I just had an appointment with the bariatric surgeon who said he thinks the balloon is a waste of money, weight loss is slow and at times people lose no weight. He said recovery is very very hard and they often need to be removed.

I have seen this guy before and he was much ore positive the first time. I'm really at a loss now. Really had my heart set on the procedure.

I have always yo-yo'd. Lose 30 pounds, gain 30 pounds. Back and forth for years. But my BMI never went above 35. I was open for the sleeve, knowing I probably needed something permanent. But I did not qualify for insurance to cover it. It did not cover balloon either, since it was so new. So it came down to two things: I did not necessarily want such an invasive, permanent change to my stomach; and 2) money. Balloon won. Now it will be my job to continue the momentum. BTW, the balloon I got was the Orbera (there are several options out there.)

I have always yo-yo'd. Lose 30 pounds, gain 30 pounds. Back and forth for years. But my BMI never went above 35. I was open for the sleeve, knowing I probably needed something permanent. But I did not qualify for insurance to cover it. It did not cover balloon either, since it was so new. So it came down to two things: I did not necessarily want such an invasive, permanent change to my stomach; and 2) money. Balloon won. Now it will be my job to continue the momentum. BTW, the balloon I got was the Orbera (there are several options out there.)

well good luck with it all!

My surgeon is against inserting any foreign objects. At his clinic they only do the Gastric Sleeve or Bypass.

Good luck!

Really would love to see updates on one- two year out from having the balloon taken out.

Hoping it is not a quick fix that fails in the long tun. There are enough of those around. We need more options for all different sizes.

Please update if you are in this group. Thanks

Interesting. It has been a great solution for me, but I'm the first to say that it's not for everyone. I've had it for about 4 months and have lost over 40 pounds. I will not reach my overall goal within the six months (hoping to get to at least 50), but I will be WAY closer and thankful for the time with the balloon. Yes, the first couple of days were miserable, but not as bad as I expected and then I bounced right back.

The challenge is that not everyone has the same experience - in terms of how they feel and how much they lose - so it's a bit of a gamble. However the same can be said of more major WLS options ... I know plenty of people who have gained most/all+ of their weight back after WLS, and/or felt miserable after their surgeries. So no one solution is for everyone.

In the end, ALL require you to be in the right frame of mind before you do them, because you MUST change your eating habits and relationship with food. Without that they are all a waste of time and money.

The only thing I qualified for is the balloon as my

Bmi was 30. I'm three mo post op and have lost 36 pounds. Couldn't be happier. Fist few days are rough but not bad beyond that. Orbera website has lists of approved doctors who are skilled in and supportive of the procedure. I hope to lose another 15 lbs these remaining three months.

I agree whole heartedly that NO surgery is 100 % guaranteed long term to be successful. Out of everyone I know that has been banded (10 friends) all have gained and most are looking at the sleeve. The sleeve can stretch. These are tools and the person needs to change habits 100 %. Its a life change for me. Orbera provides strict eating guidelines for life and that is what I'm going to follow.

Just for the record ... "the sleeve can stretch" is one of the more hotly debated issues on WLS boards.

I won't double down on this issue. For those who are interested, you can search the boards and find long threads about this topic.

You are right. It doesn't stretch but surgeon explained over time and years the brain gets used to increases of food and therefore portions increase. One bite of pizza becomes a piece, then two which is why firstly food needs to be good quality and secondly these are tools. We need to work on the mind and the types and portions of food we consume.

I had lap band surgery in March of 2014. It took 6 months to loose 92 lbs. Too much of a loss. Had to put back 15 lbs. Have no problems other than if I eat too fast or drink while eating. Lap band requires life style changes or it can be defeated. I had a lap band as it can always be removed. This has been the best decision that I ever made.

ok so i have an update on this and I think it's all a little weird. I rang the clinic to book in a time and date to have the balloon placed as I'd had my first dietician appointment. They said they hadn't finalised 'surgery schedules' so the couldn't give me a date. I was to ring back in 5 days.

They rang me back in 5 days saying the doctor is no longer operating or doing procedures at that hospital and is not accredited to do the balloon at the new hospital so they could refer me to a surgeon who does the balloon form the original hospital. I'm a bit grumpy about this because it's more money on consultations and it delays the whole thing!

@@anewmee Very weird. Could he have lost privileges at other hospital?

@@anewmee Very weird. Could he have lost privileges at other hospital?

Well I did wonder that. Things is he is one of the most respected surgeons where I am from so i would be surprised but the whole thing is rather odd.

I wanted the balloon too, because I was only 29 BMI. (I'm 5'6" started at 180.) I ended up getting sleeved in Mexico because I was told my every dr I spoke to that as soon as that balloon came out, I'd eat myself right back up, possibly plus some. I'm 31 and have gained and lost the same 45 pounds many, many times because I'm a binge eater. The surgeon told me that once you gain 30 pounds, only 10% of people can diet their way back down and maintain without surgical help.

For me, the point of surgery was a longterm commitment to myself to keep the weight off, forever.

I was sleeved 7/22 and am down to 163. 150 is my dr's goal ( for healthy bmi). 130 is my goal (for vanity).

I was happy with this decision, because, I promise you that if I had a balloon inside of me making me feel how I feel right now, and someone took it out 3 months from now, there is NO WAY I wouldn't go on a binge. Now, I never can.

All that being said, lots of people have more willpower than I do and could perhaps be successful without surgery!

Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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!

Edited August 2, 201610 yr by jansluv