Pregnancy with the band

[Brandi 0]

Hey everyone-

I'm about 9 months post-op and I just found out I'm pregnant. I'm only about 4 weeks along but my first doctor appt isn't until June 8th and I have some questions before I go...

First of all, is there anyone who is pregnant or has had a baby with the band? I'm looking for advice and your experiences. Did you have your fill taken out? How do I know if I'm eating enough or if I should have the fill taken out? How much weight did you gain if you did have your fill taken out? Have you lost it since you delivered? I have tons more questions too, I just can't think of them all.

I know this sounds so selfish and stupid, but I'm terrified that if I have the band "unfilled" I will gain all my weight back and have to start over. Gosh, after reading that it sounds REALLY selfish!!! I'm just trying to be honest though.

Thanks to anyone who responds.

[Graceful One 4]

Brandi,

I'm not sure if anyone on this board has had a baby yet, however, I do know that one or two women on Spotlight Health have had babies...maybe try cross posting there.

http://www.spotlighthealth.com/common/SG/topics.asp?m=1&sb2=&sb=25

I don't think you sound selfish at all...I would be concerned with gaining also, however, you want the safest pregnancy you can have for the health of your child...and...you will always be able to loose right after!

[Kiera 2]

Brandi,

I am not pregnant yet - but am starting IVF at the end of the month so this is an issue near and dear to my heart. I discussed pregnancy with my surgeon before he banded me and he told me that he has had many many women who became pregnant with their band and had perfectly ordinary pregnancies. I asked about the fill and unfill business and he told me that it differs from patient to patient. He suggested that the best way to be sure that adequate nutrition was going in was to have regular sessions with a nutritionist. If the nutritionist felt that the band needed to be unfilled because not enough food was going in comfortably then that was that and the band was unfilled.

He also cautioned me that while I might want to continue to lose - pregnancy was NOT the time for it and that he would fully expect me to gain at LEAST 20 pounds. He said normally he would set that figure at 30-35 but given my obesity he would expect that I would not need to gain as much. He also said that he would prefer 30 pounds regardless just to be sure that everything is as it should be.

So, put thoughts of "dieting" out of your head and consider your "eating" instead. You ARE eating for two but that does not mean you can run amok in the Ben and Jerry isle of the supermarket. ;-D Get yourself to a nutrition specialist who deals with obesity and pregnancy and have a nice long session. Set out a healthy eating plan for yourself and if you need an unfill then get it, if not hang where you are. In either event you will do fine. Also, consider breast feeding - I hear that takes off a good 500 calories a day and can jumpstart your weightloss after pregnancy. I plan to go that route. Good luck and here is to an uneventful eight more months!

[Alexandra 55]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Pregnancy is a trip, and I hope you do everything you can to enjoy it, because it can be hard. Please don't worry about losing during this time. Kiera is right--you will be doing a very important job and your body and the baby BOTH need plenty of nutrition.

I think her doctor's advice sounds right on. And as far as breastfeeding goes, my experience was that it did not contribute to weight loss until I actually weaned. My body, contrary as it is, held on to my baby weight until my baby was no longer feeding off of my body at all. Then it dropped 20 lbs seemingly overnight. There's just no predicting!

But no matter what, please know that your weight loss can ALWAYS be addressed after you are done carrying, delivering, and feeding this baby. The miracle of the band is that it will still be there for you waiting for another adjustment. Having a baby will and should take all your mental/physical energy and you definitely don't want to compromise your or the baby's health worrying about a few extra pounds.

Yay for you!! You're really in for a ride, you lucky devil.

[lala 0]

I'm so glad that you posted this, because I also would like to become pregnant after loosing the weight I need to loose. I also womder if there is any scar tissue that could affect fertility? Anyone know?

[Alexandra 55]

Lala, unless something goes terribly, terribly wrong during surgery I can't imagine any possible way being banded could affect one's fertility. The incisions are all well above my navel and internally, well, we know where the stomach is in relation to the important girl parts. You have NOTHING to worry about.

What might affect fertility is weight loss....affect it positively, I mean. I've heard stories from people who have experienced regulated cycles and increased ovulation as a result of losing weight.

[lala 0]

The reason I ask is because I have a friend who had to undergo fertility treatments after having her appendix removed because it caused scar tissue to form. I just wanted to make sure that wan't an issue with the lapband.

[DeLarla 22]

I'm curious, what happens with morning sickness? Do you still morning sickness in the top pouch now?

[Fauxnaif 1]

I'm curious, what happens with morning sickness? Do you still morning sickness in the top pouch now?

I did. I had morning sickness for about a month. I think it usually was from the top pouch (not much stomach acid) but sometimes it did come from the bottom area of the stomach. It wasn't fun. But my band wasn't damaged.

[HarleyNana 10]

Congratulations, a new you and a new baby, all in the same journey.

[kimalicious 5]

A definate congrats is in order...you have a healthier body now to carry your new baby around and just worry about nutrition rather than weight loss now. GOOD LUCK!

[heatherfeather 0]

I was wondering (along the same lines) if the port projects out of your belly when you are pregnant. It seems like it would because a pregnant belly is so tight.

[rachele 0]

I had morning, noon and night sickness for about 5 months. Had to be completely unfilled.

My port didn't stick out at all.