One of my biggest concerns when I was looking into weight loss surgery was about pregnancy. The main reason for me wanting to lose weight was to have a healthy pregnancy. I went with the band because I felt it was the better choice for me especially when considering I wanted to have a baby in the future.
At least in the blogs that I follow there haven't been a lot of first time moms with the gastric band. So I didn't have a lot to go off, plus I think banders sometimes don't post as much about pregnancy because they don't feel it's band related. I'm totally guilty of that but I've tried to start blogging about all aspects of my life. I thought it would be helpful to share some things I've learned and experienced while being pregnant with the band.
*I had approx. 7.8 ccs in my band when I became pregnant. Both my band doctor and ob/gyn agreed there was no reason to take any fill out unless myself or the baby wasn't getting proper nutrition or if I became too restricted.
*I have had no fill removed during the pregnancy.
*I had pretty bad all day nausea during the 1st trimester. I was never really sick in the mornings. I don't know if my band helped me to not throw up or what. I would have to immediately eat something when I woke up.
*I did find that if I ate too fast or certain things, when the food would sit in my pouch for awhile it made the nausea worse. I will admit around week 11 I found myself thinking of going in to get some fluid removed but the nausea started to get better so I'm glad I stuck it out.
*The 1st trimester the only thing I could stomach on a regular basis was carbs, saltines and mashed potatoes were my friends. Not so much my scale's friends though.
*I have gained 39lbs during this pregnancy.
*Though I was hopeful I wouldn't gain much, it didn't happen. I do know that when I got pregnant I was already up from my lowest of 309.4lbs. (100lbs lost)
*If you remember, I broke my foot the week before I found out I was pregnant. By the time the boot cast, physical therapy and my orthopedic doctor cleared me for exercise I was battling high blood pressure so I haven't exercised at all during this pregnancy. I dream of spring walks with Violet.
*My high blood pressure is not because of my weight. My blood pressure has NEVER been this high even 100lbs heavier. My ob/gyn has made it clear that this happens to people who weigh 120lbs, it's just something people develop in pregnancy.
*I have had a few instances of eating too fast and such where my band declares it is still there and functioning. I find when I get sick from being stuck, that I am more nauseous and it takes me a bit to recover, unlike before pregnancy.
*I feel as though I've had less instances of getting stuck while pregnant than before, it's almost like I'm more conscious of my eating too fast.
*My band hasn't interfered with my pregnancy at all, no issue at all. My port was relocated higher up so it's not in my stomach area, not sure if that makes a difference or not.
*Even though I have never been pregnant without my band I feel as though the band hasn't been a problem at all which is what I wanted before surgery.
If anyone has any questions feel to ask!
