Gastric Balloon

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Anxious

I am going to have the balloon fitted in 3 weeks time in Sydney and would welcome hearing from others in a similar situation. There are many posts on here from those who have negative side effects but few from those who have sailed through it..it would be great to hear some positive feedback so I can feel a little more motivated.
 
The bad breath is because you are burning ketones which is a great thing..

When fat is metabolized the end products, ketones, begin to accumulate. This condition is seen in starvation, occasionally in pregnancy if the intake of protein and carbohydrates is inadequate, and most frequently in diabetes mellitus. It is characterized by ketonuria, loss of potassium in the urine, and a fruity odor of acetone on the breath.

As long as you have the fruity breath, you are in extreme diet mode and the weight will fall away..make sure though that you take vitamins and minerals while this is happening.
 
Hi all. ok had the ballon put in yesterday. been vomiting all night and in pain so can't get comfortable. It helps knowing this wont last forever but what i can say bothers me more than all of this is the regret i'm feeling.

If anyone is considering having this and hasnt tried their damndest to lose weight naturally then think again. That is bothering me more thant the actual pain at the moment
 
Hi CosCon,

It does get better; make sure you take the drugs when you are meant to.

You are bound to have some psychological side effects straight after doing something like this to your body (the body is alerting the brain to something out of the ordinary) but see it for what it is- adjusting to a new thing.

It only lasted a very short time for me and the understanding that I chose to do this, and that I wasn't in genuine physical danger, really helped. Like getting your legs waxed, but more expensive.

In no time you will be feeling great, with no regrets and a much smaller bum!! Promise.

Stay in touch-
OCM
 
Thanks for the replies, I don't feel like the bad breath is a good thing or the burping it is gross, I am so paranoid too! Just want it to go! lol
Rather that tho i think than the sickness! which I was soooo lucky not to have.
Did anyone else have the bad breath/indigestion bad at the beginning and then it settled down im on day 8?
Thanks x
 
Hi All. Ok 48 hours later and feling slightly better. Vomiting gone from ever 3 hours to a having a 7 hour break. Sleeping is helping but i'm paranoid that i'm not getting enough fluids.

The only thing i seem to be able to keep don at the moment is a couple of licks of a hydralite ice block or a few teaspons of water/apple juice at a time.
 
Yes on reflection give up your life as you have previously known it!!!
for this to work everything must change, your breakfast lunch and dinner. You must get your legs working again and walk walk and walk some more. Swim (freestyle laps) if you can and can find the time. I gave six months to this project and lost 30kg but I was sick and vomiting nearly every single day! and that was following a very low fat diet. In the end I was pretty much only eating a "soft" diet, fruit, yogurts, low fat ice cream, mushy stuff! Am I happy now, yes I have put on 3kg (expected) and my love of wine unfortunately has returned but I will never go back to my old habits. I enjoy shopping for new clothes too much! Now the balloon is out I feel like my old self again but this time with a new lease on life. I am thankful!
 
Hi everyone

Well im onto my 9th week now and have lost 12kg so far but seem to of relaly slowed down and lost my willpower as im able to eat anything, although not massive amounts i can still eat whatever i want, must get back into positive mode
 
OzCatmum said:
Hi FF,

I think we may have the same doc! Bondi? They have been great, by the way.

There are tonnes of hotels by the airport, the Ibis is fine, not too expensive and about 10 mins drive from Maroubra. I cannot imagine driving from Maroubra to Penrith!

I am now down to 101.9, steady loss which is good. Again, though, it is definitely a case of getting my head together- I can still eat chocolate if I want to! I am making this about learning to eat; because the weight loss is happening naturally, my focus is on life after weight loss, and being slim for life as opposed to "keeping it off". It is a subtle difference, but I can feel it is going to be a big part of my ongoing success.

To those people around you who say just diet and exercise, that surgical interventions are unnecessary; is it just that you are waiting for the right diet?
Like most fatties, for 26 years, I have done them all, including personal trainers, and psychologists, and famous dieticians, and of course most of the commercial programmes and plans written, and most more than once. How old will I be when I get it right? I am not waiting any longer to live the life I want.

And 94 kg is not that bad- I can't wait to be 94kg!

Cheers,

OCM

Hey thanks for the reply , yeah we must have gone to the same doc , I am so glad you are going well , well done , you sound happy. I am just a big baby, I think the worst of everything , but over the weekend I looked at my size 12 and thought .... yep I will be back in them in now time .... I cant wait .....what weight did you start at ? and I love your outlook in your new life , very inspiring .... keep in contact.
You can look me up in facebook under Gina Field as well.
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cazamu said:
Hi everyone

Well im onto my 9th week now and have lost 12kg so far but seem to of relaly slowed down and lost my willpower as im able to eat anything, although not massive amounts i can still eat whatever i want, must get back into positive mode


Get it back... to go through all of that effort and loose the brain power is a waste...... yay 12 kgs wow , well done
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hi karools, i am also South African, Jo'burg East

karools said:
Hi, I am scheduled for my balloon next Friday. I am living in the middle east, but is from South Africa, so I am having mine placed in Johannesburg.

I am nervous about the whole ordeal, but is looking for ward to some weight loss.

I didnt realize that you stay sick for so long...
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i going to Bedford Gardens' surgeon for BIB 29 april 2010. i'm so unsure after reading the remarks about smelly burbs, acid, heartburn, appetite returning ect. which dr did you use? was it worth all the vomiting, naushea? i would
really appreciate another SA experianced advice!
 
Hi everyone,
Have been away for a week, on holiday, and looking forward to some healthier eating. Went home to see family and friends, and all, with the exception of my darling sister in law Lisa, have been missing the old me (wino, foodie) and want her back! Lisa comes from a family of chefs, and cooked a beautiful low fat and calorie feast, even with a healthy desert. She has a 3 month old baby and runs her own business....talk about supermum.

Hard to deal with the friends thing, people seem to hate change and are maybe worried I won't be as fun or something. I had a few treats, and tried not to be a wowser, but aimed for about 80% healthy, 20% not so much healthy! Will find out tomorrow if that is the right idea for maintaining or losing even when on holiday.

FF- sorry, I don't do Facebook, too complex with my job, but my husband is on so don't freak if you get a friend request from some random guy! Not long for you now...excited yet?

I started at 114.9kg, last weigh in was 101.7 (I think). Lucky to be 5'10', but that only takes me so far. Lost a bit of that by sorting out some insulin resistance, but the balloon is my saviour. One of the great things about seeing old friends was the "Wow! you look amazing!" comments; followed by "let's have champagne with lunch to celebrate!"-lol.

And actually got into normal sizes in normal shops. OMG, it's been a while.

Cazamu, keep your chin up; I talk about the long game (sporting expression), which means we will go through lots of ups and downs, some days 2 steps forward and one step back, but that still equals one step forward. The aim is to win in the end, not the beginning!

I also found at about 6 weeks the "on a diet, running on willpower" effect wore off. When would you usually give up on a diet, do you reckon? About 6 weeks for me in the past, give or take. Coincidence? I don't think so.

What that has meant for me was a bit of a weight loss slow down, but quite a leap ahead with what was happening psychologically, because I am physically pushed into real behavior change, whether I like it or not. Not what I am used to when losing weight, but hey, seriously, what I have done every time before hasn't worked, so I need this to be different to work. Don't they say the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different outcome?

Think about how far you have come- 12 kg is a huge amount of weight, and in 9 weeks! This is not The Biggest Loser either, that is a fantasy designed for ratings, so don't expect to lose huge amounts every week as you get lighter.

Thanks Mary S, there isn't much from post ballooners, cool to hear how it is going.

Great to hear from everyone!

OCM
 
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By the way- don't think I am getting it right all the time as far as my eating goes...I just had cheesecake for dinner because the housesitter had left it in the fridge.

My thoughts and actions don't always match...doh!
 
101.3kg- surprised I didn't gain weight, amazed that I lost 400g on holiday.

Don't think I can put the loss down to the cheesecake for dinner diet though!

OCM
 
Great Site But a bit bothered now

Hi everyone.

What a great find! I am so pleased I fell on this site by accident.

I am at the point where I have to make a decision as to whether to go for it or not. I have seen a "dietitian" who seemed to be trying to push me over to the band instead, or put me off all together by saying "You look alright to me".

She said that some patients actually come back after only a few weeks and ask for it to be removed because of the sickness.

Understandably I was not too impressed + having paid up front for the initial meeting and the consultants appointment I felt quite annoyed at the lack of customer service. It just didn't instill faith in me. When I went for the dietitian meeting they weren't even expecting me! I was then promised a call the following day but actually, that took over a week to come so I was really going off the idea altogether. Managed to convince myself that if I let them get to me it was only me I was harming in the end but there was still that niggle.

Met with the consultant on Thursday and that was a bit better although he had forgotten the appointment and had to be called to come into the hospital and was about half an hour late. But he seemed quite nice and seemed to know what he was talking about. He said he could do it on May 15th if I decide to go ahead, so I am now in the cooling off period.

Found the site and that has really helped except there appears to be a lot of information I need which will probably not come from the "professionals" (have already lowered my expectations of them!!!).

As far as the actual procedure goes I think I am ok with that in that it is a bit like childbirth, not a pleasant experience but worth it in the end. The bits that worry me are what I have read on the site about slimming shakes on the one hand yet others saying they are eating normal things. As I have had no information re diet from the clinic I would like some more detail on these aspects, what are the medication bits?

Also I asked the consultant how often I would need to attend for follow up appointments but he said it was not necessary so I am a bit confused re the mentions of life coaches etc which sound really great and helpful to me.

I really do need this to work, I am so low and my self esteem is non existent. I want to feel great again and get on with the rest of my life.

Any comments any of you have or help with where to get information which is probably not going to come from my "specialist team" I would be grateful. I will need loads of support as I have nobody at home + I run my own business (also from home) so quite isolated.

Finding you all is so liberating!! I am so pleased to meet you.
 
hey I am just over a week before the BIB ...... am I nervous hell yes .... am I excited hell yes...... I am just not sure what I should be eating & what meds to be taking at the moment ?
 
OCM - yeah just over a week or so to go 3rd May - I am sooooo frig'n nervous , I am not a good patient. I am sooooo over my weight ..... i hate the look of me now... i just want my life back. I think that I am happy , but I am not , i get depressed on a regular basis .... I have never been this heavy.... I am truly thinking that I should do the balloon get thin & then do the lap thingy???? to stay that way , I just dont trust myself ,,,,, I like my wine too much ...... you sound like you are doing great .... well done
 
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