Wayward Traveler

Every experience really is different. After feeling crummy for a couple of days and feeling hungry for a week or two, I then had great success. I lost weight, never had the balloon adjusted (I didn't even know that was an option with Orbera?), didn't feel sick anymore, didn't feel the restriction reduce, etc.. In fact, I even continued to lose weight after an uneventful removal six months later. It was right for me and I'm glad I did it. Personally, I was just not comfortable with the idea of permanently altering my anatomy. Having said that, I would never say that the balloon right for everyone, but I just knew it was all I needed to get a jump start and to re-establish healthy habits. All I can recommend is that people really do their research, ask a lot of questions, ensure that they have a sufficient support structure and then do what's best for them. Cheers!

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I don't like most Protein Drinks since they tend to be thick, sweet and/or mediciny. Blech. If that's why you don't like them, then I'd highly recommend organic fuel by organic valley (they have a different drink too, so make sure you get the FUEL version). Most grocery stores carry it in the dairy section, but some (like wegmans) has them on the shelf in the organic section. I actually order it on Amazon - same day delivery!They come in singles, 4 or 12 packs. 26g of Protein for 260 calories - great ratio. I prefer the chocolate flavor. It's thin like milk, and the flavor is relatively light.

Orgain (in the green and white package) is another good option (but not their high Protein One in the blue package - it tastes like medicine). I've even seen that in drug stores. Similarly, it's thin with light flavors. In that one I prefer the strawberry or vanilla.

Broth is also a good choice. If you can stomach it, Bone Broth is even better.

And while regular old Popsicles don't have any protein, there's something satisfying about them. :-) But don't get the sugar free ones - you need all of the calories that you can get right now.

Good luck!!


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8 minutes ago, FloraBama Girl said:

For $5500 you can go to Mexico and get a sleeve or bypass. I would never do the ballon.

I did the balloon and had great, non-invasive success. Every person, every experience, every need is different. I would never tell people to run and and get a balloon, nor would I tell them to have have an invasive - and permanent - WLS. People need to research each option carefully, determining which is best for them. Part of that research is understanding the risks and the fact that you may be one of the few who suffers really adverse effects. The worst part about that is that there is no way to know in advance how your body will respond ... and that's true for any surgery. I think chpstick2u did her homework and made an informed decision like the rest of us, but was one of the unfortunate few who had a bad result. That is precisely why I am happy to share my experiences and advice with folks, but I also tell them that they're no guarantees. And, frankly, I've seen more issues with traditional WLS surgery than I have with balloons ... so no procedures should be taken lightly. Regardless, what may be good for one person may not be right for the next (i.e. when it comes to these things, there are no absolutes). Having said that, I personally would never go to Mexico for surgery, but that's a personal choice. To each his own.

@chpstick2u: Good grief. I'm so sorry to hear that. It's shocking, really. I did not feel anything immediately after (it was the calm before the storm) and felt fine when I left the hospital. I understand that a lot of people do - they typically don't start having issues until they get home and the drugs wear off. But even then, I didn't feel pain, I just felt crummy and queasy. I did not throw up until the next AM and even that was not much ... after that I felt a lot better. I'm so very sorry that you had such a terrible experience. Everyone reacts differently ... some people don't get sick at all!! Crazy.

Have you already had it removed? If so, hope that went well. If that's still coming up, hope it's uneventful. Regardless, best wishes to you on your future endeavors.

I think mine cost more than that (maybe $7000?) but I don't recall ... regardless, it was worth it and it was the right choice for me. May not be for everyone, but I'm glad that I did it. :-)

Hi chpstick2u:

I was worried about post-op, too. Granted, it was no picnic, but it was not as bad as I expected, either. I only threw up a couple of times about 48 hours after, and that was it. I was miserably nauseous for the first few days (to the point of thinking, what have I done?!?), but that passed too, and then I felt a lot better.

I would say to be prepared to ease back into soft and the solid foods ... I think some people get into trouble when they transition too quickly. Also, I don't recall if I took pain meds or not, but I definitely needed the nausea medicine (i.e. both the patch and pill). Come to think of it, I had liquid Tylenol 3 but I didn't take it. I also didn't need the anti-spasm/cramping meds and/or the anxiety pills. HOWEVER, I was glad to have them ALL, just in case.

One thing that I've learned is that everyone reacts differently. There is no way to predict what you'll need so, in my opinion, better to be safe than sorry ... you sure don't want to be making a pharmacy run if you're feeling miserable.

Other than that, if you search for posts from me, I've provided a lot of advice about what to do and eat, so hopefully that will help. Good luck!! :-)

I could be wrong, but I don't think they allow people who have had previous gastric surgeries to get the balloon. You might want to confirm on the manufacturers website. Best wishes on your continued journey.

@@BlueTuna - I'm so sorry - that sounds awful!! Are you eating regular or diet Popsicles? If the latter, try the former. Also you might also like Isopure - a clear Protein drink. It didn't agree with me but some people love it. Are you at the point yet when you can do eggs? If not, don't rush it, but when I was able to move to soft foods l felt a lot better. I also enjoyed frozen spaghetti w/meat sauce. It's really soft so it was easy to digest and had lots of Protein from the meat sauce, which made me feel better. Best wishes!!

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Oh man. Im confused? How many calories should I be taking in right now. I can "eat" and drink all day long and still only manage about 200. How does everyone else manage this??

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Get as many as you can, but I was the same way - about 200 the first couple of days (mostly regular Popsicles). Not optimal but if that's all you can do ... :-/ Don't forget Jello and broth - other sources of clear calories. There are clear Protein drinks, but I was not able to stomach them. Hang in there!!

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Ok. Tomorrow is the day! at 2 pm, I will be me + balloon.

This pre-op diet is so hard. I couldn't imagine having to do this for weeks. I can barely manage three days.

I had a little meltdown last night. I was like "Im not going to be able to do this." So glad my husband was there to pull me out of my funk.

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Hang in there ... it will get easier. Well, after it gets harder. You won't want to eat much so you probably won't feel hungry, but you will likely feel pretty crummy for a few days. Have Popsicles on hand, Jello and clear Protein drinks (if you can stomach them and they're readily a available). broth is also a good option - especially Bone Broth (given the high protein), if you can stomach it. Just remember - it will get better. Cheers!!

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Good luck!! :-)

I just had my Obrera balloon inserted Thursday, Jan 5th 2016. Kind of painfull. Thew up a lot the first night. Still nauseous on Saturday. I can't wait until this first week is done. I'm sure the pain will subside. I have a craving for miso Soup. I'm going to order some and see how it goes. Otherwise I'm drinking coconut water; drinking no caff tea and eating fruit veggie popsicles I got from sprouts.

Note: This forum doesn't give a balloon option on the Surgery category under my picture.

I was pretty miserable the first few days, although not as bad as I had expected (based on what I had read in advance). After ~ 3 days I started to feel a lot better - hope you do too. :-)

Popsicles and Jello helped me a lot. Miso soup sounds like a good option, too. Just take your time easing in to soft/solid foods. Hope all goes well - good luck!!

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Day 3 of the full liquid diet. And I'm still alive. The Cream of Wheat with Water is really what has kept me together.

I didn't even know that was an option - good tip!

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Hi everyone! Just a few thoughts now and I will write more later ...

My favorite Protein (by far) is chocolate Organic Fuel. It's not a full Meal Replacement but if it's only a few days and you're taking Vitamins, it should be sufficient. It's not super thick (I can't stand the weird texture of some Protein drinks) - it's more like the consistency of milk. It's also not sickeningly sweet and it does not have an overwhelming Vitamin flavor. It just has a subtle chocolate flavor. And at only 260 calories for 26 grams of protein, you can't beat it. I love it so much that months after having the balloon removed, I still have it almost every day for Breakfast.

If you want more of a full Meal Replacement, Orgain is another good option. Similar texture, just a little more flavor and no aftertaste (unless you get their high protein version - blech!). In that one I actually prefer strawberry or vanilla. Orgain has more Vitamins and minerals than Organic Fuel, but not as much protein, so it's a give and take. But both are organic/natural, which I like.

FWIW I only had to fast for 3 days before insertion - 2 days of full fluids and 1 of clear. I actually fasted a little longer before the removal (it can be more of an issue at that time since food can get stuck on/around the balloon). But I would do whatever your doctor advises.

Other fasting options - (bone) broth, Jello, popsicles, Bariatric Choice liquid (smells like medicine but tastes like Kool-Aid - not bad!), powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury (various drinks and Soups, including an unflavored option, but I have not tried them) and Isopure (a clear protein that I got for post-op, but I couldn't stomach it ... not sure if that's because it was too thick/sweet or if it was because I was queasy ... but some people swear by it). Ensure even has a clear Protein Drink (I have not tried that one, either, but Ensure is pretty popular). I even just drank the broth from my favorite canned Soup - Progresso Chickarina ... it was very soothing. :-)

BTW, if you're fasting, you might want to consider going crazy and getting the regular popsicles and Jello (not the lo-cal versions). They are only like 15-40 calories to begin with ... you'll be at such a tremendous calorie deficit that your body will thank you for the extra "nutrition". Also, ask your doctor if you're allowed to chew while fasting. If not, you may just need to let these options dissolve in your mouth. (Sounds crazy, I know, but chewing activates saliva and digestive juices, which they may not like ... that's why you're not allowed to chew gum the day of the procedure.)

I hope that helps. Best wishes to you all!! :-)

The weight loss with the balloon is not as dramatic with traditional WLS, so it is not quite as obvious, and the balloon does not require the same down time. In other words, you don't "have" to tell anyone. I only told a few people - family and friends who were closest to me (I didn't even tell my boss). The rest I just told that I was doubling down, being very structured about and committed to my weight loss efforts ... which was true! The reality is that the balloon will not work unless you are really committed to the process, and the plan that you follow with the balloon can be just as effective without the balloon, if you follow it as diligently (I have continued to lose weight post-balloon, following the same plan ... so my journey has been seamless to those around me). In other words, tell who you want, what you want, and nothing more. If you choose to tell everyone - great! If you choose to tell no one, that is completely fine too. It's totally up to you. :-) Best wishes!

I have heard of some people taking a long trip within a week or two and doing just fine, but I would not recommend it. I would give it AT LEAST two weeks, more like four, just to be safe. And some people take longer to adjust, needing more like two months. But I would think that a month would be good for most people. Good luck!

Absolutely! In fact, I highly recommend following some sort of plan with the balloon. Just know that for the first few days you can't follow much of anything, and that depending on how long it takes you to adjust, the first month could even be a bit wonky. Regardless, there may be some foods that just don't agree with you while you have the balloon, but that's ok - you just eliminate them from your diet and defer to others (the good thing about WW is that you have SO many options ... you can eat just about anything). Last but not least, no matter what plan you follow, make sure that you get enough Protein - that is critical for weight loss and general good health. Best wishes to you!

Thanks so much for the information, Wayward Traveler. Ironically, I just went to the clinical trials website last night, because I realized I must have missed some pretty good trials for the procedures I have been researching (lol) ! I will keep an eye on the site, as I have a long way to go, but am already 15 lbs down and on my way. God Bless.

Ya ... it's easy to get sucked into that site - so many interesting trials for so many things - lol!

Nope :-)

My insurance covered my meds at the typical rates, as well. I don't recall how much my exact out of pocket was, but it was comparable to whatever I pay for other prescriptions. The only thing that's not covered is the procedure itself (and any meds that you receive as part of the procedure - for example, the patch - are included in the cost of the procedure). Best wishes!

Hi timeless333: My BMI was just under 40 (and I, like you, didn't want to do anything that included cutting/changing my anatomy). I met with one doctor who said he would not do the procedure on anyone who was a fraction over that, and another who said they had some wiggle room, so it may depend on your doctor. Having said that, I believe (as you said) it is used in other countries to prepare for WLS, so it stands to reason that patients with much higher BMIs have done it. However based on how it was tested/approved in the US, I don't believe that's an option here. But you may be able to find a clinical trial where that's being done - check out www.clinicaltrials.gov to learn more. Best wishes to you in your weight loss journey.

Hello there, here is my testimony. I had the balloon placed July 26, 2016. I am now half way into the six month period with the balloon. The first 3 days was aweful! Almost constant vomiting until I finally started using the patch for nausea. The first 8 weeks or so I had a lot of cramping. Had to watch and learn what my body needed. Some days I had to lay down and massage my belly due to cramps. I never regretted the procedure.

I am now half through and actually don't feel the balloon much any more. I have learned to put on my fit bit every day and have a goal of 10,000 steps a day. If I accomplish these steps each day I lose weight, period. With the help from the balloon and daily steps, which can be tough some days, I hope to lose the weight I had hoped. I have lost 23 lbs so far and life is good. Nothing and I do mean nothing, feels better then being able to put pants on and have them so loose! would I do it again? Yes!! I have three months to go

And thanks again to @waywardtraveler. You have helped me more then you know!

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I'm so happy to hear that you're doing well!! Congratulations on your weight loss - how exciting! More importantly, congratulations on what sounds like a new lifestyle - you're certainly making healthier, sustainable choices. Good for you - you should be proud!!

Yes, those first few days are awful (and mine were rough with the patch - I can't imagine them without), but thankfully it gets better for most folks. I'm sorry about the cramping. I am thankful that I didn't have that, but it sounds like a lot of people do. :-/

I'm so happy that my words have been helpful. That's really the only reason I post here - I'm hoping to provide others with the info that I was so desperately seeking before I got the balloon. I will do my best to continue to provide that kind of support.

As far as life after the balloon, I'm still doing well and continue to lose. I'm now down to my lowest in 4-5 years. I've eased up on myself so I'm not losing as quickly, but I am still losing (just not as quickly) and enjoying life at the same time. :-) So all is well.

Thanks for sharing your story. Best of luck to you with your continued success! Cheers!! :-)

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@@DHurd35 - I was nauseous for 2-3 days (I threw up late the night of the procedure and twice the morning after). I had the procedure on a Wed and was back to work on Mon, and I was fine (I actually got out and about a bit the weekend in-between). Once I was back on solid (probably even semi-soft) foods, I felt pretty much back to normal ... Protein goes a long way to preventing weakness. :-) So for me it was very manageable and totally worth it for a couple of days of discomfort.

However please note that it is different for everyone. I know people who were not nauseous and never threw up, and others who were sick (almost) the entire time. There was even someone at my doctor's office who got so dehydrated that (s)he went into kidney failure and had the balloon removed early! So while I fared well, you may not ... and you may do even better (someone else here lost 77 pounds!). That's the challenge - there's no way to know.

Both the gastric balloon and plastic surgery are very personal decisions. I'm glad that I did both, but neither was a cake walk. Plastic surgery has its own recovery challenges, and mine went a bit sideways. My draining would not stop so my stomach ended up distended. It's still much improved with the excess skin gone and and muscles tied, but it's not perfect and really requires a follow up procedure. So both have their pros and cons ... and both have risks. You need to do what's best for you and to accept that you might have challenges along the way, regardless of what you do.

Whatever you may decide, I wish you the best of luck and an uneventful journey. :-)

@@Sai - thanks - you too! :-)

@@Sai - thank you so much! And congratulations on your weight loss!! :-D That's impressive. It's a journey ... we all may take different paths to get there, but the destination is the same. :-) Cheers!