jansluv

I am only a week out, post Balloon Removal, and so far so good. My goal is to not gain weight for the rest of the summer. Workout 3-4 times per week and only allow cheats on the weekend. I still feel very motivated and do not have any cravings...although I do feel those horrible hunger pains, that I didn't have much of the last 6 months!!! I have a trainer lined up for Sept, when I will dive back into a solid weigh loss plan, on my own this time! If I fail, however, I am very open to getting the sleeve.....but right now, my head is in the right place, thanks to the balloon!

Regarding foods - there are some that cause trouble (for me - green vegetables like broccoli, salad, asparagus) and some, unfortunately that sooth (like bread and pudding!) You have to be very careful not to over indulge in the soothing carbs. I switched to whole grain everything so if I were to want bread, it was the nutty kind and bought sugar free pudding and ate lots of yogurt with fruit. And yes, after the 2nd month, it was manageable. But month 2 was rough - the acid reflux was very uncomfortable and concerning.

I had 50-60 pounds to lose. 60 to get to a 24 BMI, but 50 to be where I am comfortable and happy. So we are in the same ballpark. The first week was not bad. I vomited once the night I had it put in and then one more time about 6 days later. The first week really wasn't bad when I stuck to a very soft, liquid type diet. My biggest complaint week 1 was I felt nausea in the morning and so couldn't drink my coffee! But the discomfort built as I ate more solid foods. Most mornings the first 3 weeks I had that nausea. Once that went away, I started working out and my days were fine. But the evenings were rough, I am not going to lie. Even when I stuck to the rule of eating before 6pm, I would still have acid reflux in bed. My doctor doubled the dose of omneprazole from 20 mg to 40 mg per day and that helped tremendously. After that, my only other major discomfort was gas, and I still have it. But I can live with a few loud belches a day!

I am having my balloon removed TODAY, after 6 3/4 months. It DID work for me. Not as great as I wanted. I lost 31 pounds, 2 pant sizes, brought my cholesterol and blood pressure down to normal and got my sleep apnea under control. My BMI went from 35 to 30. The balloon was challenging from Day 1. Lots of nausea, acid reflux, and gas the first 2-3 months. AND yes, the weight loss stalled, big time month 4-5 - no weight loss at all. But then I dropped 5 pounds in month 6 for some reason. Its not perfect. Its not the magic pill. But if you need a kick start and/or have medical issues that you need to get under control it does work...but you have to really want it, because you still have to work for the weight loss. I keep my calories under 1200 most days and worked out several times a week. But the balloon kept me feeling full the first few months, then just satisfied the rest of the time (my stomach adjusted, I think, to having the balloon in and I stopped having the full feeling after a few months, but I never really felt very hungry.) Could I have lost 30 pounds on my own? Yes, but I didn't have that motivation and my medical issues were building up. Now, I have the motivation, because I have had success. I am more than half way to my ultimate goal. I look good and feel great. So, hopefully, I can keep this momentum going on my own. Good luck with your decision.

I am having my balloon removed TODAY, after 6 3/4 months. It DID work for me. Not as great as I wanted. I lost 31 pounds, 2 pant sizes, brought my cholesterol and blood pressure down to normal and got my sleep apnea under control. My BMI went from 35 to 30. The balloon was challenging from Day 1. Lots of nausea, acid reflux, and gas the first 2-3 months. AND yes, the weight loss stalled, big time month 4-5 - no weight loss at all. But then I dropped 5 pounds in month 6 for some reason. Its not perfect. Its not the magic pill. But if you need a kick start and/or have medical issues that you need to get under control it does work...but you have to really want it, because you still have to work for the weight loss. I keep my calories under 1200 most days and worked out several times a week. But the balloon kept me feeling full the first few months, then just satisfied the rest of the time (my stomach adjusted, I think, to having the balloon in and I stopped having the full feeling after a few months, but I never really felt very hungry.) Could I have lost 30 pounds on my own? Yes, but I didn't have that motivation and my medical issues were building up. Now, I have the motivation, because I have had success. I am more than half way to my ultimate goal. I look good and feel great. So, hopefully, I can keep this momentum going on my own. Good luck with your decision.

I am only a week out, post Balloon Removal, and so far so good. My goal is to not gain weight for the rest of the summer. Workout 3-4 times per week and only allow cheats on the weekend. I still feel very motivated and do not have any cravings...although I do feel those horrible hunger pains, that I didn't have much of the last 6 months!!! I have a trainer lined up for Sept, when I will dive back into a solid weigh loss plan, on my own this time! If I fail, however, I am very open to getting the sleeve.....but right now, my head is in the right place, thanks to the balloon!

I am having mine removed in 2 weeks. Lost 27lbs. Not what I had hoped and very disappointed that the weight loss completely stopped after the 3rd month. (had a small loss last week, but I really focussed hard on keeping calories very low.) I too am an emotional eater, looking for comfort as I live with 4 teenagers! I also eat just for the sake of eating without really caring if I am hungry or not. I knew those things before the balloon, but the balloon did break those habits. Now, I just don't care if I eat or not. I have very few cravings and I am certainly not hungry ever (although I can eat way more than I should with this thing in my stomach.) I pray that when its removed I will be more aware of when and why I put food in my mouth.
I have actually asked my doctor to insert a NEW balloon when he takes this one out but he said all results point to the fact that weight loss slows down substantially after the first few months and I would be better off waiting a few months and then getting a new one. Not sure what I will do...but he also offered me appetite control meds for when the balloon is removed. I am really nervous about gaining the weight back, especially since it is still summer time and there are so many opportunities to eat poorly!

Had my balloon removed 2 days ago. I got to the surgery center at 11:30 am and walked out at 2pm. Quick and easy. My doctor forewarned me that they now recommend using a breathing tube during the removal to avoid any complications from inhaling any debris into the lungs which can be very dangerous, post op. I did not love the idea of the breathing tube, as I was not told this when I signed up for the balloon. But, it is what it is. I felt good after the procedure, a little groggy from anesthesia but no pain except a sore throat....until middle of the night when I woke up with extreme torso/neck aches - the deep tissue pain you get when you work out really hard. For two days every movement of my upper body was excruciating - turning over in bed was impossible. My doctor brushed it off as muscle spasms. But when I researched the internet, it seems that the muscle relaxant the anesthesiologist used before inserting the breathing tube, can have this post surgery effect. NOT FUN, and advil was useless. Oh well, just add it to the possible side effects of the balloon.
Also, and I do not know if this is a side effect of the balloon, but the doctor discovered a hiatal hernia when he removed the balloon. He never mentioned it when he inserted the balloon, so I can only deduce the balloon caused this new feature in my body!!! OK...will have to deal with that later in life I guess.
My wrap up of the balloon:
Yes it was worth it, if you have 50-60 pounds or less to lose and do not qualify for sleeve and have tried unsuccessfully to lose on your own, but you have to be motivated to work. You need to watch your food choices and you need to exercise. The weight doesn't just fall off on its own after the initial weight loss from reduced calories.
The good: I lost 32 pounds, going from a 35 BMI to a 29. Brought all my medical stats down to normal range (blood pressure, cholesterol, sleep apnea) and dropped 2 pant sizes. But more importantly, it taught me to be more thoughtful and strategic about my food choices. I still have 25 pounds left to go, on my own, but more than half way there is a great, empowering feeling! Very motivated!!
The bad (MY experience): Lots of gas (livable) that causes bloating and discomfort. Severe acid reflux the first 6 weeks that got under control once I increased omneprazole dosage. Woke up in the middle of the night, several times, with extreme throat pain from acid reflux. And lastly, I did not lose the big weight the first 2 weeks that everybody else experienced, so I was very discouraged during the time I felt the sickest. And finally the post balloon muscle pain I experienced is/was excruciating for 2+ days.
The not so bad: Over stuffed feeling after meals (the first 3 months.) Vomiting a few times, minimal, the first week. Nausea in the early am and late pm the first few weeks that is controllable, for me, with doctor prescribed meds. Nausea on long car rides (I guess because of the position of the balloon as I sat upright.)

Yes, I lost VERY little the first 3 weeks...like barely 5 pounds, when everyone else had lost like 15 in 3 weeks. I was SO frustrated and worried that maybe it was leaking or my metabolism was shot. I started to work out at that point and tracked every calorie I ate and then the weight started to come off.. But it was slow and steady the first 3 months. I never had any big drops. And then it stalled...so be prepared that that might happen also. It's not a magic pill, unfortunately, and I had to work for every pound I lost. Have faith - if you are eating 1200 or less calories a day and getting exercise in, it will come off.

I am only a week out, post Balloon Removal, and so far so good. My goal is to not gain weight for the rest of the summer. Workout 3-4 times per week and only allow cheats on the weekend. I still feel very motivated and do not have any cravings...although I do feel those horrible hunger pains, that I didn't have much of the last 6 months!!! I have a trainer lined up for Sept, when I will dive back into a solid weigh loss plan, on my own this time! If I fail, however, I am very open to getting the sleeve.....but right now, my head is in the right place, thanks to the balloon!

Yes, I lost VERY little the first 3 weeks...like barely 5 pounds, when everyone else had lost like 15 in 3 weeks. I was SO frustrated and worried that maybe it was leaking or my metabolism was shot. I started to work out at that point and tracked every calorie I ate and then the weight started to come off.. But it was slow and steady the first 3 months. I never had any big drops. And then it stalled...so be prepared that that might happen also. It's not a magic pill, unfortunately, and I had to work for every pound I lost. Have faith - if you are eating 1200 or less calories a day and getting exercise in, it will come off.

I am having my balloon removed TODAY, after 6 3/4 months. It DID work for me. Not as great as I wanted. I lost 31 pounds, 2 pant sizes, brought my cholesterol and blood pressure down to normal and got my sleep apnea under control. My BMI went from 35 to 30. The balloon was challenging from Day 1. Lots of nausea, acid reflux, and gas the first 2-3 months. AND yes, the weight loss stalled, big time month 4-5 - no weight loss at all. But then I dropped 5 pounds in month 6 for some reason. Its not perfect. Its not the magic pill. But if you need a kick start and/or have medical issues that you need to get under control it does work...but you have to really want it, because you still have to work for the weight loss. I keep my calories under 1200 most days and worked out several times a week. But the balloon kept me feeling full the first few months, then just satisfied the rest of the time (my stomach adjusted, I think, to having the balloon in and I stopped having the full feeling after a few months, but I never really felt very hungry.) Could I have lost 30 pounds on my own? Yes, but I didn't have that motivation and my medical issues were building up. Now, I have the motivation, because I have had success. I am more than half way to my ultimate goal. I look good and feel great. So, hopefully, I can keep this momentum going on my own. Good luck with your decision.

I am having my balloon removed TODAY, after 6 3/4 months. It DID work for me. Not as great as I wanted. I lost 31 pounds, 2 pant sizes, brought my cholesterol and blood pressure down to normal and got my sleep apnea under control. My BMI went from 35 to 30. The balloon was challenging from Day 1. Lots of nausea, acid reflux, and gas the first 2-3 months. AND yes, the weight loss stalled, big time month 4-5 - no weight loss at all. But then I dropped 5 pounds in month 6 for some reason. Its not perfect. Its not the magic pill. But if you need a kick start and/or have medical issues that you need to get under control it does work...but you have to really want it, because you still have to work for the weight loss. I keep my calories under 1200 most days and worked out several times a week. But the balloon kept me feeling full the first few months, then just satisfied the rest of the time (my stomach adjusted, I think, to having the balloon in and I stopped having the full feeling after a few months, but I never really felt very hungry.) Could I have lost 30 pounds on my own? Yes, but I didn't have that motivation and my medical issues were building up. Now, I have the motivation, because I have had success. I am more than half way to my ultimate goal. I look good and feel great. So, hopefully, I can keep this momentum going on my own. Good luck with your decision.

I had 50-60 pounds to lose. 60 to get to a 24 BMI, but 50 to be where I am comfortable and happy. So we are in the same ballpark. The first week was not bad. I vomited once the night I had it put in and then one more time about 6 days later. The first week really wasn't bad when I stuck to a very soft, liquid type diet. My biggest complaint week 1 was I felt nausea in the morning and so couldn't drink my coffee! But the discomfort built as I ate more solid foods. Most mornings the first 3 weeks I had that nausea. Once that went away, I started working out and my days were fine. But the evenings were rough, I am not going to lie. Even when I stuck to the rule of eating before 6pm, I would still have acid reflux in bed. My doctor doubled the dose of omneprazole from 20 mg to 40 mg per day and that helped tremendously. After that, my only other major discomfort was gas, and I still have it. But I can live with a few loud belches a day!

I am having my balloon removed TODAY, after 6 3/4 months. It DID work for me. Not as great as I wanted. I lost 31 pounds, 2 pant sizes, brought my cholesterol and blood pressure down to normal and got my sleep apnea under control. My BMI went from 35 to 30. The balloon was challenging from Day 1. Lots of nausea, acid reflux, and gas the first 2-3 months. AND yes, the weight loss stalled, big time month 4-5 - no weight loss at all. But then I dropped 5 pounds in month 6 for some reason. Its not perfect. Its not the magic pill. But if you need a kick start and/or have medical issues that you need to get under control it does work...but you have to really want it, because you still have to work for the weight loss. I keep my calories under 1200 most days and worked out several times a week. But the balloon kept me feeling full the first few months, then just satisfied the rest of the time (my stomach adjusted, I think, to having the balloon in and I stopped having the full feeling after a few months, but I never really felt very hungry.) Could I have lost 30 pounds on my own? Yes, but I didn't have that motivation and my medical issues were building up. Now, I have the motivation, because I have had success. I am more than half way to my ultimate goal. I look good and feel great. So, hopefully, I can keep this momentum going on my own. Good luck with your decision.

Regarding foods - there are some that cause trouble (for me - green vegetables like broccoli, salad, asparagus) and some, unfortunately that sooth (like bread and pudding!) You have to be very careful not to over indulge in the soothing carbs. I switched to whole grain everything so if I were to want bread, it was the nutty kind and bought sugar free pudding and ate lots of yogurt with fruit. And yes, after the 2nd month, it was manageable. But month 2 was rough - the acid reflux was very uncomfortable and concerning.

I had 50-60 pounds to lose. 60 to get to a 24 BMI, but 50 to be where I am comfortable and happy. So we are in the same ballpark. The first week was not bad. I vomited once the night I had it put in and then one more time about 6 days later. The first week really wasn't bad when I stuck to a very soft, liquid type diet. My biggest complaint week 1 was I felt nausea in the morning and so couldn't drink my coffee! But the discomfort built as I ate more solid foods. Most mornings the first 3 weeks I had that nausea. Once that went away, I started working out and my days were fine. But the evenings were rough, I am not going to lie. Even when I stuck to the rule of eating before 6pm, I would still have acid reflux in bed. My doctor doubled the dose of omneprazole from 20 mg to 40 mg per day and that helped tremendously. After that, my only other major discomfort was gas, and I still have it. But I can live with a few loud belches a day!

I am having my balloon removed TODAY, after 6 3/4 months. It DID work for me. Not as great as I wanted. I lost 31 pounds, 2 pant sizes, brought my cholesterol and blood pressure down to normal and got my sleep apnea under control. My BMI went from 35 to 30. The balloon was challenging from Day 1. Lots of nausea, acid reflux, and gas the first 2-3 months. AND yes, the weight loss stalled, big time month 4-5 - no weight loss at all. But then I dropped 5 pounds in month 6 for some reason. Its not perfect. Its not the magic pill. But if you need a kick start and/or have medical issues that you need to get under control it does work...but you have to really want it, because you still have to work for the weight loss. I keep my calories under 1200 most days and worked out several times a week. But the balloon kept me feeling full the first few months, then just satisfied the rest of the time (my stomach adjusted, I think, to having the balloon in and I stopped having the full feeling after a few months, but I never really felt very hungry.) Could I have lost 30 pounds on my own? Yes, but I didn't have that motivation and my medical issues were building up. Now, I have the motivation, because I have had success. I am more than half way to my ultimate goal. I look good and feel great. So, hopefully, I can keep this momentum going on my own. Good luck with your decision.

I am having my balloon removed TODAY, after 6 3/4 months. It DID work for me. Not as great as I wanted. I lost 31 pounds, 2 pant sizes, brought my cholesterol and blood pressure down to normal and got my sleep apnea under control. My BMI went from 35 to 30. The balloon was challenging from Day 1. Lots of nausea, acid reflux, and gas the first 2-3 months. AND yes, the weight loss stalled, big time month 4-5 - no weight loss at all. But then I dropped 5 pounds in month 6 for some reason. Its not perfect. Its not the magic pill. But if you need a kick start and/or have medical issues that you need to get under control it does work...but you have to really want it, because you still have to work for the weight loss. I keep my calories under 1200 most days and worked out several times a week. But the balloon kept me feeling full the first few months, then just satisfied the rest of the time (my stomach adjusted, I think, to having the balloon in and I stopped having the full feeling after a few months, but I never really felt very hungry.) Could I have lost 30 pounds on my own? Yes, but I didn't have that motivation and my medical issues were building up. Now, I have the motivation, because I have had success. I am more than half way to my ultimate goal. I look good and feel great. So, hopefully, I can keep this momentum going on my own. Good luck with your decision.

I am having my balloon removed TODAY, after 6 3/4 months. It DID work for me. Not as great as I wanted. I lost 31 pounds, 2 pant sizes, brought my cholesterol and blood pressure down to normal and got my sleep apnea under control. My BMI went from 35 to 30. The balloon was challenging from Day 1. Lots of nausea, acid reflux, and gas the first 2-3 months. AND yes, the weight loss stalled, big time month 4-5 - no weight loss at all. But then I dropped 5 pounds in month 6 for some reason. Its not perfect. Its not the magic pill. But if you need a kick start and/or have medical issues that you need to get under control it does work...but you have to really want it, because you still have to work for the weight loss. I keep my calories under 1200 most days and worked out several times a week. But the balloon kept me feeling full the first few months, then just satisfied the rest of the time (my stomach adjusted, I think, to having the balloon in and I stopped having the full feeling after a few months, but I never really felt very hungry.) Could I have lost 30 pounds on my own? Yes, but I didn't have that motivation and my medical issues were building up. Now, I have the motivation, because I have had success. I am more than half way to my ultimate goal. I look good and feel great. So, hopefully, I can keep this momentum going on my own. Good luck with your decision.

On the fence. I think I would recommend if the person said they have tried everything else and desperately needed to get some weight off and were committed to working out. Its not for the faint of heart. The first 2 months were brutal. Month 3 was very uncomfortable. I am starting month 6 so I am not uncomfortable anymore, but am also not losing any weight and no longer have the feeling of being full with small portions. In fact I can eat a complete meal and not feel anything but normal fullness - I think my stomach has stretched to accommodate the balloon + food. And the worst part, since end of month 3, i have not lost one pound, despite being very good with diet and exercise. I spent $8000 to lose 25 pounds. I got my health issues that were starting to build, completely under control and have broken bad habits and started new good habits. So, it has put me on the right path, but only half way down that road, so soon it will be up to me to continue on my own.
If I had to make this decision again, I might have done the sleeve ...although I have not done extensive research on that, as I did not want something so invasive and permanent at the time, but I think something more permanent would have been more cost effective with stronger, long term results.
At the end of the day, I did way more work than the balloon did, haha. I worked out 3-4 times per week and every food decision was thoughtful. The only thing the balloon did was make me uncomfortable for 3 months so I had no desire to eat food. If only I had had the motivation from within to do this on my own, back then....but the motivation came from spending all that money!

Welcome and congrats!!! Happy to hear its been pretty easy for you so far. I was able to workout at about 3 weeks. And did not feel the balloon inside of me. Although I will say that some mornings, which is when I work out, I feel very gassy from the balloon and that can be uncomfortable when I work out (burping!) But it passes, haha, and I move on! Goo d luck and hope you continue to feel good!

I am having mine removed in 2 weeks. Lost 27lbs. Not what I had hoped and very disappointed that the weight loss completely stopped after the 3rd month. (had a small loss last week, but I really focussed hard on keeping calories very low.) I too am an emotional eater, looking for comfort as I live with 4 teenagers! I also eat just for the sake of eating without really caring if I am hungry or not. I knew those things before the balloon, but the balloon did break those habits. Now, I just don't care if I eat or not. I have very few cravings and I am certainly not hungry ever (although I can eat way more than I should with this thing in my stomach.) I pray that when its removed I will be more aware of when and why I put food in my mouth.
I have actually asked my doctor to insert a NEW balloon when he takes this one out but he said all results point to the fact that weight loss slows down substantially after the first few months and I would be better off waiting a few months and then getting a new one. Not sure what I will do...but he also offered me appetite control meds for when the balloon is removed. I am really nervous about gaining the weight back, especially since it is still summer time and there are so many opportunities to eat poorly!

This will be only mildly amusing to some. It's been a while since I could feel my balloon 24/7, usually only when I've eaten, am running or doing some body mindfulness meditation (so insanely helpful when you're not sure that you are feeling full, I've been following a mindful eating philosophy and it is hugely helpful).
Anyway, today I was sitting on my sofa chatting with some friends, I was sitting with my left leg curled up against my chest and I got excited about the conversation and bounced a bit. So I am very amused to share that when my knee is bent up and I bounce I can hear a bouncy/sloshing noise coming from my balloon. The little guy is just saying 'hi'.
I can make it happen on demand, so I can now add 'expensive party trick' to the list of Orbera benefits
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My instructions were to do semi liquid diet two days before so I did Protein Shakes. Clear liquid diet 24 hours before. I had one Protein Shake as soon as I woke up the day before the procedure along with my coffee. I was to have nothing 12 hours before the procedure. I stopped everything at 6 pm. I did have a sugar free mint lifesaver for the dry mouth I had.