Orbera balloon scheduled for 6:30AM 5/12/16

[michelleg46 4]

I'm currently taking my last sips of Water before midnight. I'm getting the balloon in tomorrow extra early and I am really nervous! I wanted to start a new forum so I can update everyone on my experience. I'm getting it done in New Brunswick, NJ.

Height 5'3

Weight 209

I will hopefully be well enough to update everyone tomorrow. I am fully stocked with a wedge pillow, dollar store buckets, popsicles, Isopure zero carb drinks, yogurt, chicken broth and medications.

[Wayward Traveler 135]

Good luck!! I hope all goes well and you're on the road to recovery in short order. :-) You're certainly well prepared, which is half the battle. Please do keep us posted - we'll be thinking about ya!!

Edited May 12, 2016 by Wayward Traveler

[michelleg46 4]

Thank you!! I was out of the hospital by 9:30 am (3 hours). I went home and slept on/off for 4 hours. The wedge pillow made sleeping easy!

No vomitting or pain yet just discomfort. I haven't had anything to eat yet but I plan to have a ice pop or a little broth in a few hours. Fingers crossed I can keep it down.

I'll update later

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[Mountaingal 322]

Hope all is going well as your day progresses.

[buckleysmom 45]

Consider getting some Miralax and taking a half dose every day after you start eating.

[michelleg46 4]

So far it hasn't been bad at all. I did wake up twice last night and my saliva was hot which usually means I'm about to throw up but I didn't! I'm having some broth for Breakfast now and I've been having some cramping but no nausea thankfully.

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[Wayward Traveler 135]

So far it hasn't been bad at all. I did wake up twice last night and my saliva was hot which usually means I'm about to throw up but I didn't! I'm having some broth for Breakfast now and I've been having some cramping but no nausea thankfully.

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Glad to hear that you're doing well, and so glad that you're keeping everything down ... I was not as lucky the first 48 hours. However I never had cramping ... funny how everyone's experiences are so different! Sounds like you're doing all of the right things. Keep up the great work and keep us posted!

[michelleg46 4]

Does anyone know if we can take tums??? I think I ate too much chicken at a bbq and now I have a bad stomach ache.

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[Wayward Traveler 135]

Does anyone know if we can take tums??? I think I ate too much chicken at a bbq and now I have a bad stomach ache.

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So sorry you're not feeling well. :-( The timing is unfortunate because it really is best to ask your doctor (unless they have an emergency line that you can call?). Do you have any prescription meds for nausea, anxiety or pain left? If so, that might help.

FWIW I did a quick search on some of the resources that I previously posted (http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/367596-gastric-balloon-resources/) but none referenced TUMS. I did find references to antacids here (but not TUMS specifically): http://www.coloradoweightlosssurgery.com/files/2014/10/Rose-Intragastric-Balloon-Handbook_pgs.pdf

Also, whoever this person is apparently took TUMS with the balloon: https://www.realself.com/review/connecticut-ct-orbera-intragastric-balloon-weight-blood-pressure-cholesterol

Good luck - I hope you feel better soon!!

[michelleg46 4]

Are we able to take anything for Migraines?

I've been having a really bad last few days. Out of nowhere I'm getting really sharp spasms and pain. It's so bad that I haven't slept in 2 days and now I have a migraine!! I went to dr yesterday and she basically just had me lay on my left side for 40 minutes. I had to ask her for a x ray prescription so I can go if it doesn't get better. I think I'll go today as long as I can get out of bed. I'm in so much pain I'm hoping the balloon didn't pop and is blocking something. :( I'll Update later but please let me know about headaches.

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[Wayward Traveler 135]

@@michelleg46 - I am so sorry to hear that - it all sounds terrible! You are not the first person who has developed spasms well after getting the balloon. I have not experienced that and I don't know what causes it, so I won't be much help there, but hopefully someone else can chime in. Were you given any anti-spasm medicine? If not, I would request it ASAP - that might give you some relief. I would also have the doctor check it out for sure, just in case something shifted. Does your balloon have blue dye? If so, you will know if you have a leak. If not, your doctor should be able to tell you if it deflated.

In terms of the Migraines, I know that they advise against Advil, Aspirin and the like, but Tylenol is supposed to be OK. Have you tried that? Also, were you prescribed any painkillers post-procedure? If so, you might want to give that a whirl. I was given Tylenol 3 and I know that has helped me with severe headaches before. Other than that, lots of Water and darkness might help.

Beyond that, I have been trying to eat more anti-inflammatory foods to help with pain and discomfort (since I am not supposed to take anti-inflammatories anymore). Tart cherries, ginger, turmeric, etc. - all are good for inflammation. It's a long-shot, but that might help, too.

Good luck - I hope you feel better soon!!

[michelleg46 4]

I am on a spasm medication. I stopped taking it because I was fine but now I've been taking it every 4 hours on the dot along with the zofran just incase. My balloon doesn't have the blue dye I have Tylenol 3 which I took 2 nights ago to help me sleep but I ended up being up the entire night. I'll try it again if my Migraine doesn't go away.

I'll definitely pick up some tart cherries today.

I'm going for a x Ray in a few hours so hopefully that will answer some questions. Thanks for your help!!

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[Wayward Traveler 135]

@@michelleg46 - please keep us posted ... I hope you're all better soon! :-)

[michelleg46 4]

I hope so too! The x Ray came out fine. She said I'm a bit backed up though any recommendations? I think the medication is making me constipated. Today I had prune juice, prunes, Fiber Water, and dandelion tea... Nothing has worked so far. I believe tomorrow will be day 4.

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[Wayward Traveler 135]

@@michelleg46 - ah ... you're not the first one here to have that problem. In fact, it's very common (must be all the Protein and lack of fiber). A combination of Miralax and Milk of Magnesia seems to work well. Once things are moving, either/or should be sufficient, or colace. I also find that Fiber one bars/cereals are helpful. Of course, I would recommend bouncing all of that off of your doctor.

fwiw, my doctor said that I could take anything with the balloon that I took without it. But that's just my experience - again, you should consult your doctor to see what s/he recommends. (In other words, I'm not a doctor, I just play one on the Internet. )

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Edited June 11, 2016 by Wayward Traveler