stacielynntate

Hi, I've been gone from here for a few years and I'm back needing help and support. I had a baby 2 years ago (1/24/11) and since then I have had so many issues that it got to the point in October 2012 that we talked about removing my band. Since I had my son my issues have been, can't eat/drink, throwing anything up, horrible acid reflux. After months of filling, taking out, getting upper GI, xrays, testing for some stomach virus, so in October we went back to square one. We completely emptied my band and gave my body a break. Boy the last 2 1/2 months have been nice no acid reflux, able to eat again. I went back to my Dr on 1/4/13 and started my journey again. I am currently at 266 and we filled my band to 2cc's. I'm so ready to get the rest of this weight off and get to my goal my main one for 2013 is to get to 200. My Dr. put me on a 1000-1200 calorie diet (my first time ever) so this is going to also be a challenge for me but I know I can do it. so I'm back on the road to weight loss again. Looking forward to what 2013 has planned for me.

I ended up still having to go thru fertility treatments to get my almost 2 year old, I had him at the age of 37.. I had my surgery 8/2008 and got pregnant 4/2010 but I still had some issue as well as my husband. I agree with others and recommend getting the band, it has been the best thing I ever did for myself. Good luck on your journey for weight loss and having a baby.

I got myfitnesspal on my phone yesterday and I'm starting to use that. Thanks for all the input this has been a big help and I'm sure going to run with it

Hi Jodi, and thanks. I went thru fertility treatments still to get Nolan (sure wasn't as easy as my first, he will be 14 on the 15th of this month). As soon as I got a positive pregnancy test my Dr. emptied my band to 3cc's and it stayed at that all thru my pregnancy. I also had monthly phone apts with my dietician to make sure I was getting what I needed for the baby but also not going crazy. I did put on 35 lbs during the pregnancy. The extra benefit was I got to have an ultrasound every other month to make sure the baby was growing and doing ok with a restricted diet. My port would get a little tender at times due to the belly growing but over nothing that made me worry. During labor there was no issue on getting an epidural but they did need to note that no anti-inflammtory medicines as that can cause the band to relax and slip. When I was sent home it was just the good old tylenol to use for pain if needed. I went back to my WL Dr. when he was 6 month's old to get back on track but I had issues and it took till now to get those worked out (or at least I'm keeping my fingers crossed) If you have any other questions I'll be happy to answer and I wish you the best if and when you do head down the road to mommyhood.

I was off 4 days them back to work I went. My bosses where great and I was able to take it easy and work half days from home if needed.

I'm back as well. Was banded 8/2008 and got down to 214 in 2010. But in April of 2010 I got pregnant. Since having my son 1/24/11 it has been a struggle but also had issues with my band. In October 2012 we fully emptied my band to give my body a break and as of 1/4/13 I'm back. Got 2 cc's in and have lost 3 lbs since Friday. I'm starting back at 266 and am so ready to get back in track. Good luck to you.

Good luck to you.

Thanks everyone. I see some of you mention protein shakes. I never found one I really liked, what do you guys like.

I had some major issues after having my son in 2011. I had the tightness, couldn't eat anything (not even soup) and ended up with horrible acid reflux. My Dr. would take some out and it would feel good so next visit refill and issues came back with only 4cc's in my band (before I got pregnant I could handle up to 7cc's). I had to go in for an upper GI to make sure nothing was blocking, had xrays to check the placement of the band. Mine is a little higher then before. So this past October 2012 we had the talk of removing the band. Well we went with the plan to completely empty my band and give my body a break and start all over just like I just had surgery. I finally went back friday 1/4/13 and we put in 2cc's. So far so good, I'm hoping this little break puts me back on track and I don't have the issues again. I can't afford to have the band removed nor do I want to go thru surgery again. My Dr. thinks my body is only going to be able to handle up to 3cc's in my band but we will see Have you talked to your Dr. about your issues?

I waited over a year before trying after having my lapband. It took us till 2010 to get pregnant still had to go thru fertility treatments still. I got pregnant in April 2010 and had my son January 24, 2011 and he will be 2 in a few weeks.

When I had mine it was left empty at time of surgery. A week later my Dr. slowly started filling by adding 1 CC at a time. I would then go back 4 to 6 weeks for a fill. It all depends on your weight loss, how hungry your feeling and how you can handle the band tightness. At your first apt, your Dr. will ask how you feel, hungry or not, are you able to eat and keep food down. With this info he/she may plan to fill or wait till another apt. You can always ask at your apt if your band is empty or has anything in it that way you know where you are at already. Good luck on your journey

Hello my name is Stacie and I'm 36 years old. I had my surgery 8/11/08 at Cedars Sinai in LA. I started my journey after struggling with my weight for years. I really started looking into it after I had a miscarriage in Jan 2007 and was not able to get pregnant again so in March of 2008 my dr sent a referral and that is how it started. My weight at my highest in March 08 was 335. The day of my surgery I was 329. I had 2 adjustment in 9/08 and 12/08 at Cedars then got new insurance. Now that my new insurance is in effect and I have a new Dr. with Kaiser in south San Fran I got my 3rd adjustment last friday, and I'm at 274 right now. They recommended me to join this site for support as I have kind of felt left out on my own after my surgery and last adjustment in 12/08 so I'm glad to get some support. I have had a lot happen in the last year, got my surgery, moved to San Jose in 9/08 started a new job so it's been crazy but good all in one. I'm looking forward to make some friends and getting some support and offering support to others:smile2:

I like my band so far. I still have issues with drinking with my meals but I'm trying to do better. Since my breakfast and lunch are usually the same time each day I try to stop drinking at least an hour before. The biggest thing is try to have your meals around the same time so you can plan your drinking around them and get in your water and stuff as needed.

Hi Courtney- sorry to hear about your loss as well. I don't believe mine was due to weight as I lost ours when I was 14 weeks pregnant, they did testing but nothing really came up so not really sure. I was around 250 when I had our son so I was big then, but now I need to be healthy to have another and to be there for him. We actually just started the process of going thru fertility dr.'s since we have been trying for 4 1/2 years now. So we shall see we would really like 1 more. Glad you found this site, it has been helpful to me the few weeks I have been here and I hope to continue to get help

I hope things go right for you, nice to know they changed the requirements and hopefully you will have surgery by the end of the year.

I have had this happen to me after my fill in december, didn't start till mid january. I would go on soft or liquids till it past. I mentioned this to my new dr. and he has me do a upper gi to make sure my band didn't slip or something was blocking it. I didn't get another fill for 8 months and now I have no issues. I would agree with others contact your dr

I so know the pain you are talking about. I had mine out in 1999 when my son was 6 weeks old. They surgery was not bad but having a new born to care for was hard. I suggest get the surgery done as soon as you can because the pain will just get worse. Good luck

I also started the day of surgery. I was able to wear a pad and they gave me their special panties (it was almost like a fish net stocking) after surgery and I was able to move I was able to change into my own.

HI there, I haven't looked for support groups in San Jose yet but it would be very helpful. I was told of the ones up there but you would think there has to be something here. I'm going to look online, if I find anything I will let you know:mad:

When I started my process I had to travel 2 hrs 1 way also, I did my surgery with them. After surgery I moved to northen CA and ended up take 2 trips down to LA and that was an 5 to 6 hour trip 1 way. I say it was worth it in the end but I am glad now to have my dr only 45 min from me since I now have differnet insurance. Do what you feel is best for you.

I went with the band just like the others, I didn't want my stomach cut. Plus the band can be removed if need be. Plus it is a safe slow way to help you lose the weight. Now I do have a big sweet tooth and need to watch myself with the sweets but my dr and dietican both said as long as I don't do it every day I can have something sweet if I need it. I have found myself not really wanting it if I sit and look at it and think about then I go I really don't need it. I do think it is best to look into all options and pick what is right for you. good luck to you