tattooedsuess
11-13-2006, 11:40 AM
I know that a lot of women have been wondering about certain things since I started the other thread. I love helping out in whatever way I can, and decided to go ahead and start this thread too. That way it'll separate fact from fiction for future banded moms to be.
If you need a questioned answered, feel free to ask. If I don't know the answer, I can always ask my surgeon. Or if you happen to find an answer to something that you think may help others, feel free to post. I'm all about spreading the information around, especially if it'll put a few minds at ease.
So these are the answers that were given to me via my surgeon and specialist - out of the mouth of medical professionals. And just my disclaimer that I am not a medical professional, do not profess to be, and I am only passing on the answers that were given to me by my surgeon, OB, and specialist for future reference and help for future pregnant bandsters.
Banded Pregnancy Facts:
1. Just because you are banded, it does NOT mean that you will have to deliever by c-section. If this is your 2nd or more child and you've had a previous c-section, you may still try for a VBAC. My specialist said that if you are attempting a vaginal delivery, to let the nurses (and your OB) know that they will need to allow your baby's head to come down further in the birth canal after you are to complete before you should start pushing.
2. You may require no other additional supplementation than would a non banded woman for your pregnancy. If you are extremely sick during pregnancy, your OB may request for you to drink an additional supplement once per day like Ensure. I would suggest the high protein one simply because we are bandsters and it definately benefits us.
3. You should request an anti-nausea drug such as Zofran or Phenergen if you are experiencing morning sickness. The Zofran melt tabs are wonderful because they work right away. Vomiting may not slip the band, but it helps to have your butt covered to help stave the nausea off so as to not push it. I keep my meds handy at ALL times.
4. There is really no way of knowing how much weight you will gain during a banded pregnancy. You may actually lose weight or gain a little bit. Every woman is different, and as long as the baby is growing properly and getting what they need, it's ok to be losing. (This is what my OB and surgeon both told me.) Weight gain should be discussed with your OB though to see what their particular desires for you would be.
5. You may or may not have to have your fill removed right before you become pregnant, or after you are pregnant. This should be discussed with your surgeon beforehand to see what their take on this is. If your band has a lot of fluid in it, it may infact be beneficial to have all or part of it removed. If you have only a very small amount of fluid in it to begin with, then your surgeon may say it's ok to just leave it as is.
I will keep adding to this list as things come up, or as I learn more along my journey. If anyone would like to chime in with some facts/answers, feel free.
If you need a questioned answered, feel free to ask. If I don't know the answer, I can always ask my surgeon. Or if you happen to find an answer to something that you think may help others, feel free to post. I'm all about spreading the information around, especially if it'll put a few minds at ease.
So these are the answers that were given to me via my surgeon and specialist - out of the mouth of medical professionals. And just my disclaimer that I am not a medical professional, do not profess to be, and I am only passing on the answers that were given to me by my surgeon, OB, and specialist for future reference and help for future pregnant bandsters.
Banded Pregnancy Facts:
1. Just because you are banded, it does NOT mean that you will have to deliever by c-section. If this is your 2nd or more child and you've had a previous c-section, you may still try for a VBAC. My specialist said that if you are attempting a vaginal delivery, to let the nurses (and your OB) know that they will need to allow your baby's head to come down further in the birth canal after you are to complete before you should start pushing.
2. You may require no other additional supplementation than would a non banded woman for your pregnancy. If you are extremely sick during pregnancy, your OB may request for you to drink an additional supplement once per day like Ensure. I would suggest the high protein one simply because we are bandsters and it definately benefits us.
3. You should request an anti-nausea drug such as Zofran or Phenergen if you are experiencing morning sickness. The Zofran melt tabs are wonderful because they work right away. Vomiting may not slip the band, but it helps to have your butt covered to help stave the nausea off so as to not push it. I keep my meds handy at ALL times.
4. There is really no way of knowing how much weight you will gain during a banded pregnancy. You may actually lose weight or gain a little bit. Every woman is different, and as long as the baby is growing properly and getting what they need, it's ok to be losing. (This is what my OB and surgeon both told me.) Weight gain should be discussed with your OB though to see what their particular desires for you would be.
5. You may or may not have to have your fill removed right before you become pregnant, or after you are pregnant. This should be discussed with your surgeon beforehand to see what their take on this is. If your band has a lot of fluid in it, it may infact be beneficial to have all or part of it removed. If you have only a very small amount of fluid in it to begin with, then your surgeon may say it's ok to just leave it as is.
I will keep adding to this list as things come up, or as I learn more along my journey. If anyone would like to chime in with some facts/answers, feel free.