Countdown to Balloon Launch

[tiili]

Tilli, my worries are similar to yours. I also want something permanent, but my circumstances make that I physically don't have time for the op. I am only home for 4 weeks And there are no surgeons within travelling distance who can se me, asses me, then operate in that short time.


I hope you find the right decision for you . It's so hard!

So, the balloon is my option. 12 months , being fitted on the 27th July!! 3 weeks!!! Aarrtgghhhh

I'm excited nervous and petrified that it won't work!!! But my mind is ready for it and I'm starting to think about my goals and the year ahead. This time next year...... I'll be talking about getting it removed!!

Rebecca

Yes it is really tough...but let's make sure that whatever route we both take we'll make it. My balloon is due only a couple of days after yours so we can always push each other. I just need to find a way to get some of my issues under control as well. I'm all about emotional eating, not actual hunger. A lot of the times I think I eat to punish myself. I need to find another outlet for emotional release.

It really pisses me off that I can't control food! I am one of the most stubborn people you will ever meet, I really should be able to use my willpower. Then again maybe that is the problem - being a control freak I need one area of my life where I can just let go of control, and that has become food (which subsequently ends up controlling me instead)?

Time to break that pattern.

I take it you live abroad Rebecca?

 

[tiili]

That's great tilli. You sound so much more positive, assertive and decided today. You have to do what you think is right for you with guidance of your surgeon of course.
As for the actual insertion of the balloon I don't remember a darn thing as I was lightly sedated but I know of others who had it done with just the throat numbing spray so therefore were much more aware of the procedure.
Very few people know that I have the balloon or that I am even going for the bypass but a few of those that do know have questioned why I want to put myself under such a drastic operation especially as I have proved I can do it on my own. May I add that the ones who have asked have never had a weight problem. But my reply is consistently the same ... I am we'll aware that I am able to lose weight as I have lost vast amounts many, many times over. The problem I have is keeping it off! I stopped dieting after I became ill in early 2002. The weight piled on as my activity level fell to zero until mentally I reached the point of no return. Bariatric surgery I was told was not going to happen for me so i literally gave up trying any more..... How wrong I was .
There are times I look back at the past 5 months and think god they are going by sooo slowly other times its wow that went rather quickly. Today I'm literally quaking in my boots as I near August knowing that all going well I will be facing both my biggest dread and biggest chance at a new life. My next appointment with the team is 3 weeks time when 1: I will be informed if my funding has been approved by FVH. I have been told not to worry about this as I have achieved every thing that was asked of me and more but of course I still do worry. 2:informed when the balloon will be removed. There is a bit of debate here as the original plan was to remove this at the same time as the bypass but because I have had so much reflux issues with the balloon they may remove it 2 wks before as to ensure that any damage caused has a chance to heal before hand. Fingers crossed its the former but have to be guided by my team here. Mr Stuart at my last visit envisaged surgery to happen early August .... What a bloody fantastic 12 months this has been!!!

Oh wow, they can actually refuse funding that late in the process? That's a bit cruel! Unless there is very good reason that is. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about though.

 

[femfrankie]

Oh wow, they can actually refuse funding that late in the process? That's a bit cruel! Unless there is very good reason that is. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about though.

I'm not allowed to be negative on this says hubby hahaha but yes technically they could well say no despite the fact that I have done everything that they have asked of me. With all the austerity there is around my fear is that financial restraint will be the spanner in the works.
FVH are the ones that deemed that it was to be balloon first and once target achieved then the bypass but only validated funding for the balloon with the understanding that once achieved then funding for phase 2 would go ahead ...in truth i'm stressed out with it all. Pretty crap really to be honest but hey ho x

 

[treacles1977]

Hi how is everyone? X

 

[femfrankie]

I'm good hun thanks. Super stressed with my up coming appointment in two weeks time and in a stall at the moment too. I get them monthly two weeks big loss followed by two weeks stall....:sigh:
TMI WARNING: suffering with really stubborn constipation which has resulted in bleeding (lots of) piles & I am reduced to wearing my winged friends again.. First time they have troubled me in 27yrs. Drinking loads & eating lots of roughage and prunes to try get things going again all with little success
I have been walking a bit more too. Not quite Olympic stuff but for me it's all good. Needing to replace the rubbers on my crutches already lol

 

[treacles1977]

Haha always love a Bit of too much information!

It's just under 2 weeks to my spatZ 12 month balloon, I am having a bit of sleepless nights worrying!!

Glad to hear you're still keeping mobile! What day is your appointment you must keep us updated x

Rebecca x

 

[Yvessa]

I'm good hun thanks. Super stressed with my up coming appointment in two weeks time and in a stall at the moment too. I get them monthly two weeks big loss followed by two weeks stall....:sigh:
TMI WARNING: suffering with really stubborn constipation which has resulted in bleeding (lots of) piles & I am reduced to wearing my winged friends again.. First time they have troubled me in 27yrs. Drinking loads & eating lots of roughage and prunes to try get things going again all with little success
I have been walking a bit more too. Not quite Olympic stuff but for me it's all good. Needing to replace the rubbers on my crutches already lol

Sounds like you're going through a bit of a rough time :/ I don't have any issues now, but it might be worth asking for some laxido or similar?

 

[femfrankie]

Haha always love a Bit of too much information!

It's just under 2 weeks to my spatZ 12 month balloon, I am having a bit of sleepless nights worrying!!

Glad to hear you're still keeping mobile! What day is your appointment you must keep us updated x

Rebecca x

Thursday 25th hun stomach is churning already. Hopefully final funding is approved and an op date given. Balloon will have been in 6 months on 7th August. So as I'm getting mine out you will have had yours put in. You'll be fine hun but buy in load of water, slimma soups, NAS Jelly. They were my saviours in the first week

Sounds like you're going through a bit of a rough time :/ I don't have any issues now, but it might be worth asking for some laxido or similar?

Looks like I am going to have to. I have been trying to fix it myself but it is obviously not working. I don't want to be reliant on laxatives for the rest of my life. I also think the two lansaprole in morning and at night are not helping the situation. Hopefully come bypass they will get reduced ... Fingers crossed x

 

[Lozer]

Hi I have just been reading bits but I'm not quite sure what the balloon is? Do they do it on nhs? I've read u r having a bypass soon did u have ur balloon to lose ur 10% I'm abit confused I hope u don't mind me asking. Well done on weight loss xx

 

[femfrankie]

Hi I have just been reading bits but I'm not quite sure what the balloon is? Do they do it on nhs? I've read u r having a bypass soon did u have ur balloon to lose ur 10% I'm abit confused I hope u don't mind me asking. Well done on weight loss xx

The balloon is as it sounds except it is filled with a coloured saline solution and sits inside the stomach (inserted via endoscopy). As a result it makes the stomach feel fuller quicker..
I have the Orbera which can only be in place for 6 months and is available on the NHS
The Spatz balloon on the other hand is not available on the NHS. and because it can be emptied/refilled is able to be left in place for 12months.
The stomach returns to pre balloon size once either balloon type is removed. The idea is to retrain our brains to eat healthily whilst we have the restriction.
No I didn't have the balloon to lose the initial 10% hun. I was told I had to show willing by losing this myself which I achieved and more (20%) . The balloon was fitted so I could get my BMI down to 50 which is where they felt I would be less of a risk to operate on.... Hopeully next month :cross:
I hope that makes things a bit clearer for you hun xx

 

[Lozer]

Hi thank u it has made it abit clearer. I've not really heard of it before. I'm 7lbs away from achieving my 10% lost 4st already. But no one had mentioned that ur bmi had to b a certen number before surgery??. My starting bmi was 61 don't no what it is now tho. X

 

[femfrankie]

Hi thank u it has made it abit clearer. I've not really heard of it before. I'm 7lbs away from achieving my 10% lost 4st already. But no one had mentioned that ur bmi had to b a certen number before surgery??. My starting bmi was 61 don't no what it is now tho. X

Chances are it will not be needed in your case hun. I have so many health issues and have had anaesthesia problems before so they are being very cautious in my case. Most people just have to achieve their targets and then go on to have he bypass or sleeve xx

 

[Lozer]

O right. Sounds like a good tool tho. Thanks for ur replies. How's ur weight loss been on it? X

 

[femfrankie]

O right. Sounds like a good tool tho. Thanks for ur replies. How's ur weight loss been on it? X

3 &1/2 pre balloon 4 &1/4 with the balloon

It is a good tool hun but you have to stick to your plan full stop. It is very easy to cheat with it and then you risk losing the restriction all together x

 

[tiili]

Exactly how nauseous were you the first day Femfrankie? I will be staying one night in hospital (I think at least...though I know some do it as a day-case) - am I ok to take a taxi home the next day without puking all over the back seat or should I bring a bag?

 

[femfrankie]

To be honest I was awful for about a week but made the hours journey home late in the evening of the day it was inserted. I was pretty sicky the day after but thankfully the nurse gave me a load of sick bowls to take home with me. To be honest knowing how I felt I would make sure you are well prepared

 

[treacles1977]

Hi tilli, can't believe that is it nearly time for us to get the balloon done!

Where are to going?when is your procedure?

I'm getting a bit scared, just have no idea ow I'm going to feel!! I'm a huge wimp so want lots of sedation!

X

 

[femfrankie]

I was told by my team that I was to expect to feel quite unwell and sickly for at the very least 3 days and that it was rare for someone not to feel like that... So I was well warned beforehand. I say prepare for a week any less then you are one of the lucky ones!
As for the procedure I have said before I had light sedation and can't remember a darn thing!

 

[tiili]

Thanks Femfrankie! Yeah that's what I suspected ha ha...better bring a paper bag in the taxi then

Rebecca - My procedure is on the 30th in London (doing this via the NHS). I'm a whimp too, have a slight phobia of doctors and hospitals and obviously this is all also very emotional as there is a lot of pain and unresolved issues attached to my weight problems. Was so worked up at my first consultation (and that was just sitting in a room talking to the doctor) that I started crying the minute I sat down in his office. He was very understanding thank god, even gave me his email address and told me to email him if I had any more questions once I got home considering I was so anxious and a bit blocked mentally during our meeting.

I've asked him to please give me as much sedation as possible during the balloon insertion. Hopefully I'll be knocked out good and will not remember a thing afterwards.

Not really bothered about the nausea etc afterwards, that I can take. Not very pleasant obviously, but it will be a good kick-start to the weight loss and shrink the stomach a bit.

I'm sure we are both just getting worked up about nothing. It'll be over before we know it, and so many people say they don't even remember the procedure. x

 

[treacles1977]

Hi tilli, mines on the 29th! So we don't have too long to wait! I'd love to keep in touch with you to see how we get on!

I just want it in now!

Rebecca x