My appointment is scheduled, flight booked (heading across the boarder to Mexico), and I have my mindset to go with my choice!
Why the Spatz3? I think the same reason some go with the lapband. It is adjustable, and less permanent, while also being adjustable later. I wanted the 1 year outlook, and I wanted the ability to increase or decrease the fluid with progress or plateau.
I have no problem eating healthy food, I just never feel satisfied and am ALWAYS hungry. After Thanksgiving, still hungry. Buffet? hours later still hungry. I have never made myself sick from eating too much, maybe uncomfortable, but it passes, quickly.
I am a good cook and I have lost weight before. It is always temporary because I think I have things under control and then, Boom, back to binging. I am looking forward to feeling sick. To associating having enough food with a mental and physical reaction. This is where I am the most optimistic.
I am 5' 2" and 205lb, for a BMI of 36.3 ..... Ouch, it hurts to see it, and I feel it everyday!
Updated on 19 Jun 2017:
Getting excited! And nervous And anxious
I think I am prepared. I have everything I think I will need. Jello, Gatorade, broth(did you know they have them in K-Cup form?!?), antacid-in every form imaginable-liquid, stripe, chews...vitamins, tea, ginger lozenges, heating pad, popsicle, pedilyte, baby food squeeze pouches...
Anyone see anything missing?!
Ready to be done already and suffer the rough first few days of recovery.
Updated on 22 Jun 2017:
So getting ready. Super stoked and excited. I fly out at 6am, drive to Mexico and have my balloon placed. I went and did a BodPod yesterday to get an assessment of my current weight, density, and what percent I am fat and everything else. It was interesting. I have a starting point. Today I weighed in at 200.7 on my 5'2" frame. I am on my liquid diet and nothing after 8pm tonight except water, hoping to be super hydrated so I can counteract some of the days after issues. So that's where I am at today. Chilling and getting ready
Updated on 23 Jun 2017:
Hello all, I have just bad my procedure about 2hours ago. I am in recovery now relaxing and enjoying the IV fluid that I hope helps offset the inevitable dehydration the next few days. I have enjoyed this process and it has been simple and easy. The hardest part was having my bank release the funds for my final installment.
The only drawback I will say was the lack of diet guidance before op. I read and knew to be on a liquid diet for two or more days before and I didn't eat after 7pm last night. I also researched taking the pepcid for a week prior daily. Right now I think it all helped and the only complaint is the weight stretching my stomach that feels like you are a McDonald's gut-bomb or 3 and you're trying to digest it. So an uncomfortable full feeling without eating.... I assume this is my life now! Ha
My driver called after I landed and although we were stuck on the tarmac waiting for a gate he was super polite and accommodating. Getting weighted and measured was easy, final payment, then off to the hospital. I have my own room and they have hotel safes with a code you pick in the room for your valuables. Doctor and nurses were great. I have enjoyed this thus far. Keep you posted for the next few days of my recover week that seem to be the challenge for all.
Updated on 24 Jun 2017:
Back home, slept really well overnight. I woke up once feeling a bit like I was going to vomit because I was laying on my right said. I am fine on my left or back. Today I was able to get down 30oz of sugar free powerade, and a 20oz Isopure protein water, I finished both and it was definitely sipping slowly. I had one small prepackage sugarfree jello. Besides the cramping I have had no issues with acid or vomiting. I feel pretty lucky. I am not having a hard time so far. I have had the burps, but not bad. I have found posture has been a huge help.
Updated on 26 Jun 2017:
So I am four days post placement, I haven't had many complications. Worst complaint is the cramping, it is more like a back pain spasm in your stomach, or like food poisoning. I assume it is your stomach trying to help you to digest this big grapefruit that it can't seem to break down so it is throwing every trick at it. Hopefully mind over stomach and that will die down soon enough. I have been liquids only still. Today was the first bathroom break where my urine was lemonade color and not the color of sunny delight. I feel hydrated. I also am starting to feel hungry. The stomach cramps and their association to food poisoning have kept me from trying any food. I am going to add protein shake today. I have a few really good insulated cups so hopefully it will stay frozen/blended for as long as it will take me to sip it down. I have had jell-o but I was able to eat a pre-made sugar free cup size in about 5 minutes with no problems. Sleeping has been fine. Overall I am happy with how things have gone, no horror stories like some of the others. I have to work straight through to the 4th now, we will see how that work stretch treats me. First night back tonight. That's all for now!!