45 Yr Old Female BMI 33. Knoxville, TN

I had the Orbera placed on Monday, February 8, 2016. Pre op weight-177 lbs. The procedure itself was a breeze. Dr. O'Connor's staff at the endoscopy center are exemplary and I was very well cared for before, during and after he procedure. A special thank you to Melissa for checking on me frequently and being available anytime I needed her.

So here I am on post op day 5 (Saturday) and I have to admit that, so far, this procedure has been very, very difficult to adjust to. Pretty much immediately after placement I was nauseous. The balloon was very heavy in my stomach and its presence was quite uncomfortable. With in an hour of waking up, I began vomiting and did so every hour or so for the next 24-30 hours. I was unable to take in anything by mouth until Wednesday evening and then, only ice chips still with random vomiting on and off. Very hard to even take and/or keep down the dissolvable meds they gave me to take routinely, much less my regular daily meds and the PPI prescribed by Dr. O'Connor for my pre and post op regimine.

Thursday, stomach cramping began and nausea continued. I threw up at least once each morning and was unble to take in many fluids with out terrible cramps but continued to sip 4-6 oz or so each hour to attempt to stay hydrated. By Thursday evening I was very weak and shaky with very limited urinary output. I was not able to sleep with out my head being elevated on several pillows related to stomach pain when lying flat or on either side. (IV fluids were available daily at Dr O'Connor's office, unfortunately, I was out of town on business so that wasn't an option for me.)

Friday was about the same. No real change in cramps or nausea, even with prescrition anti emetics on board, it was a really ROUGH day. For an early dinner, I forced down about 6 ounces of creamed soup and a bit more fluid and turned in early, still sleeping with my head elevated.

Today is Saturday and for the first time since the procedure, I woke up feeling a bit better and did not throw up first thing. My stomach still cramps regularly and the nausea has subsided from about a persistent 9 to a 3 or so. I ate a container of yogurt and have taken in about 20 ounces of fluid and have been able to keep everything down so far. Still extremely weak but considering I have had essentially nothing all week, that is to be expected.

I have a follow up on the 24th to weigh in, meet with the exercise physiologist and dietician. I'm hoping that tomorrow and moving forward will get a bit better each day.

My overall rating on this procedure is that it is NOT to betaken lightly. I am a tough cookie and after 2 c-sections, nursing both kids, a breast reduction and lumbar fusion I have to admit.....I don't remember ever being this sick. Even with a stomach bug, I have typically recovered with in 24 hours. For me, the Orbera has been ROUGH, ROUGH, ROUGH!!!!!