Linkballoon

Hi Wayward, I had the balloon inserted in June and after ongoing low blood pressure issues my surgeon recommended removal last Thursday. Overall satisfaction.... I am extremely satisfied with the resultant weight loss, having dropped 45kg in total (24kg in 12 weeks with the help of balloon). There were quite a few negatives for me, purging being the worst however that's nothing when I look in the mirror. Removal.... I went in at 10am and was wide awake with no pain, discomfort, no adverse effects at all. Even had poached egg on toast for lunch AND kept it down. Post balloon... so far so good. The thing I notice most is my positive mental and physical health. I honestly feel good and feel like i found the 'old' me. I don't even mind looking in the mirror now. I love going to a shop and buying a garment off the rack knowing it will fit... unlike before when I was a size 22 and had to try each thing on due to sizing variations. Being a flat suze 14 is a blessing. I am still fairly vigilant about what I eat and make sure I have minimal calories with naximum healthy options but so far post op has veen a breeze and I have maintained my weight. Not only have i benefitted from looking better and feeling good, I am no longer on blood pressure medication, my diabetes and blood sugar levels are within the normal range and the GP is considering taking me off those meds in tge next few weeks, my cholesterol levels are normal and medication is no longer required. So although I suffered quite a bit with the balloon in some ways... you can see the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Would I recommend this. ... 100% YES. My life has changed so much for the better. I have a far more positive attitude and the medical issues are gone. I reached ALL goals set. Remember.... if it's meant to be. .. it's up to me... Goodluck Sent from my SM-G900I using the BariatricPal App

I have replied three times and just before i post... My ipad crashes... Will collect my patience cap and try again shortly...

Thanks for your kind words Wayward. This last week has been much easier. I am currently travelling outback Qld and NT and thought maybe its the different Water in each town that was upsetting me. Since then i have used only filtered water and.... Voila.... I am pretty much fine. Haven't had spews near as much, though have had a few bouts of the runs. Blood pressure slowly climbing, blood glucose levels steady and I have much more energy, though couldn't stride out yet but it's on the cards in the next week or so if BP remains good. One other thing I have learned is that the human body is an incredible machine, its ability to keep on keeping on in adverse conditions is amazing. Each time I think maybe i'm not coping, I remember what my body is doing without instruction, it makes me realise if my body can do this.... then the least I can do is use my brain, set my limits, set my goals for the day and cope which also makes feel stronger mentally. if it is to be..... it's up to me.

I have learned that the first few weeks were easy. I followed Dr and dietitian instructions to the letter and had almost no side effects apart from the odd cramp and constant tiredness. I am now at week 9 and the last three weeks have been a mess. I continue to follow dietary instructions however have been unable to keep anything down.... Landed in hospital with extremely low blood pressure and dehydration! Since then it has been hit and miss with what stays in and what doesn't. I am managing to keep the blood pressure under control, following diet guides from professionals is easy however again, my system seems to be hit and miss with everything. One day fish / tuna is ok ... The next i am vomiting it all up. Same with most other foods. I keep reminding myself I had this procedure so I could learn about food, nutrition, healthier options for lifestyle etc: the last few weeks have taught me there is no simple answer. Life is full of options, I just have to learn to choose the ones that don't churn my stomach. I have to take it one day at a time and find out what my body enjoys and what it rejects. I am sure the more I tell myself I can learn all this, the easier it will be to eliminate the foods that upset the apple cart. I must admit, as much as the vomiting is awful, the learning I am getting about my body, its requirements and my mental attitudes has been incredible and very rewarding. What doesn't kill you makes you strong and I am mentally stronger (and somewhat wiser?) each day I had lost 20kg on my own before the balloon and have lost about 12 since and have to say, although its been a struggle not to cry all day some days.... The struggle has been well worth it. My family and friends say I have never looked better, I believe each day brings a new challenge and its up to me to face it head on and gain some kind of positive. The last couple of days have been a joy, no vomiting, no cramps, happy blood pressure, happy moods, happy partner.... Maybe I'm on the turn around.... I certainly hope so. All in all I feel the balloon is helping me get 'me' back, I feel like a new person who is keen to learn as much as possible and be a sponge as far as nutrition and healthy lifestyle is concerned and for that I will be forever grateful. My new mantra: If it's going to be ...... It's up to me. Good luck to everyone.

I must be one of the lucky ones.... Had no issues apart from mild cramping in the early days. Having said that I was (and still am) on reflux meds. Hope you're feeling better soon.