Hi everyone,
3 weeks today, weighed in this moring have lost 7lb this week which is great, just wish i felt a bit better, totally put a jinx on myself last time i signed in, i said i hadn't really been sick well guess what haven't stopped since so i know where the 7lb has gone TMI.
well done to everyone, stay positive it will all be worth it in the end

Hi there
I am new to the forum and I am researching the gastric balloon. I see a few people have used the National Gastric Balloon Centre. What is their support like? It seems to me that they offer more than just the balloon as they follow you up for 1 year. Can anybody tell me about their experience there? Can anybody recommend other reputable clinics in the UK? I think going abroad to have it fitted would be cutting corners and some of the aftercare from the Czech clinics seems non-existent. Is it worthwhile paying the extra?

The weight loss people experience seems fantastic but I think the difficult part is after the removal. Anybody has any experience or knows how people get on after the balloon is removed?

Another question, I have always found it difficult to be sick (no matter how bad my stomachache is!) and I was wondering whether this will be an advantage or disadvantage for the early days after the insertion?

Any advice or comments would be appreciated.

many thanks peeps

Plump Girl

Hi Plump Girl!

I cant really comment about the support i will be receiving yet, i have my first dietician meeting next Wednesday. I had my balloon done by the local Nuffield. And as for the removal, i hope i will have learnt to eat properly by then!

I wanted to say that if you eat too much you WILL be sick, no matter whether you want to or not! Sometimes its the only thing that makes you feel better!

7lb in a week Bexsy, fab! How much is that now? In how long?

I'm now 13lb down in just over 2 weeks. Yeehaw!!!

Hi Harmony
its 21lb altogether in 3 weeks, & a big wow to you 13lb in 2 weeks.
Hi plump Girl
Have to agree with Harmony there is nothing you can do about being sick if you overeat, i do feel full all the time so if you stick to the hosp advice you should be ok, though everyone reacts differently, I had my balloon done through The Hospital Group
Good luck with whatever you decide
Bexsy

21lb in 3 weeks! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

it is my first day back to work today after having my ballon fitted on wednesday feeling very lethargic and still lots of cramping in my stomache
would like to chat with anyone else eho had had it done resently for suport xx

Hi Moore,

I went back to work on day 5, and it wasnt easy. I too was feeling very lethargic, and also very sick. That has now passed, i have more energy, and am only sick when i eat too much. I really have to watch my portions. Wait til the scales start going down, then you'll see it was worth it!

Thanks for the coment Harmony i am feeling a bit more energetic today i think it is a good nights sleep . plus have lots on at work this week so no real time to think about being sleepy - i hate having to lie to my boss i feel like he has this Questioning eye as to why i have been off sick for 2 days. havnt told anyone apart from my mum and boyfriend so it really helps to come on here and chat
I have lost around 3 pound in 5 days and i know it sounds silly but am a little disapointed with this - not onto solids yet just soup and yogart x

Hi Moore
I also haven't told anyone about the balloon other than my Husband, its good to chat on here for support from people who know what your going through. Don't be disappointed with 3lb give it a couple of weeks & you'll see the difference.
Good Luck
Bexsy

I've only told my bf too. Its hard keeping it from others, especially when i keep being sick! The kids are wondering why i am still poorly, when i told them i just had a bit of a tummy bug! As for my mum, i havent told her, but i wouldnt be surprised if she'd guessed. Has a sixth sense, my mum!

I felt sooo tired to begin with, i now have more energy 2 weeks down the line. You'll start to feel better soon Moore. And 3lb is fine! Loose that every week and its a stone a month! (nearly!)

Hi there

I am having mine in just 10 days at the National Obesity Surgery Centre in Manchester and can't wait.

I am not sure either as to who to tell about this (other than my boyfriend who will be with me). On the one hand, I feel it is nothing to be ashamed of and I hate keeping secrets. On the other hand I am scared that it will either not work on me or it will work and I will then put the weight back on. In other words, I am scared of failing (again and publicly)! But I am also worried that if I don't say anything and it works (hopefully!!) then people at work, etc will remark on the weight loss and I will feel really bad not to tell how I lost the weight. How did you cope with not telling anybody about the balloon? Did people at work asked you what diet you were doing? and what did you say?

By the way, I am really encouraged by the postings on this forum and how much weight you have lost. I have found other postings on another forum and it made me doubt whether I should be doing this.

Anyway, it's good to talk and I look forward to hearing from you!

Hi again PG!

I have told people i am doing a vlcd (very low calorie diet eg Cambridge, lighter life, lipotrim) but with a low carb meal in the eve. Which is what i am doing anyway! The balloon is a tool, you still have to diet, so you are not lying!

I am gonna keep my balloon a secret, firstly because of the cost, but like you i am scared of failure.

I saw one of the bosses at the Nuffield today for a weigh in, now 16lb off. She told me that my balloon has 700ml in it!!!! As sometimes the losses arent great with less?? Anyone confirm this? Also the consultant decided on 700ml as i am quite tall.

yes my boyfriend is not very good with suport so poor mum had a call at 7 this morning to talk about my concerns she is really understanding! i have lost 4 pounds now in one week. Hunger is becoming a bit more of a factor i am still on soft foods eg mash and purees just worried to reintroduce solids incase they make me sick or gain weight!went to the gym last night and it was such hard work!
Plump girl - i have also told people i am doing a low calorie diet
16 pounds is brilliant Harmony - Well done you ! aparently te ballon weighs about a pound and a half i havnt factored this into my weight loss but is nice to know xxx

Thank you Harmony and Moore for your responses. I think I will keep quiet for now and see how it goes... I am sure if I told my kids, they would be really supportive (boy 13, girl 15 who like most kids these days think 'fat' is 'disgusting' and don't bat an eyelid when watching cosmetic surgery/makover TV programmes!). But I feel that I am not a very good role model and would rather keep it quiet) especially since my daugther might be anorexic. However, I am not naive enough to think they will not realise that something is going on. My family live abroad and I might tell them when I go home for a family wedding in October. I don't think they will disapprove too much but I won't tell them before hand in case they want to talk me out of it.
Just over a week to go before the journey starts!

Hi well what can i say its been 9 weeks since i had my balloon fitted and i am still being sick not as much and its not as often i have lost 20lb and gone from a size 18 and now size 14 the best feeling ever my consultant ask me if i am glad i had it done my answer was it is worth all the sickness and pain just to feel slim again i still get sick if i over eat or eat spicy food but am leaning to control it keep positive and wait until you start going down in dress sizes it makes you feel like youv won the lotto
saffisue