linapc

WOW!! This thread had been incredibly helpful. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. After reading this and various things elsewhere, I have come up with the following list to help me prepare for my alien insertion next week:
1. Ask for an anti-nausea patch. One person got it before they were even knocked out, others immediately after and others days later. In all cases it sounds like it helped ... a lot. (Actually, except for one, which resulted in hives ... talk about adding insult to injury!)
2. Take your meds. Even before your procedure and/or if you're feeling better, take them (at least the first few days) to prevent getting sick.
3. Follow the 20x4 rule. No liquids 20 minutes before eating or for at least 20 minutes after, chew each bite 20 times and take 20 minutes to complete a meal.
4. 20-30 minutes after a meal, drink Water to rinse the balloon and prevent bad breath. (I've heard/read mixed reviews about carbonated beverages - some people say they cleanse the balloon better, but most seem to say that they make you feel miserable.)
5. Protein and hydration are essential to being/feeling healthy.
6. Stay with liquids only for at least a week or two to help with the adjustment and to prevent getting sick.
7. Eat dinner early and, ideally, stick with a liquid dinner to prevent all sorts of discomfort.
8. Invest in barf bags (done!). :-) Hopefully you won't need them, but they are worth it for the peace of mind alone.
9. When the balloon feels uncomfortable, sleep on your left side and/or try downward dog to get it re-positioned.
10. sleep with your head elevated? I have not read much about that, but assume it might help with the reflux. Just to be safe, I ordered a wedge pillow.
11. It ain't over until it's over. Even when you start feeling better, you still may have bad days. So never take it for granted, stay on the food program and continue to take your meds.
12. And last but not least, prepare. Stock the kitchen with Protein drinks and soft foods, invest in the items mentioned above early so that you have them if you need them, make sure you have Vitamins (and tum?) on hand, etc..
Do you agree? Have I missed anything? Any feedback would be most appreciated.
BTW has anyone tried Yonanas? It's a machine that instantly makes sorbet out of just fruit. A friend of mine has it (she got it after several of her friends got it) and she loves it ... says it is delicious! She usually just uses bananas and berries, but you can also use yogurt and other ingredients. I was wondering if that might not be a good way to get in some healthy carbs that are nice and soft. :-)
One last thing - do your balloons have the blue dye in them? If so, what type of balloon do you have? Some people get it and some don't ... I'm curious about your thoughts on that, too.
Thanks again and best of luck to you all!!

One month into balloon –Having read most of the posts on this topic here, I wanted to check in. I had the balloon put in on Feb. 3. I had a 1 month check up yesterday. I have lost 10 pounds. I am very pleased. 5 more months and I want to lose 30 more pounds and I think I will make this goal. I am 5 ft tall and now weight 181.5.
Nausea persisted for 2 weeks following but mostly controlled with nausea meds. I took them as scheduled, even if I was not feeling nausea, to prevent it from coming on. Some people get over it sooner. I was not one of those. Best to sit in a recliner with nausea. Laying down makes it worse for me.
food plan. I am eating 60 to 80 grams of Protein per day. I am drinking about 50 oz of water/diet ice tea/Zero Propel/ per day. Propel to keep me hydrated. The dr. would like me to consume 90 gms of Protein and 70 oz of water/ day but I just can’t get it in. NEVER DRINK WHILE EATING. STOP 15 MINUTES BEFORE EATING AND RESUME 30 MINUTES AFTER EATING. The liquid will fill you up and then you won’t eat the protein you need. And your stomach won’t feel so good either !
I don’t eat bread, rice, Pasta at all. I really don’t miss it. The doctor told me to eat the protein first, finish up the protein, then if I am still hungry to eat the vegetables. On rare occasions I have eaten a vegetable. (cooked broccoli is my favorite.) The protein usually fills me up.
YOU MUST EAT EVERY 3 HOURS. This is my hardest challenge!! I don’t always feel hungry after 3 hrs. But I try to nibble on something nevertheless. (Low fat string cheese is good, and I can eat if in the car if I have to.) If I wait 4 hours, then I am so hungry, I overeat and feel terrible !!
Eat 3 meals and 2-3 snacks/day. I usually start the day with Pure Protein shake, has 25 mg protein ! (oh, I have 2 cups of coffee every morning too. I can’t live w/o my coffee!!)
Eat slowly and chew food well . Take 15 minutes to eat. (Not easy for me!!)
Since we get VERY little Fiber on this diet, I was directed to add 1-2 scoops Benifiber (find at Costco) to the shake. It dissolves completely. You can’t really tell it is in the shake. I have also put it into Propel. This keeps the bowels working. If you are constipated you are going to feel terrible. I have 4-5 BM’s per week .
Here is a list of foods that I eat. GREEK Yoghurt. I use the Triple Zero one. Don’t use any yoghurt that has added fruit. They have lots of sugar which you should avoid. GREEK yoghurt has less fat and that is what you want.
Any low fat String cheese. (Weight watcher, high protein, low fat) 1 Egg or 2 eggs, scrambled poached or hard boiled. 2 eggs equals 14 gms protein.
chicken salad or tuna salad and yes Mayonnaise of OK. About 2/3 cups is all I can get down before I feel full.
Cooked salmon, chicken, lean beef meatloaf. Lean beef hamburger (No bun !!) Beef Jerky, turkey bacon, lean steak.
Eating out is a challenge. My “go-to” meal is a house salad with grilled shrimp on top or grilled chicken on top. Again, eat the protein first, then eat the salad if you have any room.
I have also have had fish tacos in a resturant. I don’t eat the tortilla or shell. Just fish and maybe a little of the shredded lettuce or whatever they serve in it.
I also am taking the fusion Vitamins purchased at the Dr’s office. They want you to do 4/day but I am only doing 2/day. They also sell a line of “foods” called Health Wise sold again at my dr’s or online. All are high in protein. Bars, chips, Cookies, Soup, etc. But don’t use these more than once a day.
I take 40 mg capsule of omeprazole every morning. (Dr. prescribed) I have had some heartburn, at night, so I try to eat earlier in the evening to avoid that.
Exercise- I resumed exercise after week one. VERY important. Just start with walking. I like to do pool aerobics. Find something you like to do and do it !!
My doctor explained to me the rational of this diet is that you eat all the protein because you want to lose FAT not muscle !! Very important !! Exercise also helps you to lose the fat !! Even just 30 minutes of aerobic activity will make a big difference. Do what you love to do !! Bike, swim, walk, treadmill etc.
I know this is long, and I have left some things out. Ask me questions, if you want.

I was looking for more information and found this helpful link: https://www.muhealth.org/app/files/public/2232/orbera-Surgery-Guidelines.docx
I thought it provided some good information on what to expect and some more dietary information for use after placement.