Xann77

I'm sure that some of you may get mad at me for posting this, but I think it's important to be 100% honest so you all don't just get a rosy picture of banding and pregnancy. If this story can help even one of you avoid the misery that I'm dealing with now, than I will feel a bit better. I was banded in 2006 at about 240 and had gotten down to 185 through lots of hard work and exercise (I was a slow loser in many ways). I got pregnant in the Fall of 2008 and was so anemic because I had eaten very little red meat during the previous YEARS that my OBGYN really, really wanted me to get unfilled. I could barely get my prenatal Vitamin down. Plus, I was obviously very concerned about the baby and wanted to give him all the nutrition he needed and not be selfish or vain by caring more about my weight than the baby inside of me. So I went in and got a complete unfill. BIG MISTAKE!!!!! God, I wish so bad I hadn't done that. I should've just gotten a little taken out and that's what I would reccomend to many of you. Long story short, I gained 85 pounds in my pregnancy!!!!!!!!!!!! Yep, 85 pounds ladies! To make matters even worse, I went in to get filled about 2 months after having the baby and asked for an aggressive fill (going from 0 to 2.5ccs) becuase I was dying to lose this weight. Of course, I couldn't even swallow my saliva and my stomach freaked out and got super swollen (I think the postpartum hormones don't help) and ended up having to get all of it out and then wait 2 weeks and start up slowly. So, I went in about 3/4 times in the course of 2 months, just trying to get back up to some restriction. SO what happens? Sure enough, the doctor's assistant who does all my fills, well he punctured the port and I sprung a leak!!! Aghhh!!! Evidenlty this is pretty common, especially when you are getting a bunch of fills in a short time and I think the port had been all twisted and floating around because of the pregnancy belly. Soooo, I ended up having surgery to repair the leak at the end of December (wasn't that bad actually) and now, here I am at the end of January and still haven't lost any weight since September!!! YES, I am very grateful that I have a super healthy, gorgeous little boy. YES it was good that he gained enough weight in my belly because he came out about 2 weeks early. YES, part of me thinks that the reason he is such a SWEET baby (sleeps 12 hours a night straight, happy and smiling all the time), is because I ate TONS AND TONS OF SWEETS during my pregnancy (hee hee). BUT would I do it the same way again?? Hell no!!! I am SO DEPRESSED ladies. I've got about 60 pounds to lose and it took me years to get to my ideal weight and I feel like I just flushed it all down the drain. I actually considered getting converted to gastric bypass but my hubby put his foot down on that. It's been very hard to focus on exercising or what you're eating when you have a little baby. It's really tough! Anyway, I look at pictures of myself 2 years ago and pics now and I can't even believe how horrible I look and also FEEL. I used to feel so strong and powerful! Now, everything hurts -- my back, my knees-- and Im just tired all the time. ANyway, I am now up to 2.5ccs and having some restriction thankfully. I still need to get to my sweet spot of 3.0 and I'm praying that the weight will come off. I hope I haven't angered any of you guys. Pregnancy is AWESOME and although I wouldn't do it the same way again, if someone asked me if it was worth it, I'd say ABSOLUTELY. That said, please think carefully about getting a complete unfill. Most women probably don't need to do that, although obviously I'm no doctor. Just think carefully.

:thumbup: Hi Everyone! I'm a "vet" bandster I guess (can't believe it's been 3 years!). Anyway, I've lost about 55 pounds total and got down to 185 for my wedding this past May, which was awesome! Unfortunately, I've managed to gain almost 15 of that back and currenly sitting a little under 200. I swore to myself that I'd never see the "2s" again! However, I just found out that I am pregnant (yayayayay!!!!!!) and very very nervous about gaining weight! I'm a very quick gainer unfortunately. I am so happy there is a new pregnant group here -- it didn't exist when I first got banded -- and I've read a lot about how you don't have to gain a lot of weight while pregnant and that's helpful. What I want to know though is whether I should get unfilled pretty soon? I've got about 3.5 in a 4cc band and moderately tight -- still can eat bread and whatnot so not super tight. Problem is that I am a pretty regular PB'er -- probably once a day or so if things get stuck. And I am also very prone to nausea in general. I'm very very worried that morning sickness will strike and I will end up puking my brains out and inadvertantly slipping my band or soemthing like that!??! What is the general view on getting the band unfilled EARLY in pregnancy to avoid complications with nausea?? I'd hate to do it now because what if I don't even HAVE morning sickness (crossing fingers)? On the other hand, should I even risk it?? I'm just nervous about going without restriction for the whole pregnancy and gaining 40 pounds or something like that! I'd really appreciate everyone's views on getting unfilled???

Hi Everyone. I think that I am actually the SLOWEST loser on the boards. I had my surgery 2 years ago and have only lost 40 pounds. I read some of these posts from people who get to goal in like 1 year and I want to shoot myself! I'm glad I'm not the only one out there though. I went to my doctor today and I only lost FIVE POUNDS IN ONE YEAR! He was like, "ok lady, we're filling you big time." So now, I'm up to 3.2 ccs (I definitely feel restricted but I was just able to eat my protein bar no problem and it hasn't even been 24 hours since my fill!). Anyway, I'm rambling, but I wanted to say hi and I also wanted to tell NJ that I am getting married on 5/24/08 and had a very reasonably goal for myself to get to 180 by my two year bandiversary and I have "failed" at that. BUT BUT BUT -- I haven't gained a single pound since my surgery! I got the surgery because I felt like I was gaining ALL THE TIME. I and have able to keep off 40 pounds and hover around 200 with (honestly) minimal effort. There have been plenty of months where I didn't work out at all and ate lots of sweets and processed junk and still stayed around 200. Honestly, that's a wonderful thing if you think about it. 200 pounds is not my goal but it also isn't horrible for me (I'm 5'8 and a curvy Italian girl). My point here is we gotta keep the faith!!! We have to be honest with ourselves about what we're really putting in our mouths (for me, wine si a big issue). And, take it from a Bandster Vet, THE BAND IS NOT MAGIC. Sure, you can probably hover mid-goal after you're first big push from the surgery, but your body LIKES to be heavy, so you have to re-motivate and amp it up to get off that plataeu. Sooo! Long story short, with only 2 months to my wedding (and lots of dangerous food/booze events on the horizon like my bridal shower this weekend and my bachelerotte cruise next weekend -- eek!!), I bit the bullet and hired a PERSONAL TRAINER! Woo hoo!!!! I'm scared of him but I think he's going to woop my butt into shape so I can finally shed those last 20 pounds to get to my goal!! WISH ME LUCK! PS -- NJ - have you thought about getting a trainer to come to your house even just for a month or so to get you in gear? I found mine on craigslist and it wasn't that expensive honestly. I used to live in NJ and I KNOW that there are probably hundreds of trainers who live around you. Just go to craigslist and take a look. Might really motivate you for your wedding too!

I drink tons of soda and coffee. No worries. Only diet soda though and almost always out of a fountain soda (not cans or bottles) so that it loses some of the fizzle.

Hi Everyone! I am a 2 year bandster and have had a pretty good experience so far. I've been noticing a real achy pain in my port area when I'm exercising -- running/elliptical, etc. I've been doing more sit ups lately so maybe that's aggravating it? I've been blessed enough to have very few problems with my band, but now I'm getting a little nervous about the pain and the WORST part is that it makes me not want to exercise!! There is no pain at all when I'm resting or doing daily activities. THis is really just while exercising. That said, this is a NEW thing. I used to do a ton of situps with no problems and I've been jogging for a while. So... long story short: 1. Has anyone else here gone through this? I really appreciate hearing about it because just knowing that this isn't completely abnormal is pretty helpful. I am sure that I should probably go see my doc right? I haven't seen him in a year! Unbelievable how time flies. 2. Could this have something to do with either building abdominal muscles or maybe with getting a little skinnier (thank god!). I have probably lost about 40 pounds in 2 years. Need to lose another 20 or so.

Hi Everyone! I am a 2 year bandster and have had a pretty good experience so far. I've been noticing a real achy pain in my port area when I'm exercising -- running/elliptical, etc. I've been doing more sit ups lately so maybe that's aggravating it? I've been blessed enough to have very few problems with my band, but now I'm getting a little nervous about the pain and the WORST part is that it makes me not want to exercise!! There is no pain at all when I'm resting or doing daily activities. THis is really just while exercising. That said, this is a NEW thing. I used to do a ton of situps with no problems and I've been jogging for a while. So... long story short: 1. Has anyone else here gone through this? I really appreciate hearing about it because just knowing that this isn't completely abnormal is pretty helpful. I am sure that I should probably go see my doc right? I haven't seen him in a year! Unbelievable how time flies. 2. Could this have something to do with either building abdominal muscles or maybe with getting a little skinnier (thank god!). I have probably lost about 40 pounds in 2 years. Need to lose another 20 or so.

HI just thought I'd post about my fill doctor. He was one of the few docs I found up here who would take patients who had been operated on by other doctors. Dr. Pohl in Johnston, RI. good luck!!

Hi Everyone! I am a 2 year bandster and have had a pretty good experience so far. I've been noticing a real achy pain in my port area when I'm exercising -- running/elliptical, etc. I've been doing more sit ups lately so maybe that's aggravating it? I've been blessed enough to have very few problems with my band, but now I'm getting a little nervous about the pain and the WORST part is that it makes me not want to exercise!! There is no pain at all when I'm resting or doing daily activities. THis is really just while exercising. That said, this is a NEW thing. I used to do a ton of situps with no problems and I've been jogging for a while. So... long story short: 1. Has anyone else here gone through this? I really appreciate hearing about it because just knowing that this isn't completely abnormal is pretty helpful. I am sure that I should probably go see my doc right? I haven't seen him in a year! Unbelievable how time flies. 2. Could this have something to do with either building abdominal muscles or maybe with getting a little skinnier (thank god!). I have probably lost about 40 pounds in 2 years. Need to lose another 20 or so. Thanks so much in advance my fellow bandsters for helping out a freaked out bandster vet :drool::biggrin:

awesome post. really.

Yep, it totally happens after the first fill but my doc told me it's due to the fact that there was still air in my band after surgery and the saline evaporated a little bit -- makes sense given that saline is just salt water and if there is air, well, there you go. Needless to say I was very frustrated and very worried that I had a leak or something. I'm happy to report that after several more fills, she's still taking the same amount out that she put in there. Don't worry too much about this.. it's pretty normal at first... Good luck!

Puddinpie -- what is the "daily activity"? I just subtract 1800 (my RMR) and then my exercise calories... by the way, I LOVE the Arc trainer!!! I do that all the time at the gym!!! Does everyone count things like milk in their coffee? salad dressings, little bites of stuff....?? I feel like I very rarely just eat 3 meals a day and i'm wondering if anyone else deals with this?

great picture telly!

Well ladies, I just got another fill this morning. Brings me up to 2.4 and I'm on liquids for a few days. HELLO MARGARITAS!!!! ahahahhahahah! ANyway, I weighed in at my dr's office and i won't bore you all with the details but i was very, very disappointed. I've basically lost NOTHING since I was there 5 weeks ago -- not even a pound??!!??!:eek: But my clothese feel so much better and everyone says they see a difference so who knows........ She told me though that i need to stay at 1200 cals a day, and that includes weekends! I told her that on the weekends I tend to go up to 1500/1600 and she's like "Well, that's the problem:rolleyes: ! And I was like, "well then fill me up damnit so i'm not hungry all the time!" hahahah! Please send me some good vibes though!!????? Dyin' over here! I think my biggest problem is "grazing" at night while I watch tv.. look how many more calories i consume at night!! It's such a tough habit to break though! So, as for food: THursday (exercised like crazy -- 1 hour at very hard gym class!):clap2: Day grilled chicken with ff dressing -- 160 powerbar -- 280 half a powerbar -- 140 Night lean cuinine -- 220 crackers -- 60 bruschetta dip - 25 fudgciciles -- 220 cool whip 25 Cereal -- 150 sf pudding -- 50 1320 cals total FRIDAY -- exercise -- 30 minutes of cardio at gym a few bits of spaghetti 100 a fe bites of tuna tartare 31 cals 2 white wine spritzers 140 Protein shake -- 350 620 total cals as of 7:43 pm