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 more complicated than most due to my neurological condition.

I am hoping to set a date when I go back to see my surgeon in December.

Susannah:)

This procedure isn't very invasive at all so it would be a good option for people who need to drop weight quickly for medical conditions (some people are too heavy to get the band safely so this could be a 1st step) - espeically if they don't have the mental willpower to stick with Optifast. I know I couldn't do optifast again, my stomach flips at the thought of it.

For those that have a genuine saiety disorder (not emotional eaters) it wouldn't be a good option though beacuse as soon as it's out they'd gain most of their weight back again. And since it's nearly the same price as the lap band if you have health in surance I can't imagine people would be happy gaining all their weight back & having to pay all that money out again. It would be very depressing.

hi susannah nice to hear from you don't think it would work for the likes of me who is an emotional eater, well december is almost here keep us posted

I think the biggest benefit of the lap band is not the weight loss - we can all do that, and have done at times, but keeping off the weight lost. Normally when you've dieted for a while your motivation fades and you regain. That still happens for me but in those down periods, I dont regain.

I think one of the main reasonings behind the gastric balloon is to bring extremely obese patients into a safer weight range for more permanent weight loss surgery.

Jacqui when you get to goal you might re-think being able to keep the weight off benefit - it's always a struggle, even if your a health nut unless your prepared to stay at an 'overweight' 25+ bmi as your goal. Higher weights are easier to maintain with the band, lower weight are not. I don't know anybody at a BMI=normal (less than 25) weight goal that maintains with ease... that is by far the biggest myth of the band I think. You basically still have to diet like a normal person or suffer the regain.

I think the balloons have been around for a while (maybe not in Australia all that long), although they are not widely used. Like Jacqui said, I believe that they are usually used to reduce weight to a safe surgery range before a more permanent procedure.

Hi I am new to the forum. I have a BMI=33. Do you think the lap band or ballon is most effetcive to lose around 25kg. I am an emothinal eater. Live in Australia. Thanks

I heard that alot of celebs get the balloon. I guess if you have the money you can find people who will do it for you. I wonder if Anna Nicole had that done.

Jacqui when you get to goal you might re-think being able to keep the weight off benefit - it's always a struggle, even if your a health nut unless your prepared to stay at an 'overweight' 25+ bmi as your goal. Higher weights are easier to maintain with the band, lower weight are not. I don't know anybody at a BMI=normal (less than 25) weight goal that maintains with ease... that is by far the biggest myth of the band I think. You basically still have to diet like a normal person or suffer the regain.

Hi Cam,

I don't know if I'm an exception but I have no problems maintaining a BMI of under 25 with the band. In fact, if I'm not careful, I lose rather than gain these days and I have to make a conscious decision to stay above a BMI of 21, or I get a little bony and loose my curves, which I don't want.

I don't exercise much - very much an incidental exerciser these days - but my relationship with food as been broken thanks to the band and I don't crave much and am very rarely hungry. My band is also quite loose (no fills since Jan) but I just don't have an appettite like I used to when I was big.

So don't know if there is a hard and fast rule - I certainly don't think maintaining a higher weight is easier, it hasn't been in my experience with the band.