Gastric Balloon Forum

I have consultations set up for Orbera and Reshape. Why did you pick one over the other? Thank you!

My DR prescribed me Zofran, Levsin, and Protonix. Also, he said he will give the ear patch day of. Is there anything additional I should ask for so I don't have to run out to a pharmacy the first few days. The DR I saw before the one I scheduled with said he prescribes pain killers and anxiety medication. Did anyone need those? I can't decide if I should ask for it.

Two months in and I am both happy and disappointed to report that I've lost ~ 25 pounds. Reason being is that I've been "here" for almost two weeks now (+/- less than a pound). To make matters worse, I have been pretty darn diligent with my diet, so my efforts are not being rewarded ... which is pretty darn frustrating. This breeds moments of "why bother?" and, since I can eat just about anything, temptation to eat things that I should not. For example, the other day I went to a meeting with nothing but pizza and cake on the menu. And I had ... none. Could I have had a slice of cheese or veggie pizza without doing much harm? Sure. But that's a slippery slope…

I'm getting my balloon placed next week and I feel like the medical center is not giving me all the info I need to be prepared. Maybe I'm just too much of a planner but I don't think I have everything I need. I'm going shopping this weekend and finding out most of what I need from this forum. Like are we supposed to know we need a wedge pillow?!?! Is there a memo out there I'm missing??

Hey all! I've had my balloon in for almost a week now and am travelling a pretty standard path, I was nauseous and throwing up for 2-3 days, barely kept juice/meds down. Day 4-5 I braved broth and tea and today I graduated to half a Protein shake as well. I'm expecting to be on liquids until week 2 is done and then have another follow up with my dietician to look at the puree and beyond stage. Right now food isn't massively appetising to me, I'm very much 'eating to live', which is a strange adjustment after 30 years of Food Food Food. I have a fair idea of what the puree/real people food stages will entail and have done stacks of research but I'd like to hear from the …

I've heard/read that you are not supposed to drink while you eat when you have a balloon. However, I am having a hard time finding out why (or at least in getting a consistent answer as to why). Does anyone know definitively? If you have a balloon, do you eat and drink at the same time or keep it separate? I've done both, and I'm not sure that I've noticed much of a difference. I don't know if the concern is that you will get too full and not have enough room to consume enough calories/nutrients, or if there is a concern that it will stretch your stomach or ... ? I hope someone can enlighten me. :-) Thanks!

Hi anyone, I am a 205 pound 5'3'' woman looking for weight loss surgery. So I don't believe I qualify for a lap-band surgery and the Orbera might be a choice I can consider. I have been reading as much as I can about the balloon and certainly have some concerns. Maybe there are folks here with some advice? Quite frankly I am worried about the non permanent nature of the procedure. I have been trying to lose weight for a very long time and can not quite seem to get under 200 pounds. I exercise very regular and eat healthy. My problem is I simply eat too much and have a lot of trouble knowing when I should be "full". I thought I would be a good candidate for lap-band su…

Has anyone had their gastric balloon removed early? I've had mine for only a week, but reading comments from everyone, I'm not sure how you went back to work and were still quite nauseated for the 1st 4 - 6 weeks. Many of you have stated you finally felt better about 6 weeks in. Let me know your thoughts!

My balloon was placed this afternoon. Was at the hospital at 11am, insertion at 1:05 and in recovery room by 1:40 and back at home around 4pm. They gave me zofran and amind along with two IV bags of fluid and the doctor said I should be okay (not dehydrated) for at least 24hrs. Thank god because I'm nauseous and vomiting. The vomiting isn't too bad I just wish I didn't have to vomit. The doctor said I should be getting up and walking around to help the balloon adjust or settle into my stomach. Also, she said to sleep on my right side to help get the balloon adjusted otherwise it will feel like it is pushing against my ribcage. I have a nasty headache and tried T…

Hello. I had the Orbera balloon inserted in 3/22. I spent the first month fairly nauseous, bloated and had little appetite. I had to force myself to eat enough to have adequate energy to make it through the day. Like clock-work, I hit the one month mark and my nausea and bloating ended and my appetite returned. I was hungry for the first time in a month! I'm now noticing more frequent hunger pangs and the ability/desire to eat more, meaning I need to exercise some self discipline (and exercise, since I now have the energy). I'm curious if others have had a similar experience. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I don't know about you, but I tend to research things to death. The more I research gastric balloons, the more resources I find. In addition to the Orbera and Re-Shape websites, I have found information about what to eat and when, beneficial medications, clinical trial results (the side effects sections are particularly helpful), videos from people who got balloons, etc.. I thought I would share some of that info here in order to expedite the research process for others. Please note that none of this info is from my doctor, and I am not endorsing any of it or vouching for its accuracy. I am just passing my research along in the hopes that it helps someone else pro…

I'm curious if anyone has a specific medicine they wished they requested from their dr from the beginning. Do you wish you stocked up on any specific foods, gatorade, pillows, trash bins lol anything specific? Did your DR offer IV fluids if you can't get anything down for a few days? I'm really trying to plan the best I can before getting this done Thank you for any help!

It's been seven weeks since my balloon placement and I'm feeling very settled in. My body has adjusted to the feeling of the balloon, I am not nauseous, I've figured out what seem to be effective calorie/protein goals for me, I have not had negative reactions to any types of food and I am able to exercise (but I need to do it a lot more). So I've got four months of hard work to go to get the most that I possibly can out of this experience, and I am committed to doing it. However, since I feel like I'm almost in auto-pilot at this point, I am already starting to think about what's next. For those of you who have had the balloon removed, how is it going? Is it easier o…

I am getting my balloon placed on Friday and I'm N-E-R-V-O-U-S. I've stocked my fridge with premier protein drinks, Isopure drinks, gatorade , jello and yogurt drinks. Even though I feel like I've prepared the best I can, I've got a few questions and would love any feedback. How long did you stay at the hospital after the placement? I'm thinking the sooner I can leave the hospital the more comfortable I can get at home. The nurse told me between her and the NP they will be calling me every day for the first week. Is this typical with everyone else? I'm really hoping I can drink fluids afterward and avoid getting dehydrated. How soon did everyone start drink…

I keep oscillating between the balloon and the sleeve. I understand the risks are greater with the sleeve, but it sounds like having the balloon is miserable and seems like dehydration is a problem. Has anyone had balloon then went to sleeve and can describe the pros and cons of each? Sent from my SM-G860P using the BariatricPal App

Has anyone had a gastric balloon placed in Austin? Where did u go? How much was it? I am having a heck of a time finding a place that does it locally Sent from my SM-G860P using the BariatricPal App

It's funny that since my procedure 1 week ago , i have so much more time on my hands.Just 3 weeks ago, I was a was a step away from getting the sleeve surgery . I had already had most of the tests and was sitting in the psychs office when he asked me If i had any concerns. And, at that moment It dawned upon me that besides that typical elective surgery fears, I was most fearful of the stomach stretching back as I heard that it was possible. I truly got that there was no 100% sure fire way to prevent myself from gaining it back again. The sleeve was supposedly permanent . And yet, I had been up and down most of life, always praying when I was at goal weight, that I wou…

Im curious if anyone had it done in NJ or NY? Any positives or negatives? Who did you use? Thanks!

On Yesterday October 19th I had the Orbera Gastric Balloon procedure completed by patch behind my left ear Day before: liquid diet for the day before then nothing after 7pm Day 1 Arrived at 7am weighed in at 336 lbs The procedure was nothing to worry about I was knocked out for the whole thing. The most painful part was the IV , the procedure It took maybe 15 min and I was back in recovery . I had a little scratchy throat but it went away in a few hrs . During the first day after procedure I took it easy, I did not experience any Nausea or cramping .besides a little tingling in my stomach air escaping . I did take my meds . besides wanting a coffee i was not …

Just joined the community, booked my ReShape Duo Balloon procedure for Tuesday Sep 8th!! Totally excited. I am 42, 5'9", 287 lbs - about 22 lbs lost in past few months. I've been struggling with the decision of Gastric Sleeve and the permanency of surgery. Then the ReShape was approved in July! Anyway, looking forward to my journey and sharing my results - I'm prepared to become the poster boy for ReShape if they'll let me. Anyone else on here that can share their experiences? The Dr I am using (Dr Garber, NY) seems to be the only Dr in the country doing it so I'm sure it's limited. Glad to be a part of the community. -C

Hello! I know there are a few of us having balloon insertions this week and I thought we could share our experiences here. 3/22 - insertion of Orbera balloon in early afternoon (1:15) All went well. I had an anti-nausea patch placed behind my ear and anti-nausea drugs in the IV. My husband was driving me home by 3:45. Quick and painless. Rested the rest of the day, drank propel Water and ate sugar free Popsicles. Although I was nauseated, I did not vomit. I've had a horrible headache and took some liquid hydro codeine with Tylenol but that didn't help much. Also took zofran every 8 hours and that has helped with the nausea. Didn't sleep well, couldn't get comfortable …

Hi guys, I have read all of the posts on this forum, thanks for all of your helpful information and shared experiences. I am scheduled for January 29th for the Orbera gastric balloon. So far, I have heard pretty good things. I will update everyone as to how things go afterwards/ Boy, do I hope this is the right choice. Good luck everyone. Thanks for all the info, Candy

Hi...is anyone scheduled to have the gastric balloon soon? Mine is scheduled in a few weeks and I'd love to compare notes with someone! Sent from my SM-T537V using the BariatricPal App

Just getting ready to go into hospital. Still not feeling too nervous but know the butterflies will start soon. Nil by mouth now until op. Have to be there by 7.15 but not sure when procedure will be. Endoscopy first to check all is okay and if it is straight into procedure. Hope it's not too late in the day. Will post when I am on the ward afterwards.

Hi. Thank You all for posting about your experiences with Orbera. I am going to a seminar on Thursday to hear all that the physician has to say. I am hopeful that I can have the procedure soon ..... I've just about talked myself into it. Do you have any suggestions on how many days I should plan to be out of work? Are any of you taking Vitamins or supplements? Any tips for me?

I am 10 days out since my balloon procedure and have lost nothing. ZERO. I am maintaining 1100 calories/day diet with protein at every meal. Eggs, shakes, fish, fruit, yogurt...is pretty much all I have eaten. I had my thyroid removed 2 years ago due to cancer and am wondering if the balloon has messed with my meds and have crashed my metabolism or something. Am having blood work done later this week to figure this out. Anyone else have no thyroid and the balloon? I would love to hear your story.

food is affected. Please watch the videos for a great explanation of this fascinating procedure. This particular tool is cleared by the FDA for other purposes, but it is undergoing testing here in the USA for weight loss. If you live near a testing center, you may qualify to undergo this procedure at no cost. There is a doctor here in the USA who has done many of these procedures. At this time there are no long term negative effects we can present, as the procedure is newer. Pros: Outpatient procedure Inscisionless, no surgical scars or wounds (no infection) Healing is fast - back to work next day, sounds like. Fast procedure Permanent procedure Secret sur…

This is a press release from the FDA: The U.S. food and Drug Administration today approved a new balloon device to treat obesity without the need for invasive surgery. The ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon System (ReShape Dual Balloon) is intended to facilitate weight loss in obese adult patients. The device likely works by occupying space in the stomach, which may trigger feelings of fullness, or by other mechanisms that are not yet understood. The ReShape Dual Balloon device is delivered into the stomach via the mouth through a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure. The outpatient procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes while a patient is under mild sedation. On…

We wanted to let our members know that ORBERA is going to be featured on Dr. Oz. The segment is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6 October 13. Looks to be a good segment! Please, let me know if you were able to watch and what your thoughts were on the show.

Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. Announces FDA Approval of the ORBERATM Intragastric Balloon, a Non-Surgical Solution to Assist Patients in Weight Loss 3.1 times the weight loss than diet and exercise alone Safe and effective weight loss solution with over 220,000 placements worldwide Austin, TX (August 6, 2015) -- Apollo Endosurgery, Inc., a leader in minimally invasive endoscopic surgical products for bariatric and gastrointestinal procedures, today announced that the U.S. food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the ORBERA™ Intragastric Balloon to assist adult patients suffering from obesity – with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 to 40 – in losing and maintaining we…

This is from the FDA's press release: his is a brief overview of information related to FDA’s approval to market this product. See the links below to the Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Data (SSED) and product labeling for more complete information on this product, its indications for use, and the basis for FDA’s approval. Product Name: ORBERA™ Intragastric Balloon System Applicant: Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. Address: 1120 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Building 1, Ste. 300, Austin, TX 78746 Approval Date: August 5, 2015 Approval Letter: Will be available online. What is it? The ORBERA Intragastric Balloon System is a weight-loss system that uses a gastric …

I just posted this new weight loss surgery magazine article on the new Gastric Balloon: The gastric balloon is a newer approach to weight loss. It is an alternative to Weight Loss Surgery for obese patients whose BMI’s may be too low to qualify them for Weight Loss Surgery. It can also be an option for you if you do not want surgery because of its risks or because you want a completely irreversible treatment. How It Works The gastric balloon is placed in your stomach to partially fill it. This helps make you feel full so you are inclined to eat less and lose weight. The program depends on your readiness to make changes in your eating behaviors, and you are likely to …

This is a great read for members interested in upcoming Bariatric procedures. The Lyon New Bariatric Tech and Expert meeting highlighted some of the hot topics regarding "state of the art" and very recent minimally invasive weight loss procedures. Here are some highlights from the meeting: Part 1 Part 2 Page 3

AUSTIN, Texas--Apollo Endosurgery, Inc., a leader in minimally invasive endoscopic surgical products for bariatric and gastrointestinal procedures, today announced the presentation of results from the ORBERA™ Pivotal Trial at this year’s Digestive Disease Week (DDW) conference. The study showed that ORBERA™ Intragastric Balloon users lost significantly more weight than the control group, leading to significant improvement in weight related quality of life and improved eating behaviors. “At the completion of the study, it was clear that the ORBERA™ Intragastric Balloon produced significant weight loss and quality of life benefits, when compared to the study’s control gro…

Hello I'm researching weight loss alternatives - will consider medical tourism outside of the US Interested in clinical trials as well btwn 20-40lbs Overweight Thanks

The New Full Sense Device - The Invention that could end obesity http://www.buzzfeed.com/joeloliphint/the-invention-that-could-end-obesity#.lwOEymdgZO

Hi again, I have researched about 3 gastric balloons, and will post the info I have gathered so far. I would love to hear from anyone that has had a gastric balloon placed. These are not a long term tool, but seem to me to be a possible great kick start into more weight loss along with diet and exercise. Do you know of other doctors placing gastric balloons? Do you have more info on gastric balloons? Please share your information here on this forum. Here's info on the Obalon. About a week ago Primetime did a show on the Obalon, which is not marketed yet in the USA. The show had two Americans take the trip to Mexico to see Dr. Ariel Ortiz to have the Obalo…

INTRAPACE ABILITI GASTRIC PACEMAKER also called Implantable Gastric Stimulation (IGS) The gastric pacemaker is a minimally invasive procedure. It works by giving you the feeling of being full (satiety), so you consume less. The abiliti is not available in the US yet, but a list of doctors is available on the abiliti website. It is suggested for people with a BMI of 35 or above. The links given below will tell you a lot more. I especially like the abiliti company link (just below). The paragraphs following the links are just a few that come from the company link. http://www.abiliti.com/about_abiliti/ The abiliti® procedure is designed to be as easy and trouble …

Latest on this! http://www.bariatricnews.net/?q=news/111566/preloaded-nutrients-could-mimic-bypass-surgery Here's the study: http://gut.bmj.com/content/early/2014/07/11/gutjnl-2014-306834.full?sid=ad60c3be-d4d6-4fc4-94eb-ae323d9bc3cb CONCLUSION of study in UK We conclude that the distal gut of humans and mice is extensively equipped with sensors for products of fat and Protein digestion, and that these associate with specific signalling pathways, two of which have been shown here. These are in turn associated with the release of specific mediators. We have uncovered a role for 5-HT in the response to luminal aromatic AAs, which may contribute to metabolic and b…

I m confused between these both!!

Instead of the band. I was discussing with dh my idea of getting the free lap band surgury done at the Government hospital by a surgeon I trust to do a good job placing the band, but would prefer my after care at one of the Private hospitals. Well the one I want to look into is advertising the Balloon and the band. Dh is trying to convince me to get the balloon. I'm sure I will gain the weight back once it is taking out (can only have 6 months). Dh thinks I should at least try it out and if, God Forbid, I were to gain it back get the band THEN. Ok guys what do you think?

Hello - anyone out there have a gastric balloon? I'm booked for a consult with Dr. Woodhead (Vancouver) tomorrow and I'm just wondering who else has had this procedure. Thanks.

Hi everybody. Did anybody happen to catch the story on Today Tonight on Wed Nov 22nd on the gastric balloon? I thought it looked interesting, but I would be worried about putting all the weight back on after it was removed. Patients can only have the balloon for a six month period. I understand the thinking behind it is that one needs to modify their eating behaviour post removal permanently, but face it some of us are addicts when it comes to eating, and I doubt this procedure would work long term. Having said that I wish all those having this procedure well. To update you all on my progress, I am still having several different tests pre banding. My situation is mo…

I made it through the procedure and all is fine. At first I thought it didnt work. Now it seems that I am not throwing up as much as I was and holding down alot more. I have only had one acid reflux attach, since the 16th. This is a big change. :biggrin:

Well it is official, I have scheduled July 16 to go in to have a balloon put in to open up my sleeve, to help reduce the acid reflux problem I am having. I am excited and then not looking forward to either. I hope this helps.:confused1::confused1::confused1:

Yes, I am desparate! I have had the band for 2 1/2 years. I lost 30 lbs the first month and by the 6 th month I had lost 80lbs. I did not get a fill until I stopped losing weight after 6 months. My band in practically filled. I had a baby and I am really trying to get back on track. My restriction isn't great. I can and do eat a lot. I don't monitor my portions because I get very hungry. I am nursing. I usually grab easy food because with the baby I don't get a chance to even sit down and eat let alone eat properly (small bites...chew chew chew). So whatever is easy and goes down smooth I eat. They do the gastric balloon where I live and I am desparate! Maybe I just nee…

Anyone here know anything about the intragastric balloon? I'd like to hear about it...prices, success rate, problems, & such...

Hi all has anyone heard of the procedure. bio centric intragastric balloon. It was on my local TV news station last night.... (Channel 9 Perth in Australia) My understand of what it is , is a balloon being inserted into the stomach and filled with liquid to reduce the amount of food being absorbed. It is a temporary weight loss treatment, designed for obese people needing to lose weight for surgery or as a step for the lap band.... it suppose to remain in your stomach for up to 6 months then removed. has anyone had this process, before getting banded or heard of it and know any more, i cant seem to find anything on the web about it. any comments welcomed....than…

Hi, has anybody have put on the gastric balloon???? could you please share with me your experience? success, food, weight maintanence, does it work? I was reading that for low BMI they recommend the balloon and that is only for 6 months and then removed and you can try for another time after 30/45 days... I am trying to make decision if I should go with gastric balloon or the band. I appreciated your comments.