Gastric Balloon

[hayling40]

Hi Hayling,
I saw in a previous post that you were having your balloon out. What an inspiration you are and what a weight loss.
I was asked if I knew my weight when I arrived at the hospital and I had to state my weight in front of my husband for the first time ever. I was mortified! However, I can now tell him my weight alongside my loss and would just love to tell him I'd lost 82lbs like you. My target is to loose 56lbs in the six month period and 84lb in a year and utopia would be another 14lbs. A grand totoal of 98lbs.
I would love to hear all your tips and hints for eating, exercising and just anything else that could help the rest of us who are at the beginning of this journey.
Joanie

Hi Joanie, Good luck on reaching your 56lb target. In total my target
to lose is 158lb and have now lost 121 in total (76 while balloon in) so
still 37lb to go! Still a lot easier than it was, have finally realised that
healthy small portions and a bit of exercise are the way to go. xxx

 

[Nan]

4 weeks gone

Thanks Joanie I will try the Zoton fastab, they sound better. I have 2 tablets from Prague Beauty and my Dr. doubled the dose so the acid is much better.

I went away for the weekend as planned and managed to eat a few things and try and disguise the fact that I wasn't eating much, difficult when my friend doesn't know and was eating tons of food and I had to pretend I wasn't very hungry.

One night we went to a lovely restaurant, I ordered baked cod, ate that with a few veggies and 2 small new potatoes, I didn't have a starter or a bread roll or a dessert (my friend did which was quite difficult to watch) I also managed 2 sips of wine, the first time I have tried alcohol in nearly 4 weeks, needless to say it did not agree with me and I had to leave it. I felt sick all evening and went to bed early. The next day about lunch time I was sick, I had acid reflux all morning and knew what was going to happen. Not sure why as the fish was only the size of the palm of my hand and thought I had done really well not overeating. It has made me realise how much food people actually eat so I am trying to train my mind that we don't need much to survive.

I still don't feel 'right' but much better than I did.

Good luck to everyone having their balloon's fitted, there seem to be quite a lot of people who have made the decision recently, hopefully we can all support each other. I named my balloon Felix so I could try and make him my friend and learn to live with each other for 6 months, not sure if it's helped yet!!!

Good luck everyone.

 

[Joanie]

No-one knows

Nan,
I understand how hard it is to look normal when no-one knows you have had this done. My husband knows but no-one else.
My sister comes over once a fortnight for an Indian meal but now I am struggling to eat she has started to ask questions. She asked if I had a gastric band as I wasn't eating much.
I find myself making excuses not to eat and avoiding meals with friends.
The good thing is no-one seems to know what a Gastric Balloon is and if they mention Gastric Band I can show that I have no scars.
I haven't lost even a pound over the past 9 days so I am really struggling this week but remaining positive as I am sure it will come.
Joanie

 

[slctoronto]

hey u well done 20lbs is 20lbs nothing to be sniffed at and as u said it has made big difference health wise which should really be forefront on all our minds as opposed to physical appearance. i have lost 20 pounds in 14 weeks and it was hard lost-if i am honest until 2 weeks ago the balloon made absolutely no difference to my food intake and i really had to diet and exercise to lose the weight-now that i am suffering indigestion vomiting and stinking burps i am finding it easier to limit my food intake so i am tentatively going to aim for another 12 pounds until the end-by the way did you have ur balloon in for 24 weeks or a full 6 calender months

hi! I had mine in january 16th and getting it out friday july 17th
I find this thread hard to follow so going to post another asking people to post what they lost!

 

[Her_again]

The last mile lol

Well last night ( tuesday ) was my last meal.....as I am strictly on fluids now until Thursday at midnight and then in for the balloon 7:30 friday morning.

I went to youtube and watched a video of the proceedure just so I know what I am volunteerily walking into.

Wish I could get the butterflies in my stomach to settle...or that I could actually sleep more than 3 hours a night.

Unlike most on here.... I have told everyone that I am doing this. I figure the more support I have the better. A few people said I am taking the easy way out...then I showed them the video and a copy of my diet plan for the next 3 weeks and boy did their minds change quickly lol. Most said I deserve a medal and that they are so excited and scared for me. The only person who doesn't know is my best friend as she has made her opinion against it very clear....but I am doing this for me and not her. My nutritionist said that maybe the problem with her is..that I have always been bigger than her and now there is a very very strong possibility that I am going to get smaller than her and that she can't wrap her head around that. Who knows.....I am sure she will catch onto the fact that it is in during the 6 months as her and I see each other 4 times a week when we go to workout together.


Congrats to those who have survived the balloon for 6 months WAY TO GO!!!!

For those that currently have it in.....HANG IN THERE YOU ARE DOING GREAT!

And for those of us with the shattered nerves as we sit here as our insertion date approaches......OH GOD HELP US...LOL.

I am so excited to be doing this with all of you.

 

[lastresort]

Well last night ( tuesday ) was my last meal.....as I am strictly on fluids now until Thursday at midnight and then in for the balloon 7:30 friday morning.

I went to youtube and watched a video of the proceedure just so I know what I am volunteerily walking into.

Wish I could get the butterflies in my stomach to settle...or that I could actually sleep more than 3 hours a night.

Unlike most on here.... I have told everyone that I am doing this. I figure the more support I have the better. A few people said I am taking the easy way out...then I showed them the video and a copy of my diet plan for the next 3 weeks and boy did their minds change quickly lol. Most said I deserve a medal and that they are so excited and scared for me. The only person who doesn't know is my best friend as she has made her opinion against it very clear....but I am doing this for me and not her. My nutritionist said that maybe the problem with her is..that I have always been bigger than her and now there is a very very strong possibility that I am going to get smaller than her and that she can't wrap her head around that. Who knows.....I am sure she will catch onto the fact that it is in during the 6 months as her and I see each other 4 times a week when we go to workout together.


Congrats to those who have survived the balloon for 6 months WAY TO GO!!!!

For those that currently have it in.....HANG IN THERE YOU ARE DOING GREAT!

And for those of us with the shattered nerves as we sit here as our insertion date approaches......OH GOD HELP US...LOL.

I am so excited to be doing this with all of you.

Hi her again,
I am pretty much like you have told most people and just cant wait for sunday to come now!! I wish you the very best of luck and hope all goes well tomorrow. I am enjoying all my favorite foods this week!! please keep us updated on your progress as it makes very interesting reading.... how much do you have to lose I am 198 lbs 5ft2ins and would love to average 2lbs per week! high hopes! but I intend to do everything needed to needed to get myself in shape with this..

 

[Her_again]

and the countdown is on

Hi and thank you so much for your kind words. My nutritionist said that we are going to conservatively aim for 112 lbs to come off in a year. OMG that is an entire human.....hmmm maybe I am really siamese twins hahahaha.

I called the clinic today to verify my procedure tomorrow and they told me that a man just left who had his balloon inserted last friday and is down 20 lbs in the first week...WOW!!!

I hope I don't have to miss much more than a week of working out at Curves as I really do love going.

Good luck with your balloon and please keeps us updated as I will do the same.

 

[lastresort]

HI there
thanks yourself... as i am typing you are have your proceedure over!! lucky you.... I am set for 11 on sunday....its so nerve wracking all this waiting. never mind this time next week we will be on the mend

 

[Her_again]

HI there
thanks yourself... as i am typing you are have your proceedure over!! lucky you.... I am set for 11 on sunday....its so nerve wracking all this waiting. never mind this time next week we will be on the mend

Well it has been done.... I have had the balloon in for 7 hours now. Don't remember a thing which is great. I have vomitted only once so far but feel like I can constantly. The stomach cramps aren't that bad yet it the nausea that is the worst.

Good luck with your proceedure on Sunday !!!

 

[Ali_North]

Whats going on?

I am due to have my balloon inserted on Tuesday but im feeling really worried now. Everyone seems to know what they are doing, diet plans, aims in weight loss... even the procedure time. I do not have a clue what im doing. all I know is im supposed to be flighing to prague on Monday night. I havnt even been sent any confirmation of booked flights! Ive paid my money... why am I being kept in the dark? I dont even know when I'm supposed to be coming back!!!

Her Again, Well done in your insertion btw! just remember that when times get tough you have all of us for support. Stick at it and good luck!

I'm begining to wonder whether im doing the right thing or not. Im an organised person and i can't stand not knowing what im supposed to be doing. I supposed all I can do is hope for the best!

 

[lastresort]

Hi Ali
keep your hopes up I am sure all will go well and you will get all the info soon. i wish you the very best of luck and keep in touch we will support each other.. my last day of normal(abnormal eating!!) I am full of nervous excitment.
Her again I am delighted to hear you are over it and have very little side effects so far

 

[Ali_North]

arghh! Good luck with everything tomorrow and keep us updated as everyones experiance is different. Take care!! I think I may order some indian food tonight as I wont be eating that for a long time!

 

[Her_again]

Yuck!

I can't believe I volunteerily did this to myself. I have never had heart burn a day in my life and now with the acid reflux it is like my throat is on fire most of the time. Finding it really hard to keep any fluids in me....don't even think I have had more than a cup of water and 3 small freezies today. I have the sea sick patch behind my ear and have no idea if it is working as I vomit religeously every 2 hours but I am not taking it off and risking feeling worse.

I can't keep any of the meds down that they gave me....I crush them and take them after getting sick so I know they will be in me for a couple hours at least. The smell of food makes me ill....lol

I am hoping there is only a couple more days of this......and in all actuality it is just like a bad flu. I asked the boyfriend if I am skinny yet so I can take it out.....LOL. He said yes I am skinny in his eyes.....

Lastresort......good luck with your balloon insertion ( I don't remember any of it )

 

[lastresort]

omg my nerves are shattered after reading that!! lol never mind all in a good cause.... i am down to liquids now till midnight and then up at 7 to head off for my torture!! I will post tomorrow night if I am able of course...I feel sick with nerves... you are through the worst of it now hopefully....chin up your boyfriend sounds real nice

 

[lastresort]

Hi Everybody Well I have survived the insertion and dont remember a thing all went very smooth and the staff in the clinic were wonderful.... I was amazed to wake up in my room all over.. I drank half cup of water very slowly and was fine. We then had a 2 hour drive home and I was sick once on the journey but apart from feeling crampy was grand. I was tired and went to bed when I got home. I have been sipping water since and just proceeded to be sick once more but feel great after that! I am wondering how I will ever keep food down at this point!! I have stacks to read and 3 meds to take which I think i just lost! Well the first day is almost over so onwards and upwards from here! How are you doing todat her again? Better I hope.
Ali hope you have all your info for tuesday and good luck

 

[Joanie]

hang on in there

Hi Last Resort, Her Again and Ali North,
Well done to all 3 of you. You probably have a couple of weeks of feeling nauseous and will think that you should have it removed, but once your stomach accepts that the balloon is there and it can't budge it everything will settle down.
I still have some days where I feel pretty awful but then I look at my now baggy clothes and just get on with it.
I was 238lb (and only 5' 4") when I started and want to be 140 lbs. Its a big mountain to climb so I think of my balloon as my stepping stone. Its a hand up the mountain so to speak. I'm now 202 lbs.
My advice for the first couple of weeks - eat very small portions, sip water. take time to let food digest before eating again. Stick to scrambled eggs, thin porridge, soups and mashed veg.
My husband looked at me this morning and told me I looked great - thats the first time in ages. I felt great too.
I set myself a target for the 6 months with the balloon and a target for a year and have a little chart that I complete every week that lets me see how close I'm getting.
After 8 weeks I am now setting myself a target to gradually increase exercise every week. My whole life is pretty sedentary and some days I walk no more than a few hundred steps. I got my old bike out the garage and cycled 6 miles today. Tomorrow I am going for a walk. I've also bought a Wii and intend to use that for short periods.
They are all small steps but every little will help achieve my target.
Just find whats right for you and make the most of it.
regards

Joanie

 

[enjoy]

Hi All, how are you? Very glad to read that we have some "new joiners" this week! How are you doing with the balloon? As far as I've read, all of you are more or less fine, so keep at it and you'll be fine in just a few days!

One question for the ones that have had the balloon for some time... I'm starting to have problems in going to the loo, I've been once in 1 week and I?m utterly inflated! Besisdes, I'm having smelly (eggy) burps and cannot get rid of them!!! (sorry, TMI I know but I need to know whether somebody has a clue about this!!)

Hopefully somebody can help me?

Many thanks!

PD: Just for the record, I need to lose 20kg (my ideal is 25, I was 93 and want to be 68kg but 73kg for me is just fine as I'm 1.70cm with a wide-bone structure). I've lost 7kg so far, which could be more if I managed to empty my belly going to the loo!!! I had my balloon on 12th June, so 6 weeks in. Many thanks for your help!

 

[Ali_North]

Travelling day!

Well done all of you!!!! Your all doing so well!

Well todays the day I travel to Prague. Im due to get a train to the airport in 1 hour and should be in Prague by 10pm tonight. I am really nervous but at the same time very very excited. Today Ive stuck to eating things like jelly and yogurt so that when I have the balloon fitted its not going in with solids lol. Hopefully will all of passed.

My best friend thinks Im cheating. She's on a diet at the moment and has lots loads of weight. Shes done really well for her self and she cant understand why i cant just diet like her. I have tried for years to diet and im so down about the way i look i just want it gone! So yes i may be taking the easy way out but from reading this forum, its not going to be easy at all. I really wish she could just support me. I miss not being able to talk to her.

Ah well. Tomorrow is the big day ahhhh! I will be back in England on friday so if im well enough i will let you all know how it went!!!

Stay strong guys and dont give up! your doing brilliantly! all my support goes out to you all! xx

 

[Her_again]

Day 3

Well I have nothing left but cramping and this bloated feeling. The vomitting only lasted 36 hours. My nutritionist calls me every day and told me that I can start on protein drinks today to help me get my strength back. I asked about working out but she said no way...at most I can go for walks for the next week.

I think I am going to have to tell my best friend that I went ahead and did this....she isn't going to be impressed at all.

I was all brave and went to a 4 hour family/birthday BBQ...was starting to go shack whacky here in the house lol



Ali : Good luck on your trip and insertion and we are all looking forward to hearing from you when you are able

Lastresort : Wooo Hooo congratulations!!! I hope you continue to feel as well as your last post -that is great!

 

[Nan]

Good luck

Good luck all you newbies. I'm only 4 weeks down the line and still feel tired, lethargic and I'm struggling to eat anything except, protein shakes and soya milk. I spend most of my weekends lying on the sofa and every time I attempt anything like cutting the lawn I have to sit down straigh afterwards to recover!

I have lost 5.5kg but I don't feel I am doing this a healthy way. Prior to this I used to eat lots of salad, fruit, veggies, drink 2 litres of water a day and go to the gym; now I haven't eaten salad or veggies for 4 weeks, canot face fruit due to the acid in my stomach, struggle to keep more than a litre of water down and do not have the energy to exercise. The reason I have lost weight is due to being sick and not being able to eat much.

Is anyone else going thru this? Any ideas? I'm not sure it's worth persevering with as I feel dreadful and struggle thru work every day. My social life is Zero and I only leave the house to go to work. Will things improve?

My Doctor was hopeless and I never heard from Prague Beauty again!