Orbera balloon scheduled for 5/12

[michelleg46 4]

My DR prescribed me Zofran, Levsin, and Protonix. Also, he said he will give the ear patch day of.

Is there anything additional I should ask for so I don't have to run out to a pharmacy the first few days. The DR I saw before the one I scheduled with said he prescribes pain killers and anxiety medication. Did anyone need those? I can't decide if I should ask for it.

[jansluv 47]

I was given anti nausea meds and only used maybe 6 pills in total the first month. There were a few mornings that I needed it. I never had pain....some discomfort from bloating or reflux, but no pain. I was also given anti anxiety pills, without me asking for it, and had no need at all. Maybe it somehow relaxes a very upset tummy, but again, had no need.

[Mountaingal 322]

Good luck with your procedure. I hope it helps you accomplish your goals.

[Wayward Traveler 135]

I was also given anti-anxiety and pain meds but did not need them. Regardless, I was happy to have them, just in case.

Is one of your meds for stomach spasms? I was given something for that too, but did not need it. However some people suffer from spasms pretty badly, so you might want something for that, as well, just to be safe.

I mostly just needed to nausea meds, and needed them for several days. I still take PPIs ... that seems to be true for pretty much everyone.

A lot of people seem to struggle with Constipation (at least at first), so I would recommend a stool softener, as well. One thing I read even recommended to start taking them before the procedure.

Good luck!

[michelleg46 4]

@@Wayward Traveler the Levsin is for spasm/cramping. Do you remember what you were given for anxiety and pain? I'm debating ask for them just incase.

[Wayward Traveler 135]

@@Wayward Traveler the Levsin is for spasm/cramping. Do you remember what you were given for anxiety and pain? I'm debating ask for them just incase.

Hey! Just looked at my meds. Yes - I had levsin for spasms too (but thankfully didn't need it - have heard that the spasms can be pretty miserable). Ativan was for anxiety and Tylenol 3 was for pain (the latter was in liquid form, but again, didn't need either - however have heard of people needing both). I also has the scopolamine patch before (that seems to make a huge difference for most folks - myself included), decadron and PPI via IV before (I think zofran was in there too), lots of zofran after, and I still take prescription Prilosec twice a day. Oh and another bag or two of IV fluids after to prevent dehydration. Good luck!! :-)

[jansluv 47]

@@Wayward Traveler - you're like a doctor, or an undercover Orbera Sales Person...lol... you seem to know SO much about the balloon, the procedure, side effects and the meds used.

[Wayward Traveler 135]

@@Wayward Traveler - you're like a doctor, or an undercover Orbera Sales Person...lol... you seem to know SO much about the balloon, the procedure, side effects and the meds used.

Haha! No - I'm neither. I was reading the meds list from my doc and transcribing it because I was asked for the drug names. :-) I didn't remember the specific names before doing that ... that's why my previous post was so generic - lol! And if I was a sales person I would push Orbera. But when people ask whether to do a balloon or sleeve or whatever, I always tell them to weigh all of the input and do what's best for them - I would NEVER tell someone to get the balloon. I don't think it's for everyone ... Just like WLS was not for me. It's a very personal decision. Besides, I would feel terrible if I told someone they should do it and then they had a bad experience.

I'm also careful to say that just because I didn't need a med does not mean someone else won't. I've read everything I can find on the balloon and one thing is clear - every experience is different. So better to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

What you're seeing in my posts is the fact that I'm VERY analytical ... Which is a nice way of saying OCD - lol! :-D I research things to death. A friend says that he thinks I do a comparative spreadsheet before I will even purchasing an appliance - ha!! The challenge for me was the fact that I had a hard time finding balloon info before getting mine inserted. That's a real issue for someone who likes to have all sorts of data inputs before making a decision. So now I try to be a resource for others, so they can have all of the info that they need. Hopefully it helps. Just like people like you helped me.

Ironically I had a follow up appointment with my nutritionist yesterday, and she had a similar reaction. Rather than giving me a lot of information she just asked me a lot of questions about my experience. She wanted to know what was working well and what was not, and what I was reading/hearing elsewhere. The conversation seemed backwards, but she admits that she just doesn't know much about Orbera - she's still learning and trying to figure out how to best support their balloon patients. So I guess I'm her Guinea pig. :-)

Cheers!

Edited May 6, 2016 by Wayward Traveler

[meatpie 25]

Oh yes, something for your bowels.. Big problem for me in the first few weeks!

[buckleysmom 45]

I had absolutely no pain, but certainly some anxiety and did get a scrip for zanax.

[Wayward Traveler 135]

I had absolutely no pain, but certainly some anxiety and did get a scrip for zanax.

Hi! How long has it been for you, and how's it going? Cheers! :-)

[michelleg46 4]

I'm on day 6 and I'm getting nervous that this won't work for me. I feel completely fine aside from a few cramps/spasm.

I can drink Water fast, eat noodles/rice with Soup, and drink while eating.

I really feel like I could have grilled chicken and veggies for dinner and be fine.

Today I had a chicken noodle Soup, chicken with rice soup, sf pudding, cottage cheese, Protein yogurt drink, and a sf applesauce. Is this too much food for day 6? I definitely could eat more but I'm stopping myself.

I'm worried I'm going to be part of the precent that doesn't see the weight loss

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[Wayward Traveler 135]

@@michelleg46 - don't fret. :-) from about day 4 to day 10 or so I was famished. I was always hungry enough to eat more but I was afraid I would throw up, so I white knuckled through it. Eventually that went away. I don't know if I was getting used to the lower calories or accustomed to the balloon, but either way I started getting full more easily. As time has gone on, that is even more so true.

I too can eat just about anything. I have not had a negative reaction to anything. I just can't eat as much as I used to be able to.

Having said that, please remember that the balloon is just a tool - not a solution . It still requires work. I strongly suggest tracking ALL of your calories and Protein. Did your doctor give you calorie and Protein targets? If so, if you focus on hitting those, you WILL lose weight - balloon or not. And if you get as much protein per calorie as possible, that will increase your feeling of fullness, making you feel better ... and will ensure that you're losing fat, not muscle.

To sum it up, hang in there and stay the course. Your body is still adjusting. So give it a little more time and hopefully you will feel better about everything soon. :-) Good luck!!

[meatpie 25]

Hang in there..

When I had balloon I could eat anything and drink quick too.. (Different with the sleeve).

You will loose weight if u eat small healthy meals & you will feel full much quicker. I was hungry ++ in the first 2 weeks.. Think it was mostly my head getting around the smaller portions.

[michelleg46 4]

When did you all start eating chicken/beef with a salad or rice? I'm almost week 2 and feel fine to eat it

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