Gastric Balloon

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Hi Sami
Your sounding a bit low. 19lbs in 9 weeks is great...do you think you would of done it before? I know I wouldn't of. Keep thinking of the overall picture, you may only lose 1lb or 2 each week but look what sort of loss that would be over a whole month, or two months. It soon adds up. The time will fly by....just stick with it, think positively and enjoy the process and feeling your body change. I think the only reason for me losing so much to start off with is because I was massively overweigth. In total I had 8st 10lbs to lose..so for me it was bound to drop off in the first few weeks. I'm now losing around 2.5lb per week which I'm considering a good loss, so things are slowing down...but I still have well over 5 stone to lose. I do expect it to slow down even more the more I lose. I too can eat a full size meal if I wanted too but I don't...I'm trying to keep my portions small but I am still finding I'm not getting hungry in the evening after my main meal and thats when I always use to pig out. Breakfast : Bran flakes, Lunch : ham or tuna salad, dinner : usually chicken or salmon with veg. no snacks, drinking mainly water with around 1 tea a day and 1 glass of orange juice. This seems to do me throughout the day. My treats are 1 x milky bar per week and a Sunday roast once every two weeks...but again I'm keeping my portions half of what they use to be. When I had my portion this Sunday I sat there are was so tempted to get another helping but I just sat there for 10 mins while everyone else finished and by the time they had the temptation subsided. It is hard but I've tried to diet so many times in the past and have usually given up by now. The balloon is helping me stay full for longer and motivating me to eat less. Chin up Sami...stick with it and keep working hard xx
 
Hello All,

About to start my journey and would love a balloon buddy and advise from those in the know. I've started a thread to document everything 'my gastric balloon journey'

I live in London, UK so put some prices and packages of clinics there. Going to get a call from a consultant at 6pm to discuss further. I haven't booked it yet but 90% sure I will
 
I got my balloon inserted on Friday in chelmsford. Not a bad expierience but suffering now. Hoping things get better soon.
 
Mia mc said:
Hi Everyone i have my procedure on the 21st May. Im extremely nervous and excited at the same time :)
I am 94 kilos and hoping to lose as much weight as possible. Can anyone give me any advice n what to expect on the day of the procedure and the days to follow.

Thanks Mia
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Isn't it extreme to have to get a gastric balloon if you're just 94 kilos? How tall are you?
 
no it's not extreme! unless she's well over 6' then at 94kg is is still over weight and obese if is is under 5' 6''. I'm currently 86kgs but still have several stone to go before I even hit the overweight category. I'm sure Mia has thought about the procedure long and hard before committing to it.

The balloon is a non invasive procedure that holds very little risk. It's an aid to help you lose weight for those who are struggling to lose it on their own which so many people do, hence the statistics of obese people around the world.

Hope your doing well Mia...would love to hear how you're getting on.
 
invasive procedure
Etymology: L, in + vadere, to go, procedere, to proceed
a diagnostic or therapeutic technique that requires entry of a body cavity or interruption of normal body functions. Examples include the Pap test and colonoscopy.
Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. © 2009, Elsevier

The balloon is not a non-invasive procedure. It holds a moderate amount of risks. Complications involve the 'usual' cramping, nausea and vomiting, which for some people can get so bad that the balloon needs to be removed again. Then there's the chance of damage to the oesophagus or stomach during insertion, which can lead to bleeding and stomach ulcers, and possible permanent damage, and can, in extreme cases, be lethal. There's a chance of infections and leakage, both of which can be life threatening. There's also a chance of a rupture, which can obstruct the intestines, or it can perforate the abdomen, which can be life-threatening if not detected early.
Malnutrition and lack of important vitamins and minerals is common due to the restrictions of the balloon, and a multitude of foods that can't be eaten, possibly resulting in hair loss, low energy, fatigue and skin problems. And that's just in the short term. And last but not least, it is extremely easy to cheat while having a balloon - so somebody who didn't have the willpower and determination to stick with a lifestyle change and healthier eating, will easily find ways around the restrictions of the balloon.

And then there is of course the fact that a large number of people puts the weight back on after the balloon is removed, since it is simply a crutch, forcing them to eat less by punishing them with nausea and vomiting if they eat too much.

So, in summary, it is by no means a procedure with very little risk, or one that is a good aid for people struggling with weight loss. And I find it extreme to even suggest something like that to somebody at 94 kg, unless they are under 4 foot.

It is up to the individual what they want to do to their bodies, and how they deal with the consequences of whatever they decide. Sugar-coating a procedure like this, however, is completely wrong in my opinion.
 
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Thank you for raising the issue that yes indeed it is invasive, they also advertise non-pharmacological......I was never on so many medications as I was when I had the balloon, some may have seen my previous posts but I was very ill with the balloon, critically low potassium levels due to extreme vomiting. The doctor said one more day without treatment and my heart could have stopped, as well my blood sugar was very low, I am not diabetic either! Try having it removed in an emergency situation as well!!!!! Unless you can get to the surgeon who inserted, there is a special instrument to poke and deflate and grab the balloon and pull it up for extraction. I lost thousands of dollars due to lost wages as I couldn't work, I vomited for 26 days straight, no bowel movement for 26 days etc, I couldn't work, I was hospitalized for nine days. Please I hope no one really believes the balloon is non invasive, that is only a sales ploy!!!
 
gastric ballon

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:)
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I know it was a while since your procedure but would like to ask you if you still recommend such. I am considering it for myself. I understand this procedure is not performed in the USA and will probably go to Colombia to have it done. Thank you, Milena
 
Hi all, recently (two days ago) had the gastric balloon inserted. Anyone current on this thread also with new balloon? Love to share.
 
Missym said:
Hi all, recently (two days ago) had the gastric balloon inserted. Anyone current on this thread also with new balloon? Love to share.
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Hi Missym, i am having The balloon on tuesday. How are you doing with it. Love to share the experience.
 
mwalter4 said:
I know it was a while since your procedure but would like to ask you if you still recommend such. I am considering it for myself. I understand this procedure is not performed in the USA and will probably go to Colombia to have it done. Thank you, Milena
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Mwalter4, did you have the procedure done? Can you share the experience? I am planning on having the balloon too in Colombia. Thanks
 
I'm plugging along. I certainly don't feel very well. However I am learning a new relationship with food. I take tiny bites and that's all I can tolerate. I'm sure I'm consuming less than 600 caIs most days. It took a while (4 weeks to be exact) for my body to let go of the weight but it's coming. I'm down 15 lbs. I don't have the energy to work out yet. Hoping I can start this week.

How are you doing?
 
Missym said:
I'm plugging along. I certainly don't feel very well. However I am learning a new relationship with food. I take tiny bites and that's all I can tolerate. I'm sure I'm consuming less than 600 caIs most days. It took a while (4 weeks to be exact) for my body to let go of the weight but it's coming. I'm down 15 lbs. I don't have the energy to work out yet. Hoping I can start this week.

How are you doing?
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Hi Missym, did you finally come to Colombia to have it done? I have not had any vomiting but I am feeling some light pains and very weak!!!! After one week I will have my check up today. Waiting to see what the nutritionist has to say. Are you on solids already?

Regards
 
Hi all, I'm doing the balloon on Thursday. I been reading all comments and is good to know what could go fine or not. Im just afraid of my behavior. Anyone having anxiety? Are u all able to control over eating? Thanks for support!
Posh
 
Hi all , I'm new here and I would like to share my experience . I had my balloon fitted 2 weeks ago and I lost 1 stone so far . My problem is I cant eat anything other than weetabix , yogurt , juices and water . I tried smoothies and porridge but it didn't stay . I'm worried that it will go on and I'm suppose to move to solid food and I don't know how can I do that . please help
 
Hi all,

I thought I'd share my experience so far (and may keep updating as I go along). I had my procedure 7 days ago now at a private hospital in Melbourne Australia. The procedure itself was fine, I was completely sedated and woke up in recovery with a sore throat but otherwise feeling fine. They did a gastroscopy before inserting my balloon so there was a chance if they found something wrong with the gastroscopy they wouldn't go ahead, but all went well. I stayed in hospital for one night and checked out the following day by choice (strong believer you feel better at home) despite not being able to get much fluid down. I had strong nausea and a lot of vomiting bile while in hospital, and the meds they gave me never quite took it away completely, only dulled it down enough to sleep (which I did a lot of). I found when I walked was when I vomited but that stopped after about three days. The nausea continued till about day five. The worst part for me was the reflux - I have honestly never experienced something so frustratingly painful. I'll take vomiting over reflux any day. Also trying to sleep was painful, literally and metaphorically. I had to practically sit up and sleep but I only dozed for an hour or so at a time and after four days of that I was pure exhaustion, and I love my sleep so it was just terrible. So anyway the first 7 days so far I've only tolerated fluids, so water, juice and frozen liquids. I'm probably quite dehydrated but it's definitely tolerable. I can only sip the fluids, I can't take normal mouthfuls. Today I made soup just because I needed something savory but it was still thin fluids (but so great to be something different). I'm lucky because both my mother and sister had a gastric sleeve recently and the recovery and first few weeks are apparently mostly identical (bar a few different sensations), so in terms of what I can eat and how much is roughly the same as what they went through and I've seen it twice now so I'm not finding this so strange and unusual and expected exactly this. I'm not going back to work for another week which is great, but I think I could go back tomorrow if I had to, so a week is probably definitely needed to fully get over this procedure.

In seven days I've lost 8 kgs (17ish lbs) which is a lot but I always lose weight pretty fast (and gain it faster). Plus, I have only been having a couple hundred mls of fluid a day so no surprises there. Expecting the weight loss to slow down after two weeks but hoping to go back to the gym this week, and if I continue to stick to what my sister and mother ate, the weight loss for me should be tremendous. But we'll see.

GC
 
Update please?

GC. said:
Hi all,

I thought I'd share my experience so far (and may keep updating as I go along). I had my procedure 7 days ago now at a private hospital in Melbourne Australia. The procedure itself was fine, I was completely sedated and woke up in recovery with a sore throat but otherwise feeling fine. They did a gastroscopy before inserting my balloon so there was a chance if they found something wrong with the gastroscopy they wouldn't go ahead, but all went well. I stayed in hospital for one night and checked out the following day by choice (strong believer you feel better at home) despite not being able to get much fluid down. I had strong nausea and a lot of vomiting bile while in hospital, and the meds they gave me never quite took it away completely, only dulled it down enough to sleep (which I did a lot of). I found when I walked was when I vomited but that stopped after about three days. The nausea continued till about day five. The worst part for me was the reflux - I have honestly never experienced something so frustratingly painful. I'll take vomiting over reflux any day. Also trying to sleep was painful, literally and metaphorically. I had to practically sit up and sleep but I only dozed for an hour or so at a time and after four days of that I was pure exhaustion, and I love my sleep so it was just terrible. So anyway the first 7 days so far I've only tolerated fluids, so water, juice and frozen liquids. I'm probably quite dehydrated but it's definitely tolerable. I can only sip the fluids, I can't take normal mouthfuls. Today I made soup just because I needed something savory but it was still thin fluids (but so great to be something different). I'm lucky because both my mother and sister had a gastric sleeve recently and the recovery and first few weeks are apparently mostly identical (bar a few different sensations), so in terms of what I can eat and how much is roughly the same as what they went through and I've seen it twice now so I'm not finding this so strange and unusual and expected exactly this. I'm not going back to work for another week which is great, but I think I could go back tomorrow if I had to, so a week is probably definitely needed to fully get over this procedure.

In seven days I've lost 8 kgs (17ish lbs) which is a lot but I always lose weight pretty fast (and gain it faster). Plus, I have only been having a couple hundred mls of fluid a day so no surprises there. Expecting the weight loss to slow down after two weeks but hoping to go back to the gym this week, and if I continue to stick to what my sister and mother ate, the weight loss for me should be tremendous. But we'll see.

GC
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Hi,
I was thinking about doing this procedure myself. I was wondering how you are doing now? How much have you lost? Do you recommend the procedure?
Cheers!
 
zizi said:
Hi all , I'm new here and I would like to share my experience . I had my balloon fitted 2 weeks ago and I lost 1 stone so far . My problem is I cant eat anything other than weetabix , yogurt , juices and water . I tried smoothies and porridge but it didn't stay . I'm worried that it will go on and I'm suppose to move to solid food and I don't know how can I do that . please help
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Hello,
I am having the ORBERA done on Wed. I just wanted to see how you were doing, so far.
 
I had my balloon fitted today. The procedure itself was not pleasant. Its been a few hours now and my stomach feels weird I mean I do feel a tiny bit hungry. Is that normal? I haven't had anything to eat though. I've had 5 sips of water and threw up half an hour later. I threw up blue liquid has anyone had that happen to them the first day? I called my doctor he said it was normal. I am not experiencing and pain so far. I just feel that something is in my stomach and a bit of hunger. My starting weight is 93.7 kgs and I'm 1.59 cm tall. I am hoping to lose 33 kgs or 40kgs if I'm lucky. So far I can walk around normally but I will start exercising next week for 2-3 hours 6 days a week.
Wish me luck.
 
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