Sailor Doom

This will be only mildly amusing to some. It's been a while since I could feel my balloon 24/7, usually only when I've eaten, am running or doing some body mindfulness meditation (so insanely helpful when you're not sure that you are feeling full, I've been following a mindful eating philosophy and it is hugely helpful). Anyway, today I was sitting on my sofa chatting with some friends, I was sitting with my left leg curled up against my chest and I got excited about the conversation and bounced a bit. So I am very amused to share that when my knee is bent up and I bounce I can hear a bouncy/sloshing noise coming from my balloon. The little guy is just saying 'hi'. I can make it happen on demand, so I can now add 'expensive party trick' to the list of Orbera benefits Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Bluegh. Such an awful day today (though not really that bad, still able to function and go to the gym - even though I had to scale it back massively). Not sure what's happening but I started with an Optifast shake at 0600, had a coffee on skim milk at 1100 and it's now 1700 and I'm still gurgling up coffee, like it just hasn't gone anywhere. Peculiar and off putting. Though if this is the worst that I'll have to deal with (initial days aside) I guess I'm doing well. I'm also finding I just have zero interest in food. Struggling to make 5-600 cal a day. Possibly because I'm still on puree and what I can eat isn't really appealing to me, but then... Nothing really is. Has anyone had this complaint? Just approaching three weeks in with the balloon now. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey lady! All well here, hitting the gym and eating well. All else is now also 'moving along' quite nicely I've been sulking over what I understand is called a 'stall' for maybe a week and a bit now. But I have to keep looking that the food I'm putting in and the effort I'm putting out (and the fact that my 'lady time' put in an appearance) and have faith that things will start moving soon. I'm so so close to under 90!! I'm sort of white knuckling my way through and trying not to lose faith. How are you doing @@Wayward Traveler Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@anewmee Hey! I am feeling better, just had a weekend in Sydney and made the most 'puree appropriate' choices like Soups, poached eggs (and yeah, a treat creme brûlée and a few fancy chocolates) but I'm still slightly down on weight and now at 11.2kg down all up. The balloon went in 16 May and my first goal is now only 2.5kg away, with my intended goal for the whole six months of the balloon 7.5kg away. So right now they are feeling very achievable. Though I fully expect the losses to slow soon. But I am very happy with where I'm at and the balloon in general. I am starting to get a little lower back pain but I suspect that might be due to erm... things not moving along in my stomach as fast or often as I'd like. I'm not sure if I should up the benefiber or move to something a little stronger just for a little while... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Wayward Traveler That's awesome! Glad that you felt like tryinjg it! I know it took me a couple weeks to get past the whole 'Yikes, you want me to do what?!' stage, even now I have some moments where I feel a little confronted (though I suppose that is the whole point). But I honestly love it and have missed it this past couple weeks. I have a fancy weekend away in Sydney for my birthday this weekend (off to see Dita Von Teese!!!) and then I'm back to my classes and I cannot wait!!!

Hey all! I'm a week in with my balloon today and 10lb down (and that's not including what I lost on the shakes prior to surgery) though I do fret it's too much too soon and can't be good for me... I've been thinking a bit more about getting off the sofa and getting moving, I go back to work in a few days but I'm feeling mostly okay these days. On day four I got ambitious (and a little stir crazy) and went for a walk. It was roughly about a mile round trip, taken at a snail's pace and by the end I had the sweats and cramps and ended up needing an epic nap afterward. Yesterday I cleaned the house in a fairly energetic manner (read: loud music and more dancing than cleaning). Today I'm feeling ambitious again and I think I'll head to the gym for a low-intensity session on the cross trainer or treadmill. I am a little concerned about a couple things, first, I do get dizzy quite a bit. I have Stemazine to counteract that but I think it's truly just because I'm still not really making it over 700cal a day. Second, while I have yet to experience any reflux/heartburn and am religiously taking my prescription for that anyway, I'm sort of worried about aggravating that. What are your experiences? Does exercise zap your energy? Does it aggravate the reflux? What about drinking Water while exercising? Prior to placement I've led a very active life (too bad I couldn't stay away from the food!) and my real aim is to get back to a Krav Maga class that I attend 3x a week. But I stress that the push-ups, sit-up and general up/down nature of the class might test the balloon. I imagine anything where I have to sort of hold a plank or lower position might make me uncomfortable or nauseous. Is anyone able to shed light on this? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I might be alone here but I don't think a binder is a great call? I could barely stand to have my loose yoga pants touching my stomach and even my bra was too much. Maybe for a sleeve or something, but certainly not for the balloon. Maybe I'm alone on this though? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think 5 days is fine. I only really needed the downtime for the first 48 hours (and even then I could have braved it out, I simply chose to take some prescribed relaxants and sleep it out). I slept though day 3 by choice also, since I had the time off, but I could have functioned. I will say it was probably a full week before the tenderness in my stomach subsided though, so picking up little ones might be a challenge. There's no guarantee either way. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Out of interest @@michelleg46 what was your final decision?

@@Inner Surfer Girl - I am certain you are correct. I know I'm not getting enough Water or Protein. I have a dietician appointment tomorrow and I'm going to work out a strategy for improving both. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Wayward Traveler yeah, I'm not keen to stop my daily 40mg of Esomeprazole, the doctor said to stay on it for the six months and (I think) aside from treating any possible symptoms it can also act as a preventative for ulcer formation (which we would be susceptible to with the balloon constantly irritating our stomachs - or at least that is my understanding). While I haven't had reflux as I know it - the burny, vom in throat kind - I do wonder if my (very) mild discomfort these past two evenings is perhaps a small manifestation. Last night and tonight I attempted to 'up' my Protein by following my tasty but not terribly nutritionally valuable pumpkin Soup (150ml) with a strained chobani yogurt (150ml). I ate each over the course of 30 min with 30 minutes between, but tonight I still have this fullness behind my sternum and a feeling in my throat like I've got a big pill stuck there. Not terrible, certainly not enough to effect sleep or something... I wouldn't call it reflux because it doesn't burn, but maybe it is? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Did you have reflux earlier in the process too, or did it not start until month 2? Yeah, I'd be interested to know that too. I haven't had reflux yet and I'm wondering if it's a delayed onset thing? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Wayward Traveler Hey! Thanks for the reply, I have ventured to the gym twice. The first day was just 40 minutes on the treadmill, I found medium incline and a moderate walking pace was my best bet. I definitely feel like running is a little far off, I get the feeling that the jarring motion would make the balloon... uncomfortable? I can't say I feel it specifically in my stomach, but I'm aware of the weight of it and it can move a bit. For instance, if I'm in bed and I roll onto my right side to turn off a lamp or grab my phone I can feel the balloon sort of bear down on the remainder of my stomach. It's not painful by any means, but certainly peculiar and unpleasant. I think if I were to run any great distance/duration I might get the same sensation in an up/down kind of way (I'm trying to avoid saying the balloon would 'bounce' because I feel it's pretty secure in situ, but it would definitely maybe push as I move up and down). So running, short term, maybe for a warm up or something I think would be fine, but not as a complete form of exercise. At least not for me after only one week. Today I tried my hand at the cross trainer, basically fine, though I did get a little... er, fullness (?) around the diaphragm (not heartburn, but like something was sitting low in my chest?) when I started to get a bit too high intensity, I think it was the twisting through the torso that caused that. I calmed it down by shifting my hands from the long moving grips to the short, stationary ones for a minutes or so, so that I twisted a little less. So, anyway, I was pretty happy with the outcome. Now, Krav Maga! Oh my goodness I love it! I started it last year and I have zero regrets. Not only is it a great workout, but its a useful skill to have under your belt. The practice I go to is for people 18 and above and it's pretty serious about what it does, but that works for me because no one is there to waste time. For my first class I rocked up feeling like I'd be this loser 30 YO woman, far too overweight and surrounded by hotheaded dudebros tripping on testosterone. I persevered only because I had watched a doco years ago about Krav Maga and had promised myself I'd investigate when I moved to an area that had a class. Anyway, so I was expecting some sort of quasi UFC thing: not at all what happened. People there came from so many different backgrounds and fitness levels. Young women, older women, fit guys, unfit guys... you get the point, all different and all there just to learn. The class is essentially at whatever difficultly level you require, if you're a beginner there's a grade for that and other students to work with, I progress when I am ready. Some people pick it up quickly and some don't and that's fine. You stay at your level until you are confident to move on. It also isn't really a 'martial art' as much as it is a system of self protection. You won't see people competing for belts (or at all, though there is a grading system) because in Krav Maga the best fight is the one you see coming and can avoid altogether (or with a swift knee to the groin). The warm up is typical of any fitness class, jogging in a circle, a few push ups (on your knees if you need to), sit ups, stretches. Then usually it's about learning new techniques then consolidating them with a partner and protective pads. The part that I found most challenging when I began (and still struggle with) is the confrontational nature of it. I'm not sure why (because it seems obvious in hindsight) but I was shocked in my first class to realise actual people would be attacking me (in a controlled and force-appropriate way, no one was trying to beat me or anything). I think the first thing we drilled what getting out of a front-on chokehold so there I was with a stranger trying to choke me. I learned very quickly that I freeze and panic in aggressive situations, but now that months have passed and I'm slowly teaching myself to have more reactive and useful responses to stress (not just in terms of physical violence, but in very useful situations like unexpected traffic panics, dropping things etc). So the thing that I hated about the class at first is actually the cause for one of the things I love about the class: I haven't just gotten fitter, I've become more situationally aware and better at handling pressure. As for backs and knees, my class is about working with what you've got, so if you're older or have injuries you learn to compensate and work with what you can do. Plus I'm sure you'd be able to opt out of any drills that cause pain. I'm sure all classes and teachers vary a bit. My class is affiliated with Krav Maga Global, and I know they are everywhere but it can't hurt to get in touch with the people near you and see if you can get in on an info session or beginners class. In my experience if you actually like what you're doing it won't feel so much like having to work out. For me, Krav Maga gives me those few nights a week that I can look forward to and work on myself, that fact that there's an element of fitness is just a bonus. I am so vey keen to get back to class and I'm aiming for the first week of June. @@flamingfeather_fly The balloon is a Fluid filled orb placed in the stomach to inhibit appetite and limit space. I have an Orbera but if you'd like to know more I'd suggest looking at Google.

@@Sailor Doom, I'm not doing too bad. I had a lot of nausea, but didn't really throw up at all. My main issue has been serious cramping to the point I'm yelling out loud in pain. I think I'm having a total of like 8 ozs. of Fluid a day if I'm being honest. But now I'm at day 4 and I'm contemplating some soft foods even though I'm supposed to still be on a full liquid diet. Did anyone else move on to soft food pretty early after balloon placement? 'Not too bad' is still pretty good this soon after placement, so I'd say that's a definite win! Are you staying on top of any prescribed meds for the cramping? I take Buscopan Forte (over the counter, but on my doc's advice) as needed and if it gets bad, which it hasn't for a day or two, I lie on my left on top of a heat blanket. The warmth really helps. Warm drinks too. My dietician sort of gives out plans as you reach the stage and I'm on liquids for two weeks. Research etc, has told me many programs differ in timings, but since I'm paying a buttload for this, I might as well follow instruction. So because of that I'm sticking to liquids, even though I feel I could manage something a little more substantial. I did decide to have a cup of coffee (flat white) and a teaspoon of Peanut Butter yesterday afternoon (wild, I know) and I was sure I'd be fine (and mostly I was okay) but I swear they stuck right up behind my ribs like cement. So much so that I could only manage maybe 1/4 of my dinner Protein shake. I wasn't ill, just kind of mildly uncomfortable? So I'd say err on the side of caution or at least introduce maybe only one portion of soft food a day and in a controlled way where you know you can take time out if your body doesn't want to play ball? Let me know how it goes! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey @@Esq123 you should have your balloon now, right? How are you doing? Hope you're well! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey all! I've had my balloon in for almost a week now and am travelling a pretty standard path, I was nauseous and throwing up for 2-3 days, barely kept juice/meds down. Day 4-5 I braved broth and tea and today I graduated to half a Protein shake as well. I'm expecting to be on liquids until week 2 is done and then have another follow up with my dietician to look at the puree and beyond stage. Right now food isn't massively appetising to me, I'm very much 'eating to live', which is a strange adjustment after 30 years of Food Food Food. I have a fair idea of what the puree/real people food stages will entail and have done stacks of research but I'd like to hear from the 'front line' what a day in your food diary looks like? Oh and also, have any of you been out to dinner since getting your balloons? How did that go?

@@Wayward Traveler thanks for that! As much as I'm a bit 'meh' about food right now I am looking forward to maybe a gooey poached egg. Odd how things like that become something to look forward to! And I'll keep the shrimp cocktail in mind, I do love them. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi becI'm a nearly 40 year old aussie and having the balloon placed within the next month. How bad has the last week been? I'm so scared of not being able to function because I have young children. I can deal with pain and discomfort but not being bed ridden beyond a few days. How much do you want to lose? Hey! Well I'm only on day two today, I'm being sick less often but still don't feel fantastic and have chosen to stick closer to bed. I have the luxury of having my mum here for a few days so I can be a bit selfish, I think maybe by this evening I could be getting up and doing more if I forced myself, but I'll let you know how it goes in the coming days!

Hey lovely! I hope you're a little bit excited in amongst all the nerves, this is a new adventure and it's probably going to have some crappy chapters, but hopefully the final story is one you want. I had my balloon fitted this morning and after a couple bags of IV Fluid and a short wait, was released. I live 3 hours away from the nearest city that performs the Orbera (or any balloon procedure) and the surgeon recommended that I travel before any nausea set in. Now that I AM home I appreciate that I've done it, but those three hours in the car were horrific (especially the bit where an entire bus of soldiers cheered me on while I puked into my spew bag at a traffic light). The biggest thing that I'm dealing with now is just how utterly uncomfortable I am, I'm vomiting on a 2-3 hour cycle, so I've taken to waiting until I've done that to take any pills in the hopes of keeping them down long enough for them to do their magic. I don't have any fancy pillows, but I have a LOT and have fashioned myself an elevated best of them and I think wedge or not it's going to take me a while to get used to the new sensation and move past the discomfort. That all said, this really isn't anything I wasn't expecting and I'm still optimistic that I'll be feeling better tomorrow. Also, best resources around here are basically anything Wayward Traveller posts, I've been stalking this site for months and her(?) posts are articulate, caring and - as far as I can tell - on the money! And as this is MY first post I'll just say 'Hi!', I'm a 30 YO Aussie and my name is Bec!