Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Still nauseous after four weeks with Orbera Balloon.



Recommended Posts

I had my Orbera balloon inserted a little over four weeks ago. The first week I could barely keep liquids down. The second and third weeks I could eat very soft foods (pudding, scrambled eggs), but the stomach acid was terrible and I made myself throw up - often every day. Not a great idea, but the acid and reflux was very bad. Now after a month the acid situation is significantly better, but the nausea isn't. I have stomach cramps that are a bit like labor pains of the stomach - they last about 20 seconds, then get better for 30 seconds, then start again. I know the stomach tries to 'digest' the balloon for a while, and that's why you get some of the nausea. I'm worried because the doctor told me most people feel better by two weeks, and sometimes it takes three-four weeks. I don't want to be one of the people that has early removal. Due to the nausea, my Fluid and Protein intake are not what they should be, and I know that's an issue. Anyone have this kind of nausea happen and eventually feel better after a few more weeks?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You poor thing! That sounds miserable! You are the first person I've seen post with the balloon, so we aren't ignoring you, we just have no experience with it.

Please keep coming back, as eventually someone else with some experience is bound to show up :)

[Hugs] Hope you feel better, and keep us informed in how it goes!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you very much, appreciate it. Am I not in the right forum, gastric balloons? Just joined so I'm new.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, you posted correctly in the Gastric Balloon Forum.

I'm so sorry you're feeling lousy. Are you taking any PPIs to help with the acid reflux? And what does your surgeon say about your difficulties with Fluid & Protein intake and so much nausea? Unfortunately I'm not familiar with this procedure so I can't be much help. But I sure hope you feel better soon.

Edited by MarinaGirl

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Re PPIs, yes, Prilosec and Zantac, although the acid isn't the issue anymore. Also taking Hyoscyamine and Odansetron, which are antiemetics for nausea. Surgeon says to keep drinking Water and get at least 60 grams of Protein. He says everyone is different and responds to the balloon differently, some may take longer than others to adjust.

If you look at all the online info about the balloon it says most people feel better in 3-4 days, and nausea is "easily managed." I've read several posts from folks who say the first 1-2 weeks were bad. There are fewer posts from people who are past the month mark and still feeling nausea or cramps. So that's what I'm curious about. Thanks for responding.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm at ten weeks now. Most of the nausea and acid reflux subsided around eight weeks. I still feel some physical discomfort, especially in the morning - like the balloon is pressing outward. I spoke with my doctor's office and he says he hears this sometimes. It's uncomfortable but manageable.

It sounds like I'm an outlier among his patients in terms of how long it took to get over the nausea. He says everyone is different. But my expectation was that I would feel better within a week based on what he said at the appointment before surgery.

My only advice out of all of this is that you can't really use a yardstick and compare yourself to other people in terms of recovery. Some seem to feel a lot better in three days, others take a lot longer.

I've lost 14 pounds so far.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×