• Hi, If you cannot get into the site, be sure to Contact Us. Please be advised that the app is no longer in use!

Countdown to Balloon Launch

marmary said:
Hi girls
Im Mary and thinking of having the Spatz balloon fitted in the mid April!
Im sooo nervous. Don't really know what to expect!
My Husband and my mum is not supporting at all, they are all against the whole thing. But I have now decided to have it done.
Im 38 years old and 13st 7.6lb and very short. My goal weight is 8st93lb.( what I was 18 years ago).
I would be most grateful if you would please inform me about your treatments and also share your experiences.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi Mary :)
Good on ye! No point being fat and unhappy :) although I'm delighted to be 13st 10lb at the minute!!!! Because I know I will get smaller!!!

I had my balloon fitted 6 weeks ago. It's not a Spatz, mine lasts 6 months and has no refills.
I'd swear I have had no restriction at all but I have lost 1st 4lb in 6weeks!
I'm down a total of 6 stone 4lb!
I only feel the balloon every now and then but mentally it's stopping me from over eating.
I eat a lot less now than I ever did.
I haven't been this weight in over ten years!!!!
It has worked well so far :)
Fingers crossed I'd like to get down to 12st and then see what happins :)

My husband knew I was getting it done!
I told my mam the night before and she was not impressed!!!!! She has a gastric band and has been so sick for the past few years over it!
But she has been my rock ever since! My mam has never supported me as well as what she has in the past few weeks!!!! Never!!!!!
I haven't told any of my 4 sisters, dad, inn laws, only told two friends and the ladies here :) who are great support!

carol b :)
 
Hi Mary & welcome :). I have the balloon but not the Spatz which is more adjustable therefore more suited for those who may require the balloon over a longer term than the normal balloon which is not recommended to be more than 6 months. The Spatz I think can be in place for a year. Rose has the Spatz so I'm sure she will be along to offer some tips etc. So far despite a few problems I am actually ok with having the balloon in. I have lost 17lb since i have had it in. I did however have a four week stall in that six week period despite sticking rigorously to a low cal diet. Of all the WLS procedures this is the least traumatic. However its not one of the easiest to come to terms with. The vast majority of people will feel sick/nauseous for about a week after the procedure some a little longer while others never get used to it. I personally have to be very careful with what i eat with the balloon as certain foods just don't settle well but i can live with it ;). You do have to work with it though and use it as a learning tool in the practice of portion control and healthier lifestyle eating.... Carry on with bad eating habits you will stretch your stomach further, lose restriction & gain weight. So start as you mean to carry on ;)
What worries do your hubby and mother have with the balloon?
 
Last edited:
Dear Carol and femfrankie
Thank you both sooo much for the reply.
It feels so good to see that the treatment has worked well on you and that you are happy.
Im really worried that wont work or that I just put on weight again after the treatment!
my mum is a nurse and against any kind of treatment on my body. but I guess as I am the only FAT person in my family, no one can really understand what Im going through. She has told me that she will help me out if I do it, but that she is not happy about me having it done.
my husband just wants me to stick to diet and workout, and doesnt want to hear that I do carry all the risks of having diabetes and high blood pressure and everything else, together with the high weight!
But I have made up my mind now.
Im just so worried about the deflating of the balloon! I have read that it may happen, and have seen the operation on the youtube ( which I probably shouldnt have!!)
have you heard anyone getting into trouble with the balloon treatment?
 
I was told if it did burst it will pass through u and there is a blue liquid in it so u will wee a funny colour and know about it!
But it would be replaced if anything happined to it :)
I had a bit of discomfort for the first week. The first day I got sick after everything!!! :)
Every now and then I get movement of the balloon and it feels like a baby kicking lol scary :)
But no one has noticed that I eat less or anything! Yet :) I have been out a few times for meals, but those who don't know, wouldn't have a clue.
I have heard of so many people putting back on the weight. But I have managed to get rid of 5 stone over the past two years and keep it of aswell as getting another 1st 4lb ontop of that.
If u have the right mind frame then u will be successful. It's no way am easy way out!!!!!
It's tough to start with then it's mental adjustments.
Before I got the balloon I lost 1 stone in 4 weeks. By cutting out breakfast and going the gym, then having a protein shake straight after the gym. I also cut out all crap food.
But I think that got me started and shrunk my stomach before getting the balloon so it was a fairly easy transition.
But I do think its a good idea to try cut down before hand so u don't have to deal with as much of the mental stuff of not eating after the balloon goes in ;)

carol b :)
 
All surgery carries an element of risk no matter how minor. I have the balloon because I am so overweight and have so many health issues that I can not have major WLSurgery until my BMI gets to a more manageable level. I still have 2&1/2stone to go to reach that level. The balloon is inserted while you are lightly sedated... I can not remember a thing lol. Since there is no general anaesthesia the risks are greatly reduced.
My surgeon did tell me how many balloons he has inserted but I can't remember the figure but it was quite a lot and he has had only one patient that had a balloon burst. So it is not a common occurrence. The balloon contains a dye that if it should burst will show up in your pee & if this happens you must let the surgeon/clinic know immediately so that they can organise removal of the deflated balloon within a few days.
My family are all behind me in my decision to have surgery albeit one.. My middle son. He won't even talk about it. He makes no comment on my losses thinks I am being over dramatic and fails to recognise that his mother is morbidly obese, facing life in a wheelchair & seeing that life significantly shortened because of her weight. As someone with a trim 28" waist he has no idea what it is like being morbidly obese and he has no idea on the limitations it brings to bear yet he has witnessed me struggling to cope with it. He scoffs at my tiny side plate and little sppon but his views won't deter me because I am doing this for ME & MY health and no amount of pouting is going to change my mind ;)
 
marmary said:
Dear Carol and femfrankie
Thank you both sooo much for the reply.
It feels so good to see that the treatment has worked well on you and that you are happy.
Im really worried that wont work or that I just put on weight again after the treatment!
my mum is a nurse and against any kind of treatment on my body. but I guess as I am the only FAT person in my family, no one can really understand what Im going through. She has told me that she will help me out if I do it, but that she is not happy about me having it done.
my husband just wants me to stick to diet and workout, and doesnt want to hear that I do carry all the risks of having diabetes and high blood pressure and everything else, together with the high weight!
But I have made up my mind now.
Im just so worried about the deflating of the balloon! I have read that it may happen, and have seen the operation on the youtube ( which I probably shouldnt have!!)
have you heard anyone getting into trouble with the balloon treatment?
Click to expand...

Hi Mary,have replied on the other post but just to say really the same as the girlies, the balloon is a tool. It will not make you loose weight, it will help you. I have restriction but I can eat anything I want and can still pack away a fair sized meal if I choose to. The difference is, I fill up quicker and it makes it easier to stop. I am very lucky in that I had very little discomfort just a few days and I can tolerate any foods. That's not the case for everyone.

I had some complications on insertion but all worked out fine. My provider has been excellent. The hospital was really good and the surgeon really nice, professional and is extremely experienced. Please feel free to ask anything you wish. My husband was anti too but when I provided him with the info like where it would be done and by whom he was fine. Very few other folk know I have it. Maybe that kind of info would help your sister accept things.

You will still be dieting of sorts with the balloon. Keep the in mind. There is a strict diet plan. Exercise is also recommended to ensure long term success. The cbt program is critical to your long term success. That lasts 18 months. My initial fill was 500ml. Any top up is an extra cost so bear that in mind. Also, that leaves you with a greater void on removal.

Can't think of anything else, please feel free to ask whatever you wish.

Good luck whatever you decide.

X
 
cb4 said:
I was told if it did burst it will pass through u and there is a blue liquid in it so u will wee a funny colour and know about it!
But it would be replaced if anything happined to it :)
I had a bit of discomfort for the first week. The first day I got sick after everything!!! :)
Every now and then I get movement of the balloon and it feels like a baby kicking lol scary :)
But no one has noticed that I eat less or anything! Yet :) I have been out a few times for meals, but those who don't know, wouldn't have a clue.
I have heard of so many people putting back on the weight. But I have managed to get rid of 5 stone over the past two years and keep it of aswell as getting another 1st 4lb ontop of that.
If u have the right mind frame then u will be successful. It's no way am easy way out!!!!!
It's tough to start with then it's mental adjustments.
Before I got the balloon I lost 1 stone in 4 weeks. By cutting out breakfast and going the gym, then having a protein shake straight after the gym. I also cut out all crap food.
But I think that got me started and shrunk my stomach before getting the balloon so it was a fairly easy transition.
But I do think its a good idea to try cut down before hand so u don't have to deal with as much of the mental stuff of not eating after the balloon goes in ;)

carol b :)
Click to expand...

I did the exact opposite and went to new Orleans the week before and pigged out big time!!!!
 
I did worry a lot about if I done the right thing. We paid a lot of money for it and we Probly should have not spent so much because we are struggling with the bills. But I have more or less come to terms with the fact that if I hadn't got the balloon I would not be on the road to success.
In the long run! If I'm happy with my size, I will have a healthier happier life!
So I have to keep working hard and I will get there!
If I hadn't got the balloon I would never have managed to loose 18lb in 6 weeks after allready loosing 14lb the 4 weeks before that!

I am with RoseMcnose!!!!! Make sure u get the support, the best support. Coz I have no support!
Rang and told them I had a growth on my troath 3-4 weeks ago and I haven't heard from them since!!!! So u make sure ur getting the best! :) xx

carol b :)
 
cb4 said:
I did worry a lot about if I done the right thing. We paid a lot of money for it and we Probly should have not spent so much because we are struggling with the bills. But I have more or less come to terms with the fact that if I hadn't got the balloon I would not be on the road to success.
In the long run! If I'm happy with my size, I will have a healthier happier life!
So I have to keep working hard and I will get there!
If I hadn't got the balloon I would never have managed to loose 18lb in 6 weeks after allready loosing 14lb the 4 weeks before that!

I am with RoseMcnose!!!!! Make sure u get the support, the best support. Coz I have no support!
Rang and told them I had a growth on my troath 3-4 weeks ago and I haven't heard from them since!!!! So u make sure ur getting the best! :) xx

carol b :)
Click to expand...

Oh gawd!! Have they still not been in touch???? Wastes of space. So sorry cb4, we are here to see you through.

Mary, the nosc have been good. The consultant you will have is John mason and the hospital is Trafford General. I was happy with everything. Nursing staff were also excellent. John mason is also the medical director for nosc. He has done the most balloon procedures in the UK apparently.
 
RoseMcnose said:
Oh gawd!! Have they still not been in touch???? Wastes of space. So sorry cb4, we are here to see you through.

Mary, the nosc have been good. The consultant you will have is John mason and the hospital is Trafford General. I was happy with everything. Nursing staff were also excellent. John mason is also the medical director for nosc. He has done the most balloon procedures in the UK apparently.
Click to expand...

Thanks RoseMcnose :)

carol b :)
 
cb4 said:
Thanks RoseMcnose :)

carol b :)
Click to expand...

You will be getting your balloon out earlier than me so make sure you stay on here so we can help with maintenance.
 
Femfrankie: i know how you feel about the support thing! In hoping that my husband will support me once he see that its done!
Is it difficult the first few days? Im having a 2 years old and a 6 months old! I wonder if I should get some help for a week??
 
marmary said:
Femfrankie: i know how you feel about the support thing! In hoping that my husband will support me once he see that its done!
Is it difficult the first few days? Im having a 2 years old and a 6 months old! I wonder if I should get some help for a week??
Click to expand...

The first 5/7 days are the most difficult to get through without a doubt. For me I felt sick all the time a bit like a real bad bout of sea sickness. You are aware of something obtrusive in your stomach and it wants to escape. After those days passed I wasnt aware it was there. The nausea hung around for a little bit longer but was much more manageable. Yes I have bouts of sickness and having talked with my team they think that is due to how my stomach & balloon lies. Everybody is different though but i was told by my team that it is very rare for someone to get the balloon and not feel ill for a number of days afterwards. I dont have young children but if I was honest i would have to say looking after them would have been difficult at best if I had no support there but I am sure your husband will come round .. just make sure he has all the facts and dont keep him in the dark. My son is another kettle of fish .. as a 30yr old he dosen't live with us, he is entitled to his opinions but I dont have to listen to them lol. Hope this helps Mary & good Luck xx
 
I have a 2yr old and a 5yr old. She started a new school the week I got the balloon done! And I am potty training my 2 yr old. I may as well be a single mother coz I do everything alone.
You would be better off having help but you should be fine. I had no help :)

carol b :)
 
marmary said:
Rose: so the top ups are not included?

Have you had it done? Do you need sedation for the topup again?
Click to expand...

Top up is not included and not everyone needs one. My balloon was inserted on the 19th Jan and I have lost 30 lb so far. To the best of my knowledge sedation is needed for the top up as its the same procedure essentially as insertion. Call nosc and talk to them, they are very helpful.

How much are you hoping to loose? It's not an easy option and works for some but not for others. You are awake for the procedure and different to femfrankie, I do remember everything. It depends how you react to the sedation.
 
Cb4: thanks for the info. Was it very bad what you remember? Did it hurt pr did they num you?
I think its kind of like an endoscopy and that I think is horrible!
I need to loose 35kg!!! Dont know how!!
Do you think its possible?
When I started to gain wieght 10 years ago, I didnt think I would end up this fat!! But now when meeting friends, Im the "fat" one ( if someone I dont know wants later to remember me). Im sick and tired of that.
I want to show everyone that I can be in small again when I am getting 40 next February.
I hope that is possible.
How much do you want to loose? Are you close to your goal?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
Gastric Balloon Gastric Balloon Information/Chat
2 3
Replies
51
Views
24K
ginzeh
G
B
New Gastric Balloon
2
Replies
25
Views
4K
bellabell
B
W
Gastric Balloon Consultation
Replies
7
Views
2K
BlondeMoment
BlondeMoment
G
my little blue balloon
2
Replies
28
Views
5K
Nickynoodles
Nickynoodles
tiili
Gastric Balloon Balloon triplets
2
Replies
25
Views
5K
mamalishious
mamalishious
Back
Top