Hey, i went with the hospital group in scotland as they were £1000 less than everywhere else. The procedure went very well, the hospital itself was very clean and staff were great BUT the aftercare isnt great (i think thats why it costs less). A dietician phones me once a month to ask my weight, first time she called she sent out info on foods to eat but thats it. To me i felt a bit let down as on the website it makes out u get lots of help etc etc but i feel all on my own with this. Its entirely up to u but if u can find somewhere else for same cost i'd do that and hope that the aftercare is better! good luck!!!

I can imagine its strange not to want to eat..like u I graze ( and pig out sometimes lol) I dont know what I'll do with my time lol..well apart from being sick that is

Have you noticed a difference in ur weight over the last 9 days? im the same, no regrets at all! im almost 4 weeks in and have lost 11lbs which im happy about. I aim to lose 3stone, but would be happy with 2 stone and work on the 3rd once balloon removed.

i am trying not to pay too much attention to it in case i jinx it but i notice a huge difference in my clothes already they are much looser aroiund the middle and my bra straps are starting to slide a little just enough for me to know that even 8lbs makes a physical difference-do u notice a difference in ur clothes? i want to lose as much as i can with the balloon to make it easier to keep up after its removed, i have about 4 stone+ to lose

Hello all, I'm new here but hope to be a regular soon! I have a consultation in Vancouver this week, am excited and nervous. It's been great to have these blogs to read, and they've helped answer so many questions already.

thats what helped me decide to go ahead too everyone has different experiences but it just paints a realistic picture of what to expect, i am so happy i have my balloon its like a big invisible stop sign that prevents me over eating

just wanted to say well done to all those who are just starting out and those who have had the op over the last few months your loss stories have really spurred me on I have started a thread called gastric balloon..my journey begins and plan to use this to give as much detail as poss ..I hope it helps other make the right decsion for them...

Thanks all

Hi Chick1980 - I'll definitely check out your thread. For anyone with extra time on their hands I've started a blog where I plan to follow my progress online - it's gastricballon(DOT)blogspot(DOT)com - Sorry for the (DOT)'s but the site wouldn't let me post a URL so just replace the (DOT) with a . (like you couldn't figure that out... ).

Good luck to all you ballooners out there and nice to know we're not alone.

Thats great! Yeah i notice a huge difference, and others have noticed too. i have a waist again-yaaaaaaaaay!!!

i am the same i mean i am still well overweight but its so cheering to put my hands on my hips and feel the waist and i would say another week and i need smaller pants woohoo it really spurs u on u know-i am still vomiting most days after my evening meal but it only happens after meat and veg or spuds but nor a decent chicken salad so i am trying to go down that route-when do things settle down-its my 30th sat and i really wanna have a few drinks and maybe a slice of birthday cake - ur only 30 once u know

Hey everyone!

I am having the balloon put in on April 9th!
So very excited!!!

I am worried about burping, vomiting, etc. I never had heartburn in my life! Have no idea how I am going to cope...

Do you have any problems when eating fruit/fruit juices and veggies?
I do not eat meat and avoid dairy...Mostly I eat fruit, but I looove chocolate plus I have a painfully slow metabolism-that's why I am here.

I do feel privileged being able to go in for balloon just a week after deciding to do so.

I think everybody is different from sounds of it. all the vomiting settled for me few days after i had balloon put in, but i've read on here that its lasted for weeks after for others. Im able to eat anything again with ease-trust me, thats not a good thing!so if u dont quite manage a slice of cake on saturday send it my way and i will confiscate it for u!

I had my consultation yesterday with Dr. Woodhead. I found him really nice, supportive and a good listener, which is not always the case with doctors. I was a bit surprised that he himself was overweight; I had expected otherwise from someone who's specialty is weight-loss surgery.

His approach was very "soft-sell"; he wasn't pushing the procedure and simply outlined the advantages and disadvantages. I appreciated that. Of course, the big disadvantage with the balloon is that it is temporary as it's only in place for 6 months. However, I look at is as a catalyst for a whole life change. I do not want surgery such as a lap band, and think with around 50 pounds to lose surgery would be pretty drastic. I just need something to help me change and something inside of me is telling me that this is my answer.

I have a date for the balloon insertion - April 29!

i had my balloon put in three weeks ago and have lost 15pounds, well 7kgs. ive felt like i can pretty much eat what i want so alot of it has been pure willpower. although ive been out for steaks and a sunday lunches since, aswell as the weekend binges involving fast food and copious amounts of alcohol!