ErinMarie

Your doctor should know that sometimes life gets in the way and your health takes a backseat! Don't feel ashamed! You had the guts to go and get a fill and that's what they are for. What you need to focus on now is getting back into mindset of banded eating and rules...this is what I'm working on after gaining 50 lbs after getting pregnant and getting a partial unfill (I was 97 lbs down). I'm getting another fill on Tuesday and have decided to eat like I'm in the green zone already. Cutting out breads and thick pastas, detoxing from sugar/chocolate (my weakness), and upping my exercise and Water intake! I'll help you if you help me!

Your story is basically identical to mine! Banded May 2011, surprise baby in Sept 2012 (also didn't know my cycles had regulated), and had him May 2013!! No issues at all

Keep in mind the band is removeable not reversible. It's meant to be permanent. Also, it can definitely help with getting pregnant! I'm proof of that too

Maybe try setting some small goals to work towards or give yourself a nice reward (like a spa day) to help sweeten the goal!

Where are you located?

Can we be friends? Lol im erinistehawesome. Im not tracking right now but I intend to start after my fill on Tuesday!

I know this is a documentary, but it's pretty awful and paints the lap band as the WLS that does not work and that RNY works so much better. (And with that poor woman dying, that you will too if you are fat and don't get surgery.) These are the types of documentaries that create people that are so against WLS. They don't realize that the woman with the lap band was taking WAY too big of bites with her food after her fill and was probably doing so all along. And she was right in saying there needed to be more support after the surgery...sadly what she didn't know is that there IS more support but you have to seek it out and if you don't use a doctor that provides that support, its your responsibility to find some. Thankfully, the doctor pointed out that it is just a tool and does actually take willpower and smart choices to succeed with any WLS. I'm wondering if most people getting these surgeries know that before they get into it. We need so much more education on WLS for people that are considering it and that are going through the process to get it!

If you haven't made any progress in 2 years and you are constantly throwing up then something obviously needs to be done! Throwing up could me there are underlying probmels with your band, or it could be from your eating habits. Have you been successful in eating smaller bites, chewing more, and eating slower? That really is a big part of the learning process and takes a lot of time to get used to. That being said...getting the sleeve is also an option! Your doctor would probably have some good insights as to what would be the best option for you.

If you are working out, you may be taking in too few calroies as well. I would try upping your calories by 200-300 a day for bit and see what that does!

I second what everyone else said! You need to take smaller bites, chew chew chew, and slow way down! You have to remember that food is passing through your band as you eat it and when it gets backed up, thats when the sliming happens. You have to give it time and space to get through there!

Emailed you as well!

I really need to cut out sweets for a while! All I want is chocolate and carbs!

Totally normal! Hormonal changes cause swelling and water retention and your band can be affected! Eat mindfully and don't push it!

I had half of my fluid removed but it was my choice and I was swollen and unable to eat! Some people don't get anything taken out. With breastfeeding you will need to be constantly eating and staying hydrated to succeed! I didn't get a fill until I was done breastfeeding. Msg me if you have any questions!

I waited until I was done BFing to get a fill! You need that food to keep your supply up!

Don't feel like a failure! Life is a rollercoaster! I called my lapband doc right away. I was scared to death they would do a complete unfill, but he left it up to me. I decided to take out half of my fill bc my insurance at the time didn't cover my lapband appointments and I was swelling and had a hard time eating. Your doc may or may not want you to have some or all of your Fluid out, but I would hope that if you aren't having any issues then he would leave it alone. I think I was 10 or 11 weeks when I got my partial unfill. I would NOT have gotten an unfill if I could have handled it though. And good for you for wanting to go natural! I saw a midwife too, but I had to see a dr first so they could remove my 'high risk' status for having weight loss surgery. Depending on where you go, you may not have a choice, but my place was really cool about what I wanted. They did do a full nutritional panel (15 vials of blood) on that first appointment though just to make sure I wasn't deficient in any Vitamins or whatnot. I gave birth in a baby/natural friendly hospital. I think as long as you aren't deemed high risk (by the dr's office or your insurance) you should be fine. My lap band never got in the way of my pregnancy whatsoever. Congrats! Feel free to msg me for any questions

My periods had JUST started to regulate 18 months after surgery and 97 lbs lost (was down to 197) and BAM I was pregnant. It can happen! I was never diagnosed with PCOS, but I did not have periods but once a year if that when I wasn't on birth control.

Do any ladies have thoughts or experience regarding how soon after having a baby you got a fill if you were breastfeeding? I don't want my supply to dry up or lessen (I'm already not producing enough milk) but I am itching to get a fill and start getting this weight off! (I only lost 20 of the 60 lbs I gained from pregnancy and now I'm just stuck!) I had half my Fluid taken out around 10 weeks pregnant (4 cc) and will probably have to get 1 cc at a time and pay $250 out of pocket each time so I don't want to go too soon... Should I just wait for 6 months of breastfeeding (ideally I will breastfeed for 1-2 years) and see what happens after that? I'll will be 3 months post pardem on Aug 13. I would love some opinions!

That's great! Seeing that progress is always so awesome!

Thanks to hormones and salt intake, the band will probably fluccate in tightness, especially when you are in the green zone just due to regular swelling of your body! Lots of women have issues with tighthess during their periods or if they take in too much salt/sit all day. Just don't try to push it if you are tighter that day! The more you aggrivate it, the less you will be able to toelrate! (In a bad way! There was one time I was swollen and still tried to eat and I ended up so tight I couldn't keep down liquids and had to get an unfill)

I would also guess that maybe you are still adjusting from your fill Pablo, and GOOD FOR YOU for taking the initiative to see a therapist! I really think everyone with a band or any WLS should also see a therapist. We all got this way for a reason, and it's not usually just because we like to eat! Good on you for trying to sort out your demons!