Hello.

I had a balloon placed about a week ago. Other than initial cramps and difficulty sleeping on anything other than my left side, I had no problems and did not vomit at all. However, I am now getting increasingly concerned as it seems that there is no limit to what I can eat. Today I had a jacket potato and 3/4 tin of beans and did not feel full at all.

I understand that I probably have some issues with my perception of what 'full' is (otherwise I wouldn't be the weight I am!) but I am really worried that I have just paid quite a lot of money for what could just amount to dietician support and reliance on willpower....

Does anyone else have any experience of this?

Xx

I'd certainly talk to your doctor about it. Did they give you some kind of info. book/pamplet that explains what to expect after the surgery?

Hi, thanks for the reply.

Have got a whole booklet about what to expect - but most of it seems to hinge on my having felt sick for this first week.

Have a good support team so will check with them I guess.

hi i am also in the same boat had mine nearly two weeks ago in india and although im feeling sickly and not much sleep i did get a advice to follow a low fat diet but i to can eat as usual any advice would be welcome please

I know this thread is from a few months back but I wanted to reply. I had the balloon in one week ago and Ive been sick and cramping all week. The fact that you guys say that you had little nausea and are able to eat what you want makes me wonder if you had the procedure done correctly! I am on semi-solids now and even having half a banana I am full and get some cramps. Ive been on liquids for a week and not felt hungry. Anyway not sure if you are still on these boards or not but I wonder how you got on in the end.

Hello. Thanks for the reply - I hope that you're getting on ok with your balloon now.

With regards to my situation - when I was originally concerned I spoke to the balloon company as to whether I needed investigating. Apparently some people are just able to tolerate the balloon and able to overeat - it's called 'outeating the balloon'. I think the fact that I had the balloon put in with no sedation shows that I just have a very tolerant gag reflex and so am unlikely to be sick whatever I put down there!

However, when I really listen to my body, I am able to recognise that the balloon makes me feel full more quickly. If I overeat, then I feel uncomfortable a couple of hours later (plus have some interesting eggy burps!). Obviously this means that I am still vulnerable to overeating, especially emotionally, and have to exercise willpower at all times. But guess this is the same for most people!

Have lost a stone so far, and am starting exercise now so watch this space!

OMG insertion without the balloon! that makes me want to gag just thinking about it :-) you are brave. do you feel the balloon at all? Im doing much better although most mornings I wake up uncomfortable and can feel the balloon. Im finding I have to make myself eat, which is interesting as normally I love to eat. but I seem to have lost interest and some of it is being nervous that it will bring on cramping. its been an interesting experience!

I can feel the balloon if I eat certain foods - like porridge (am now on phase two of my balloon plan and allowed new foods!). Also, one of my friends felt my stomach and could bounce the balloon with her hand. Made me feel a bit queasy though, so wouldn't recommend it.

I think that I'm the same as you and much less interested in food generally. However, I hadn't factored in just how much of my eating issues are due to emotional factors and boredom so am surprised when I want to eat chocolate, even though I know I'm not hungry and not really craving it. So am going to have some hypnotherapy to see if that helps...

so when you wake up in the morning you cant feel it? I feel like I can feel it, moving around at the top of my stomach, sort of waves of feeling. Ive been really sick today, keep vomiting, which surprised me as its been week and a half and I felt good yesterday. but I hear the vomiting can last 3 weeks at the beginning.

also forgot to reply, Im an emotional eater too....but havent felt like anything this last week and a half, i guess as im still healing and sick.

for me when I finally lose the weight I feel that I wont overeat again, as I will look back at what Ive been through this week!

ive heard hypotherapy works well, let me know if you go for it

Hello again!

Well, have had my first hypnotherapy session and it went really well! I went to a coffee shop yesterday and (for the first time ever) didn't feel the need to buy a muffin or something similar!

Have another session next week so hoping for good results.

Xx

PS How are you feeling now? Has the nausea settled down a bit?

yes Im just over 2 weeks and feel a lot better! still have my moments though, Im finding out what I can eat and not.

so how long have you had the balloon and how much have you lost?

Hi all quick update 2nd weigh in today lost 6lb and thats my first stone gone in 2 weeks made up. i am eating lots of soup which fills me up. Feeling better now as well.

Wow! Great weight loss! Well done!

To answer sictoronto's question - I've had the balloon in since the last week of November. So far, I've lost 18 pounds, but was a bit naughty over Christmas (chocolate) which meant I went off track with the weight loss a bit. Am aiming to lose 3 1/2 - 4 stones in total. Depends on what I look and feel like when I get closer!

Am feeling very inspired by everyone's posting on this forum.

Xx