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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!

137 topics in this forum

  1. Orbera Success strategies

    By lifeofbry,
    • 139 replies
    • 18,194 views

  2. Has anyone had their gastric balloon for over a month yet?

    By SLSH,   
    • 13 replies
    • 10,573 views

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

    By NPR,   
    • 11 replies
    • 8,240 views

  4. Orbera or Reshape balloon.. why did you pick one over the other?

    By michelleg46,   
    • 7 replies
    • 6,989 views

  5. Gastric Balloon Procedure Booked!

    By islesdriveforfive,   
    • 57 replies
    • 6,383 views

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

    By missmarthak31,
    • 32 replies
    • 5,157 views

  7. Orbera Balloon booked in next week! Nervous, excited, anxious! Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

    By athenean,   
    • 59 replies
    • 5,088 views

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

    By Wayward Traveler,   
    • 12 replies
    • 4,669 views

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

    By DHurd35,   
    • 10 replies
    • 4,471 views

  10. Anyone have gastric balloon removed prior to 6 months?

    By Trixie S.,   
    • 32 replies
    • 4,308 views

  11. Dh Is Trying To Convince Me To Get Gastric Balloon...

    By kabeerah,
    • 32 replies
    • 4,236 views

  12. Orbera Balloon t-minus 180 days

    By jeff636,   
    • 26 replies
    • 4,127 views

  13. Gastric Balloon

    By susannah,
    • 8 replies
    • 4,066 views

  14. Another newbie getting ready for Orbera

    By candykerr7,
    • 57 replies
    • 4,054 views

  15. Surgeon just tried to talk me out of balloon

    By anewmee,
    • 35 replies
    • 4,044 views

  16. Orbera Balloon Next Week!!!!!

    By chpstick2u,
    • 31 replies
    • 3,912 views

  17. Gastric Balloons

    By utahgirll,   
    • 9 replies
    • 3,810 views

  18. POSE (Primary Obesity Surgery Endoscopic) Making stomach smaller without incisions - through the mouth.

    By utahgirll,   
    • 13 replies
    • 3,587 views

  19. What kind of results are people getting...

    By Scottyd1264,
    • 23 replies
    • 3,397 views

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

    By timeless333,   
    • 7 replies
    • 3,240 views

  21. Orbera insertion next week!

    By anewmee,
    • 18 replies
    • 3,161 views

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

    By Julie J,   
    • 26 replies
    • 2,931 views

  23. Balloon REGRET!

    By NPR,
    • 6 replies
    • 2,922 views

  24. If you have had the balloon... any advice for someone getting it this week? things you wish you did/asked?

    By michelleg46,   
    • 22 replies
    • 2,814 views

  25. Endobarrier - knifeless bypass, now in USA trials.

    By utahgirll,   
    • 4 replies
    • 2,789 views

  26. Gastric Balloon?

    By alligator,
    • 10 replies
    • 2,626 views

  27. Flying with Gastric Balloon

    By Melissa Dawn,
    • 1 reply
    • 2,501 views

  28. has anyone heard of Bio Centric IntraGastric balloon

    By deyanne,
    • 14 replies
    • 2,426 views

  29. Still nauseous after four weeks with Orbera Balloon.

    By MJane,   
    • 5 replies
    • 2,360 views

  30. Weightloss Agents - BEWARE!

    By Cherlyn Robinson,   
    • 8 replies
    • 2,296 views

  31. 2nd balloon...

    By brezzytime678,
    • 10 replies
    • 2,277 views

  32. Ballooners: what have you learned so far ?

    By buckleysmom,
    • 13 replies
    • 2,274 views

  33. obalon ballon

    By peterfern@verizon.net,   
    • 4 replies
    • 2,131 views

  34. Abiliti Gastric Pacemaker, Intrapace Gastric Pacemaker

    By utahgirll,   
    • 2 replies
    • 2,109 views

  35. FULL SENSE DEVICE - non-invasive new device placed through mouth

    By utahgirll,   
    • 3 replies
    • 2,105 views

  36. Orbera Balloon Cramps

    By BMia143,
    • 2 replies
    • 2,045 views

  37. Here I go, scheduled balloon for July 26, 2016

    By Shirleyd90,
    • 18 replies
    • 2,021 views

  38. Read BEFORE Gastric Balloon for one persons review

    By Ozbird,
    • 3 replies
    • 1,967 views

  39. 11 days w/ balloon and I feel horrible!

    By NPR,
    • 6 replies
    • 1,959 views

  40. ORBERA™ Receives FDA Approval | Official Announcement, Illustrations and Animations

    By Alex Brecher,
    • 0 replies
    • 1,944 views

  41. Advice re Gastric Balloon vs. LapBand Surgery

    By rosedagal,
    • 12 replies
    • 1,916 views

  42. Is The Gastric Sleeve Better Or The Balloon?

    By Tina87,
    • 10 replies
    • 1,882 views

  43. Orbera balloon scheduled for 6:30AM 5/12/16

    By michelleg46,
    • 18 replies
    • 1,864 views

  44. Exercise with a gastric balloon?

    By Sailor Doom,
    • 7 replies
    • 1,858 views

  45. Orbera - one month in and appetite increasing

    By ophelia150,
    • 3 replies
    • 1,855 views

  46. Calling all former ballooners!

    By Wayward Traveler,
    • 4 replies
    • 1,831 views

  47. Intragastric Balloon???

    By alisasings,
    • 4 replies
    • 1,806 views

  48. Balloon Removal

    By joni g,
    • 16 replies
    • 1,777 views

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

    By NPR,   
    • 11 replies
    • 1,763 views

  50. 2 Months with balloon, weight loss really slow!

    By Shirleyd90,
    • 3 replies
    • 1,760 views

  • Recent Topics

  • Most popular:

  • Recent Status Updates

    • SabrinaGoddess

      SabrinaGoddess

      I am OFFICIALLY SLEEVED! (surgery was Dec 9th, 2019)
      It was an easy procedure for me and I am not having complications. If you want to see part one of my journey go here: https://sabrinagoddess.com/life-on-the-other-side-post-op-wls
      I will be making new posts during this whole process!

      · 2 replies
      1. GreenTealael

        GreenTealael

        💚CONGRATULATIONS💚

      2. Billy Bob

        Billy Bob

        Glad you survived . lol

    • SabrinaGoddess

      SabrinaGoddess

      TOMORROW IS MY DAY! (note this did not post properly so I am still  posting it after the fact)
      I am so very excited! My sister is here with me and my son. I am so excited. My anesthesiologist called me tonight to discuss our plans for tomorrow. I am not feeling nervous at all. Just excited for the future!
      I did buy a few bottles of CFpreop which is really suppose to help you stay hydrated. It's pricey but I feel it's worth it. I tried the Watermelon tonight. I have to stop all liquids after midnight and I go into the hospital at 5:30am for check in. My surgery is at 8am.
      SO HAPPY for this journey!
      You can get the CFpreop on Amazon if anyone is interested. It comes in Watermelon and White Grape.
      Read my night before thoughts on: www.SabrinaGoddess.com

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Arabesque

      Arabesque

      Today I said I’m an XS or size 8 (Aust) at a clothing store. I never thought I’d say those words and say them with confidence. And when I commented a dress was too big on me I was told it was the smallest size. As was the belt I wanted. 
       
      I tried on a slim fitting singlet dress yesterday & was shocked to realise the lumpy bits on the dress were my hip bones. I have an hour glass shape so I always had hips but never ones that stuck out on the front of my body! 

      I’ve been a size 10 before - for about 5 minutes. While I am now confident about saying I’m an 8, clothes shopping is all still a bit freaky for me. It’s not that I’m focussed on the size on the label. I’m well aware the cut/line of the clothes and the designer’s style will dictate what size I need or if it will suit my body shape. The size is the starting point & it’s starting at an 8/XS/38 which is a big mind set change. It’s thinking a pair of pants will be too small & discovering they are almost too big. 

      While I’m still coming to terms with my actual new body shape and size, I’m very happy to be in this new reality. 
       
      · 4 replies
      1. ms.sss

        ms.sss

        Yay!!

      2. ms.sss

        ms.sss

        ...ah! I see you are from Brisbane! We lived there for a year when Mr. got a work contract there.

        I have fond (and not-so-fond, lol) memories of the weather there this time of year. It it crazy hot yet?

      3. Arabesque

        Arabesque

        Hit 42degress last weekend but this week has been in the rather pleasant low 30s (relatively of course😜). Could still wear jeans but thank goodness for air conditioning. Worse is the drought. Everything is dying or dead. Very sad & depressing.

      4. ms.sss

        ms.sss

        I feel ya.

    • Krestel

      Krestel

      Meal replacement shakes are soooooo good when you have a sore throat and don't feel good enough to cook. Plus, I always have lots of them at home. So I'm not tempted to grab crap from McDonalds (which has the best cold "medication"). 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Arabesque

      Arabesque

      This morning I had an abdominal ultra sound because apparently my cholesterol keeps rising.
      I don’t get it. My cholesterol was always fine & now when I eat less of everything & have lost weight it starts to go up.

      My intake of fats & oils has decreased (not that I was a big fried food person before anyway) & not just because I eat way less. Always cut the fat of meats, still don’t eat bacon, use spray olive oil instead of regular oil. Even the tub of butter in my fridge has been there since before May. Lol.
      I just don’t get it? Is it because I don’t eat anywhere near the amount of vegetables I ate before? It surely can’t be because I eat a piece of cheese every day which I didn’t before? Are all my hormones screwed up? 
      Sigh! 
      · 3 replies
      1. Krestel

        Krestel

        Cholesterol seems to be odd that way. I've got a suuuuper skinny brother-in-law who has sky high cholesterol. So don't let the whole "overweight" thing fool you. They seem to find it in people who have the genetic predispositions for it nowadays it seems. Our bodies are really still a mystery of how they react to certain changes. Just keep at it and keep talking to your doctor. Who knows, you could be a medical mystery?!? Embrace the challenge.

        https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/common-misconceptions-about-cholesterol

        Think of it this way, you now have an excuse to try ostrich meat! http://safariostrich.co.za/2016/06/ostrich-meat-benefits/

        PS. Gah hormones!

      2. Arabesque

        Arabesque

        My dietician thinks it may be the regulatory hormones too & that my liver & gall could be having a freak out from the weight loss. It may be causing my low BP too. Hopefully the abdominal ultra sound will show something when I get the results.
        My maternal grandmother had issues which developed in her 70s but she’s the only one. No heart probs, no cholesterol worries in any one else (incl 13 aunts & uncles & my parents) - cancer seems to be our worry - sad face. And they still live into the 80s & 90s.
        Just strange that for 53 yrs my levels have been normal & 6months of weight loss & it’s now high.
        Don’t know about eating ostrich though that could just be burying my head in the sand - tee hee hee.

      3. Arabesque

        Arabesque

        PS - My menopausal symptoms are still MRI. Even with a 42.5 degree day (108F) last Friday not a twinge of a hot flush. Best non scale victory ever. Guess you win some hormonal battles but lose others.

        PPS - Wrapping Christmas presents with air con cranked up today even though it’s only 33C. Ho ho ho

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