Apryl Showers

Dr. Susan Brinkley in Frederick, maryland is who I use. She is pretty good. She isn't a bariatric surgeon but she has a band herself.

Hi, it's been a loooong time since I have been on here. Here is a brief synopsis of my band history. Hope someone can give some advice or relate. Banded Aug 2005. Lost over 100 pounds by June 2006 (less than a year). Get pregnant and unfilled June 2006. Gain 85 pounds by April 2007 delivery. Refilled June 2007 (2 months post-partum). Have one or two more fills by December 2007. Lose no weight until end of December/ beginning of January 2008. I am now down over 60 pounds in less than 6 months. I am losing slowly and frequently hit plateaus. Here is my problem. I never had any issues with my band before getting pregnant. No PB, no reflux, nothing. My last fill in December has gotten progressivley tighter each week. At first I would PB a few times a week. Then that stopped and about a month ago I went for two weeks barely able to drink Water without it coming back up and i wasn't able to eat any solids until late evening. Then two weeks ago I was able to eat easily thru out the day (even in the am), but had problems in the evening. For the last week I have been getting terrible reflux at night while I sleep. I have woken up many times with actual vomit in my throat. I also make very loud gurgling noises if I lay down. I have stopped eating past 6, and I am not sure if that even helps. The past two nights my reflux has started before I even go to bed. Tonight i am going to try OTC Zantac to see if that helps. I rarely, if at all, feel hunger pains, and 99% of the time, when I do eat, I am able to eat only a few bites (maybe a half cup worth). Drinking liquids is a chore too. Each sip rises up and then slowly drains down. I have been getting very light headed recently, my hair is starting to fall out, and I have developed very deep, dark, black circles under my eyes. I also bruise very easily and severely. What makes it even more frustrationg is that my weight loss has slowed down again. Has anyone out there experienced anytything like this? Any advice? Common sense tells me to get a partial unfill, but why is my band getting tighter if I have lost weight since getting filled? I do not think I am slipped or eroded but I am still confused and a little depressed by the whole thing. Not to mention frustrated. Any help would be appreciated! Apryl

Just wanted to hear from any bandsters who may be currently pregnant or have been pregnant with the band. I am currently 28 weeks (fill removed) and have had no complications, but I was concerned that labor (pushing) may cause a slippage. I have not been able to find any information on this and was wondering if anyone knows or has experienced anything. Thanks! Apryl

Congratulations....we just found out that we are expecting too! I had my band completely unfilled last week and I have gained about 8 pounds since then! I couldn't believe it....I have been eating healthy (healthier than I have even eaten in fact) but I guess larger quantities is what has done it. We were on vacation for the past week and I kept hoping that it was Water weight from flying....but my doctor basically said "fat chance". Oh well....I am hoping it will level off so I don;t end up gaining 40 pounds over the next 8 months....but at least I know the band will help me lose it after I give birth. One question for you....what is your OB/GYN's reaction to your band? Mine is completely panicked becasue he has never heard of it. They are making me go to a nutritionist and a Bariatric specialist for monitoring, and they are even considering me "high-risk". This is all crazy as far as I am concerned.....

I find it so strange that there are so many doctors who don't know what the band is.

Congratulations! I just found out that I am pregnant too...hmm...wonder if it's something in the water...ha ha...anyway...I spoke with my Ob/Gyn today and he has never even heard of the band and kinda freaked out and had me contact a nutritionist. I am scheduled for an unfill mainly because I am suddenly really tight and have been having problems getting things down. I usually consume around 1000 calories a day which I know is way too low for pregnancy. Keep us posted on what your doctor tells you....and good luck!

Awww...thanks...DH and I are very excited!

Hi everyone! I just found out that I am pregnant and due in March...yay! My question is...what next? I am almost one year post op and about 35 pounds from my goal. Obviously I don't want to gain very much weight, but I do want to make sure that my baby is healthy. Should I get an unfill now, or wait till later in my pregnancy? I am also a little worried because my OB/GYN has never even heard of a Lap-Band....I have had to explain the entire procedure and concept to him! I was just wondering what some of you have experienced, and inf you have any suggestions for me. I was also wondering how much weight some of you gained and if you continued to lose weight after delivery? I am so frustrated because I am only 35 pounds from my goal! I just bought a pair of size 12 jeans too...I guess I won't be seeing them for a while! Ha ha! Thanks! Apryl

I am 5' 5 1/2" and 184. Goal from doc is 138 - 145 but at 184 I am a size 12 so I think 138 is too low. I would be happy at 155. Good luck to everyone!

I am 5'4 and I was told that I should aim for 135-145. But I am 185 now and a size 12/14. My fill doc told me 135 is way too low and I should aim for a size rather than a weight. She explained that because of carrying around all the extra weight that I used to have, my muscles and bones are denser...meaning that I basically weigh more than I look. She said that's why 135 is really unrealistic becasue I would probably end up as a size 0 or 1.

I have found that I can still eat bread if it is toasted, or if I only eat the crispy crust from a dinner roll.

I have lost 100 pounds and I have about 40 - 50 pounds more to go!