Ideas For Pregnant Bandsters

[tattooedsuess]

I will try to add to this thread as often as I have new ideas. I know that it's kind of hard for me to be a bandster and be pregnant because I don't know anyone else who has gone through this, so I'm guessing on what will happen - don't know what to expect. I wasn't banded with my son, so this is a totally different ball of wax for me this time around.

I also realize that this site is still somewhat new, so I thought about starting this thread for future bandsters who will become pregnant and may be in my same situation. At least this way they'll have some ideas of what may help them during their banded pregnancy journey.

I'd like to note that these are simply my views, my experiences, and my opinions. I am not a doctor, a nurse, or a medical professional of any kind. I am simply trying to pass along a little info that may come in handy for a future banded momma.

So with that said, here is my list of things that have helped/are helping me thus far.

1. Zofran - This drug has helped me beyond belief. I was really sick with my son, and am again this time around. This comes in 2 solid forms, with 1 being a regular pill, and the other being a tab that melts in your mouth. I personally prefer the tab because it works a lot quicker, and it doesn't set in your stomach either. Both work well for me, but tab seems a lot quicker and less harsh on my stomach.

2. Phenergen - This drug helped me out in the beginning, but now it really upsets my stomach. I also noticed that it makes me very tired too. This comes in pill form and also suppositories. The suppositories help break the cycle of constant throwing up, and work great if you can stay at home and sleep after you take it.

3. Naps - What else can I say about this other than they are wonderful and work for me EVERYTIME! Even if my son is not ready for a nap and wants to play, just laying on my side and resting for a while is usually enough to revive me. I cannot stress how beneficial getting enough rest is for any pregnant woman.

4. Powerade - When you do have problems with throwing up, this drink is a wonderful way to keep your electrolytes up. I have found that the red is the least offensive when throwing it back up.

5. Ensure High Protein - When your stomach is in knots and you're worried about getting your protein in, this drink can prove invaluable. My OB asked me to begin drinking an Ensure everyday since I was having so many throw up issues. So I took it a step farther and decided that this would give me some added protein that I definately needed as well. This comes in 3 different flavors, so something to please everyone.

Side Note on Ensure - The company that makes these are very nice. If you write to them to tell them how much you like their product (if infact you do really like it that well) they will send you some awesome coupons for future purchases!

6. Stool Softener - If by chance you do end up needing to take Zofran for morning sickness, you may end up with bad constipation problems. I've found that a stool softener can prove miraculous when you are in pain and really need to go.

7. Glycerine Suppositories - This is another one of my bag of tricks to help me go. I have to admit that these don't work as well for me as the stool softeners do.

8. Fleet's Enemas - These are used as a very last resort for me. Sorry to get so graphic, but when you haven't gone in a week and you are in severe pain, you gotta do what you gotta do. You may need your spouse to help you with this for safety reasons. I'd be sure to follow the instructions completely as well.

9. Liquids - I had heard this from a medical professional, so I decided to try it and it does help. If you are getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and are dealing with queasiness/sickness, do not drink liquids during the nighttime. If I am so dry that I absolutely have to have something, I will only take a sip small enough to wet my mouth with but not swallow. Then once you are up and around in the morning and are feeling well enough, you can begin drinking again. It definately works for me.

10. Carbs in Morning - I have a very hard time with protein in the morning. So I asked my OB and Lap Band surgeon both about eating my carbs in the morning. They both said that this is fine, especially if it's all that my stomach will tolerate. So if cereal, toast, etc. is all that my stomach can handle for breakfast, then I don't worry about it. I just aim to get more protein later on in the day.

11. Bella Bands - I have not gotten mine yet, but I will be here shortly. These are bands of fabric that allow you to leave your pre-pregnancy pants unbuttoned and unzipped, and will hold them up for you. They also make it look smooth so that no one is the wiser to what you are doing. It allows those of us who live on limited budgets to extend the life of the clothes that we already have, instead of having to purchase a ton of maternity clothes. You can purchase them on many web sites, and also in maternity stores too. They come in many colors, sizes, and styles and are very affordable. (They make them up to a size 4X now which is supposed to fit a 24W and up. They will usually fit up to 3 sizes bigger than that - so I would think up to a size 28/30W) The link to the Bella Band web site is www.bellaband.com (http://www.bellaband.com) . There they have a list of stores that sell their bands. Another site that sells them for a very reasonable price is www.doulashop.com (http://www.doulashop.com) . I should add that these ARE available internationally as well, so you'd need to check the Bella Band web site to see if they're available in your country.

12. Prunes - These are just another way to keep things moving for you. I get the flavored prunes in the pouch. They are available in lemon, cherry, or orange and are very moist and plump. It's definately a tasty spin on something that is beneficial.

[christa94]

have you gained weight? if so, how much and when did you start to gain?
have you had to have your fill taken out?

[tattooedsuess]

I've actually lost 8 pounds thus far. My surgeon tried removing my fill in her office, but to no avail. We decided that should it become neccessary to remove it in the future, we'd do so under ultrasound at the hospital.

I should add that I have a Vanguard band and only 3ccs fill though, so I'm not filled to capacity or anything, and I can still eat enough when I'm not sick to my stomach.

[Kathy]

This thread is a huge resource, Kelly. Well done, so far, you banded Momma!

[EmileeKaye]

Great information, thank you so much for future references. Being banded young, pregnancy is one of my biggest thoughts about the future and my band. A big question I always wonder about is naturak childbirth. All band babies i have heard about are born through Csection...I wonder if this is a must with the band.

[tattooedsuess]

EmileeKaye,

That is not a requirement for banded women. My surgeon says that many of her patients have delievered naturally with no problems at all. I hope that that sets your mind at ease.

[EmileeKaye]

Thank you so much! That does make me feel better.

[christa94]

when should your weight gain really pick up? my husband and i are trying but to be honest, the weight gain scares me. i gained about 65 pounds with my daughter 8 years ago before the band. what is the normal amount for a bandster to gain and when she they expect the gain

[tattooedsuess]

I don't know any other bandsters who have been pregnant, but I do know what my doctors have told me. They said that I may not gain any weight, or that I may gain a little. I've been so sick up to this point that I've actually lost 8.

I would think that every woman would be different, but I can't imagine gaining a huge amount with the band. I am comfortable right now with only 3ccs in my Vanguard band and can eat a nice amount when I'm not feeling sick to my stomach.

Most women (who aren't banded) gain slowly throughout their entire pregnancy - with us it's anyone's guess how it will play out. I will continue to keep everyone posted on how things progress. I know how hard it is to have so many questions as a pregnant bandster, with no one to really turn to (besides my doctors) for answers. I want future preggy bandsters to have at least some point of reference to come back to from someone who has gone through it ahead of them so that they don't feel as lost as I do at times.

[christa94]

yes, please keep us posted. i have tons of questions as to how a pregnancy would play out with the band. and not having a doctor around here, i am really nervous about how things will be for me once i get pregnant. i hope the ob or midwife that i go to will have some knowledge about the band and band life. i guess time will tell and i am relying on your experiences!

is there any chance that you band has slipped from vomitting?

[tattooedsuess]

I can honestly answer you with a NO. I would know if my band had slipped because I wouldn't be able to eat OR drink anything. I would immediately have to rush to my surgeon's for her to repair the slip.

I actually chose this kind of surgery over the RNY in part for pregnancy reasons. I knew I wanted 1 more child, and I knew that I didn't want to have all of the worries that RNYers have to deal with when being pregnant.

At least with the band you can still eat, not worry about malabsorption, have the fluid taken out of your band if need be to open you back up, and not worry about that stomach stretching way the heck back out. We are truly blessed as bandsters - even as pregnant ones. :)

[EmileeKaye]

Those are some of the exact reasons I would only get the band. I hope to have many healthy babies with the band. But the thought of gaining wait does make me nervous. But I know things will be ok and having this tool make me not worry so much. I will just get a fill and work hard and lose it again if I have too.

[Jachut]

One thing I discovered in my last pregnancy with Eliza is that if you are already overweight, it is not necessary to gain weight for a healthy pregnancy. Despite what the books say about some weight gain being desirable, you do not need it.

With the blessing of my doctor, I stuck to 1500 calories a day during my third pregnancy because my weight was a big concern to me. He pointed out that growing babies need nutrients, not calories. The scales dropped during the first few months and then gradually rose to my conception weight or thereabouts. After Eliza was born and I went home six days later, I hopped on the scales and was 10kg lighter than when she'd been conceived.

Of course I put it all on again over the following years, but pregnancy does not have to mean piling on weight. I never did gain overly much in my first two pregnancies either but Eliza was the same size born as Ewan was, a bouncing 9lb.

[PinkMary]

im in 25 week and i gained 19 lb so far! but i have to confess that is all my fault! cause without reason i removed in the beggining all the saline from my band and plus i started eating a lot of sweets.. well the good is i enjoy EVERY moment of my pregnancy and i do not care a lot for the weight that i will gain since i have my band and after delivery i will continue my diet programme! Good Luck to every Banded Mommy 2 B