Told Surgeon

I told my surgeon's office I was pregnant today and it is their policy to give you a compete unfil! I have Lap band by the way. I am so sad. I was hoping to keep it filled for a while. My doctor is very strict  you follow his rules or you find another doctor. I am just worried I am going to pack on the pounds! My OB wants me to maintain but not gain, I am just a little nervous about how I will deal with the freedom. 

Try to pretend its' not unfilled.  My doctor's nurse said I had to come in for a complete unfill but when I came in for the appointment the doctor said not necessary at all.  He did take some out and later in the pregnancy I got a small amount put in as I had gained 22lb at 24 weeks, but the fill did me good and I only gained 8 more by the end of the pregnancy.  Maybe they'll reconsider.  You might want to email Allergen about the current policies.  Once upon a time they recommended automatic unfills but I think they have revised their instructions to surgeons now.  If you print that out and bring it with you maybe the doctor will let you try to continue with your current fill level.  There's no reason why you can't go get an unfill later if it becomes necessary.  For example anything beyond very mild "morning sickness" would be a good reason for an unfill in my book.  Repeated vomiting is never good for the band regardless of your nutritional needs.

But even with an unfil, do your best to keep all the good habits you've developed.  It may seem easy to cheat, but it's REALLY hard to redevelop those good habits when you're stressed out with a newborn and barely able to bathe yourself some days.  I wish I had kept mine but I did get lazy and way off track.

I think it's crazy that a surgeon insists on a complete unfill.  Last pregnancy I when I told my surgeon's office I was pregnant they told me their unfill schedule.  I didn't follow it at all.  They want to unfill during the first trimester, refill during the second, and unfill again during the third.  I'm self pay and there was no way I paying for that many unneccesary fills/unfills.  I kept 2cc's in my 4cc band the entire pregnancy with out any trouble. 
When I found out I was pregnant I called the office expecting to be told the same thing.  I guess they knew I wouldn't follow them or either have changed their policy.  They said to let them know if I had any trouble and they would do an unfill.
Do you really think he would make you go to another surgeon if you didn't get an unfill?  I would probably be willing to test him, but I'm like that lol.
Good luck!
Amy

 I hate doctors that insist on that, it is totally unnecessary!!!

Wow.  I am telling my surgeon this Wed about my being pregnant.  I had RNY so he can't really do a reversal but I am wondering how he is going to react! 

Thanks for all the support, I am going to try and research what the current recomendations are. I do not know if my surgeon, will really stop seeing me but I bet his Asst. would make sure he didn't. She is very unpleasant.