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Gastric Balloon Forum

The gastric balloon is an alternative to weight loss surgery for lower-BMI patients. It is an inflatable silicone balloon that helps fill the stomach so patients can eat less food and lose weight. This tool recently received FDA approval as a non-surgical tool to treat extreme obesity. Some examples of gastric balloons currently offered are Orbera, Easy Life, Duo by Reshape, Medsil, Allurion, Spatz, Endoball and Obalon.

A growing numbers of weight loss surgeons are now performing Endolumenal Bariatric Procedures without incisions. As an alternative to incision-based surgery, surgeons are using natural orifices (such as the throat) to insert the tools and equipment they need to help you win the battle against obesity. Some examples are the Stomaphy X, Endobarrier, TOGA and Rose procedures.

This is the forum where you can talk about the balloon and other Endolumenal Bariatric Procedures, their pros and cons, your special diet, and your experiences with the intragastric balloon or other Endolumenal Bariatric Procedures!

128 topics in this forum

  1. General questions

    By IndyMike,
    • 11 replies
    • 565 views

  3. no weight loss

    By jgiggles,   
    • 1 reply
    • 206 views

  4. Balloon Removed and Feelin' Fine! :-)

    By Wayward Traveler,   
    • 12 replies
    • 3,370 views

  5. Getting Obera Gastric Balloon 5/8 - prepping and what to expect

    By May191966,   
    • 0 replies
    • 330 views

  6. Orbera Balloon Next Week!!!!!

    By chpstick2u,
    • 31 replies
    • 2,856 views

  7. DC or other who has a gastric balloon? How it going?

    By Julie J,   
    • 26 replies
    • 1,852 views

  8. Protein

    By khavard15,
    • 1 reply
    • 272 views

  9. Pouch stretch

    By khavard15,
    • 0 replies
    • 253 views

  10. Pouch reset

    By khavard15,
    • 4 replies
    • 412 views

  11. Experience with the ballon

    By srocks112,
    • 6 replies
    • 961 views

  12. Spitting dried blood

    By srocks112,
    • 7 replies
    • 530 views

  13. Has anyone gone to Mexico, Tijuana to get the gastric balloon?

    By NPR,   
    • 11 replies
    • 6,296 views

  14. Balloon scheduled for 8/31!

    By Joboken,   
    • 14 replies
    • 1,124 views

  15. FDA investigating balloon after deaths

    By greenlora,   
    • 3 replies
    • 1,047 views

  16. Orbera Placed on 5/8

    By RoxGrl,
    • 8 replies
    • 1,187 views

  17. 5 Weeks Out, is it normal to still be achy and distended?

    By Gracie0622,
    • 1 reply
    • 703 views

  18. 2nd balloon...

    By brezzytime678,
    • 10 replies
    • 1,576 views

  19. Still nauseous after four weeks with Orbera Balloon.

    By MJane,   
    • 5 replies
    • 1,437 views

  20. Advice re Gastric Balloon vs. LapBand Surgery

    By rosedagal,
    • 12 replies
    • 1,314 views

  21. ReShape scheduled in 4 days!

    By Jolly rancher,
    • 5 replies
    • 653 views

  22. Get your FREE copy of "Conquer Obesity: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Lasting Weight Loss with the Gastric Balloon" audiobook

    By Alex Brecher,
    • 0 replies
    • 699 views

  23. Gastric Balloon in Mexico?

    By sparklesinmyeyes,   
    • 0 replies
    • 586 views

  24. Reshape ballon inserted 5/10/17

    By Spb123,   
    • 4 replies
    • 804 views

  25. Read BEFORE Gastric Balloon for one persons review

    By Ozbird,
    • 3 replies
    • 1,502 views

  26. Baton Rouge Balloon?

    By AKAY,   
    • 2 replies
    • 623 views

  27. obalon ballon

    By peterfern@verizon.net,   
    • 4 replies
    • 1,563 views

  28. Baloon/ Spatz or Other

    By dallasreno,   
    • 3 replies
    • 741 views

  29. Baloon/ Spatz or Other

    By dallasreno,   
    • 0 replies
    • 692 views

  30. Orbera Balloon Cramps

    By BMia143,
    • 2 replies
    • 1,480 views

  31. gastric balloon with RNY

    By Rhonda Jones,   
    • 1 reply
    • 680 views

  32. New Gastric Balloon Book Published to Help Patients Lose More Weight

    By Alex Brecher,
    • 0 replies
    • 1,125 views

  33. holiday after gastric balloon

    By anewmee,
    • 5 replies
    • 1,345 views

  34. Weightloss Agents - BEWARE!

    By Cherlyn Robinson,   
    • 8 replies
    • 1,687 views

  35. New here, procedure set for Jan. 12, 2017!

    By missmarthak31,
    • 32 replies
    • 4,163 views

  36. Telling friends & family

    By Jennie1031,
    • 7 replies
    • 1,172 views

  37. Weight watchers w orbera?

    By Jennie1031,
    • 1 reply
    • 937 views

  38. Do you know anyone that got the Gastric Balloon even though BMI was over 40

    By timeless333,   
    • 7 replies
    • 2,422 views

  39. Flying with Gastric Balloon

    By Melissa Dawn,
    • 1 reply
    • 1,766 views

  40. Gastric Balloon medication costs

    By timeless333,   
    • 2 replies
    • 977 views

  41. Heavily considering balloon...but is it worth it? Why not just get a tummy tuck and/or lipo?

    By DHurd35,   
    • 10 replies
    • 3,388 views

  42. Balloon REGRET!

    By NPR,
    • 6 replies
    • 2,287 views

  43. 2 Months with balloon, weight loss really slow!

    By Shirleyd90,
    • 3 replies
    • 1,396 views

  44. 11 days w/ balloon and I feel horrible!

    By NPR,
    • 6 replies
    • 1,528 views

  45. Calling all former ballooners!

    By Wayward Traveler,
    • 4 replies
    • 1,450 views

  46. Balloon stuck?

    By brezzytime678,
    • 2 replies
    • 1,032 views

  47. Orbera insertion next week!

    By anewmee,
    • 18 replies
    • 2,341 views

  48. Blurred vision?

    By Glimmer120,
    • 9 replies
    • 1,024 views

  49. Getting my balloon on 8/29. Need some advice please!

    By NPR,   
    • 11 replies
    • 1,443 views

  50. Tummy Tuck?

    By Louie's mom,
    • 5 replies
    • 897 views

  51. "Interesting" Food Finds ...

    By Wayward Traveler,   
    • 3 replies
    • 964 views

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  • Recent Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • SleeveinIL

      SleeveinIL

      I'm struggling a little. My younger sister wants to go out to a buffet for Thanksgiving so no one has to cook and stress. While I appreciate her sentiment, I also don't want to pay $65 a head (4 ppl in my family) especially since I can't eat much AND buffets are so difficult to deal with overeating. I told my sister after thinking about it that buffets aren't okay for me. She seemed to understand, but was disappointed. Am I being selfish by not going along with the plan? I purchased a turkey to cook and I can make sides that are bariatric friendly. Sigh, this one is bothering me. I might be emotionally low right now because my dog passed away recently and that is contributing to my thinking.
      · 4 replies
      1. FluffyChix

        FluffyChix

        Sorry about your pup. That's a real grief you need to allow yourself to express.

        So $65 for each person is hefty. We couldn't afford that for TG for 4. But buffets don't freak me. I wouldn't even pay--just sneak a bite or two off a plate here or there. No biggie. But doing a restaurant or keeping food simple is also what works for most.

        Sorry you're having a tough time about the upcoming holiday. Remember, our joy will mostly be with being with those we love.

      2. Orchids&Dragons

        Orchids&Dragons

        So sorry about the dog. It is so hard when they pass.

        Yes, that $65 is super steep. You'd really be paying $260 for 3 people to eat and you to watch. Yikes! And I'm sure they wouldn't let you in without paying. Maybe just beg your sis to put it off until next year when you might be able to enjoy it too? I mean, honestly, you've already got the darn turkey. You're still a work in progress and you sure don't want to throw up in the restaurant. Maybe thinking about it that way will help your sister understand. By next Thanksgiving, you'll be far more sure of what you can handle and what you can't.

        Good luck.

      3. CrankyMagpie

        CrankyMagpie

        Losing a pet is terrible, and it's OK to be sad. ❤️

        Taking care of yourself is also OK--better than OK!--and if you're offering to cook, that means your sister doesn't have to cook or stress, which is kind of what she was after, anyway? So you don't need to feel bad about this.

        I can definitely imagine going to a buffet again, even though I don't eat much, but we're talking, like $10 Indian lunch buffet, not $65 (holy crap) Thanksgiving buffet! And I'll probably always favor non-buffets, since not eating part of my meal immediately just means I get to enjoy it later on (or my spouse does). It feels like less pressure, or something.

        Anyway, I'm babbling. I think you're doing the right thing, here. I hope your sister is cool about it.

      4. Swanton_Bomb

        Swanton_Bomb

        I am slowly, s-l-o-w-l-y, learning in my old age that you don't always have to do everything for everyone else and that it is ok to take care of your own needs first. $260 is a lot to spend for a family of 4 to eat without any leftovers, especially when one person can barely eat anything. Maybe next year you can do the buffet, or maybe your sister and her family can go out to a buffet, and you and your kids can have dinner, and then everyone meets up later for board games and football or something. Focus on some fun post-meal activities. I'm skipping Thanksgiving this year because I am on liquids, which means my mom won't attend either (her choice, she doesn't want to go without me). She is ok with that, but I feel guilty about ruining her holiday. I made my peace with it because I realized that skipping this one Thanksgiving to have surgery earlier this month means that I will hopefully be healthier, live longer and have more Thanksgivings in my future.

    • danieocean

      danieocean

      Stuck in a stall, been 237 for a few days. Sucks! But good news, I no longer fit in a 2XL leggings or shirts. Back to XL in shirts and leggings!!!  WOO!
      · 1 reply
      1. Orchids&Dragons

        Orchids&Dragons

        Feels great, doesn't it? Congrats! And track those measurements! I'd rather see inches disappear than pounds any day!

    • GreenTealael

      GreenTealael

      Snow.
      · 3 replies
      1. Kay07

        Kay07

        yup I have snow incoming too... followed by freezing rain. Oh joy!

      2. AggiG

        AggiG

        Yep same thing here. Where are you at?

      3. GreenTealael

        GreenTealael

        NYC

    • Kay07

      Kay07

      Oh my goodness... I am no longer obese. Holy freaking cow. I feel like this needs a celebration this weekend
      · 5 replies
      1. FluffyChix

        FluffyChix

        Yay!!!!! So happy for you!!

      2. GreenTealael

        GreenTealael

        🎉 Congrats 🎉

      3. Orchids&Dragons

        Orchids&Dragons

        Isn't that just the best feeling ever!!! Congrats!

      4. KimTriesRNY

        KimTriesRNY

        That’s awesome! 💥

      5. Kay07

        Kay07

        Thank you all! It's a FANTASTIC feeling. I've still a long way to go, but I am truly loving every second of this journey!

    • Jazzy1125

      Jazzy1125

      One Week Post Op today! I feel great and almost walking back to normal. I have learned in this short week to not drink your dinner protein shake at a constant sipping. I spent 30 min the last two nights trying to release the pressure in my chest. Lesson Learned! I am back down to Surgery Date Weight as of this morning, actually half a pound less. Now to look forward to actual losses LOL. I guess i had a lot of gas and liquids that are taking time to leave my body. Its all good, it will be gone eventually! I have no regrets, and take each day as it comes and look forward to the next stage next Thursday, and getting my stitches out on Tuesday.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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