IndyMike

Considering going to MX to have the balloon procedure in about a month. I have some basic questions:

1. If sticking to diet and exercise is crucial for the balloon to work, then why would one need the balloon? Diet and exercise are the key to all weight loss. (This may seem like a stupid question, but to me it makes perfect sense to ask.)

2. What happens if you do overeat with the balloon. Not planning to, but let’s face it...most of us never write in on our calendars “binge next Thursday “. Yet it still happens.

3. Any thoughts on Mexico Bariatric Center in Tijuana? Dr Rodrigues Lopez is the doctor.

Thanks for all the detailed info. I’m scheduled to have the balloon put in this coming Wednesday. I have lots of frequent flyer miles from work, so I won’t pay anything for the flights from Indy to San Diego. The 3100 includes pickup at the airport, a night in a local hotel, one night in the hospital for observation, and delivery back to the San Diego airport. So for me, it literally exactly 3100 for all costs, as opposed to 8k here in the US.

Im 275, would love to lose 50 pounds, which is sort of what I had in mind. However, I haven’t been 240 for 10 years. I would feel so much better and better about myself even with a 35 pound weight loss. I think I’ll set my goals lower, or maybe not even have a goal weight, Just a goal of changing eating habits and getting leaner I’m really going to think about not weighing I have no scales now, and I don’t anticipate getting any I see some sort of doctor every couple months or so, and that should be enough I’ll know if I’m losing weight by the way I feel and my belt holes. Focusing on a number kills so many peoples’ motivations.

Im also seeing a therapist that specializes in eating disorders. So that should help to address the emotional part of it to some degree. What’s weird is that part of why I’m nervous and apprehensive about the procedure is that I won’t have my go to “friend” of overeating when I’m feeling down. It’s been my escape for 45 years now. I have had issues with other addictive tendencies (I’m a year and a half clean from opiate use), but the food thing has stuck. I don’t have to have Percocet to stay alive, so I can go cold turkey. I don’t have to have any balance with opiates. Not the same with food of course.

If I get on that plane in Indianapolis on Tuesday afternoon, it’ll be an interesting journey for sure.

Hi there.....
Still exploring options myself. As we expect any diet plan / life change is going to encourage diet and exercise. Plus I imagine just being on a liquid diet a few days before and after will cause anyone will lose weight, regardless of the balloon. Thus, why most people experience dramatic results the first month then get frustrated after that. I had 2 friends do it, one said it was worth it, the other did not think so. They both wanted to lose about 50 lbs and they each lost about 15 lbs the first 2 months and then only another 10-15 lbs the remaining time. One changed habits enough that she continued to lose. The other gained the weight back and then some already.
Both said that overeating is a common mistake in the beginning and that it is literally painful, not just feeling full. They both reported really bad cramping, doubled over in pain and could barely walk. But it certainly did teach them not to do it anymore.
One of them considered Mexico but said there was not much savings when taking into consideration all the added expenses of flights, hotels and requiring two trips. I don't know of all the places she explored or if she researched Mexico Bariatric Center
Given the mixed results, I am stuck on what to do myself. I only have a BMI of 30.2 so I don't want anything drastic. I refuse to have part of my stomach removed because my sister was morb ob and had a DS done, which was botched. Two years of many life-threatening complications and a corrective surgery by mayo to save her life. I'm considering the Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, but it costly and can't find anyone in Mexico to do it. I would love to be a candidate for the vbloc but I am under the BMI for it.
Good luck in your research and journey!

thanks, but those aren’t relevant to my questions...at all.