Pregnancy and the Band...complications?

Im a newbie in this forum...my husband and I are TTC. I am worried about complications with the lapband. I am currently 208 and wanted to reach 180 when I got pregnant. But I don't think that is going to happen.

I am wondering about any complications out there with anyone who got pregnant with the band? Anything I should do? I am worried about morning sickness, with PBing already when I get stuck because I eat too much. I am bad and really work my band. I am wondering about morning sickness?? Any problems?

My OB did say she had one patient who had to have their band removed...I think that is the worst I've heard, but I wanted to hear it from real people on the boards.

Thanks for your help!
Angie

Hey Angie!

I'm only 13 weeks along, but I haven't had any complications (knock on wood).  Most doctors recommend coming in for an unfill once you find out that you're pregnant.  Not only so you can eat more to sustain the pregnancy, but also just in case you have nausea that could lead to a possible band slip. 

In your case, since you are already PBing and sticking... it sounds like you could use an unfill, or maybe just re-evaluate your eating habits.  You really shouldn't be doing that!  It happens to a lot of people, but it shouldn't happen at all.  I went through a phase where I got stuck all the time, and it was because I was just eating too much, too fast.  I had to get back to basics:  tiny bites, chew really well, measure my food out, and take my sweet time.

Anyway, if I get to a point where I need to have an unfill because of my pregnancy, or because my diet is compromised, then I will definitely go in for one.  I got pregnant at 202 and actually got down to 195 because of food aversions in my first trimester.  My "goal weight" is also 180, but I've put that on hold, obviously.  I'm just doing my best to eat sensibly and not resort to slider foods, sugars, and carbs.

There are a lot of lap-band moms on here.  I hope they chime in with their experiences, too!  Good luck with TTC. :)

Yeah, you may need a slight unfill. Frequent PB'ng can cause your band to slip. When you throw up, your top half of your stomach lurches upward, I had two slipped bands and it took 2 emergency surgeries to fix them. Try to avoid my footseps by all means :)

I don't think any of us here have had band specific complications. During morning sickness you may want to get your band unfilled at least a little so it is easier to eat when you do feel like eating. You should also get a prescription for zofran, so you can be prepared and take it when you need it.
Personally, I had a little taken out from week 8-14, then had most of it put back when I felt better. I gained around 20 lbs during my pregnancy, but went home from the hospital weighing only 4 lbs more than when I got pregnant. With breast feeding, i was below my pre-pregnancy weight in about a week.

 Hey there. I'm 27 weeks (as of today!) and haven't had any issues with my band. I was fortunate enough to not have any morning sickness, so I kept my band the way it was (on the loose side of good restriction.) 

You should definitely try to avoid PB'ing (anytime, regardless of whether you're pregnant or not). You can also give yourself permission to eat some nutritious slider foods to up your calories if you can't get enough in.

I didn't have any issues with my band. I never had an unfill during the pregnancy but I did in the hospital right after my C section because of all the fluid retention, it made my band too tight. So they unfilled me and then I was fine. But I got a fill on Thursday again and there are no issues with my band.  It sounds like you might need an unfill though if you keep it tight anyway and then if you get morning sickness, you will most definately need one. Good luck to you!