Gastric Balloon Procedure Booked!

[islesdriveforfive 42]

Just joined the community, booked my ReShape Duo Balloon procedure for Tuesday Sep 8th!! Totally excited. I am 42, 5'9", 287 lbs - about 22 lbs lost in past few months. I've been struggling with the decision of Gastric Sleeve and the permanency of surgery. Then the ReShape was approved in July!

Anyway, looking forward to my journey and sharing my results - I'm prepared to become the poster boy for ReShape if they'll let me.

Anyone else on here that can share their experiences? The Dr I am using (Dr Garber, NY) seems to be the only Dr in the country doing it so I'm sure it's limited.

Glad to be a part of the community.

-C

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

It is available in STL.

There is a UK show called Fat Doctor. It is available on Hulu I think, and you can look around on Youtube also.

They used the ballon in the UK on large patients to help them lose weight so they can safely have bypass surgery.

You can't have it longer than 6 months, and they have to take it out. I think they can put another back in, but its a limited time you can have one in.

Anyway if you have never seen the procedure, Fat Doctor shows it.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I hope it works well for you! Keep us posted!

I got the lapband in 2001 partly because it was less scary/less permanent. In the end, I revised to the sleeve and have found that I NEED a permanent tool because I just regain sadly.

[AngelaWilliamsMD 290]

@@islesdriveforfive

I'm interested to hear what your surgeon says about your estimated weight loss?

[islesdriveforfive 42]

@@islesdriveforfive

I'm interested to hear what your surgeon says about your estimated weight loss?

Hi Angela,

He quoted what the company says too - I think it was a range of 25-40 lbs, but that its different for everyone - and that exercise and diet were critical to how successful I would be. There are some good success stories as well - and one of them (Patrick) has a very similar build to me - and he lost 65 lbs. I am going into this with the expectation that I will lose a minimum of 50 and shooting for a stretch goal of 75. I'd like to lose 107 lbs as a total weight, and am using this as a kick start to reach that goal on my own. Interesting note, once the balloon is removed, you can put another one in 1-2 months later - if I see myself having difficulty losing beyond the removal, I have prepared myself to do it twice.

I've cleaned the house out of any garbage that will be tempting, and my wife is onboard with helping me stay on track - good support system. I purchased the Peloton Spinning Bike a few months back and the Dr said that it was the perfect exercise tool for me with the balloon.

Anyway, sorry for the long winded answer, but I thought some context to it was appropriate.

Glad to see you're well on your way to achieving success!

-C

[Mountaingal 322]

Exciting to read about someone trying something new. I am sure a lot of us will be following your progress. I wish you all good luck.

[Daisee68 2,493]

My Dr in Dallas is supposed to be offering it very soon. She was quite excited about the approval. Look forward to hearing about your experience

[AngelaWilliamsMD 290]

I'd love to hear about your journey with the balloon, so don't be a stranger!

[Alex Brecher 10,484]

Just joined the community, booked my ReShape Duo Balloon procedure for Tuesday Sep 8th!! Totally excited. I am 42, 5'9", 287 lbs - about 22 lbs lost in past few months. I've been struggling with the decision of Gastric Sleeve and the permanency of surgery. Then the ReShape was approved in July!

Anyway, looking forward to my journey and sharing my results - I'm prepared to become the poster boy for ReShape if they'll let me.

Anyone else on here that can share their experiences? The Dr I am using (Dr Garber, NY) seems to be the only Dr in the country doing it so I'm sure it's limited.

Glad to be a part of the community.

-C

Just responded to your other post. There are very few surgeons or Gastroenterologists that have fully completed training. There are many that are in midst of training and over the next 6-12 months you'll see Balloons popping up all over the place. Realy happy that you're part of our community. Thanks for your updates and keep em coming, please!

[islesdriveforfive 42]

Thanks everyone for your support!

Edited September 4, 2015 by islesdriveforfive

[islesdriveforfive 42]

Hi all - just thought I'd report back in on Day 4 after the balloon placement.

Day 1- it was so fast - in 20 minutes it was done and I'm in the recovery room. Left the office 20 minutes later for the drive back to Baltimore from Long Island. In retrospect- I should have stayed on LI overnight. We stopped at Panera along the way because I was actually feeling like I wanted to try some broth - and quickly found out that "broth" and "restaurant broth" really are 2 different things. We had to stop 4 times on the way home for me to vomit. Unfortunately- this carried on until day 3, pretty much every hour on the hour. Weighed in at 296 on insertion day.

Day 2- not much to say except I'm pretty sure I vomited my soul out several times. Not a good day. Getting dehydrated and my wife says I look pale. Spoke to the doctor and they suggested I don't try anything for 4 hours - no fluids or Clear liquids. They also prescribed the behind the ear anti-nausea patch. Finally! No more vomiting thank god.

Day 3 - I'm feeling weak, but not nauseated. Focus was to get as much fluids as possible and try 1 or 2 small meals / 32 oz of Gatorade G2 and 2 packets of puréed baby food. No issues.

Day 4-I made my way through 4 oz of Shakeology this morning along w a 1/2 cup of coffee. Getting strength back. Weight 287.8!!!! I don't feel the balloon anymore. I can honestly say that I don't feel hungry at all, but am trying to remain cognizant to get all of my nutrients in and remain hydrated. Thinking that the difference between Day 1 and Day 4 are like get this thing out of me to ok I can do this. Lol.
Speak soon.

[Mountaingal 322]

Thanks for the update. Glad you are no longer feeling nauseous, starting to take in nutrients and feel you can do this. We will be waiting for further updates.

[islesdriveforfive 42]

Day 5 - 285.6 lbs

I should have remembered that my beloved JETS opening day was today. Thankfully, my wife is ultra supportive and made a bunch of healthy alternatives that allowed me to enter into Phase III of introducing solids back into my diet. I had 3 small Buffalo chicken Meatballs (Ground chicken, minced carrots, minced celery, a touch of buffalo sauce), exactly 6 Chex squares from Chex Mix, and 1/4 cup of Turkey Chili - and was able to keep it all down. Frankly, the meatballs were only 37 calories each - and it made me feel like I was eating wings (which are which were my favorite). I think the Chili was a bit of a mistake, even though I only had a little - my stomach was upset for a bit.

Day 6 - 282.1 lbs!!!

OK - No chili for a while lol. My wife was 'dealing' with what I'll gently call "sleeping gas".

Otherwise, I am feeling ready to stop Zofran and move on to some exercise today. 1/2 a Dannon Light & Fit to start the day. Walked 3.5 miles at a 3.5 mph pace - not bad. Felt like I could have done more, but will save some for tonight. Tried a 1/2 serving of Shakeology and its become apparent that Milk (although Lactose Free Milk) is no longer going to be my friend. I could only drink 1/4 of the shake and it just sits there. I ordered a new shake that everyone is rating very high called 310 Nutrition - very low sugar and equivalent nutrients. Cant wait until that arrives. Very excited at the immediate results I am getting - I am now 13 lbs down in 5 full days since the procedure.

Oddly enough but worth mentioning, I have had some blurry vision the past 2 days - its probably from the medications, but I cannot seem to focus on my iPhone.

[Chi_Sue_2015 11]

Hi- I just had mine in today in Chicago. 3pm. It is 1AM and I'm pretty nasus

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Chi_Sue_2015 11]

Nauseous. Sorry hit send by mistake. Hi truly have 50

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk