Lap-Band was great until after pregnancy.

[renee76 0]

Hello! I'm glad to have found this site and hope someone can relate to my issue. I was banded in June of 2005. Other than having my gallbladder removed, all was working great. I lost 65 pounds. I got pregnant and had my son in January of 2007. During the pregnancy I was unfilled b/c I had major morning, noon and night sickness until almost 6 months along. I gained 20lbs during pregnancy, but 2 weeks post delivery, I had lost 30lbs and was looking great.

I started getting fills, but noticed that the band didn't work like it used to. Before pregnancy, I would get up in the morning and drink something hot to get the band "ready" for the day. I ate small meals and everything went down fine. Since delivering my son, if I have on a bra and/or button up pants or anything that restricts my abdomen in the least bit, the food or drink just sits up on top of my stomach and I feel like I have to vomit. This happens with a small or large amount of fill. I have a new doctor and he has filled and unfilled small amounts to get the right restriction, but I've yet to mention this issue with him b/c it really makes no since to me - Do I have to eat naked???? Anyway before my focus was not on food b/c I just ate a small amount and went on my way. Now, I get so annoyed by the effort it takes to eat with my bra and pants on that I tend to eat the wrong foods or eat too much over a span of time. To make a long story even longer, I've gained all of those 30lbs back and am now less than 40lbs away from where it all began. Any ideas or feedback would be appreciated. I used to love my band, but now I'm frustrated.

Edited December 1, 2008 by renee76
Forgot to mention I had a barium swallow post pregnancy and all was fine. Weird.

[JaimeSTL 4]

Have you had your band looked at under fluoro? Since you said you had severe morning sickness, I would worry that the band slipped during your pregnancy. I would definitely tell the doctor about the problem you are having to see if he has any ideas. If you haven't had your fills done under fluoro, I would definitely request that also.

[Candle 11]

I agree. Your band might have slipped.

Have you had any tests done? Fill under flouro?

I hope things get better soon!

[HeatherO 7]

Hello! I'm glad to have found this site and hope someone can relate to my issue. I was banded in June of 2005. Other than having my gallbladder removed, all was working great. I lost 65 pounds. I got pregnant and had my son in January of 2007. During the pregnancy I was unfilled b/c I had major morning, noon and night sickness until almost 6 months along. I gained 20lbs during pregnancy, but 2 weeks post delivery, I had lost 30lbs and was looking great.

I started getting fills, but noticed that the band didn't work like it used to. Before pregnancy, I would get up in the morning and drink something hot to get the band "ready" for the day. I ate small meals and everything went down fine. Since delivering my son, if I have on a bra and/or button up pants or anything that restricts my abdomen in the least bit, the food or drink just sits up on top of my stomach and I feel like I have to vomit. This happens with a small or large amount of fill. I have a new doctor and he has filled and unfilled small amounts to get the right restriction, but I've yet to mention this issue with him b/c it really makes no since to me - Do I have to eat naked???? Anyway before my focus was not on food b/c I just ate a small amount and went on my way. Now, I get so annoyed by the effort it takes to eat with my bra and pants on that I tend to eat the wrong foods or eat too much over a span of time. To make a long story even longer, I've gained all of those 30lbs back and am now less than 40lbs away from where it all began. Any ideas or feedback would be appreciated. I used to love my band, but now I'm frustrated.

I see that you mentioned in an edit that you did have a fill under fluoro and the band looked fine.

I have read other threads where people say their band worked differently post pregnancy (there is a pregnancy forum on this site). For some reason, it just doesn't work the same in that it is tighter or looser than normal . . . or is just more fickle in that finding the sweet spot is really hard.

My band was perfect before pregnancy . . . I got to my sweet spot quickly and maintained that fill level for many, many months steadily losing until all of a sudden, my band became horribly tight. Later I discovered it was pregnancy related.

Since I have been pregnant, I can no longer tolerate anywhere near my previous fill level or I can't eat. I don't really have morning sickness or vomiting problems and never did during pregnancy, but it feels as though normal fill levels cause my band to almost close completely.

I am hoping, praying, dreaming that post pregnancy my band will work normally again . . . but alas the future is not known to me as of yet.

I am not sure why your band is behaving this way and you are uncomfortable eating dressed. I have read many, many pregnancy threads and this is the first I have heard of it. Perhaps a slight unfil may help the sensation (but then it also allows the food to flow more easily which may inhibit weight loss attempts). Perhaps you can get a slightly larger band size on your bra or pants if they fit snug. I would ask your doctor at the least and keep posting threads regarding how clothing affects the band.