Nan, the first few days were exactly as described - nauseous, cramps, vomiting etc. Then after about a week I began to feel fine and was able to cope with work. I felt tired but put it down to not eating enough. Then I started being sick and couldn't keep anything down. On 9 June I was admitted to hospital with dehyrdration and spend 8 days in hopsital on a drip. A scan showed that the ballon had completely blocked my stomach and the only plan was to remove it. Glad to stay my stomach cleared itself and I'm gradually on the mend but still finding it hard to eat solid 'solids'. I keep saying that it will get better, it has to because I couldn't cope with 6 months like this. Today I feel much better having had some prunes, gaviscon and some fruit.
I just have to keep thinking about the end result now 28lbs lighter and another 70 to go
Think positive - we are all here to support each other and everyone has a different experience, mine has been rotten so far but I'm not giving up. J

Hi I noticed nobody had written in here for a while. I have read the whole of this thread as I have looked into have the intrgastric balloon fitted myself.
I have read all your stories and I still want to do it even though many of you have had great problems with sickness and wind.
I suppose the feeling of being slim and happy with your body beats everything.
I used to weight a healthy 9 stone 6lb at 5ft 5, so i was very slim and very happy. I piled on the pounds after loosing my brother and my dad and now i weight around 14stone! I had got into bad habbits with food and have got used to eating bigger portions.
I have tried so many diets to get rid and even go to the gym 4 days a week to budge the weight but no luck so far. Ive been overweight for about 5 years now! hate it! I was that confidence back!

I have been looking into the intrgastric balloon programme at prague beauty and i have heard some of you chose them. will that sadate you while having the balloon fitting? please share your stories with me, bad and good. I am so interested in having this done.
Many Thanks
Ali

For anyone not liking prune juice or finds stomach got used to it my secret
weapon in the fight against constipation is pineapple juice and works
within 24hours.

Hi Ali North,

I think our stories are similar. I used to weigh 8st 3lbs throughout my teens, 20's and early 30's which at 5ft 3" was a perfect size 10. I then lost my mum in very tragic circumstances and apart from initial weight loss I then turned to comfort eating. Initially I only put on around a stone but over the last 10 years, even eating healthy and going to the gym I still managed to put weight on. I have had every test going to see if something is wrong as compared to my friends and colleagues I eat far less than them yet they are slim and I am now nearly 12 stone with a BMI of 31 which has just slipped into the obese category.

I chose Prague Beauty after doing some research and e-mailing them, mainly due to the price. I consulted Transform in Harley Street but they were double the price. It is now 2 weeks since the procedure and I am feeling much better but still have bad days when I can't eat anything and have had a few days off sick for the first time in 2 years. The good news is I have lost 3kilos and my clothes feel loose, I don't think about eating and food. I know I can still eat nice food but just a lot less in portion size. I would recommend Prague Beauty, the nurses were nice, there is no after care once you are home, they give you a number to call and you can contact them by e-mail but I would rather hear people's experiences on this forum so I have not contacted them. I would recommend speedy boarding on the way hoe it they book Easy jet for you. The plane was packed and I wish I had thought of it beforehand as I felt really sick and didn't want to queue up with all the stag parties!!!

Anyway ask away if you have any questions.

Nan,

Thank you for telling me your exprience. Please could you tell me about the procedure in detail. I'm really nervous about this and wouldn't know what to expect. Ive seen videos of this on the net but obviously the patient shown on these clips cannot voice the way it felt ect. They do sedate you don't they?

I have been intouch with the doctor at prague beauty now and all I have to do is choose a date to go! Scary stuff!!!
Ali

Hi Ali, the procedure is over really quickly, I was sedated (I think everyone is) so I was really out of it, I knew what was going on, but I was just totally relaxed. It's not a nice feeling as such, but the doc i had was really good and she did it in about 5 minutes. i too went to Prague and had mine done with New You, the clinic was fab and the nurses were fab. you mentioned about people not voicing how it felt, well New You have a page with videos of previous clients talking about their experience, that should help make you feel better. It's been nearly 4 months since I had mine and i have lost nearly 3stone so far, they have provided me with an excellent after care service, as good as anything in the UK (my sister had it done with the Hospital Group cos she was scared to go abroad) difference is I got mine for about half the price You should go for it

Hi Ali North,
I had mine done at the Nuffield through the National Obesity Surgery Centre. I was a size 10 to 12 most of my life and various things including the loss of my Mum, Dad and Sister and my Mum in law (who was my best friend) have meant a steady but dramatic increase to 17stones (on 20 May)
My consultant said that he wouldn't totally sedate me as he had to have my co-operation. I felt that I was fully aware throughout the procedure and didn't like it one bit. If full sedation is offered then take it.
I have a support package including nutrition, exercise and 'emotional' therapy so I am hoping to do well.
I've been quite ill up to now and even ended up in hospital but I am starting to feel really good and I am now 14st 11lbs.
I felt this was my last resort or I would end up getting bigger and bigger. I think it has been worth it.

Hi Ali - I am keeping a blog, and I described the procedure in detail (my experiences in Canada anyway, which I imagine would be similar. Go to gastricballoon.blogspot.com to check it out; look for the posting titled "Insertion and First Week".
Cheers.

Thanks guys!

AlligatorCAN, I have read your blogs on the website! brilliant idea btw! I cant believe how well its gone for you... hardly any nausea or anything like that! think I will have to stock up on jelly and ice lollies!

Wrote to the doctor today but not had a reply yet which is unusual as he's been pretty quick to respond most days. ah well! I don't think i'm going to tell any of my friends... they would only say i was stupid! do you think I shall be ok to deal with this on my own?

Thanks

Ali

I have only told my husband. While I think my friends would probably be supportive, I didn't want to deal with any of the negative comments, or have to endure the looks/questions if we were out for an evening enjoying a "normal" dinner... If I wasn't married I probably would have done it on my own, the first couple of days would have been rough though. Even though I didn't have the same amount of nausea as others have reported, I still didn't feel well for the first few days and it was nice to have someone take care of things as I rested in bed. However, some on this forum have reported a huge amount of sickness, so I'd get some advice from them as well! All in all I'm glad I've done it. Good luck.

I have been reading constantly for over a week about the gastric balloon procedure and have been also reading this forum.

I had my consultation on June 26th and almost died when was quoted the price. My live in boyfriend today told me that he has the $8000 for me to do it. I called the clinic ( which is in Sarnia Ontario ) and they told me they could do it as soon as next Tuesday if I want. Now I have butterflies and my heart is racing and breathing is difficult...LOL....I haven't even booked it yet...LOL.

I wanted to do all the reading I could so as not to make an uneducated decision.

I work out at curves 3-4 times a week ( and I go for walks alot ) and have lost 10 lbs and 8 inches since June 11th. I still weigh heaps and heaps and believe this program will give me the extra leg up. I know it is not a miracle cure and never expected one. I figure it shouldn't be too much of a shock to my system as I am aware of what I eat ( i don't count the calories though ) as it is mainly lean cuts of meat and veggies. For the past 20 some odd years I have been a once a day eater and will probably struggle with having to force myself to have bits throughout the day.

My nerves are shot!!! I am so excited and apprehensive at the same time. The only person who knows about me doing this is my boyfriend...I don't believe I will be able to tell my best friend ( whom I work out with ) as her opinion is that this is just cheating and a quick fix.....so I will fore-go her support or lack there of.

I do have one question for those who have already been through the process though. Do you find there is a problem with sagging skin afterwards? Like I mentioned...I do work out religiously and am hoping that the weight loss isn't too fast that I will look like my skin is melting...lol

Thank you for reading my babbling and I look forward to interacting on this forum for words of encouragement.

Hi Ali, Sorry I have not replied sooner but I have been really sick the last few days. I'd rather not tell you about the procedure as I don't think I was fully sedated and had to be held down by 4 nurses, the worst experience of my life!!! The girl who went in before me came out really woozy and slept for the rest of the day but when I came back I was wide awake. Please don't let my experience put you off, I'm sure it was a one off and I will make sure I am fully sedated for removal!

I am 3 weeks in now and still feel dreadful. I actually felt better last week. I have had another 3 days off work and have not eaten anything for 2 days. The only person I have told is my sister so I am just having to say I have a tummy bug. I went to the Dr. yesterday as I was getting worried that something was wrong. She never even examined me or checked me over just sent me off for blood tests (today) and doubled my dose of the tablets from the clinic to sort out the acid. I lay on the sofa all day yesterday drifting in and out of sleep and then I was sick at 10.30 last night.

I'm supposed to be going away for the weekend with a friend and don't know how I'm going to get through the ordeal. So much for a lovely weekend of food, drink and sightseeing, I think the only thing I'm going to see is the hotel room!!!

I'll persevere a little longer then I'm going to have it removed if I don't start feeling any better. I was dreading the summer, having to get my fat body out and squeeze into summer clothes but this year I have been nowhere and have not been able to enjoy it anyway so I don't know what is worse.

Any tips to get rid of the acid, I already have gaviscon, thanks.

hi everyone!
I havent been on here for a while, I am getting my balloon removed next week. I lost 20 lbs on the program, I wish it was more but its pushed me into the 'normal' BMI range so Im happy. I never could lose weight on any diets before, tried for 5 years, so 20 lbs is amazing. I did reach 25 pounds but the last few months Ive been working 9am-9pm so added back the 5 pounds from fast food eating. I also found I didnt feel any restriction the last few months, like my stomach got used to the balloon. I didnt have a lot to lose like some people so I think that makes it harder too.
I went to The Surgical Weight Loss Centre, I highly recommend my surgeon Dr Cobourn he is a wonderful man Lap Band Surgery Clinic | Weight Loss & Gastric Balloon in Toronto, Canada
I will post about how the removal goes. good luck everyone!

hey u well done 20lbs is 20lbs nothing to be sniffed at and as u said it has made big difference health wise which should really be forefront on all our minds as opposed to physical appearance. i have lost 20 pounds in 14 weeks and it was hard lost-if i am honest until 2 weeks ago the balloon made absolutely no difference to my food intake and i really had to diet and exercise to lose the weight-now that i am suffering indigestion vomiting and stinking burps i am finding it easier to limit my food intake so i am tentatively going to aim for another 12 pounds until the end-by the way did you have ur balloon in for 24 weeks or a full 6 calender months

I'm so nervous now! the Dr is currently sorting out my contract and I will be travelling to prague on Monday! how soon is that? 4 days time! so scary! I have asked for full sedation which has been agreed so i will not remember anything after insertion.

Does anyone know of any types of foods to eat after the procedure? I understand I will not be eating proper solids for a week or so.

Jelly and Ice lollies? Will soup be out of the equation for a while? need to get stocked up before hand as from reading your storeys I probably won't be able to go shopping for a while. I really can't believe I'm doing this. Its crazy! I just seriously hope it works for me. serious butterflies!