how are you doing? I am scheduled for gastric balloon on friday. are you glad you did the procedure? how bad was it? i need to back to work on tuesday and am worried it may not be enough time?

B

Hi,
I am thinking of having a gastric balloon fitted. How did you get on? There is very little info on how people feel the first few days and I am wondering how much time I need off work. Did you have it done in the UK? Did it hurt? Have you been very sick? Sorry for all the questions!!!!
If you have time, would be great to get the low down.

Day 11 and 5 pounds down. I had a lot of nausea for the first few days. It has taken some adjustment to try and find out what and how much to eat. I went back to work four days after which was very soon, almost too soon. I am doing better now and look forward to getting some weight off and relearning how to eat just until i am full. good luck to my fellow balloonists.

hello i am new to this site, i see you live in kent well so do i! where did you have your ballon fitted?? how have you been finding it?? how ,much weight have you lost?

hi how did you find this?? where did you have it done and how much did you pay?? i want it done but so worried?

Hello

I am new to this site and would welcome any help in regards to the gastic balloon. i have been thinking about having it done but not sure if i should have the band?? whats the best thing?? i cant be ill afterwards for too long as i have 3 children and a husband who works too much, can anyone help?

You all seem to be doing so well, I had the balloon in Feb and I have lost a couple of pounds, what am I doing wrong?

hi ya
i know exactly where u r coming from i had my balloon on 8th feb 08 here we are 24th march i weigh the same as wen i started im really annoyed wiv myself and i dont know why! i think it is because everyone else is doing so well i had it done here in uk was ill 4 2 weeks if u fancy a natter maybe we could bash this out 2 gether

samm

Hello All,

Is any one here in the US? I am thinking of going to Germany to have the Gastric Balloon as it is not avaliable in the US. Scared to death. Are there a lot of side affects. And is it worth it in the long run? Has any one reached there goal weight and had the balloon removed yet. If so. Was it all worth it?

Thanks

I had the gastric balloon fitted on the 19th March and have lost 12lbs already. It seems like I have had it in forever and that I should have lost atleast 3 stone by now but that could have been why I struggled to lose weight in the first place.

The first 3 days were very very uncomfortable, if I could I would have taken the thing back out myself but just like they said after this time I started to feel better.

It is emotionally as well as physically draining. I crave normal food. My husband had a tuna sandwich the other day and I cried because I wanted one. It is hard just eating liquids day after day and seeing everyone else eat normally.

Anyone want to know anymore then just ask.

Clare

P.S If anyone can let me know what it is like to have it removed and how they felt afterwards please.

Hi Clare,
I am due to have my balloon fitted this Thursday and am very apprehensive. My job involves a lot of eating out - is there any way that I will be able to eat just tiny portions of normal food or is it just liquids. Have you had any alcohol?
Any tips on how to make it through the first few days?
Would love to hear back from you.
Thanks
Julie

Dear Julie,
The first few days can be really horrible, you will probably regret having it done, the nausea seems to be constant and the only relief from it is to actually be sick. This is something that I learn't to do. Not the best thing I know but if you want a couple of hours rest without being uncomfortable then you have to. It doesn't help that you can only have water and that does nothing to help with the acid in your throat, you should get tablets though to help with this.
When I got through the first couple of days and got home I started having apple juice, milk and water for my drinks. Also get some bouillon, a powder made by marigold, will be in the gravy isle at your supermarket. I use this as a drink and also for lunch and dinners.
It is also ideal to put with potatoes and carrots and liquidise them into a soup when you feel up to it. I have had mine in for just over a week and my nutritionist has said that I can now eat normal food but chew it really well. So you will be able to eat out but just really small portions, probably recommend a baked potatoe and not eat the skin. Today will be my first day having mashed potatoe with some cheese. Can't wait, how sad is that.
What they don't tell you in the brochure is the emotional side of things, just because you can't eat something doesn't mean you don't want to, it is quite upsetting to see others eating normal food in the first couple of weeks because you are literally going cold turkey on everything.

Hope this helps, if you want to know anymore let me know.

Clare

Haven't had alcohol, they recommend not to as it is alot of calories and no nutition. Saving myself for when it comes out.

I would love to, I am so disappointed, what with foul smelling burps and the weight not moving ,I am gutted to have gone through all of that for nothing! my email is groovygirlkenmare@yahoo.co.uk

Are you not eating solid food? maybe thats where I am going wrong!

Hi Carmes,
Thanks for replying to my post - really helpful. I will definitely get some bouillion. When did you have it done and what have you lost so far?
I am worried about the sickness as I have absolute 'iron guts' and am never sick so not sure how this is going to work.
Anyway, no turning back now.
Will let you know how I get on.
thanks again for the advice.