question about internal stomach size

[Just Banded 0]

I used to majorly over eat- like polish my plate and seconds, here are some examples to show my point of various meals I would eat.

I could eat 3-4 slices of pizza in a sitting, be hungry an hour later and eat 2 more slices.

I could eat a plate of Pasta with chicken- probably 2 cups worth.

I could eat an entire portion of a chinese food dish.

I could eat an entire burrito from baja fresh with chips

I could eat an entire sub from subway

I am sure my stomach was pretty stretched out from all my over eating... so my question is... after all this restricted eating has my stomach shrunk?

I am wondering because I am considering trying to get pregnant in a few months but I am not emotionally ready yet to let go of the all the Fluid in my band. I am terrified that I will be starving all the time and revert back to bad habits.

If my stomach has shrunk, I may not feel this way. But, I do have a limited window on when I can have children and I would like to start trying sooner than later.

[plain 12]

Hello Just Banded. It is my understanding that our stomach's don't really "shrink", per se...they are kind of "sectioned off" with our band, but the part below the band remains a constant size.

I could be wrong about this, but I believe that's what my doctor told somebody on his website.

[Libbyjane1976 1]

Over time from lack of being filled constantly our stomachs do shrink. I think you will be surprised by how little you will be able to eat. just think that you are doing this for the health of your baby and right after you have your baby you can get your band filled and get right to losing the baby weight.

good luck!

[EmmaWang 0]

Hi, I too before banding could eat all the things you listed in your example and some more sweets (cakes, candies, pastries etc) throughout the day. I also plan to get pregnant next year after I drop the majority of my excess weight. I am thinking just to get it the band half-unfilled at the time. By letting the band half-unfilled, it wouldn't be very tight so we could eat more for the baby. On the other hand, the band wouldn't be completely loosen up that we end up losing control over the food intake again. Is this not the right way to do it? Do we have to unfill all the Fluid in our band for the pregnancy?

[Just Banded 0]

Emma- after reading the posts under the pregnancy forum on here I understand most doctors do reccomend unfilling because you get morning sickness and naseau and throw up and it can cause major complications on the band.

Additionally, getting the proper nutrition for the baby is essential. I am not really sure how it all works until I get there, but for now I am still struggling with trying to lose weight. At least if I can lose another 20 before I get prego I won't be THAT much bigger and might feel better. Also, it might also help boost fertility.

[Cleo's Mom 257]

Just banded - good luck on your "trying to get pregnant" journey. I just hope you don't get morning sickness and have to add your Linda Blair exorcist picture again. LOL. I still laugh about that and your evil carrots. I'll bet you never ate them again. Anyway, I think getting a total unfill is the right thing to do. And you might be surprised at how little you can eat. Plus you know the right foods to eat now, anyway. Even if you do eat a little more, you will be eating healthy because you know how and healthy eating is good for the baby. Again, good luck.

[EmmaWang 0]

Just banded, thanks for the advice. You are right, I forgot about the morning sickness and nausea at the pregnancy. Good luck on losing another 20 lbs. Hope you succeed soon.