dedegold

I think the first month is the hardest, although my experience was not typical. So at least a month is my opinion.

My doctor did see the hernia when the balloon went in. He did not think it was bad enough to stop the procedure. He was very surprised I was having so much heartburn while it was in. BUT I also had a problem with delayed gastric emptying, (I have a test scheduled to address this concern before the hernia repair in May) I did not mention this earlier. We mutually agreed to remove the balloon. You are correct, if you have a hernia or have had a hernia repair you can't get the balloon. Like without the balloon now is better but my appetite has returned with a vengeance !! But I am working on sticking to a high Protein diet, with few carbs and fats. And hopefully will get to my goal weight this summer. OF course I am exercising at least 3 times a week.

I had heartburn while the balloon was in that was uncontrollable. Even with the 40 mgs omeprazole every morning. The hernia was found when the balloon was put into place. He told me about it, of course. No refund coming as the agreement I signed stated no refunds. . .

Yes I had the balloon for 2 months. I had it removed. I lost a total of 16 pounds. I had complications with food digestion. I have a hiatial hernia that needs to be repaired. That is being done next month.

Oh, yes. Constipation can be a problem. I was told to put Benefiber in my shake or coffee. Do it !! It helps and you do need Fiber to be regular. I got a big container at costco, their brand.

Make sure you get all the prescriptions the dr. gives you filled. Use the anti-nausea medicine right away, as soon as the nausea starts. I did stock up on Propel (zero calories) and greek yogurt. eggs, and string cheese. I start my day with a Pure Protein shake made with unsweetened almond milk. I went on solid food about 36 hrs after the balloon was put in. Some people don't start solid foods for a week, But my dr. said to eat when I was ready. I also got chicken salad and tuna salad to eat but that was week 2. Good luck !!

I hope you do well !

I see my doctor today at 2 months having the balloon. I am not sure if I am going to have it removed yet I am leaning towards it. I have a hiatal hernia that I believe is keeping food in my stomach long after my stomach should have emptied. I did talk to the office 9 days ago and they suggested I chew my food more. After 2 days I called them back and they prescribed a 7 day med for me. I have been taking the med and I was feeling somewhat better to start but not so much better now. I think I need to eat earlier in the evening too because when I go to bed my stomach starts to throb or contract and then I end up having food come up into my mouth. Yuck !! I spit it out of course but this feeling is very distressing. I am thinking I need to get the balloon removed, have the hernia repaired and then try it again in 4 or 5 months. I'll see what my doctor says. .

Hi and thanks for the question. After some delays at the Mayo Clinic, I decided this was not for me. I found out about the Orbera balloon procedure which is a temporary thing and I had the balloon inserted by endoscopic on on Feb. 4 Done in the dr's office. No hospital stay. So far I have done pretty well. You can read about Orbera on another thread on this website.. Insurance does not pay yet. Mine cost $6200 includes all on gong visits and removal of the balloon after 6 months. Google Orbera balloon to find out more. This is new to the US but has been done elsewhere for almost 10 years. I have lost almost 20 pounds I am also exercising as they insist you must also do. This is for people who do not have a lot of weight to loose with a BMI under 40. Let me say this is not an easy thing I have good days and bad days (if I over eat) but it is a learning process. I would like to loose another 25 pounds and I think I will make this goal weight.

My experience with feeling full is very different. We all know how we feel after a big meal....so full you might burst. But I am not going for that. The full feeling I get with this balloon feels NOTHING like how you feel after a big meal. It is a very subtle feeling I get. Hard to explain. It took me a week to figure this out. I find if I eat slowly I can identify the "full" feeling easier. Good luck !

I had this experience When I was suffering with persistent nausea, I was only consuming liquids. Seemed like the thing to do. My doctor told me to eat something. Even a small amount. That was the "cure" I got over the nausea the next day. I stated with just a few teaspoons of chicken salad. What a difference it made !

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 don't know if the AZ Mayo does this or not Suggest you call them and ask for the Bariatric Dept to inquire. I do know that there have been some dr. who do this in Miami and on the east coast. I do know that you have to have a BMI of under 35 for this procedure at Mayo Rochester. Good luck !!

To qualify for this endoscopic procedure I have to loose weight to get the BMI to 35 I am at 35.7 BMI today. So proud I was able to do this. It has been learning to eat healthy and new habits have been formed. I do not expect to resume eating like I had, that made me fat. So very motivate and ready to go. Another benefit. My blood pressure has gone from 156/78 to 123/74.

How are you doing now after the ESG today? I to to Mayo today for a check in. Are you eating any food yet? Or still just on shakes? How much have you lost? Thanks !!

Goldy6575 The doctor at Mayo Clinic told me no overnight stay with the endoscopic procedure. In and out the same day. No incisions to heal. All done through the mouth, down the throat and right into the stomache to create the sleeve. I was told I would not have to do the liquid diet prior to surgery either. This seems so much simpler and what I am hoping to have done soon !! Thanks.

Hi Florida girl. I did not do a group program at Mayo. I was in Florida for the winter and met with a behavior modification councilor for 12 weeks. This councilor has just faxed my report to Paul the surgery coordinator at Mayo. I already met with the endo guy, and the psych. dept. in Nov. after I went to the information meeting last Oct. But they knew I was going to be away for the winter and the lady in the Psych. dept. OK'd me to do individual meetings for this requirement Who did your surgery? I started with BMI of 40+ but I have lost 20 pounds over the winter. BMI now is 37. So I hope to be able to have the surgery done in another month. Only 7 lbs more to have BMI at 35 !!! So I hope the wait to have this done is not long now. I hope to loose another 50 pounds then get a knee replacement. After that I should be able to do a lot of walking to maintain my weight loss. Did you have to limit yourself to liquids after the procedure? For how long? I live in the Twin Cities. Thanks !! Glad to hear that you are doing well.

I knew it was a new procedure. In fact at Mayo Clinic they still call is experimental. Was it out patient? Are you on a liquid diet for now? I have lots of questions !!

Hi Floridagirl2 I have visited the Mayo In Rochester, have met with the doctors, psychologist, completed the 12 weeks of behavior modification, which has given me the tools to be successful post op. I have lost 20 pounds and BMI is now 36.2 and I hope to have the surgery very soon. Can you please tell us how you are doing with your surgery? I hope you have bee pleased. I am choosing to do this because I think I will be happier with the procedure and I hope to get my weight down to 140 with ESG and BMI will be 26.5. Then I have to have a knee replacement. I expect the knee recovery to go fast with this weight lost. Thanks !!

I am hoping to get ESG at the Mayo Clinic soon. I have completed a 12 week behavior modification program that is required and I am close to getting the BMI to 35 with 10 more pounds to loose. It is not covered by insurance but that is not a problem for me at this time. I am choosing this because it requries no overnight stay in the hospital, no pre surgery diet, no incisions and it can be adjusted and reversed. I hope to loose about 40 pounds. Who here has had it, and how are you doing? Dede