NewStart95987

I was using Hydro Whey in chocolate and I got it from GNC. I could always find it for about $70 in a 3.5 lb canister. Seems like a lot but it's yummy and I'll drink it. I can't stomach most of the others. 40 grams of protein, 2 carbs and 0 sugar if I recall. Mix it with a little coffee and it tastes just like a mocha!

I'm 28 weeks along and fairly heavy but no sign of the port. Good luck!

In addition to what everyone has here, get some fiber to put in your water! You will have no problem "going at first" because of all the liquids but things will slowly start to back up.

I wish I would have known I would have regular "girly" cycles. I got pregnant soon after surgery and they didn't seem like it was a common thing. I have to see a parinatologist because I have a history of blood clots so I am a high risk pregnancy. I'm 28 weeks now and the specialist laughed when I told her about the "Lap-Band Baby". She said it is VERY easy to get pregnant after band placement, they see it all the time. Also, I put a binder together with good foods/snacks after surgery as well as good recipes. It was helpful but am no longer dieting or had a chance to use my band due to the pregnancy. Best of luck!

Starbucks is yummy BUT like someone mentioned, carbs are hiding. And if you notice on labels for almost anything low fat, low sugar or no sugar doesn't always mean it's truly low or no and it fact it usually means there is a lot more fat in another category. A little trick I learned from a fellow bandster was playing with my protein. For example, my chocolate protein mix, I would add some instant coffee crystals and let them absorb. When cold (I never did blend but would love to have) it tastes just like a mocha. Not exactly Starbucks but play around with it. You would be amazed at how crafty and creative you can get :-) Don't deprive yourself BUT be careful and don't work hard on a pre-op diet to find out that you have been slowing down your weight loss due to lurking carbs. I found this out the hard way.

I was banded in June of 2011. I am now over 6 months pregnant. I didn't think we would ever get pregnant to be honest. It didn't take long and we were shocked! Things are going well and I never have had a fill because I didn't get a chance to. Right after surgery, I was healing, doing my follow ups and ended up moving away from my surgeon for a new job. While I was looking for a new surgeon (many would not even see me since they will not accept patients they didn't operate on) I developed the "flu". It was morning sickness, not the flu. I had all day sickness for the first 4 months and my specialist was worried about the baby being underweight. My last appointment, she is weighing exactly where she should and is super active in there. Focus on the weight loss and let nature take its course. I didn't even get a chance to officially use my band but the added stress of trying to get pregnant will be bad for your weight loss and isn't good for a future mommy and baby. Best of luck!

I hope you get some good news soon. I called after two weeks and ended up finding out I was approved. I cried. I can't tell you how long it took to get approved and how many hoops I had to jump through. It can be so frustrating. I have a friend who had been trying for almost 10 years to get the surgery so I'm thankful it took about 9 months. Keep at it and don't give up!

I have always been irregular but once my band was in place, I was like clock work. That was until I got pregnant. I had my band placed in June of 2011 and I'm now over 6 months pregnant. Yeah, didn't take long. I call her my Lap-Band baby, lol. After the months of research before speaking to a doctor and months waiting for surgery I did not hear anything about the band affecting hormones. It was my check up appointment when I mentioned it to my surgeon who indeed confirmed that Yes, the band can affect hormones.

I had a really scrambled egg about 6 days after the band was in place. No issues getting it down. My surgeons assistant did yell at me for trying so but I had no issues. I was just tired of having diarrhea for days.

Heartburn and acid reflux instantly gone once repaired. I did feel a pulling from where my hernia was repaired up into the left side of my face as if it was sewn up really tight and I was pulling when I would lay back. Pain lasted about a month but no problems since. I didn't know I had one until they went in.

I don't know if this is necessarily right but if I don't start gagging and if it doesn't come up on its own then I take a nice big swig of water. It'll either force it down or force it up.

Congratulations! I was banded June 9th, 2011 before I could get a fill (moved away from surgeon due to transferring properties at work) I was seeking another surgeon when I thought I had the "flu". Wouldn't you know I was pregnant with our first. I'm 6 months along now and doing the math, yeah, didn't take long after the band to get pregnant. I always struggled with irregular periods and as soon as the band was in place, I was monthly. My surgeon said the band does play with your hormones. It's my Lap-Band baby :-) I wasn't sure I would be able to have children and though I never really have yet to have a chance to utilize my band, I'm very thankful and will continue my journey after the baby is born. I'm a high risk pregnancy due to blood clots and my specialist was concerned with me losing too much weight, I quickly lost 10 lbs as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I have stopped my strict diet to make sure I'm not losing a bunch of weight which would effect the babys growth. As for your doctor making you sign a contract about getting pregnant, I think that is nuts. They don't want you to have to halt your progress like myself but you have something bigger to worry about at the moment. I hope you make it to your appointment in March but don't be afraid to go in and get some Fluid out. Best of luck!

I was always irregular and started like clockwork after surgery. After the hundreds of posts and a year of researching the band, my surgeon finally told me after surgery (when I asked at my follow up) that the band CAN affect your hormones. I had not read that ANYWHERE! Wouldn't you know I was banded June of 2011, I'm now almost 5 1/2 months pregnant. Thanks Lap Band! :-) I honestly wasn't sure if my husband and I could have children but it was truly a blessing. Am anxious to jump back on the wagon but for now, I'm focusing on the baby.

P.S. Don't let anyone pressure you into doing a procedure you are not comfrotable with! This is your decision, he may make a recommendation or prefer one of the other BUT this is what YOU will live with the rest of your life.

Honestly, he may of had an "off" day but you should go with your gut. Liking his staff is certainly a plus! I saw my surgeon for the consult and about 5 minutes before surgery. Beyond that, my appointments were done with her assistant or staff which is not something they tell you. Go with your gut or know that someone with better bedside manner may handle your other appointments. If he's a good surgeon, you may want to stick around.... Good luck!

Best of luck and welcome! Load up on broth, take care of yourself, don't over do it while recovering and wear some comfy clothing. My surgeon found a hernia while operating and fixed it. When I went back to work, I had a bra with no under wire that saved my life! Please take it easy and enjoy your down time. Go through the forums and get familiar with others experiences, their advice certainly helped me and put my mind at ease about things. If your having gas pain, invest in a heating pad if you don't have one. Having someone handy to run your shoulders will certainly help and walk your butt off! Keep us posted :-)

Not at all! In fact my band was placed in June and they found a hiatal hernia while doing the procedure. They took a picture of it, fixed it and I was finished. I will say this though, it did give me almost a pulling sensation in the left side of my face as if a nerve was being pulled into my chest when I tried to lay down. It was really irritating and kind of painful but I later noticed my acid reflux was gone. I had a problem on and off with acid and later read that hiatal hernias can be the cause of some acid problems. No more living on Tums for me :-)

I was in the process of moving and had no local surgeon when I found out. I was working on finding a new surgeon when I thought I had the "flu" and found out I was pregnant. Do tell you surgeon at some point but prenatal care is the main concern at this time. The only thing I'm worried about it I have read that many women up to 6 months after giving birth, experience a slip. I'll be sure to find a surgeon in the mean time to make sure I can have things fixed should a problem arise. Just take care of yourself. My specialist is actually more concerned with me not eating enough and the baby being underweight. Now is not the time to worry about weight loss. You can do so in 9 months if necessary. I am a little disappointed because I was doing so well on my own without a fill when I found out I was expecting but making sure you and baby are ok is key.

I was drinking Hydro-whey, in chocolate. I would even add a little coffee and it tasted like a cold mocha. It's a little pricey, I get it at GNC, BUT if you don't like it GNC will take it back, opened, and give you a full refund. Worth a try :-) Good luck! It's worth it if you drink it and don't skip your Protein.

I was banded on June 9th of this year and moved soon after from Nor Cal to So Cal because I transferred properties to another newspaper. I have no Fluid in my band and was in the process of trying to find a surgeon who would touch me, lol. Many surgeons would not do fills on patients they do not operate on. The flu was being passed around at work and I was sure that I caught it! This was Thursday night and I called into work sick on Friday. I just "knew" it would be over by the end of the weekend. To my surprise, I woke up monday morning and was still sick. I went into work but left early for the doctors. No, I didn't have the flu! Thank goodness! I was just pregnant! WHAT!!?!!?!!?!!?!! My husband and I were in SHOCK! I quickly stopped looking for a surgeon and was referred to an OB. I'm now about 7 weeks and 5 days as they guessed but will have my first ultrasound in a week since the doctor couldn't get a clear enough picture on Wednesday. So now I worry! Will my band slip? Will I ever find a surgeon after the baby is born to fill me? Will the baby play with the band? Will my port end up being a play thing to kick? So many questions. Can someone help shed some light? *Side Note- I have always been irregular and once the band was in place, I was monthly!

Indeed, I just posted an update to a topic I started. I was banded June 9, 2011 and will be 5 months pregnant as of this Friday. I'll let you do the math :-) Never had a chance to even get a fill. I'm still down on my weight and besides my complication with my blood clots that are NOT band related, I'm doing well. You may not be but if you are, it's not the end of the world!

Hi ladies! I just wanted to pass along an update. I'll be 20 weeks this Friday. I'm at about 323 lbs and am maintaining well. I'm now seeing a specialist because I have developed blood clots due to the increase in blood flow and hormones, not related to my band. I had a clot 4 or 5 years ago from taking birth control to regulate my cycles and it traveled from my leg to lung causing it to become a PE (Pulminary Embolism). I felt the same sensation in my leg at around 9 weeks and called my OB who sent me straight in for a scan (he knew my clot history) where they found two more clots. I'm now currently on Lovenox injections twice a day at 100 mg each. This medication is $4,900.14 for a one month supply. Thank God for health insurance! I'm now considered very high risk and under a close watch. My doctor is worried about the size of the baby though it has been a bit early to tell. I go in on Tuesday the 10th for a full scan and he will then start to check the fetal size and may send me to a nutritionist. I stopped dieting because me losing weight is not ideal at this time. I could be doing better in my food choices but I could also be doing a lot worst. So for now, my band is on hold and I cannot wait to get back into my routine and start loosing again. I feel for never getting a fill and so quickly getting pregnant that I have been doing well so far on my own. Especially when my heaviest was putting me at 375-380 lbs. I was banded in June of 2011 so it's not even been a year yet. I hope all is well and enjoy your input :-) Also, last scan, they were over 80% sure and I want more confirmation on Tuesday but...... It's a girl

My dear, I was 23 years old (now 24) when I had my band surgery. At my heaviest I was 375-380 lbs. I have been banded for less then a year and was scared to death. Not only of the whole "surgery" thing but because I have a history of blood clots. I have been married for 2.5 years to the one and only person that I would allow myself to really open up to and allow in. I was always one of the cool girls who the boys never thought of me as more then a good friend. I'm going to be 3 months along with my pregnancy on Friday. I attribute this to my surgery. I didn't think I could get pregnant. I always had irregular cycles or non at all for upwards towards 9 months! I wouldn't change a thing and though I cannot use my band it is allowing me to move on with things I never thought I could like a family. I am currently 338 lbs, a lot better then where I was AND I am pregnant. No fills because I got pregnant before so and it's not recommended to have Fluid when pregnant. E-mail me anytime, I would be happy to talk and share my experience. Best of luck and hope to hear from you soon! Heather

I was under the impression that all I needed to pay was the $3,000 non professional fee to my surgeon that insurance won't cover. I have had an additonal bill after another from my surgeon, her assistant, the hospital and others. I'm not a happy camper when this is now over $7,000 that I paid out of pocket AND I had insurance! They paid for 80% of it. The extra costs are killing me! I was banded in June and still just 2 weeks ago recieved another bill. Anyone else experience this? Wouldn't the surgeon's office be nice enough to warn you? I specifically asked the surgeon and my insurance about this type of thing and was told not to worry.

Both the insurance and surgeon assures me its all legit. I have been fighting but to no avail :-( It's really frustrating when I specifically asked these questions before surgery and was assured I was good to go. Insurance blames the surgeon, surgeon blames the insurance.