islesdriveforfive

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 finished the balloon procedure after 6-months, I've lost 77-lbs. Feeling great and ready to take the next journey with just me, myself and I. 60 more to go Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all - today was my last day! I had the balloon removed this morning and it was a piece of cake - took 15 minutes. That being said, I ended up 6-months, 77 lbs lost...in my mind a very successful procedure. It was very up and down the last 2 months, but I was able to maintain. I've been cycling and now with the turn of the weather starting on a walk 5-miles one day, ride 20-miles the next. The key for me is to try and burn 1,000 calories a day. In May I'm doing the 73-mile ride to Montauk! Hope everyone else is doing well -C Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

No doubt, the first week was hell. The second week was completely the opposite - I felt like a new person and it only improved from there. I couldn't have worked just based on the sheer level of vomiting I had, once they gave me the ear Patches for nausea (which should be standard BTW) I was able to start to eat and follow the level of Water I needed. I was getting very dehydrated. Powerade Zero saved me during that time to give me the extra electrolytes. Keep focused, you'll turn the corner soon. Thanks for the information. Today, my day 4, was bad again. I am certainly not able to get 48 oz. of liquid down. I thought just days 1-3 would be miserable...and days 4 - 7 would be better. Better like - I feel nauseous, but if I just move slow I'll be able to work. This is not going to be the case. I hope the physicians take notice and be more upfront with folks about the side effects. When I called my doc today and asked about an ear patch for nausea, because I saw your post about it last night, they turned me down. They feel it has too many side effects. I'm a bit disappointed they are not able to manage my symptoms better. I want this to be a positive experience. I'm not too sure so far. Did you ever take anything extra for acid reflux? Prior to the balloon, I took 1 nexium a day to control it. A week prior to my balloon, I started taking 2 a day. Thanks again for your encouragement! I need it! They turned you down? Thats actually strange to me, I thought it was something they gave to people that go on cruises and wasn't really a bid dose of medication. All I can say is that the potential side effects, IMHO, are nothing compared to the ridiculous nausea I had the first week. I did not take anything extra for the reflux, except 1 or 2 times (Zantac 150). It helped, honestly - but I don't think they want you to take extra on top of what they give you. I have also felt that the Protonix is the driver of feeling good, because I missed it a few days along the way and I felt like the balloon was coming up out of my stomach, until I took it again. On your other topics, what I'll say is that the team at NYBG has been nothing short of spectacular - they even started a weekly support group run by the nutritionist that everyone has very much enjoyed and participated in. That being said - the product itself should be forcing the doctors that are doing the procedure to run the 12-months (6-mos w balloon and 6-mos out) just like its a surgical procedure (psych, support groups, meal plans), because without it the procedure becomes just like a cosmetic procedure. Good luck to you! - C

No doubt, the first week was hell. The second week was completely the opposite - I felt like a new person and it only improved from there. I couldn't have worked just based on the sheer level of vomiting I had, once they gave me the ear patches for nausea (which should be standard BTW) I was able to start to eat and follow the level of water I needed. I was getting very dehydrated. Powerade Zero saved me during that time to give me the extra electrolytes. Keep focused, you'll turn the corner soon.

Same with reshape - 6 months

I might also add that during the 5 months, I lost my father unexpectedly and went through a divorce - both things that would have normally have caused me to eat emotionally (and probably drink emotionally too), and it was enough for me to get past all that, get through the ups and downs and continue to lose weight. Just thought I'd add that to my story.

Hello all, I know it's been a while since I posted but since I started this thread I figured I'd update you all, as I'm having the balloon removed next month (6-month mark). I'm now 72 lbs down, suit size 58 to 48, jean size from 48 to 34 and feeling like I can hit 85 lbs lost by the date it's out. It's been an amazing, lesson teaching experience. I'm just starting Weight Watchers as I think it's the best chance for me to continue towards my goal and lose the extra 50 I need to. I would absolutely do it again if I was offered the chance but would much rather that I am not paying out of pocket. Lol. Good luck to everyone.

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.

Hi Cindy Just so I'm not writing two sets of responses, here's the link to my original post. http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/349876-ReShape-Balloon-Procedure-Booked%21 I chose the balloon because of a few reasons: 1. I CAN have the sleeve AFTER the balloon if I think it's necessary. I CANT have the sleeve and then a balloon. 2. Non-invasive procedure teaching me good habits. 3. I didn't think I had an option, actually because my starting BMI was 43.4. He agreed to do it because of my fast metabolism and active lifestyle. The whole concept just resonates with me much more than surgery - for now. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

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.

Very exciting!! Dr. Garber is putting it in for you? How much is he charging? Are you going with the Orbera or Duo? Send him my regards and please keep us updated on your progress. Thanks for your responses Alex. Yes, Dr. Garber himself is performing the procedure, in his new Roslyn office. I chose the ReShape Duo - it makes more sense to me and takes up more area (750cc) than the Orbera - and the social aspect. The cost is $8500, including the 12 months of nutritionist, FitBit, FitBit scale, Social Portal. I tried to get Cigna to bite off on a bit of it but they wouldn't do it. Tried to explain to them that they'd be saving tens of thousands of dollars as opposed to Gastric. Anyway, I dont care, its an investment in my life, my future. I will send him your regards next week - and of course, be updating my progress.

Thanks everyone for your support!

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

Booked mine for next week! Can't wait!