Gastric Balloon Any ballooners out there? Support needed!

[femfrankie]

Hi everyone
How does everyone deal with a severe lack of energy. I don't know if it's my fibromyalgia or because of the balloon. I just feel that by now I should be dealing with it better. I hate having to have naps during the day and it easily turns into 3 hours sometimes. I know this has a knock on effect on my night time sleeping bug most days cannot make it through the day without going back to bed. Is this normal?
Sorry to sound down having a blue day today xx

Up the lean protein hun. This is where you should be getting most of your energy from now

 

[Woody76]

Thanks Femfrankie xx
Other than lean meat what else is classed as lean protein?

 

[femfrankie]

Fish, shellfish, peas, beans, lentils, eggs, low fat cheeses, poultry.... From the top of my head these are the ones I can think of ..Others may chip in with some ideas

 

[kismet68]

Oh god I think I'm going backwards. Up since 3.30 with reflux and cramps. Vomited big time this morning. Took my meds but have felt sick with reflux ect. Now sitting at work feeling like poo. Get tired of this now x

 

[Woody76]

Thank you Femfrankie

Kismet sending hugs hope you feel better soon xx

 

[Woody76]

Ok had a bit of a better day. Dr prescribed me peppermint oil capsules and put me back on the anti sickness tablets. Had a small nap this afternoon but made myself get up so hopefully get more sleep tonight. Had a yummy tea of omelette with chicken turkey bacon and mushroom plenty of protein lol. Not feeling as sick so hopefully working. How is everyone else doing today?
Kismet are you feeling today?

 

[kismet68]

Hi woody so glad you had a better day. Mines not great but better than I was. Lots of acid burps that taste fowl. Hopefully things are beginning to settle now. Had a small piece of steamed fish and 2 new potatoes. Back on meds so fingers crossed for a better day tomorrow x

 

[Woody76]

Sounds promising Kismett fingers crossed for you xx

 

[femfrankie]

Hi woody so glad you had a better day. Mines not great but better than I was. Lots of acid burps that taste fowl. Hopefully things are beginning to settle now. Had a small piece of steamed fish and 2 new potatoes. Back on meds so fingers crossed for a better day tomorrow x

I was on lansoprole for the duration of the balloon hun and tbh don't think I could have done without. Keep a diary and try figure out what your food culprits are so you can avoid them in the future. I had quite a few but the worst ones was decaf tea & coffee!

 

[kismet68]

Thanks femfrankie. I'm back on 60mg lansoprazole and domperidone 10mg 3times a day at the mo. Today I feel ok (so far) just a banging headache lol. Bread and pasta is a big no no for me and dark green veg. Don't like the double lansoprazole as it bungs me up! I think it's a take each day as it comes and adjust meds along the way.
You sound like you are doing really well. Keep up the good work
X

 

[Woody76]

I'm on lansoprazole daily as well forgot to mention that. Seemed to have slept a bit better still woke at 4 am and had to get up and move around though. Vies topped my tea and coffee after reading somewhere could be causing a problem but not a big drinker anyway.

 

[femfrankie]

Thanks hun I'm nearly 12st down now.
I had real problems with a lot of veg and fruit. Bananas were the only thing I could eat. Green veg, Carrots spinach, onions, would plague me for days as they tended to float and stick to the balloon. Quickly followed by the balloon removal came the LSD & bypass so by the end of it all I was never so pleased to see a salad! I couldn't handle spices either so while on the LSD I thought all soup was scrumptious and I went out of my way to find the strongest flavoured soups that I could find... It was sheer bliss to eat food with flavour again. I must have been the only preoper who actually enjoyed the LSD!
Remember to keep up the fluid intake to. It helps keep the balloon clean amongst other things. I was on 2 tabs lansoprazole twice daily and being bunged was a constant issue for me too not helped by the fact that the reflux prevented me from getting enough roughage in there but the extra fluid did help a bit

 

[Woody76]

I never thought fruit and veg could be a problem will keep an eye on that xx

 

[Woody76]

It's very quiet on here, how is everyone today?

I've had an alright day. Not had any naps today so hoping will sleep better tonight. Weighed myself and I've put on 3 lbs though not worried too much as lost 1 stone 7 lbs in 3 weeks so may be a rebound after so much weight loss. Will carry on and see what happened. Went for a small walk today as well so hoping to be exercising soon.

 

[Neisie]

Hey guys! Sorry I've been silent, my bestie and her hubby were out from the States and then I dove right back into the gym and work when they left. Plus one of my furry babies isn't doing so well... We made two trips to the vet today. Ugh. Had my period for the first time since insertion so just maintaining, no loss this week. Saw my surgeon and booked my fill (going up to 800 cc!!!) for Jan 11th when we get back from our holiday. Made my hubby promise to run a 5K every day with me on vaca to keep me on track. I'm hoping to lose 5 more lbs before we leave on the 20th.

Woody - sorry to hear that you're having some problems. Have you met with the dietician? I find that processed carbs spike my sugar and I need to nap when I crash, especially when on a calorie restricted diet. I stick to lean protein and veg for every meal and substitute with a low carb protein shake if I need to eat on the go or during class. I'm a napper, which screws with my night sleep... But the cleaner I keep my diet and the more I exercise seems to keep me awake and energized in the day and helps me sleep a full night. Great to hear about your walk. Just keep it up and you'll see results. I can't believe your weight loss! You've lost more in 3 weeks than I have in 8! Don't worry about a little gain, it's prob just water weight. You are doing great! Have people started commenting yet?

Kismet - did you find the papaya? How are you doing on the increased dose of antacids? Tomatoes and red peppers have been giving me indigestion so I'm trying to eat foods that aren't as acidic. Maybe you can find a list of basic foods on-line? I could live on cheese and milk

Frankie - you are inspiring! Great job on your losses!

Ok - sorry for rambling on for so long...

 

[Woody76]

Good to hear from you Neisie
People haven't really commented yet as I have been off work back on Monday so will hopefully hear something yet.
You are doing so well with your exercise and good news that you are getting another fill.

 

[Neisie]

I'm sure people will notice your loss. I've gotten a few comments lately which have been encouraging. Really trying to be as strict as possible during the next few weeks to drop a few more pounds... That would put me at a 2 stone loss and hopefully, comfortably in another pair of jeans that are just a bit too snug. Jeans don't lie

I'm both excited and nervous for my fill. I'm hoping to have better restriction, but I'm nervous about getting sick like you guys have been. I've had a pretty easy go of it, but I think being sick probably aids in the weight loss The normal balloon goes up to 700 cc and they're taking mine to 800 cc! I hope I can't see it!

Hope everyone has a great day! I have today off so going to relax with my puppies, work on the ever growing pile of laundry, and try to get a bit of sun!

 

[kismet68]

Hi guys, sorry for being quiet but I'm still on my roller coaster lol. Very bad overnight with reflux. Everything came up this morning so not feeling on top of the world. Neisie didn't get chance to look for the papya but in town Saturday so will have a good hunt around. I think you are brave filling to 800mls. I just couldn't do it. I have to see my consultant as he is not happy with my symptoms. If this thing has taught me one thing is to watch what you put in your mouth lol.
Woody I am down a stone and a half now and so many people have noticed. I've lost my double chin and can now see my collar bones, even necklaces sit better! I am sure people will comment. If you haven't told them that you have a balloon just make sure you have a story to tell because they will want to know.
Well time for work, have a good day off neisie, enjoy the sun and the pups. We have woken to a hard frost this morning, de-icer and scraper at the ready.
Talk soon
X

 

[femfrankie]

Hi guys, sorry for being quiet but I'm still on my roller coaster lol. Very bad overnight with reflux. Everything came up this morning so not feeling on top of the world. Neisie didn't get chance to look for the papya but in town Saturday so will have a good hunt around. I think you are brave filling to 800mls. I just couldn't do it. I have to see my consultant as he is not happy with my symptoms. If this thing has taught me one thing is to watch what you put in your mouth lol.
Woody I am down a stone and a half now and so many people have noticed. I've lost my double chin and can now see my collar bones, even necklaces sit better! I am sure people will comment. If you haven't told them that you have a balloon just make sure you have a story to tell because they will want to know.
Well time for work, have a good day off neisie, enjoy the sun and the pups. We have woken to a hard frost this morning, de-icer and scraper at the ready.
Talk soon
X

Unfortunately it is very much about watching what you put in your mouth when it comes to the balloon and reflux and even then you may not be entirely free of it . In my case sometimes even the most innocent looking foods could cause it to flare up. It took about two months of experimenting with various foods before I had a list of relatively "safe" things that I could put in my mouth. I hate to say it but for me "safe" meant bland & boring :sigh: and I still had reflux but at least it was at a bearable level. My surgeon on the day of the balloon removal said he was surprised that I had lasted so long with it as the vast majority who do suffer with reflux usually throw in the towel within weeks. I had no option as I had to shed nearly 8stone of weight before they would even contemplate doing my gastric bypass and to do that I needed a little bit of help. So in my mind it was a necessary evil. It was the longest six months of my life I can tell you!

 

[peppermintfairy]

I'm having my balloon fitted today xx