Hi there- I am newly registered, but have been lurking and following this group for a while now. Thank you all for sharing your experiences along the way. I have learned so much from each and every one of you and would like to extend a special shoutout to WaywardTraveler for sharing so much fantastic information.

I have one simple question for anyone who has already had their ballon placed. Do you have any regrets? Would you do it again or recommend it to your best friend? I know that everyone's experience is different, but I would love to know what the consensus is on regretting the balloon or feeling like it is worth all of the negative side effects.

No regrets whatsoever! It works. I would never lose weight any other way and have tried and failed at everything. I highly recommend this.

I would likely not do it again or recommend it. The first month was very difficult (nausea, vomiting, fatigue, a lot of frustration). The second month was better but as the nausea decreased my appetite returned. I feel nearly no restrictions now at 2 months and nearly 2 weeks post balloon placement. I'm down 20 pounds but think I could have done that myself. Now it is the fear of throwing $8000 out the window that has me going. Ask me again in a month and maybe I will feel differently though...

By the way, I started with 50 pounds to lose. If be happy to lose 40 and I'm more than halfway there and less than halfway through the balloon placement period. If I attain my goal, I would likely say it is worth it. I am hopeful I will do it, but it will be with a lot of work and self control.

Good luck to you!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

No regrets and would do it again, but I'm only a couple of months in ... who knows what I will think several months (and years) from now. :-)

So far I've lost almost 30 pounds. I hope to lose 50+ by the time I'm done (key word is hope ).

My first month was not as difficult as some that I've read about, but also not as easy as some others (makes me wonder if I'm the norm/average?). My first 2-3 days were not a lot of fun, but I was fine to go back to work after less than a week, and two weeks in I felt pretty normal.

I would recommend it to others only if they were a good candidate, if they were really informed about the possibilities (good and bad) and if they were willing to commit to the process. It's still a lot of work ... it's not a cure - it's a tool. And, frankly, it just may not be the right fit for everyone. But I think it was the right decision for me and I'm glad that I did it.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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!

Edited June 2, 201610 yr by jansluv

Jansluv if you want something down the road that is not so invasive try looking into Plication. I am very happy with the results I have from it and spent 1/2 what your balloon costs by having it done in Mexico. The first few weeks were dead simple compared to what you describe.