Gastric Balloon

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2 months after balloon

Hi,
I keep forgetting to post updates! I had the balloon in March 2010, and remove in October. I lost 10kg's in the 6 months, and I've lost another 2kg's since its been removed. It was unpleasant at the start - in the extreme, with a an extra 4 days spent in hospital until my body got use to it.

Eventually I didnt notice it was there, excepts for the occasions of eating a bit much. I did have heartburn right through the 6 months aswell. I think it was all worth while in the end. It has made me determined never to go through anything like those first days again!

Im no longer in the 'obese' weight range, and I feel much healthier. The only side effects I've had are thinning hair which I think is from the generals. I have a better idea of nutrition now, and healthy eating portions. So I'd recommend the procedure, but say to anyone doing it, make sure you can take a full week off of work just in case it doesnt agree with you!
 
Update

mila.e.d said:
Hi ITSDF - just wondering how is it going? Have you been feeling well and have you seen results. What is the name of the clinic in Montreal - I've been thinking of having the procedure done and I live in Ottawa so Montreal is close.

thanks
Click to expand...

Hi - My update is ok - I had no real problem adjusting to the Balloon. Within a week I was feeling fine and exercising. I really think the fact that I did the balloon filled with air vs saline makes a huge difference in the amount of nausea and vomiting. I can't imagine having something sloshing inside me all the time as I get motion sickness anyway.

So at a little less than a week, once I got some solid food in me, my energy came back and within a couple more days I was (ballroom) dancing and exercising. The only problem I had was that I had to sleep on my left side or else I had a lot of discomfort ( and I am a right side sleeper!).

In the first 2 1/2 months I lost 23 lbs. Then I hit a plateau - and had a lot of personal and family stuff go on (loss of work, death in the family, etc.) and I realized my habits had not changed. I still turned to food. In the early days of the balloon if I ate more than the size of a fist - I would feel sick - but somehow that has passed.

I actually logged on today because I feel like I am at that point of being able to eat "normally" again and I can't feel the balloon like I used to. I know it is still there - but somehow I can a bag of hersheys kisses and it doesn't bother me whereas in the beginning I was stuffed from small amounts of anything. I don't know if it is mental or physical. I will call my doc this week.

I went to Dr. Clifford Albert at the Canadian Institute for Laser Surgery. Very nice- and the staff is great. I suppose there is more follow up available if I was closer - but being in the states, I just call in once a month. He takes time to speak with me at length and review how I am doing and what I'm eating, etc.

I also admit I was better about my exercise at first - when crap hit the fan in my life, I kinda crawled into bed - old bad habits surfaced in lots of ways - with food and behavior - so it is no surprise I stopped losing. Good news is I am not gaining. And I have until February or so to get it together!
Let me know if I can answer anything else. I hope this helps.
 
Hey drul... I went back to work Monday and it was not a good day. I vomited about 8 times at work... I am not sure if thats normal. I want this balloon out. I cant and wont live like this for the next 6 months. My doctor gave me medicine but its just making me more sick.
I am currently working and living in the middle east.
I have been drinking gatorade and water. I dont know what else to do at this point...
 
vanessaS said:
Hey drul... I went back to work Monday and it was not a good day. I vomited about 8 times at work... I am not sure if thats normal. I want this balloon out. I cant and wont live like this for the next 6 months. My doctor gave me medicine but its just making me more sick.
I am currently working and living in the middle east.
I have been drinking gatorade and water. I dont know what else to do at this point...
Click to expand...

Hi Vanessa,
I am so sorry to hear that you are still getting sick, and 8 times is alot. From vvhat I could gather, this is day 9 or 10 after the balloon insertion. It is tough to get through those days of vomiting and life as to go on, vvork, and family. If you can hang in there for another vveek to see if you are going to turn the corner. Are you passing your vvater? at least tvvice a day or you are getting too dehydrated. Has your doctor offered to give you IV fluids if needed? do you knovv hovv many cc's in your balloon.
Keep in touch vvith the doctor and clinic.
In the end, you are the one vvho knovvs best hovv long you can tolerate the vomitting. I managed 26 days and than called it quits and asked to have the balloon removed. It began to impact on my emotional vvell-being as vvell as my physical self. Go one day at a time for novv, you may turn the corner, it isn't uncommon that people have this for the first 2 vveeks after.
Keep me posted, I knovv hovv rough this is, I didn't tell anyone but my husband and so everyone vvas really vvorried about hovv sick I vvas, have you told many people?
Do keep in touch.
Drul
 
Am I crazy????
I had a balloon inserted several months ago, the balloon had 700cc's of saline. I unfortunately could not tolerate the balloon due to persitant vomitting.
I am considering trying the balloon again but vvith 500 cc's only. Am I crazy?, has anyone done this? is there anyone out there vvho knovvs of someone vvho has done this? or someone vvho has had a second balloon?
vvould love to hear of any stories or thoughts on this, good or bad.
Thanks,
Drul
 
Yes I think you might be crazy. Why would you want to try the same thing again when it made you so sick before. Whats wrong with just trying to lose weight by eating right. If you can't control your eating then what happens if you get the balloon in again, after it is removed do you just go back to your old eating habits and regain all your weight back? All that vomiting can cause damage to your esophagus.
As you have found out the balloon didn't solve your weight or eating problems before.
Just my thoughts on it. I'm losing weight by just counting calories and exercising. It may be slow but it's healthy and it doesn't cost me anything.
Lynn
ps I never even heard of this balloon until this forum. Sounds like a bad idea.
 
BigLyn10 said:
Yes I think you might be crazy. Why would you want to try the same thing again when it made you so sick before. Whats wrong with just trying to lose weight by eating right. If you can't control your eating then what happens if you get the balloon in again, after it is removed do you just go back to your old eating habits and regain all your weight back? All that vomiting can cause damage to your esophagus.
As you have found out the balloon didn't solve your weight or eating problems before.
Just my thoughts on it. I'm losing weight by just counting calories and exercising. It may be slow but it's healthy and it doesn't cost me anything.
Lynn
ps I never even heard of this balloon until this forum. Sounds like a bad idea.
Click to expand...

Hi Lynn,
Thanks for your honesty, I can totally appreciate vvhere you are coming from, i have had those thoughts several times.
I am considering re-trial of the balloon as my previous balloon had 700'ccs of saline and this one vvill have less.
As for dieting, you are right, this vvill be the route to go, the balloon is only an aid. So I vvill be vvorking on my eating habits at the same time. the balloon for many is vvell tolerated and does provide incentive.
Drul
 
hey Drul how are you? Im not doing to well... I have an appointment with the doctor today and I want to get this balloon out asap. Im feeling so weak and it makes me sick every day. Even water makes me sick. Yes I lost lots of weight already but its not worth it. I will start going to the gym and eat healthy.
 
baloon cost

Angela,
how much was the baloon?
Thx



WEEALIA said:
I had a balloon fitted through endoscope on Christmas day and I need some support on the lonely weight loss journey

I have managed to lose 20llbs in 2 weeks which is unbeleivable for me! but dont feel any different in size - This is possibley due to the balloon making my stomach feel bloated.

Get in touch if you have a balloon now or in the past - I would love to hear from any motivational stories.

Speak soon

Angela:)
Click to expand...
 
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I thought I should log on and give everyone an update. I am scheduled to have my balloon removed on the 28th of January. At that time it will have been in 7 months. Six months in and I have lost 26kg - also gone from a size 26 to an 18/20. I feel great! I have no side effects from the balloon except burping (which can be pretty gross at times!). Most of the time I don't even know that I have a balloon. I exercise every day and I also attend weight watchers so that I am learning to watch what I eat. Cause the balloon restricts how much you eat - not what you eat. So if you eat enough crap you will not lose weight (might even find it). I want ww to help me with the transition after having the balloon removed too. My intention is to continue with losing weight after the balloon is removed. I would like to get to 30kg in the next 5 weeks and then lose another 30 over the next 12 months with the help of weight watchers.

So I hope that helps people who are trying to decide whether to get a balloon. I know that there are a lot of people who have problems with it - but there are success stories and I think that I am one of them.
 
vanessaS said:
hey Drul how are you? Im not doing to well... I have an appointment with the doctor today and I want to get this balloon out asap. Im feeling so weak and it makes me sick every day. Even water makes me sick. Yes I lost lots of weight already but its not worth it. I will start going to the gym and eat healthy.
Click to expand...

Hi Vanessa,
sorry to hear you are not doing vvell. I am in the same situation, I am vveak and vomiting almost everything. Movement makes me sick, and as you say even small sips of vvater. I have terrible heart burn and hunger pangs as still can't eat solids.
Let me knovv hovv you make out at the doctors, vvhere did you get your balloon done? are you in Canada, UK?
Keep me posted,
Drul
 
where and cost

Hi,
where did u have the procedure done and how much was it. i'm considering London or Canada since its not offered in the us and am trying to compare cost.

Reddie said:
Hi,
I keep forgetting to post updates! I had the balloon in March 2010, and remove in October. I lost 10kg's in the 6 months, and I've lost another 2kg's since its been removed. It was unpleasant at the start - in the extreme, with a an extra 4 days spent in hospital until my body got use to it.

Eventually I didnt notice it was there, excepts for the occasions of eating a bit much. I did have heartburn right through the 6 months aswell. I think it was all worth while in the end. It has made me determined never to go through anything like those first days again!

Im no longer in the 'obese' weight range, and I feel much healthier. The only side effects I've had are thinning hair which I think is from the generals. I have a better idea of nutrition now, and healthy eating portions. So I'd recommend the procedure, but say to anyone doing it, make sure you can take a full week off of work just in case it doesnt agree with you!
Click to expand...
 
Hi everywone! I am new here and i am from Scandinavia, so sorry fore my poor language.. but i hope you will understand me anyway. Sooo glad i found this forum :smilielol5:

I will have a balloon in Germany now in januar. But my big question is: How come this method is not available in "civilized" places like USA, and Scandinavia? Now you can get it in UK and Canada i heard, and thats great! But why does one have to go to like Poland, Praghue or Mexico?? Anyone knows?
 
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The balloon is widely available in the USA, if you can afford it. Not sure about Scandinavia, but I am pretty sure that you will find places to get it there as well.

I am not entirely sure if I would call Poland, Prague or Mexico less 'civilized' than the USA or Scandinavia though. Especially when it comes to things like healthcare, but that's just my personal opinion.
 
Aha, okey.. i am so used to that everything about health care is free in Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland). But I checked it out and found out that Gastric Bypass and Banding is free here, but because Ballon has not as much weight reducing it goes under the category "plastic sergery" and is not financiated by the public health care. BUT you can still not do it in scandinavia, even how much money you are willing to pay.. we have to go abroad. And because we have the top of the top quality of our health care that seems to be a bit rare. Maybe something political. I will ask my doctor.

However, i decided to go to Tönning in Germany and look forward to it. And Germany is civilized, and i am very sorry if my last message was a bit rude or if i did a negative impact.

And again: Glad i found this forum :hurray:
 
Hey All,
I am new to this forum:eek:) and glad to have found it. I am very fed up with my weight and I have tried so many diets already. Hence, I am seriously thinking about the gastric balloon and now it's just up to me to book a date. I am just wondering about the balloon itself.....do you know whether you can still go to the gym and run with the balloon inside your stomach? Wouldn't it feel weired somehow??.....any suggestions, information, or warnings will be helpful.
Thanks.
 
Hi Everyone,

As an ex-ballooner, I just popped on here for the first time in about 3 months to see what's going on. None of the people who had their procedure done around the same time as me seem to post on here any more, which is a shame as I'm really curoius to know if it was successful for them :confused:

Unfortunately, things went from bad to worse for me since the balloon came out.:( I was desperate to get it out (as I found it quite an unpleasant experience, although obviously not as bad as people like Drul found it). Afterwards, I thought my life would be changed forever (having lost 3stone/42 pounds approx) but 10 months later I've regained nearly all that, despite having joined a diet class for a while. I feel I'm just a walking disaster area when it comes to diets!

I would say to anyone, think very carefully before having this done. The only reason I lost weight with the balloon in is because it made me feel ill, & I vomited if I over-ate. I never actually addressed my problem of wanting to overeat.

Anderle - I could certainly feel the balloon "sloshing about" inside me when I was walking (let alone exercising!) & I did very little exercise with it insitu. Having said that, I've heard of other people saying they could hardly feel it at all - the experience seems to vary a lot from person to person.

I've just seen a post somewhere tonight from someone who has had the balloon out for a couple of months & lost more weight - unfortunately I can't remember (or find) who it was now! But that's brilliant going - it shows that it does work for some people.:)

At the end of the day, nobody else can make your mind up for you - but I think it's important that those considering it, hear the negatives as well as the positives.

Best wishes to you all :waving: PS: Hope I haven't brought everybody down! :angelsad2:
 
Hi Cuddlymum,
Its Drul here, and I totally agree with you that people need to hear the positive and the negative and than can make an informed choice. Unfortunately there is no way of knowing who will have problems and who won't.
I think it is important to address all aspects of why the weight was gained, intellectually I know that, but when you are feeling so frustrated and disappointed with another failed attempt at a diet, something like the balloon sounds so promising and most of us feel desperate wanting to get rid of the weight now.
After being so sick I have a different perspective, now I want to be healthy and the weight is not as much of the issue anymore.
thanks for sharing your experience. I am presently on a 1200 cal diet, I am making healthy food choices. I just want to feel healthy again.
All the best and I did follow your posts.
drul
 
Hi Drul,

Just wanted to say thanks for letting me know that you agreed with what I wrote - I must admit, after I'd posted it, I wondered if I'd done the right thing, as I thought it might upset some people!! :eek: But the truth is, very few people seem to post about their experiences after the balloon comes out - & I would have appreciated knowing a bit more about the success rate when I was first considering having it done (the REAL success rates - not what they tell you at the surgery centre!:rolleyes:)

I also read many of your posts (I think your balloon was put in around the time that mine came out) and I always felt extremely sorry for you :( Anyway, your current diet sounds very sensible - I'm also trying to do much the same thing. Christmas threw me off course quite a bit, but I am now trying to think ahead to my summer holidays, to give me some motivation!

Anyway, hopefully we will both win our battle eventually. And as you say, we have learned the true value of feeling healthy (having felt so ill with the balloon in place!).

Bye for now:seeya:
 
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