MJane

I'm at ten weeks now. Most of the nausea and acid reflux subsided around eight weeks. I still feel some physical discomfort, especially in the morning - like the balloon is pressing outward. I spoke with my doctor's office and he says he hears this sometimes. It's uncomfortable but manageable. It sounds like I'm an outlier among his patients in terms of how long it took to get over the nausea. He says everyone is different. But my expectation was that I would feel better within a week based on what he said at the appointment before surgery. My only advice out of all of this is that you can't really use a yardstick and compare yourself to other people in terms of recovery. Some seem to feel a lot better in three days, others take a lot longer. I've lost 14 pounds so far.

I had my Orbera balloon inserted a little over four weeks ago. The first week I could barely keep liquids down. The second and third weeks I could eat very soft foods (pudding, scrambled eggs), but the stomach acid was terrible and I made myself throw up - often every day. Not a great idea, but the acid and reflux was very bad. Now after a month the acid situation is significantly better, but the nausea isn't. I have stomach cramps that are a bit like labor pains of the stomach - they last about 20 seconds, then get better for 30 seconds, then start again. I know the stomach tries to 'digest' the balloon for a while, and that's why you get some of the nausea. I'm worried because the doctor told me most people feel better by two weeks, and sometimes it takes three-four weeks. I don't want to be one of the people that has early removal. Due to the nausea, my fluid and protein intake are not what they should be, and I know that's an issue. Anyone have this kind of nausea happen and eventually feel better after a few more weeks?

I had my Orbera balloon placed on April 25. I took me 7-8 weeks to stop feeling nauseous and to get over frequent acid reflux. I still feel the balloon pressing on my stomach - like it's pushing outward. It's uncomfortable, particularly in the morning. I don't think it will ever feel normal - or like others describe as primarily a full feeling. But over the last two weeks it's better than it was, so I'm just coping with it. I've lost 14 pounds so far.

Re PPIs, yes, Prilosec and Zantac, although the acid isn't the issue anymore. Also taking Hyoscyamine and Odansetron, which are antiemetics for nausea. Surgeon says to keep drinking water and get at least 60 grams of protein. He says everyone is different and responds to the balloon differently, some may take longer than others to adjust. If you look at all the online info about the balloon it says most people feel better in 3-4 days, and nausea is "easily managed." I've read several posts from folks who say the first 1-2 weeks were bad. There are fewer posts from people who are past the month mark and still feeling nausea or cramps. So that's what I'm curious about. Thanks for responding.

Thank you very much, appreciate it. Am I not in the right forum, gastric balloons? Just joined so I'm new.