates and anniversary celebrations. The January Bandsters are an awesome group. I can't wait to be a real January bandita too. :bandit Hey, maybe that's what I'll name mine. She can be Bandita. Patience has never been my thing. Guess that's one of the reasons I battle weight...I like instant satisfaction/gratification. Everyday has been a constant battle for me. I know that may sound like an exageration but it's true. I always tried to start the day off positive...I would eat healthy, or follow my new diet, or exercise and day after day I would go to bed so angry at myself. I am just so happy and relieved that I am taking the step, with my new band buddies behind me, to end this crazy vicious cycle. Rock on Girls!!! :rockon:

Hi All! I'm new to posting but have been reading (lurking) :rose: for over a week now. In fact, it was because of you guys, Audrey YOU ROCK, that I have started to stop worrying and start getting really excited for this awesome change that we are all going through together! I can't wait till I'm through with the pre-op and onto the post-op with everyone. I am getting banded with Dr. Ortiz next Thursday, Jan 25th, and then I have to be back to work on Monday. I really hope that I'll be up and going like everyone since I haven't told anyone (except my Mom and my husband) and I work with mostly men and they WOULD NOT understand. I have all my supplies and even though I am going down to have the surgery alone, my Mom will be here waiting for me when I come home to nurse me back to health over the weekend. :sick She's such a sweety. My husband is deployed and comes home in March. :clap2: I know this that 2007 is going to be an awesome year for all of us! This is our year to finally get a hold of our biggest obstacle and for me anyways, a daily battle. I am really looking forward to the day that I wake up and don't hate myself for failing at another diet and going to the closet trying to find something that fits comfortably.

Hi Everyone! I have had trouble logging in for the last week but finally got that resolved. I am being banded next Thursday, Jan 25th and couldn't be more excited...and nervous too. But that's normal, right. :nervous I want to tell you all how awesome this forum is to have. Audrey...you are too cool for words. Because of you I am so inspired and motivated! :clap2: I can't thank you enough. I even switched Dr's last week because of all the great things you've had to say. Yep! Lori got me in with Dr. Ortiz! Coolest part is that I'm originally from San Diego and family still lives there so it's a perfect fit! I truly appreciate all your advice, honesty, and courage. Let's keep in touch and we can meet down there for fills! :rose: I haven't told anyone except my Mom and my husband but yet I feel like I have a whole group of friends supporting me because of this site. My husband is deployed and I'm going to be going to surgery alone so if anyone else is going to be banded by Dr Ortiz on the 25th feel free to shoot me a note...it would be nice to have someone there to be nervous with and share some broth with after surgery at the hotel.

Hi Everyone! This site totally rocks! I have found sooooo much information. I am scheduled to be banded on 27 January and am very excited but also nervous. My doctor is Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey.