cathys

Hi there, Don't worry about what you should and should not be eating in pregnancy...your body (and your doctor) will tell you. If you spend all your time worrying about your diet you won't enjoy the pregnancy and remember - babies take from you what they need. Just make sure you eat lots of fruit and veg, lean meat and dairy (pasturised), and be sure to eat all the things that you don't want your child to become alergic to - peanuts, wheat etc. It's when they're in there that they build up a tolerance. Walk for an hour a day, bask in your gorgeousness, and love every minute of it! Losen your band, eat well, and have it re-tightened when bub arrives - I did. She's 18 months old, tall and athletic, bright as a button and the light of our lives! C:whoo:

G'Day Kitty, I'm an Aussie (best country in the world - but I'm biased:)), and I've had my band in for 7 years. The gastroenterologist who put in my band now is the head of the New York University Obesity Clinic (can't quite think of his title) and his name is George Fielding. Ignore the person who said that you may not be ready for banding just because you've got concerns about living a normal life. I was terrified when I got mine done because the procedure was brand new and VERY costly. That said, I'm fit, healthy, have been pregnant and given birth all with the band in place and eat whatever I wish. I losen the band at Christmas (I know you guys have more celebrations than us...thanksgiving being one of them) and then get it tightened again in the new year. This is not a cop out - I'm just living my life. I've managed to keep my banding a secret from all those I don't feel need to know and am down to 60kg (we don't do pounds here - I think it's about 100? pounds). I was 100 kg and chose to take the weight off slowly - two years. Funnily enough, I just had my band tightened today, so I'm glad that I can let you know that... 1. You'll be FINE. 2. Recovery hurts like ... for two weeks but is soooo worth it. 3. You can eat whatever you like - just less of it. 4. This is a new day. Best of luck to you Kitty - keep us posted, we're all with you. Cheers Cath :whoo:

Hi there, I completely understand what you're going through. I've had my lap band for over 7 years and still get that left side pain. It's almost as though a nerve is being pinched. Some nights I can't sleep on that side, and still (very occasionally) need pain relief. Once the pain was so bad, I was hospitalised and all the saline in the band was removed through the shunt. Instantly, I was better. My advice - don't overfill your band and if you're feeling pain, have a little saline removed for a short period, then slowly start increasing again. Also, wear a loser bra (around your girth) - works wonders relieving the pressure if your band is a little higher than most due to your anatomy and location of your stomach. Last, but not least, I've found anti-ulcer medications help as well - I think that sometimes we get a little stomach acid in the upper pouch and don't know it. Here (Australia) we have many good options available from our pharmacies, so that could be worth looking into. It's a long road, and no one said it would be easy...although I kind of thought it would be Best of luck - and remember...if in doubt get a second and third opinion. Cheers Cath