Gastric Balloon

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where buy a BIB in USA?

Hey guys,

I'm new here and I'm looking for a BIB to buy on internet in USA but I didnt have success. I have friend with approximately 660 lbs (300 kg), and he needs a gastric balloon (BIB) as soon as possible, because he is in a critical condition of health. But this balloon in Brazil is too expensive, for that reason I come here to ask you, if you know how to buy in USA, because I think that balloon is more cheap there. If someone knows please, don't hesitate to tell me.
I'm grateful.
bye.
 
hi guys.. ive beeen reading this thread for a while, im booked to go and get the baloon on the 31st! am sooo nervous, im going back to the dr today just to go over everything thats needed and to be prepared, i have to go back to work the next day though so im hoping its not that bad
 
Hi Baby boo,

All the best for your balloon procedure, which I see is happening today. I'm afraid there was no way I would have been able to return to work the day after having it done, so I would say be prepared that you may need to take some time off sick :angelsad2: - and don't be too hard on yourself if that is the case. However, you may be one of the lucky few who experience very few ill effects from it (I hope so!):)

Anyway, will be thinking of you x
 
I had my balloon out last November, I must admit that the first 2 months were great but it was too easy to slip back into the old habits and though I didn't put the 1 1/2 stone I lost in the first 2 months back on I think it was a very expensive way to lose weight, I'd rather gone away to boot camp for a month and would probabyl lost more, got fitter and changed my habits. I chose to have my balloon inserted in the UK as it promised a monthly check in with advise, weigh in etc and support not onl when the balloon was in but also when it was removed but it didn't happen and that's when it all went wrong. My advise is to choose carefully because support is so important. I sarted back to healthy eating a few weeks ago and enjoing it so much better, if I go out I don't deprive myself and though in 3 weeks I've only lost 5 lbs, if it carries on at 1lb a week in 6 months I will have lost over 2 stone and not deprived myself, sensible eating, portion control and exercise are the was it will work for me. Good luck everone!
 
day 2

hi guys.. well im day 2 in.. had it fitted yesterday.. the procedure was fine.. didnt feel anything.. but omg since then i just feel i keep throwing up i cant keep anything down.. please help didnt go tow ork yesterday or today as feel like dying!

water makes me feel worse i dont know what to do
 
Baby boo - sorry you are feeling so rough, but I think that's very common in the first couple of days. Hopefully the vomiting will settle down before the end of this week, but you may feel pretty washed out & generally grotty for another 2 or 3 weeks after that (that was my experience anyway!). :( But once the vomiting settles, you might manage to go back to work, if your job is not too physically demanding. Anyway, hope you're soon feeling better.

Hopeful999 - it's really interesting to hear from another ex-ballooner! :) Totally agree with what you're saying about the balloon being a really expensive way to lose weight. At least you haven't regained all your weight. It sounds like you are being very sensible in your approach now, and I wish you well.

I don't know why I keep coming onto this forum, being something of a failure myself! But something keeps drawing me back to it! (I'm just nosey, I think!).

Take care everyone :seeya:
 
Hey All,
thanks for the messages and replies to my earlier post:). Well, I am have decided to go through with the procedure and I am getting it fitted on the 3rd of Feb (tomorrow). I hope everything goes well and the vomiting won't be so bad.
I will let you know how it went.
 
cuddlymum said:
Baby boo - sorry you are feeling so rough, but I think that's very common in the first couple of days. Hopefully the vomiting will settle down before the end of this week, but you may feel pretty washed out & generally grotty for another 2 or 3 weeks after that (that was my experience anyway!). :( But once the vomiting settles, you might manage to go back to work, if your job is not too physically demanding. Anyway, hope you're soon feeling better.

Hopeful999 - it's really interesting to hear from another ex-ballooner! :) Totally agree with what you're saying about the balloon being a really expensive way to lose weight. At least you haven't regained all your weight. It sounds like you are being very sensible in your approach now, and I wish you well.

I don't know why I keep coming onto this forum, being something of a failure myself! But something keeps drawing me back to it! (I'm just nosey, I think!).

Take care everyone :seeya:
Click to expand...

Hi Cuddlymom and Hopeful 999,
I too am drawn back to this site despite no longer having the balloon. Thankfully most do not have the experience I had with the balloon. I am finally feeling myself again, it has been almost been 2 months. I know my experience is rare, however as many have commented, vomiting in the first 2 weeks is not uncommon. It does anger me that most of us were under the impression from the clinics that we would be back to work in no time. I think several of the clinics fail to tell most that there may be a good possibility that vomiting may continue and require time off work.
I think that many clinics also promote their clinics to offer much more extensive support than they really deliver. I encourage everyone to really know what they are buying or as Hopefull comments..it is a very expensive way to lose weight.
I beat myself up everytime I think about how much money I spent,,what I got was a horrendous experience, 8 days of hospitalization, 6 weeks off work with no income, to further compound the expense of the balloon, add another couple of thousand in lost wages. What I did gain was an appreciation for health, I know I just want to be healthy. I too am on a journey of being very sensible about my health and weight loss now.
for anyone reading this, I am the rare case, but please also be prepared that although I was at one end of the spectrum, most are in the middle and there are some at the other end of the spectrum that have little to no vomiting, be prepared that you might be somewhere in the middle. I think for most you can expect to feel rough for at least a week and you most likely will need that time off work.
all the best
 
Hi Drul,

I fully agree with what you say regarding the clinics not preparing us properly for what to expect after getting the balloon inserted - I know your own experience was especially bad, but most people have found it worse than they expected (from what I can gather). It's really infuriating that they are not more up-front about this :mad: You are right about the support too - I paid an extra thousand pounds for a year's support, and it was a total waste of money! Oh well, we have learned an expensive lesson! :leaving:

Glad to hear that you are now starting to recover from your ordeal. Take care :seeya:
 
Hi everyone. I had my balloon removed last week after 7 months of having it in place. Other than the first few difficult weeks and the last couple of weeks when I was so ready to have it out I had a near perfect experience with the balloon. I lost 30kg (per weight in with weight watchers the tuesday prior to removal on the friday). I found it no problem to exercise (and I exercised HEAPS) except if I had to lay on my stomach. I joined weight watchers about 3 months in and I am still attending now. I track my food everyday and comply with the points guidelines from ww. I lost another 1.1 the week after the balloon came out and I know that I have lost again this week. I think it is essential to have a framework to follow once the balloon comes out so that you don't revert to old habits - and that is what weight watchers is giving me. I just see the balloon as a kick start.

Interestingly, my appetite after having the balloon removed is no more than when it was in (maybe even less!) which has really shocked me. I thought I would be starving the whole time but that is not the case at all. I am working hard to keep to small portion sizes as I eat quiet a healthy diet and my problem was always with portion sizes and snacking. Now I have little desire to snack as I am very rarely hungry.

I will try to remember to pop in and update you with how I am going post balloon.
 
Hey All,

well,....to be honest, the last couple of days have not been very pleasant but it's definitely getting better and it's my first day back at work.

I had the balloon fitted last thrusday and the procedure itself was not too bad but the recovery ever more so. The day after the procedure was pretty bad and I was sick several times, satruday only 2, and sunday only once. Yet, I still have stomach cramps several times during the day. I hope they will subside shortly.

Re food, I am on a liquid diet at the moment consisting of milk, water, yoghurt (drinks), and yesterday I even had a bit of vegetable broth. So all in all I think my stomach is getting used to it (I hope).

Good luck to all of those going through the same....(ah, having a cramp right now)....situation. Keep it up.
 
Hi All,
Cuddlymum and Drul and any other ex ballooners I was jut wondering why the weight may have crept on? Do you think it was due to old behaviors or were you really hungry once the balloon came out?
My balloon is due to come out in 3 weeks and I am soo afraid of the weight going back on. I don't think I could handle it.
I got my balloon in August and was one of the lucky ones that really didn't have any problems with it. The first week I was a bit sick and fatigued but I found as soon as I started eating solids I felt better straight away. Sometimes I had to force myself to eat otherwise I would feel terrible. I found as soon as my stomach was empty the acid would return and I would feel sick. I also drank a lot of water and this would feel me up and help keep the calories low.
I weighed 14 and a half stone when I got it in and today I weigh 9 stone 11 pounds and am absolutely delighted with my results. And as I said I didn't have any of the side effects that some of you had. I sympathize with u all because feeling sick for soo long would be so draining especially when all you want to do is loose weight.
The first three months of the balloon I lost most of my weight. My calorie intake was low about 800- 1,000 but I felt good on that and I exercised hard 6 days a week. Since then I have been fighting the urge to binge at least once a week, (old habits). But my new figure and a new WOE has helped me to keep this to a minimum.
As I said I am just soo scared that the weight will go back on and that once the balloon comes out my stomach will have expanded and I will be hungry all the time.
Before they take my balloon out I have to go on a liquid only diet for the 7 days before it comes out. This seems a bit extreme to me did you guys have to do the same.

Any advice for when the balloon comes out would be very much appreciated as I am nervous and there are not many people to ask.

Good luck to all the new ballooners and I hope it is a success for u all.

Thanks Grace xxxxxxxxxx
 
Hi Grace,
Drul here, my balloon experience was the exception I think, I only had it in for almost a month and had to have it removed due to intolerance. During that time I vomitted daily, several times, even water couldn't stay down. Since removal of the balloon my appetite has not been the same as it once was. I have to say I lost alot of the cravings I had before the balloon for the sweet stuff, and sodas. I really have stuck to a healthy diet and I am not finding I miss those other things.
Just like any weight loss method, diet, there are always the risks of gaining the weight back, hopefully you are going to a clinic that offers and delivers good followup with a dietician, support person, etc.
the actual removal is not a problem at all, much easier process than when it goes in.
congratulations on your weight loss and your exercise routine. You deserve the credit, not the balloon. The balloon may have been what gave you the kick off, stick to the great healthy lifestyle changes you have made and you should do just great, Remember, don't give the credit to the balloon and think that when its gone you won't be able to do this, you have been the one doing it all along...so pat yourself on the back.
All the best.
Drul
 
Gonggirl said:
Hi everyone. I had my balloon removed last week after 7 months of having it in place. Other than the first few difficult weeks and the last couple of weeks when I was so ready to have it out I had a near perfect experience with the balloon. I lost 30kg (per weight in with weight watchers the tuesday prior to removal on the friday). I found it no problem to exercise (and I exercised HEAPS) except if I had to lay on my stomach. I joined weight watchers about 3 months in and I am still attending now. I track my food everyday and comply with the points guidelines from ww. I lost another 1.1 the week after the balloon came out and I know that I have lost again this week. I think it is essential to have a framework to follow once the balloon comes out so that you don't revert to old habits - and that is what weight watchers is giving me. I just see the balloon as a kick start.

Interestingly, my appetite after having the balloon removed is no more than when it was in (maybe even less!) which has really shocked me. I thought I would be starving the whole time but that is not the case at all. I am working hard to keep to small portion sizes as I eat quiet a healthy diet and my problem was always with portion sizes and snacking. Now I have little desire to snack as I am very rarely hungry.

I will try to remember to pop in and update you with how I am going post balloon.
Click to expand...

Hi conggirl,
great to hear how you are doing, when I was in the process of considering the balloon I was reading your story on the forum. Many of the stories inspired me to go ahead with the procedure. Unfortunately it did not work for me, some people can not tolerate the balloon. I am not anti-balloon at all, I think for many it is successful, I also know that for others it is not. I also think that some clinics do not deliver what they say they offer.
The balloon is an aid, your weight loss was successful due to your commitment, your hardwork, exercise and also following Weight Watchers.
From everything I have read, most weightloss with the balloon is within the first three months, so good on you for going to weightwatchers and sticking to a program which was probably very helpful in you not plateauing at that point of three months.
You give very good advice regarding a structure for healthy eating and exercise.
Congratulations on your success,
All the best,
Drul:hurray:
 
gracez said:
Hi All,
Cuddlymum and Drul and any other ex ballooners I was jut wondering why the weight may have crept on? Do you think it was due to old behaviors or were you really hungry once the balloon came out?
My balloon is due to come out in 3 weeks and I am soo afraid of the weight going back on. I don't think I could handle it.
I got my balloon in August and was one of the lucky ones that really didn't have any problems with it. The first week I was a bit sick and fatigued but I found as soon as I started eating solids I felt better straight away. Sometimes I had to force myself to eat otherwise I would feel terrible. I found as soon as my stomach was empty the acid would return and I would feel sick. I also drank a lot of water and this would feel me up and help keep the calories low.
I weighed 14 and a half stone when I got it in and today I weigh 9 stone 11 pounds and am absolutely delighted with my results. And as I said I didn't have any of the side effects that some of you had. I sympathize with u all because feeling sick for soo long would be so draining especially when all you want to do is loose weight.
The first three months of the balloon I lost most of my weight. My calorie intake was low about 800- 1,000 but I felt good on that and I exercised hard 6 days a week. Since then I have been fighting the urge to binge at least once a week, (old habits). But my new figure and a new WOE has helped me to keep this to a minimum.
As I said I am just soo scared that the weight will go back on and that once the balloon comes out my stomach will have expanded and I will be hungry all the time.
Before they take my balloon out I have to go on a liquid only diet for the 7 days before it comes out. This seems a bit extreme to me did you guys have to do the same.

Any advice for when the balloon comes out would be very much appreciated as I am nervous and there are not many people to ask.

Good luck to all the new ballooners and I hope it is a success for u all.

Thanks Grace xxxxxxxxxx
Click to expand...

Grace

Congrats on your awesome weight loss!

To tell you the truth I am surprised to say that I am less hungry now with the balloon out than at the end of having it! I make sure not to overeat and to stop when I feel full even now that the balloon is gone.

My tip to you is get a support structure in place now (like weight watchers) and that will help you to continue to succeed. I weighed in again today and have lost another 1.8kg. That takes me to a total of 33kgs (72.6pds) and going strong! I find tracking my food and exercise and the weekly weigh ins and meetings keeps me on track.

Good luck!
 
Hi All,
Thanks Drul and Gonggirl for the advice. Its such a relief to hear that your hunger has not come back with a vengeance because that truly is a fear for me. I will take your advise and get a support network going. I find keeping to low carb foods keeps the cravings at bay and hopefully I can sort out any emotional eating issues I have. Reading all your posts helps a lot.
Drul I did not have any support at all from my clinic. This was my choice. They offered me a "modified package" which simply meant that I had no call backs or support from the clinic. I chose this way as firstly it was much cheaper which meant I could afford to get the balloon and also I had been to many dietitians, nutritionists, a behavioral therapist, a life coach and a hypnotist and none of them made a difference to me. Also I have read so many books on diets etc. that at this point I probably know as much as them! So from the day I left the clinic I did not hear from them and they did not hear from me. I was a bit put out that they did not even ring once to see was I ok. And last week when I rang them to get my removal date the girl that had sold me the package did not even ask how I got on or how much weight I lost. So I feel its all about the money for them. But thankfully as I said it went well for me and I didn't need their help.

Thanks again for the replies,

Grace xxx
 
Wow! A lot's been happening on this thread since I last logged in. Well done to Gonggirl and Gracez - you have both done amazingly well! :hurray::hurray: And I think you both have an excellent chance of keeping the weight off - don't let my story put you off.

Gonggirl -that was a wise move, joining W.watchers whilst the balloon was still in.

Gracez - I only had to do a liquid diet for 3 days before the balloon came out - infact, I think for the first of the 3 days I could have yoghurt as well as liquids. Then for 48hrs it was just liquids, including consomme soup (which is not that easy to get hold of, but I found some in Tesco). A whole week of liquids does sound very extreme - I never had any problems after doing it for only 3 days. Having it taken out was no problem at all, as others have said.

As for why the weight went back on - various reasons I think. For one thing, I had not reached my target weight - I lost about 3 & a half stone, but still had another stone & a half to go. I don't know why, but I think I'd have tried a bit harder if I'd actually been at target. Also, we had a lot of social events within the first few months after it came out, which made it hard to stick to a diet -and I found that once I got a taste of "forbidden foods" again, my appetite came back with a vengeance! :angelsad2: Plus I've had a few personal problems, and I've always been a comfort-eater. But none of this is any excuse, I know!! And I do hope that others will learn from my mistakes.

Anderle -I'm sorry you are still feeling rough (I remember it well!) but at least it sounds like the vomiting is settling down. Hopefully the stomach cramps will soon subside too. You've done well to return to work so quickly!:)

Drul -it's really good that you feel your appetite is not as big as before - I suppose the longer you go on eating smaller portions, the easier it becomes.I just need to get through a couple of whole weeks without having any pig-out days!!:piggy: Believe me, I'm an expert on the theory side of diets, just not good at putting it into practice!

Well, I'll keep an eye out for more updates - it's really interesting to hear how you're all doing!

Take care everyone x :seeya:
 
Hi Cuddlymum, thanks for the reply and please don't blame your self for not succeeding. loosing weight and dieting has been the biggest battle of my life. I am still an overeater despite loosing my weight. And as you said reaching target is what is keeping me motivated to keep the binges to a minimum. I just pray that I can keep it off this time. The balloon gave me "time out" from yo yo dieting to have a good look at my eating habits and the way i diet. Hopefully I can maintain this weight and I hope that you get to your goal too.

Grace xxx
 
help

i think i am going o be the first person in the history of BIB who is thinking of having it removed 3 days after insertion. i cant bear the nausea and lack of energy and cant imagine how people on this forum have survived with weeks and months of feeling like this. at this point i dont even care about the weight or the money ive lost.. i just feel like i want to get this thing out of me. anybody out there who felt this way or am i the only wimp?
 
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