Surgeon just tried to talk me out of balloon

[KristenLe 5,979]

First of all, let me say that what has worked for me isn't necessarily everyone else's best solution.

In your shoes, I'd hope to hear from those who've had the balloon inserted, lost their weight, had the balloon removed, and have gone on to either lose more weight and/or maintain their weight loss.

However, a balloon would not have been my choice. It's not permanent, so to me it seems like another temporary diet aid.

I've lost and gained weight innumerable times prior to WLS and never been able to sustain my weight loss.

Therefore, I chose the sleeve because I needed a permanent tool.

Two years ago I started out at 235 pounds. I had the sleeve in August 2014, have since lost 100 pounds, and am now maintaining well at 135 pounds.

After all, our goals are losing our excess weight and maintaining our weight loss permanently. That's what I've (so far) achieved with the help of my sleeve.

Caveat: Achieving our goals are only possible, of course, with a lot of behavioral changes for the rest of our lives. Ultimately, it comes down to our permanent lifestyle change. Only you can judge which tools will help you make those permanent changes.

I agree with Ann 100%. I started at a BMI of 42...low end of what insurance will approve. BMI of 37 the day I got my sleeve. At 43 yo yo dieting was taking a toll and health issues were getting more serious. I needed a permanent solution. I think balloon is similar to the band..... Great on paper but doctors are not getting the results and happy patients so it is loosing its popularity quickly. My doc will no longer do bands and never started doing balloons at all.

yeah but you guys with higher BMIs have options that we dont so it's very difficult to compare and poo poo one treatment when really, it's the only tool that's on offer.

The OP didn't mention her weight / BMI in her initial post.

As she later explained, her BMI is too low to qualify her for actual WLS.

If I'd known that initially I'd not have bothered to respond.

Again, good luck to the OP.

it's on the side next to my posts. I don't think the balloon is offered for obese and plus or BMi over 35 because the loss is lower (unless as in the UK were they use it to safely lower extremely obese people's BMIs ready for surgery)

We can't see your stats from the phone app.

[jansluv 47]

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.)

[anewmee 16]

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!

[Ale Nunez 80]

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

Good luck!

[Julie norton 2,850]

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

[Wayward Traveler 135]

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.

[buckleysmom 45]

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.

[anewmee 16]

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.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

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.

[anewmee 16]

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.

[stanpry 66]

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.

[anewmee 16]

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!

[KristenLe 5,979]

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

[anewmee 16]

@@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.

[LowBMISleever 381]

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!

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