My Three Lap-Band Pregnancies

[fabfatgrl 10]

Hi All:

I don't hang out on these boards much anymore, but I thought I'd let everybody here know that I've gone through three Lap-Band pregnancies... so I'd be glad to answer any questions you might have.

I was unfilled for all three. That was the protocol recommended by my maternal fetal medicine specialist, surgeon, and OB. I realize that some docs choose to leave the fill in, but for me, it wasn't worth risking any sort of nutritional issues for the baby. Also, if I had experienced morning sickness, it could have caused a slip. Similarly, many people vomit during transition in delivery (I did, but had no morning sickness), and that too could cause a slip. Not worth it again.

Did I gain weight?? Yes. But after each pregnancy, I lost roughly 40 pounds in a matter of weeks with no effort.

The one issue I've had is that I've been unable to tolerate a fill following any of my pregnancies. My last fill I had 4-5 months ago, but had it removed as I couldn't tolerate solids until night and it was too difficult to deal with that and breastfeed my daughter. I've been planning a revision, but am very nervous about undergoing surgery again knowing that I have three small children who need me. I may just decide to get a fill and do medifast or some such thing (blech) to avoid surgery for now. I'm not sure what I'll do. :thumbup:

[Wheetsin 714]

Why are you considering a revision? And what kind of revision -- port, band...? Do you have something diagnostic that shows a slip or misplacement or other complication? (I ask because the change in restriction you're describing is actually pretty common, and not necessarily indicative of anything being wrong -- seems maybe a surgical revision could be avoided).

I'm preggo, and still have my fill. I'm not terribly restricted, mostly during the dearlier part of the day. The OBs and NPs and Peri at my clinic agreed that the little weightloss I've had isn't a concern to the baby - and that I still have "plenty of reserves" (not arguing what you experienced, just sharing what I've been told). I've largely maintained for the last year or so, losing maybe 25 lbs total, in one or two spurts. I didn't have a lick of morning sickness, knock on wood.....

[jillrn 0]

I am curious how much you gained with each pg. I am slightly unfilled, I do have some restriction I am 3 months along and I havent gained anything yet. I have a long history of gestational diabetes so my dr doesnt want me to gain too much. He wants me to gain 20 pounds. I am hoping for around 15 as I have sm-average size babies around 7 pounds. I am at 1.5 in my 4cc band right now.

[fabfatgrl 10]

Why are you considering a revision? And what kind of revision -- port, band...? Do you have something diagnostic that shows a slip or misplacement or other complication? (I ask because the change in restriction you're describing is actually pretty common, and not necessarily indicative of anything being wrong -- seems maybe a surgical revision could be avoided).

I'm considering a revision to a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy or Duodenal Switch. I hate my Band with a passion. I've lived with it for almost seven years. Even with no fill, I can still PB. It's fine on fluoro, though. I've done the "one more try" at making my Band work probably ten times. I've seen all of the best Lap-Band experts. I'm done. For me, not being able to tolerate any solid food until 4 p.m. with a measly 1 cc in my Band is not a life I want. YMMV, though.

[fabfatgrl 10]

I am curious how much you gained with each pg. I am slightly unfilled, I do have some restriction I am 3 months along and I havent gained anything yet. I have a long history of gestational diabetes so my dr doesnt want me to gain too much. He wants me to gain 20 pounds. I am hoping for around 15 as I have sm-average size babies around 7 pounds. I am at 1.5 in my 4cc band right now.

I had gestational diabetes with all three pregnancies.

With my first pregnancy, I gained 15 pounds right away when unfilled, and then gained an additional 50.

With my second pregnancy, I gained 30 pounds.

With my third pregnancy, I gained 20 pounds.

The strange thing is I delivered at the same weight for all three. I guess my body has a sort of pregnancy set-point.