Had my gastric ballon fitted 5 days ago - over the first 3 days of sicky / feeling rough etc and feel like my life is returning to normal - managed to goto (office) work 2 days after, but not felt fantastic. However, now on day 5 feeling hungry already - sticking to liquids but concerned i am hungry already - is this normal? Guess the test is once i have gone onto proper food and see how quickly i get full

any chatters wont to keep in regular touch please contact me - people at various stages of gastric balloon process would be good to hear from
cheers

Hi IDK

I'm having mine done in about 4weeks.
It seems strange you feel hungry so soon. I guess the real question is how much you have to eat before you are full!
How much do you weigh and how much do you need to lose?
Good luck
Ted

Hi,
I had my balloon inserted on sept 1st. The first 2 days were terrible, couldn't keep anything down inc medication. terrible stomach cramps and honestly thought I'd made a terrible mistake. Feeling much better but still not 100%.
Had some soup yesterday it was lovely and I was full after a cup full. I had a massive appetite before so that was a pleasant shock.My main worry after my op was becoming so dehydrated that I would have to be admitted for I.V fluids, so I just kept drinking even though I knew I would vomit most of it back.
I have found reading this forum so helpful. Like a lot of people who have kept their balloon a secret, only my husband knows, and deep down he thinks I'm mad.
I have just over 3 stone to lose. I have lost 7lb already but I'm sure a lot of this is just fluid. I'm going to make an effort now not to get weighed more than once a week.
i would love to hear from others in the same situation. I had my balloon fitted in the UK with the hospital group.

Hi Swifty

Well done on losing 1/2 a stone in five days! WOW.
Even though most of that is probably water, I think you're doing great. Remember to take vitamin supplements.

Luckily you seem to have recovered well.
How are your energy levels during the day? Are you managing to sleep well?

I think the first week will be a "getting-used-to-your-balloon" time.

Ted

P.S My balloon is to be fitted with the hospital group in Orpington Kent. I'm nervous so any feedback on them would be greatly appreciated:-)

Hi Ted
I'm still doing ok and haven't been sick for a couple of days now. My energy levels are good and I'm sleeping ok. The first few nights were awful, I couldn't get comfy and felt sick and had stomach ache. I found it best to try and sleep in an upright position, or propped up on my side.
I,m getting quite a bit of lower back at the moment which I need painkillers for, but haven't had any problems with heartburn like a lot of people.
As long as it works it will all be worth it, I've been on a diet since I was a teenager on and off, I'm 41 now!!
If you feel awful after your procedure, keep in mind that it will only last a few days. I was in tears at one point as I felt so rough but I'm so much better now.
Have you had any info from the dietician yet? I haven't so have just been following the info on the web site, but unsure how many calories I should be aiming for once I@m past day 10.
Swifty

thanks for your replies - good luck in future Ted.

I agree I felt pretty rough for 2 /3 days then not too bad. Interestingly I have had a reaction to the IV drip now and had sore hand and hard veins (sounds worse than is) but apparently that is quite common!!
I have been on soup and yoghurt for a week - no wonder lost 9ilbs first week and about 1lb a day since (day 8 now). Clothes already feeling looser which is nice. I was 17 stone 6lbs when started, want to get to 14 stone, or ideally 13.

I thought I was hungry initially but it is difficult to tell whether it is hunger or stomach cramps. Do get hungry, and at a sandwich buffet on day 7, overate (not liquid for a start as my surgeon advised for 2 weeks) and while not sick afterwards, kept regurgitating food all nite, felt nauseous on that day and day after, so learning the lesson! Can, however, eat liquidy sugary things eg sucking sweets, so there is still self-control to learn.
Feel pretty normal apart from that and enjoying losing weight - I seem to be opposite of some on here, as losing weight has increased my energy and dont flag at all - quite the opposite, so all good so far. 5 more liquid days and then a different challenge!

Hi there,

New member here, am about to fly to Poland tomorrow for my gastric balloon procedure on Thursday. So reading your comments has been really helpful. I'll be back on Saturday, then I'll give you the wisdom of my experiences!

Bet you can't wait!

Cheers for now!

HI All

Man am I glad to find this site, I was feeling rather alone!

I had mine fitted on Friday it's now Wednesday and sadly I am still as sick as a dog. Can't seem to keep anything down and the cramps haven't eased a bit yet. On some Dioralyte now to try and get my rehaydrated again.

I know everyone is different but any words of encouragement that it will get better will gladly be received.

Not weighed myself yet as can't find the energy to do anything let alone stand on a scale though I'm aiming to do that on Friday, one week after.

Know how Swifty felt, I am still sleeping upright otherwise it makes me feel ill, def can't rest on my leftside, that's a major no go.

Hey ho, i'll keep drinking and hope it gets better soon.
x

Hi Idk,
Hope you are feeling okay.
I had my balloon fitted 2 months ago and have lost nearly 2 stone. It took me 3 weeks to stop throwing up every day. Now I find that i go days without throwing up, and then a couple of days throwing up. Fatty foods are the worst; I think the medication Lansoprazole stops bile production so we are unable to digest fat.
I could only sleep on my left side for the first month. Now I can no longer feeling the balloon and sometimes need to press my stomach to make sure it is there.
I had no energy for the first 2-3 weeks. The multivitamins are a great help though.
I have been on holiday to africa for the past two week and I am now completely sick of eating fish, salad and vegetables! I am looking forward to some nice soup for lunch!

Hi Skittle,

Don't worry, things will get easier. I woke up one morning a few days after my balloon insertion and suddenly felt much better. Just keep drinking so you don't dehydrate. My consultant told me the first 2-3 weeks can be really tough. I'm on day 18, I still get stomach ache from time to time, back ache, and if i eat too big a portion I vomit, but every day gets easier.
I completly understand how you feel. When I was feeling so ill I honestly thought I was going to have to have my balloon removed, are you taking lansoprazole?
i also took some soluble pain killers to help with my stomach cramps.
Hope you start feeling better soon

Swifty

HI Swifty

Well it is my one week aniversary of having the balloon fitted and oh my god all of a sudden I feel much better. Had to take some rehydration solutions as I was getting very badly dehydrated as I couldn't keep any water down, however now I am much much better, they really helped.

Still feel tender however I have just had and managed to keep down half a oatabix for breakfast and that's on top of the other half I had yesterday and the puree food I had (apple, pear etc) sounds silly I know but when you haven't eaten anything for 6 days it's kinda amazing.

So getting there finally, sure there will be times when I don't feel good but think I see some light at the end of this sickness tunnel now.

Still gotta take it easy but feel much happier, esp thanks to all the comments on here and from people like yourself that have been through it.

I even hope to get out and walk my dogs this afternoon as bless them they have been so good whilst their mum has been being curled up in the corner wanting to die!

Message to everyone else out there, take it easy, it does get better, quicker for some then others but it will.

Skittle xxx

Hi all
3 weeks in, 1 stone down so that's good - none of the nasty effects others seem to have and have much more energy than I did before - think it is because I am not eating many carbs anymore.

I find my weight fluctuates a lot, and is absolutely dependent on whether I "push" my balloon / stomach in terms of overeating. I can eat anything except peanuts which dont have a good effect on me. I never understood the "smelly burps" syndrome others mention but I didnt take my antacids for 2 days and then I realised what they were talking about. Back on tablets again and back to normal.

Played badminton twice now, no ill effects and in gym once. Need to do more exercise and try and control my portion sizes - after many years of overeating it is hard to retrain yourself, and find it very difficult to not eat more than I should when I am eating something yummy eg moussaka last week. Don't seem to have issues eating fat (or anything other than peanuts so far). Think I am very lucky in having got through this so easy so far.

Good luck to all - Skittle / Swifty would be good to hear from you regularly as we are all at similar stages.

cheers
Ian

Hi Everyone,
Well done to you Ian, I too have lost a stone in 3 weeks which is amazing as in the past it would take about 2 months.
I also have a bit of trouble getting my portion sizes right, I used to have a big appetite and I agree it is difficult to adjust. I've been getting stomach cramps quite bad and have thrown up a few times but I think it is calming down again. I get the impression it is normal.
Had a consultation with the dietician last week, she advised me to have a drink atleast 15 minutes before a meal, as this raises the balloon in the stomach and makes you feel full before you eat. It does seem to work so try it if you feel hungry.
Hope the weight keeps coming off, I am hoping to lose 10lb a month for the next 3 months, so lots of hard work ahead.
Good luck everyone.

Hi Swifty
Thanks for advice on filling up by drinking before eating - will try it.
Bad day today as had a bag of crisps for first time since having the balloon - bad day at work so that old emotional eating thing certainly hasn't gone away unfortunately. Despite knowing nuts not good for have had some of those too, so may well be suffering tonite. Had planned to play badminton but due to bad and late day at work didnt so as well as overating, I also didnt do the exercise I wanted to - oh well tomorrows another day, hopefully a better one.
good luck to all!

Hi everyone,

First of all, excuse me if I make a mess of using this forum - bit of a technophobe! Anyway, hi to all gastric balloon candidates, past, present & future! I just had a balloon fitted on Saturday, and I'm still feeling a bit rough, although the vomiting seems to have settled. My main problems now are heartburn/acid reflux, and feeling really weak & lightheaded at times. I actually feel a little better this evening, having forced myself to take some soup & skimmed milk. I can't believe I am having to force myself to eat! I've been a compulsive eater for a long time, with a huge appetite. Haven't weighed myself yet (I daren't, for fear of disappointment!) but before the balloon went in, I wasn't far off 15 stone - I'm 5ft 2. I'd like to lose at least 3 stone over the 6 months - more if possible.

Anyway, I'd love to hear about other people's experiences, whatever stage they're at. I haven't worked out how (or if) I can send private messages, but if anyone wants to contact me, I'd be quite happy about it. I'm in the UK by the way, and I had my balloon fitted by the National Obesity Surgery Centre.