Gastric Balloon

[Her_again]

Nervous, Scared and excited

I have been reading constantly for over a week about the gastric balloon procedure and have been also reading this forum.

I had my consultation on June 26th and almost died when was quoted the price. My live in boyfriend today told me that he has the $8000 for me to do it. I called the clinic ( which is in Sarnia Ontario ) and they told me they could do it as soon as next Tuesday if I want. Now I have butterflies and my heart is racing and breathing is difficult...LOL....I haven't even booked it yet...LOL.

I wanted to do all the reading I could so as not to make an uneducated decision.

I work out at curves 3-4 times a week ( and I go for walks alot ) and have lost 10 lbs and 8 inches since June 11th. I still weigh heaps and heaps and believe this program will give me the extra leg up. I know it is not a miracle cure and never expected one. I figure it shouldn't be too much of a shock to my system as I am aware of what I eat ( i don't count the calories though ) as it is mainly lean cuts of meat and veggies. For the past 20 some odd years I have been a once a day eater and will probably struggle with having to force myself to have bits throughout the day.

My nerves are shot!!! I am so excited and apprehensive at the same time. The only person who knows about me doing this is my boyfriend...I don't believe I will be able to tell my best friend ( whom I work out with ) as her opinion is that this is just cheating and a quick fix.....so I will fore-go her support or lack there of.

I do have one question for those who have already been through the process though. Do you find there is a problem with sagging skin afterwards? Like I mentioned...I do work out religiously and am hoping that the weight loss isn't too fast that I will look like my skin is melting...lol

Thank you for reading my babbling and I look forward to interacting on this forum for words of encouragement.

 

[Nan]

3 weeks on

Hi Ali, Sorry I have not replied sooner but I have been really sick the last few days. I'd rather not tell you about the procedure as I don't think I was fully sedated and had to be held down by 4 nurses, the worst experience of my life!!! The girl who went in before me came out really woozy and slept for the rest of the day but when I came back I was wide awake. Please don't let my experience put you off, I'm sure it was a one off and I will make sure I am fully sedated for removal!

I am 3 weeks in now and still feel dreadful. I actually felt better last week. I have had another 3 days off work and have not eaten anything for 2 days. The only person I have told is my sister so I am just having to say I have a tummy bug. I went to the Dr. yesterday as I was getting worried that something was wrong. She never even examined me or checked me over just sent me off for blood tests (today) and doubled my dose of the tablets from the clinic to sort out the acid. I lay on the sofa all day yesterday drifting in and out of sleep and then I was sick at 10.30 last night.

I'm supposed to be going away for the weekend with a friend and don't know how I'm going to get through the ordeal. So much for a lovely weekend of food, drink and sightseeing, I think the only thing I'm going to see is the hotel room!!!

I'll persevere a little longer then I'm going to have it removed if I don't start feeling any better. I was dreading the summer, having to get my fat body out and squeeze into summer clothes but this year I have been nowhere and have not been able to enjoy it anyway so I don't know what is worse.

Any tips to get rid of the acid, I already have gaviscon, thanks.

 

[slctoronto]

hi everyone!
I havent been on here for a while, I am getting my balloon removed next week. I lost 20 lbs on the program, I wish it was more but its pushed me into the 'normal' BMI range so Im happy. I never could lose weight on any diets before, tried for 5 years, so 20 lbs is amazing. I did reach 25 pounds but the last few months Ive been working 9am-9pm so added back the 5 pounds from fast food eating. I also found I didnt feel any restriction the last few months, like my stomach got used to the balloon. I didnt have a lot to lose like some people so I think that makes it harder too.
I went to The Surgical Weight Loss Centre, I highly recommend my surgeon Dr Cobourn he is a wonderful man
I will post about how the removal goes. good luck everyone!

 

[ishmbishm]

hi everyone!
I havent been on here for a while, I am getting my balloon removed next week. I lost 20 lbs on the program, I wish it was more but its pushed me into the 'normal' BMI range so Im happy. I never could lose weight on any diets before, tried for 5 years, so 20 lbs is amazing. I did reach 25 pounds but the last few months Ive been working 9am-9pm so added back the 5 pounds from fast food eating. I also found I didnt feel any restriction the last few months, like my stomach got used to the balloon. I didnt have a lot to lose like some people so I think that makes it harder too.
I went to The Surgical Weight Loss Centre, I highly recommend my surgeon Dr Cobourn he is a wonderful man
I will post about how the removal goes. good luck everyone!

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

 

[Ali_North]

So quick!

I'm so nervous now! the Dr is currently sorting out my contract and I will be travelling to prague on Monday! how soon is that? 4 days time! so scary! I have asked for full sedation which has been agreed so i will not remember anything after insertion.

Does anyone know of any types of foods to eat after the procedure? I understand I will not be eating proper solids for a week or so.

Jelly and Ice lollies? Will soup be out of the equation for a while? need to get stocked up before hand as from reading your storeys I probably won't be able to go shopping for a while. I really can't believe I'm doing this. Its crazy! I just seriously hope it works for me. serious butterflies!

 

[Joanie]

What to eat?

I'm so nervous now! the Dr is currently sorting out my contract and I will be travelling to prague on Monday! how soon is that? 4 days time! so scary! I have asked for full sedation which has been agreed so i will not remember anything after insertion.

Does anyone know of any types of foods to eat after the procedure? I understand I will not be eating proper solids for a week or so.

Jelly and Ice lollies? Will soup be out of the equation for a while? need to get stocked up before hand as from reading your storeys I probably won't be able to go shopping for a while. I really can't believe I'm doing this. Its crazy! I just seriously hope it works for me. serious butterflies!

Hi Ali,
I was advised to eat soft foods such as jellies, scrambled eggs, soups, porridge for the first week. I ate those plus mashed veg etc. I tried yoghurts but I think they were too creamy. Then I got sick for a few weeks and ate nothing.
Now that I am back on track again, I have been advised to eat low fat, low carb meals - high proteins. I can now manage most things except really spicy (which unfortunately I love). I just have to have small portions - about a cup of food maximum, 3 times per day plus some soft plums or cherries.
The portion size is the important bit - eat too much and you end up uncomfortable for hours afterwards.
Joanie

 

[Joanie]

Don't give up

Hi Ali, Sorry I have not replied sooner but I have been really sick the last few days. I'd rather not tell you about the procedure as I don't think I was fully sedated and had to be held down by 4 nurses, the worst experience of my life!!! The girl who went in before me came out really woozy and slept for the rest of the day but when I came back I was wide awake. Please don't let my experience put you off, I'm sure it was a one off and I will make sure I am fully sedated for removal!

I am 3 weeks in now and still feel dreadful. I actually felt better last week. I have had another 3 days off work and have not eaten anything for 2 days. The only person I have told is my sister so I am just having to say I have a tummy bug. I went to the Dr. yesterday as I was getting worried that something was wrong. She never even examined me or checked me over just sent me off for blood tests (today) and doubled my dose of the tablets from the clinic to sort out the acid. I lay on the sofa all day yesterday drifting in and out of sleep and then I was sick at 10.30 last night.

I'm supposed to be going away for the weekend with a friend and don't know how I'm going to get through the ordeal. So much for a lovely weekend of food, drink and sightseeing, I think the only thing I'm going to see is the hotel room!!!

I'll persevere a little longer then I'm going to have it removed if I don't start feeling any better. I was dreading the summer, having to get my fat body out and squeeze into summer clothes but this year I have been nowhere and have not been able to enjoy it anyway so I don't know what is worse.

Any tips to get rid of the acid, I already have gaviscon, thanks.

Nan,
Don't give up. I felt the same as you and now 7 weeks later I am feeling really good. I've lost 31lbs in 7 weeks and I am starting to understand the balloon and how it affects me and my eating.
I am sure everyone is different but I have learned to keep my portions small. If I eat and I am uncomforatbale afterwards then my meal was too big. About a cup full does me. I don't have spicy food (yet), or alchohol or fizzy drinks. I can't drink a whole cup of tea so fluid intake needs to be no more than constant sips throughout the day.
Do you have Lanzoprazole for the acid reduction? I had mine changed to the Zoton Fastab version (melt in the mouth) and that has made a difference. I use gaviscon too but found that if I ate regularly (as in 3 times a day) then my acid disappeared.
Keep talking on this forum and we will all support you.
Joanie

 

[Ali_North]

Thanks Joanie, I really hope I get it right I cant afford to be poorly for several weeks, great advise. Were you eating solids by your second week? Thats such a shame about spicey food as I am a great lover of indian and mexican food!

Nan, I'm so sorry to hear your struggling at the moment and i hope everything sorts its self out too. You will get great comfort from this forum, everyone seems so supportive. Keep us all informed of how its going and don't give up! you've already been so brave... All of you have!

 

[Her_again]

Hmmm

Guess this isn't the site for me.....I will look for support or the buddy system elsewhere....good luck all in your weight loss

 

[Ali_North]

We can support you!

Guess this isn't the site for me.....I will look for support or the buddy system elsewhere....good luck all in your weight loss

Her_again, I just read your post and think we are both in a similar situation. I too have been reading this forum for ages and looking at things on the net about the balloon programme.

I have been emailing a Dr for over 2 weeks and have finally made the decision to go for it! I should be going on monday to Prague and getting the balloon fitted. sooo nervous and I can't believe I'm doing it.
I told my best friend today in the hope of some support and she thinks i'm crazy for doing it. she doesn't think i'm big enough but i'm really not happy with the way I look and my BMI is in the obesity range!

Its entirely your decision but have a really good think about it and only do it if your 100% sure! good luck hun and if you do decide to go for it then keep us all updated with your experience as everyone's seems to be different!

take care!
Ali

 

[Her_again]

Thanx Ali

Hi Ali and thank you.....

Well I just called and booked my procedure....I am getting it put in next Friday the 17th of July. I am heading to Sarnia in an hour to take them the payment.

Now my nerves are shot...I can't breathe, I got butterflies...I am so excited and terrified. I am going to figure that I am going to have the worst of all the symptoms so that way...whatever happens won't be so bad....LOL.

 

[Ali_North]

Haha, that is a good idea. I will probably do the same.

My appointment has now been delayed due to issues at work and cannot get the time off... pppffftt Rubbish!! I have now got myself booked in for the 21.07.09 so I supose I will have abit more time to prepare!

 

[Her_again]

No turning back now

I drove to Sarnia yesterday and made all the arrangements and payments...Program is already working as I am already $8000 lighter....LMAO

As of Wednesday at 7 p.m I am strictly on fluids for 36 hours. I took it upon myself today to go out and buy some chewable multi-vitamins and sea-sickness patches.

An added bonus..... Yesterday was my weigh and measure day at Curves also. Since my last weigh in on June 11th I am down.....drum roll please...... 14 lbs and 3.5 inches....and to think I did that all on my own without dieting just working out 3-4 days a week!!!!

Ali I am so excited that you are getting this done a few days after me.....We are going to do amazingly!!!

 

[lardarse]

Hi,
Anyone here following an Atkins (ish) diet and has the balloon ?
I've only had my balloon in for 3 days (lost 4.5lbs)and am trying to stick to water, chicken broth and the odd scrambled egg...but its so boring. Any suggestions for low carb liquid/soft foods would be gratefully received.
Thanks
x

 

[lastresort]

Hi Everybody
I have been reading all your stories and feel inspired...I am having my balloon fitted net sunday and cant wait to get started.... a long road ahead!!

 

[Zoolanda]

This keeps me interested...

Hi,
Anyone here following an Atkins (ish) diet and has the balloon ?
I've only had my balloon in for 3 days (lost 4.5lbs)and am trying to stick to water, chicken broth and the odd scrambled egg...but its so boring. Any suggestions for low carb liquid/soft foods would be gratefully received.
Thanks
x

Hi Lardarse,

I´m not exactly on Atkins but I have reduced my Carbs drastically. I usually have yoghurt in the mornings with some muesli mixed in or if this is too hard on my stomach, a weetabix and a half - no sugar (i even substitute the milk with hot water, scrummy). Lunch is usually a salad that contains grilled chicken or salmon and i always have to have some sort of bean included. Then I might have soup for supper made with lean cuts of meat and veg and beans (yes I love them ) or a fruit smoothie made with various fruit, low fat milk and some oats and raisins thrown in. The hard things like oats and raisons can be omitted for soft food! I try to find the good things (i.e particular fruits and veg) that I really like and use them in my eating plan. This helps me stay with the plan. I have also set my self a maximum calorie intake of 1200. I use the MyPlate site to monitor this . It helps me a lot.


Hope this helps and I hope your treatment goes well

Ta Zoo

 

[Ali_North]

I drove to Sarnia yesterday and made all the arrangements and payments...Program is already working as I am already $8000 lighter....LMAO

As of Wednesday at 7 p.m I am strictly on fluids for 36 hours. I took it upon myself today to go out and buy some chewable multi-vitamins and sea-sickness patches.

An added bonus..... Yesterday was my weigh and measure day at Curves also. Since my last weigh in on June 11th I am down.....drum roll please...... 14 lbs and 3.5 inches....and to think I did that all on my own without dieting just working out 3-4 days a week!!!!

Ali I am so excited that you are getting this done a few days after me.....We are going to do amazingly!!!

Well... i hope I do! and you too hun. you've done so well on your own... you probably could have done it without the balloon. I seriously need to sort my weight out. I don't know where they have come from but I have now found strech marks on my arms! feeling very down today about my weight. Don't want to be big anymore!

 

[Her_again]

Ali

As far as me possibly being able to do it on my own.....eh who knows but I am looking so forward to this.....4 more sleeps!!!

I currently weigh 332 lbs ( I know pretty brave to be posting my actual weight...lol ) I am 5'8. The nutritionist talked to me for about 1/2 an hour and now I am feeling much better about this whole process. She said that in the year she will be following me that I should get down to 220 lbs no problem! In a perfect world I would get down to 170 or so but a loss of 112 lbs will be nothing to scoff at.

Sorry to hear you are having a bad day but it will get better!!! Stretch marks are just battle scars that prove your perseverance.

I can't wait to be able to see the backs of my knees as there must be something very interesting back there as me arse has been heading down there to see...lmao

 

[hayling40]

Nan,

Thank you for telling me your exprience. Please could you tell me about the procedure in detail. I'm really nervous about this and wouldn't know what to expect. Ive seen videos of this on the net but obviously the patient shown on these clips cannot voice the way it felt ect. They do sedate you don't they?

I have been intouch with the doctor at prague beauty now and all I have to do is choose a date to go! Scary stuff!!!
Ali

Hi Ali,

Everyone has different experiences of the balloon and insertion. I had
no sedation at all as so overweight the doctor didn't want me to! It
was not fun but over quickly and was able to go home within a couple
of hours. I was very rough for approx two weeks and even told the
doctor I could of strangled him had I had enough strength!

For the acid I took omeprazole and drank peppermint tea (warm or
cold its horrible) but it works to settle the stomach like nothing else.

The balloon coming out again with no sedation was also unpleasant
but knowing you have lost 76lb in six months makes it all worth while.

Another month on and have lost a further 6lb by keeping to the
small portions of everyday meals and getting a little exercise.

Keep going and good luck all xxx

 

[Joanie]

Hi Ali,

Everyone has different experiences of the balloon and insertion. I had
no sedation at all as so overweight the doctor didn't want me to! It
was not fun but over quickly and was able to go home within a couple
of hours. I was very rough for approx two weeks and even told the
doctor I could of strangled him had I had enough strength!

For the acid I took omeprazole and drank peppermint tea (warm or
cold its horrible) but it works to settle the stomach like nothing else.

The balloon coming out again with no sedation was also unpleasant
but knowing you have lost 76lb in six months makes it all worth while.

Another month on and have lost a further 6lb by keeping to the
small portions of everyday meals and getting a little exercise.

Keep going and good luck all xxx

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