In all honesty, how bad is the first week or 2 with the Gastric Balloon?

[anewmee 16]

I've had my consult and can book the procedure in for the next 2 weeks if I wish. I am terrified of one thing- my partner can't get any more time than one day off as we've had so much unexpected stuff pop up this year.

I have a 3 year old and a 6 month old. My 3 year old can go to day care for the first week and I can get a friend to help with my bub during the first few days and then it'll be the weekend and my partner is home, so the first 5 days are good.

Will this be ok? Will I be bed ridden or able to be up and about but feeling crap? I have a pretty good tolerance for pain but I can't afford to be completely bed ridden past the 5 days.

Any thoughts on this?

[CrissyCakes 110]

From what I've seen, most people are fine after a few days and some return to work within a week. That is if they have office jobs where no heavy lifting is involved. So I would think those 5 days are enough.

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[Sailor Doom 22]

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.

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[PayItForward 207]

I was fine to stay alone after the first day. But I did not have any kids to take of. The one I would recommend is an abdominal binder. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_14?url=search-alias%3Dhpc&field-keywords=stomach+binder&sprefix=stomach+binder%2Caps%2C204

Edited May 25, 2016 by PayItForward

[Sailor Doom 22]

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?

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[anewmee 16]

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?

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i think it would be pretty tender. I'll stick to nanna knickers and lose pants!

does your stomach still feel foreign like are you hugely aware there's a balloon in there?

[Wayward Traveler 135]

Abdominal binder? No way ... I would not have been able to stand that at all. Even now - just the thought of it makes me kinda queasy. :-| No thank you.

I had the procedure on a Wednesday am and went back to work on Monday. If I had to I could have take care of myself the first day or two, but it was nice having someone there to help. After 48 hours I felt like I was on the mend, but I was still a bit tentative on that third day. I had notable progress on days 4 and 5 (fwiw I am counting the procedure day as day 1).

So based on my experiences, I would guess that you will be fine, especially if you have help with the kids. But each person reacts differently. Some are just fine from the get-go and others are miserable for weeks. Having said that, most seem to turn the corner in three days.

Oh and yes - I often can still tell that there's something in my belly. Not as often as I used to, and it's not as uncomfortable when I do. But there's definitely a sense that somethings different. Having said that, if I just shift a bit, the sensation usually goes away. Regardless, it's not miserable, it's just different.

Good luck!!

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[Eustacia Vye 12]

I took my 21 year old sister who has the physical capabilities of a 12 year old but I saw a lot of women there who were there all by themselves. By the time you are expected to travel, you will be walking on your own. Pack lightly, you will be alright.

[Wayward Traveler 135]

I took my 21 year old sister who has the physical capabilities of a 12 year old but I saw a lot of women there who were there all by themselves. By the time you are expected to travel, you will be walking on your own. Pack lightly, you will be alright.

I "think" I was told that I had to have someone with me to drive me home? Regardless, I would not recommend going by yourself. While you are walking on your own when you leave (and I actually felt better at the hospital than I did at home), you have just been through a major procedure that includes anesthesia and (in most cases?) pain killers. Therefore, you really should not be driving. Besides, being in the car made me feel worse ... and I've heard other people say they threw up on the way home. Given all of that, it's not a good idea to drive yourself.

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[anewmee 16]

thanks for all the advice. I have started looking at the sleeve or band procedures as I feel that I need longer term assistance. Best of luck with the balloons and I'll update if I go ahead with either 3 procedures.