Gastric Balloon Any ballooners out there? Support needed!

[Neisie]

So, there's next to nothing for balloon support on the web as far as I can find so I figured I'd start a thread and if I write only to myself hopefully it'll still be a good outlet for me.

I'm currently 8 days into my 12 month adjustable Spatz balloon. Had it inserted only a few weeks after I found out about it. I have PCOS which makes losing weight near impossible and I've watched my weight creep up to 106 kilos (233 lbs) with a BMI of 33.

I don't remember insertion at all, and after my throat hurt but that was it. Spent 24 hours in the hospital for observation with fluids, meds, etc. and actually came home a kilo heavier!

Day 2 was complete Hell. Lots of barfing. Tiny sips of water. Bad cramps. Trouble sleeping.

From then on it's been smooth sailing... I don't even have reflux but my Doc says to keep taking the pills anyway to protect the balloon.

I went yesterday for my one week check-up and I was down 3 kilos (6.6 lbs). I guess that's good but I feel as if it should be more.

I'm still having problems mentally... I want to eat. There's a huge difference between physical and mental fullness and I need to get those two in-line. I found myself grazing last night after my hubby went to bed and I'm not so disappointed in myself.

So today I'm going to try to keep it to mostly liquids and see how I do. I think the more I stay away from food the better my mind will get? Here's hoping.

 

[Neisie]

Today is day 9 after my balloon insertion and I'm down 3.5 kilos (7.7 lbs). I really feel as if I could've lost the same amount of weight by dropping all carbs on my own. I wonder of the carbs I am having from milk, yogurt, etc. are stalling me bc I have PCOS. I think next week I'll try to do Atkins at the same time and see how that goes...

I've been waiting for two days for the dietician to call me back so I guess I need to call them again. It's so annoying that seemingly easy things in any other country are near impossible here. We don't have Weight Watchers/Slimming World here so finding a support group has proved to be a waste of time.

I'm starving. So hungry. I think I could eat a normal meal but I refuse to be the person who spent 20,000 Dhs to have the balloon not work. I just don't feel any restriction other than mentally and that slips more and more each day. Ugh. I hope this passes but I'm not sure if the balloon is doing anything or if I lost that weight bc I had almost nothing for 5 days.

 

[femfrankie]

Hi neisie. I had the balloon for six months prior to my bypass. You are doing well
There is little room for error with the balloon as regards falling off the wagon. Once the restriction goes it's gone for good unless you have the refillable Spatz like you do but you will want to avoid the expensive refills . I had terrible reflux the whole lifetime of my balloon but not everyone does suffer this. Despite that I wasn't aware that the balloon was in there at all... Unless I pushed it to the limits which I only did on a couple of occasions. I still had restriction six months out albeit slightly less than in the initial months.. I lost around five stone with the balloon in but even my team was amazed at this
I stuck to a high protein low carb diet, ate off a small side plate with small utensils and stuck to my meal times with three light snacks in between. Keep the liquid intake up too.
Good luck x

 

[femfrankie]

Meant to add I also suffer PCOS and still do despite having a hysterectomy nearly seventeen years ago. As for feeling hungry I found that I had to avoid most carbs ..bread products in particular as these tended to make me feel hungrier. Upping the fluid intake also helps you feel full and also the brain can misrepresent thirst for hunger . Hope this helps x

 

[Woody76]

Good to read this. I'm seeing the consultant tommorow and I think that he will advise the balloon. I will prob have loads of questions hope you don't mind xxx

 

[Neisie]

Good to read this. I'm seeing the consultant tommorow and I think that he will advise the balloon. I will prob have loads of questions hope you don't mind xxx

Woody,

Fire away! It's good to have someone to chat to about this! I was feeling lonely amongst all the banders/bypassers

 

[barbs73]

Hi
I'm new and get my gastric balloon on the 6th November, scared and excited x

 

[Neisie]

Meant to add I also suffer PCOS and still do despite having a hysterectomy nearly seventeen years ago. As for feeling hungry I found that I had to avoid most carbs ..bread products in particular as these tended to make me feel hungrier. Upping the fluid intake also helps you feel full and also the brain can misrepresent thirst for hunger . Hope this helps x

Hey Frankie,

Thanks for responding - I feel as if I know you already as I read your balloon thread before I got mine done. I'm so inspired by your weight loss and I'm hoping I can do a fraction of what you accomplished!

I'm eating less than 800 calls per day so I wonder if that's not enough. I'm also thinking the "suggested diet" with yogurt, milk, Wheetabix, porridge is exactly what I shouldn't be eating bc of my PCOS. Low carb was the only way before balloon so I imagine it'll be the same way now. I'm meeting the dietician again on Thurs to go over my foods (I track in MyFitnessPal).

What foods were good for you when you were ballooning? I hear that lettuce is a big no -no. Any low carb suggestions? I never eat bread or pasta, but dairy (milk) is my heaven. I've also really upped my water intake the last two days and cut out the NSA juices, just a bit of sugar free squash occasional to break up the monotony.

One last question: What was your fill size? The full 700? I was given 500 to start and figure I'll bump up after the New Year to 700...

 

[Neisie]

Hi I'm new and get my gastric balloon on the 6th November, scared and excited x

Hey Barbs! Welcome! I'm so excited for another balloon buddy! I too was scared but it was easy-peasy. I don't remember a thing and other than a sore throat on day zero and lots of barfing on day two, it's been great! I don't even have acid indigestion!

You'll do fine and we can all encourage each other!

 

[Banderbird]

I know absolutely jack about balloons, but are you allowed protein shakes? Maybe worth a try if you are, I found them quite filling post-op with my band.

Good luck with it! x

 

[Neisie]

So begins day 10... Not the best start as I gained .3 kilos since yesterday I only ate 800 calories so it's either that I'm eating too little or bc I'm having carbs - I guess I'll get it sorted with the nutritionist on Thursday. I would start no carb today but I've got a fridge full of cottage cheese, Yakult, and Greek yogurt that I don't want to go to waste... especially since groceries are 2-3x's more expensive here than at home. So I am going to shoot for Sunday to start no-carbing it. I haven't had a drop of alcohol so I'm completely befuddled as to why the weight isn't falling off of me; damn PCOS. My husband thinks that I was dehydrated before and now that I can drink I'm rehydrating which is why I saw the gain. It makes sense but I only want to see weight loss I guess I have to remember that the weight gain took time so the weight loss will be the same.

 

[Nickynoodles]

Hi Neisie

There are a few of us ex ballooners about .. I had a balloon last year for 6 months before my bypass.
I lost about 3.5 stone with it.

My advise is drink plenty of water but not during meal.. ooh and watch out you burp a lot ..

Take care

Nicky x

 

[Neisie]

Hi Neisie There are a few of us ex ballooners about .. I had a balloon last year for 6 months before my bypass. I lost about 3.5 stone with it. My advise is drink plenty of water but not during meal.. ooh and watch out you burp a lot .. Take care Nicky x

Hi Nicky!

I would LOVE to lose 3.5 stone! I'm so hopeful but a but discouraged as the weight isn't falling off like I'd hoped.

I'm drinking before a meal to help fill me up, and after to wash my balloon. I've recently increased my water intake and last night my stomach was huge! My hubby was freaking out bc I looked really, really preggo. But once I lay on my left side the gas starts coming out in droves. I swear, I've burped more in the last ten days than in the 34 years beforehand

I'm not going to stand on a scale again until Sat. as the little ups and downs are too stressful

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Woody76]

Aw Neisie these things will take time. I know I haven't had balloon yet but I have been put on strict diet by bariatric dietician so I'm at full strength for op. It involves a lot of carbs but not refined carbs if that makes sense. I was skeptical because I saw carbs as the energy but i followed it religiously and lost 6 kegs in the first week. Trust the dietician they really do know what they talking about. Also the Atkins diet isn't balanced and with you only in taking 800 cals you need a good quality balanced diet otherwise you will become malnurished which will make you ill.
Il let you know what consultant says this am after I see him xxxx

 

[Neisie]

Thanks, Woody! I know it's a marathon, not a sprint. I do have to be extremely careful of carbs on any level, except for green leafy veggies, due to my PCOS. The only way to manage the PCOS is through a low carb/no carb diet like Atkins. As much as I would love to eat yogurt, milk, porridge... it's just not possible. The problem with dietitians here is that the country that I live in is very, very unhealthy and there's no standard level of education for dietitians. Add in religious based food biases and it's amazing the advice you get. I managed my weight for 32 years through exercise and a paleo diet so I'm going to go back to what works... I've only gained weight since I've moved to the Middle East and it's time to go back to what produces results.

 

[Woody76]

Well I'm having a balloon fitted in about 3 weeks time eeeeeek
Consultant wants me to use it for 6 months prior to having surgery so I'm at a healthier weight for surgery.
Scared but also excited to be starting my journey
Hope everyone is ok
Xxxxx

 

[Neisie]

Well I'm having a balloon fitted in about 3 weeks time eeeeeek Consultant wants me to use it for 6 months prior to having surgery so I'm at a healthier weight for surgery. Scared but also excited to be starting my journey Hope everyone is ok Xxxxx

Great news, Woody! I'm so excited for you! It's definitely been a bit emotional for me as I believe food became my closest friend when I left the States I have been learning every day and my portion control is so much better than it has been in ages. Plus, I've got no interest in alcohol or sweets which is great!

Do you have a pre-balloon diet or just 24 hours liquid diet followed by 12 hours fasting (obviously this was my plan)?

Congrats!!!!!

 

[Woody76]

I've just been told to diet as best I can. Then starvation and no fluid from midnight before balloon xx

 

[Neisie]

Today is a good day! I just had my first session with my personal trainer since the balloon insertion. We kept the intensity down a bit but I was able to do everything except for shoulder presses. I have a race on Saturday and I'm hoping that I'll be able to jog the whole thing... or at least half I'm not weighing myself until Saturday but I'm feeling good. I upped my calories yesterday to 1,100 so hopefully that helps move some weight. Tomorrow is the nutritionist so we'll see what she says. I leave for vacation in two weeks! Wonder what I can get accomplished by then? I was really hoping to treat myself to a new bathing suit!

 

[Neisie]

Just got home from the dietitian and I'm down 5.5 kilos (12.1 lbs)!!!!!!! I'm absolutely thrilled with my progress, as was she! Woo hoo!