48 year-old female. 5'2 and 180 lbs. Six-years post thyroid cancer / complete thyroidectomy

26-days post procedure. I've struggled with weight my entire life but it has been a downward spiral since my thyroid was removed. Diets were unsuccessful and I was rapidly gaining with no diet increae. After the procedure, I dropped 9 lbs the 1st week but re-gained 3 lbs (likely water weight) the 2nd week. As of today, I am down 10 pounds. My goal weight is 130 lbs.

Based on reviews I'd read and my discussions with Dr. Weaver, I was prepared for nausea but it was a non-issue. A few nauseous moments that quickly passed. I was proscribed several anti-nausea meds but stopped taking after day 3 because they made me so very sleepy. I was not prepared for being completely wiped out of energy and unable to focus the first 7 to 10 days.

I've followed the diet regiment very rigidly with only one lapse while traveling. I track every single thing I've eat. I stopped all diet soda (this was a big one for me), alcohol, and caffeine.
I lost the feeling of being uncomfortably full within 7 to 10 days. Started solid foods by week two. I take Tirosint (thyroid medication) multi-vitamin, colace, krill oil, prilosec, calcium, biotin and B-12 daily. I added fiber at the beginning of week three. I average 500 to 600 calories per day, 50 to 70 grams of protein, 25 to 30 grams of fat, 30 to 40 grams of carbs, and 60 to 70 ounces of water daily. Helpful Phone Apps: "Lose-It" (food tracker), "Round" (medication tracker), and my Withings scale. Isopure bottle drinks from GNC have been a good source of zero carb protein.

I was out of town for work for 5-days last week, which was challenging. I packed Premier Protein shakes and Bariwise soups for meals. Socializing / meals out were extremely difficult but I maintained to stay mostly on track. Most nights I told the group that I needed to prepare the next day for work and skipped eating out in restaurants with the group. While at home, I make a white bean chicken chili (and add two scoops of Isopure protein powder) in the crock pot. That is my lunch and dinner most days. When I am craving carbs or something crunchy, I have 5 Nut thin crackers.

I did a lot of research on my own about both the procedure and diet. I also have a friend who is almost 10-years post lap-band. She has been an invaluable diet resource. Otherwise, very disappointed in the nutrition support I've received. Sticking to the diet and retraining yourself to making good choices is the critical key to making the balloon work / for a successful outcome and yet the support seems insufficient. The nutritious did a phone consultation before the procedure that lasted about 20 minutes and emailed me recently to schedule another call at the end of February. The idea is to do a phone consulation every other month. I am thankful for my own research and friend. I am not sure that I would be so well informed or have enough information if it were not for my own research and friend.

Dr. Weaver is pleasant, the balloon implantation was easy / uneventful, and he worked with me on maximizing my flex spending account as the procedure is not coverage by insurance. His office assistant called the day after the procedure to check on me. I was not asked to make a follow up appointment.

So far so good but think I need a few more months to say it was worth it. With that said, I have been unable to lose ten-pounds by diet alone in the last 6 years so I am cautiously optimistic.

A good point to add. The cost of medications, supplements, and protein shakes added about $300 to cost.

Enjoyed lunch out with my husband yesterday. We ate at True Foods were most of the foods are greasy, local and organic. I ate about 1/4 of a turkey burger (first time I tried bread) and charred cauliflower as an appetizer. I felt very full but tolerated okay. It was nice to be out and be social. So far I'm down 11lbs.