Huge weight gain while pregnant

Hello- I just had my first baby a little over 4 weeks ago. My hubby and I were told we many never have kids, but after 1 year 1/2 from having my lap band surgery we were able to get pregnant. After my lap band surgery I had managed to lose 136 lbs going from 436 done to 300 in the first year. Still had a ways to go- but was so proud of how far I had come. Then at the end of Dec 2008 I was laid off from my job of 10 years. With all the stress from being laid off I started having problems with my band getting to tight on its own. Needless to say, I had ended up putting back on 45 lbs with all the stress and problems with the band and all the deflates I had to get. I was blessed to get rehired for a different job with same company three months after getting laid off. I was in the process of finally getting my band adjusted right and starting to lose weight again when I found out I was pregnant. Once they took out some fill to allow for morning sickness...the weight came back on so fast. I ended back up at 412 at the end of my pregnacy. Just got my first fill on Thurs of this past week after having baby. I am back on the band wagon now- and praying that I will get back on a losing streak and lose this weight again.

The point of this post is to one- share my story incase anyone else was in the same boat...and two- find out if anyone else out there gained alot of weight while pregnant and if you have been successful after in getting the weight back off?

Would appreciate any feedback, advise or sharing in your struggles with gaining weight while pregnant with lap band.


Thanks so much

Hi there...  I'm only 2 months along with my pregnancy, but wanted to chime in because I have a lap-band, too.  I've only gained a pound so far, but I attribute that to the fact that I've had a lot of food aversions, and although I haven't had any real "nausea", I just haven't wanted to eat a lot of heavy, fattening stuff.

Anyway, I'm glad that you are back on the band wagon, so to speak.  Regain is super frustrating, but if you're willing to make the committment, you can be successful.  One thing I highly recommend (if you don't already) is speaking to a psychiatrist. 

I was banded about 20 months ago.  In the beginning, I was all gung-ho and was one of those "all or nothing" people.  I only ate healthy foods and never strayed from my plan.  Well, it got real old real fast, and after about 6 months, I started incorporating a lot of my old "comfort" foods.  Thankfully, I never gained anything back, because the band prevented me form overeating, and also because I exercised regularly.

I decided to talk to a specialist because it was obvious that my head just wasn't on straight.  I have dealt with a lot of issues:  "I'm not worthy, I don't deserve it, I've always been fat, I'll never change, This is too hard, I'm too stressed out."  Bariatric surgery, unfortunately, only takes care of the stomach part of the deal.  It's not BRAIN surgery, so it was important for me to get to the root of the problem.  I was afraid of being a failure, and I allowed myself to slip up before I even had a chance to succeed.

I finally decided that what I was doing to myself was a bunch of BS, and I got serious.  I didn't deprive myself of anything... I just ate in moderation.  I learned how to have a mini snickers instead of a king-sized one.  I learned to have one ice cream cone instead of a half gallon.  I learned how to bake chicken instead of fry it.  I still got to eat what I wanted, but I wrote everything down, held myself accountable, and took responsibility for it all.  Now, I'm 106 pounds lighter, and almost to my goal.  (Of course, now I'm pregnant, so who knows what will happen... but I'm doing my best to stay in control.)

I'm sure that getting to 400 pounds didn't happen overnight... so don't expect it to come off overnight, either.  A tiny step forward is still a step in the right direction.  Even if it takes you 5 years to get to your goal, at least you'll eventually get there... and you'll be so much better off for it.

Find something that works for you.  Keep talking to your doctor on a regular basis.  They're there to support you and to help you succeed.  The rest is up to you... and you can do it.

Best of luck!

I was nearly 2 years out from RNY when I found out I was pregnant (May 2008).  At that time I weighed 155 (down from 333).  When I gave birth on January 9, 2008, I weighed a whopping 230 pounds!  About 35 pounds of it (water weight) came off within the first 6 weeks.  It took me until July 2009 to lose the rest.  My husband, who is in the military, was away from my daughter and me for 15 months; he just returned in April.  While he was gone I managed to get below 145; however, since he has returned, I am back up closer to 155!

Anyway, my point is that it can be done; it will take time and effort, but you can do it.  I am going to get back on the wagon, too, and lose that extra 10 pounds.

Good luck!

Tanja

of course it can be done! you did it once and you can do it again. You know exactly what to do and what not to do!

Good luck. We are all rooting for you!