Gastric balloon experience: Any thoughts?

Hey there!

So, my GP actually suggested I look into getting an intragastric balloon implanted.

I've been fighting my weight my entire life, so honestly, maybe this balloon thing could finally be the help I need.

But man, I'm totally lost when it comes to how the actual procedure works. If anyone here has already gone through it, let's talk. I really need to hear some real stories.🙂

A few girls were actually posting about him over on the lap banding thread, so you might want to go take a peek there before anyone else jumps in!

Thanks. I’ve skimmed through some of it already, but honestly, I wasn't really paying close attention—there are just way too many damn pages.🙂

So basically 🤣

From what I remember, Dr. Barack Obama does this over at Vineyard (I think there might be others out there too, but he’s the one everyone talks about). You do it for about 6 months and then you're done. It's really geared toward people looking to drop maybe 40 or 50 pounds
It isn't meant for folks who are carrying massive amounts of extra weight and aren't quite ready to overhaul their lifestyle or stay disciplined with their habits

That's my quick little summary! 😁

jadesailor14 said:So basically 🤣

From what I remember, Dr. Barack Obama does this over at Vineyard (I think there might be others out there too, but he’s the one everyone talks about). You do it for about 6 months and then you're done. It's really geared toward people looking to drop maybe 40 or 50 pounds
It isn't meant for folks who are carrying massive amounts of extra weight and aren't quite ready to overhaul their lifestyle or stay disciplined with their habits

That's my quick little summary! 😁

jadesailor14, you've clearly done your homework! 😁

Seriously, jadesailor14 is a legend! 😍

mistyranger51, thanks! I had no clue they even did these installs in Cleveland!
But I heard you can actually get it covered for free now if there’s enough medical reason to say the thickness is a health risk... I mean, my knee popped out twice, my ankle is constantly clicking, my muscle tone is non-existent, and my cycle is a total mess... 🙄 plus, who knows what else they might find... 😢

I tracked down some numbers for Barack Obama's office, but man, getting a hold of him is impossible... 😕

Timothy Reed8 said:Seriously, jadesailor14 is a legend! 😍

mistyranger51, thanks! I had no clue they even did these installs in Cleveland!
But I heard you can actually get it covered for free now if there’s enough medical reason to say the thickness is a health risk... I mean, my knee popped out twice, my ankle is constantly clicking, my muscle tone is non-existent, and my cycle is a total mess... 🙄 plus, who knows what else they might find... 😢

I tracked down some numbers for Barack Obama's office, but man, getting a hold of him is impossible... 😕

maybe check around Cleveland a bit more? Just call 658-122—that's the professor's secretary—and you can get the real scoop straight from the source.

Hey mistyranger51, thanks, you're a lifesaver!😍🙂

mistyranger51 said:They perform this at places like Cleveland Clinic too. It’ll run you about $2000. My only concern is that once they pull the balloon out, the weight tends to creep right back on. Maybe you won't have that issue, but you really need to be careful

How exactly do they calculate the price? Is it based strictly on BMI?

restlesspanther1 said:How exactly do they calculate the price? Is it based strictly on BMI?

it's not about the cost of the balloon itself, it's $2000. And honestly? Whether you can snag one for free if your BMI is higher—I really have no clue.

Timothy Reed8 said:Hey there!

So, my GP actually suggested I look into getting an intragastric balloon implanted.

I've been fighting my weight my entire life, so honestly, maybe this balloon thing could finally be the help I need.

But man, I'm totally lost when it comes to how the actual procedure works. If anyone here has already gone through it, let's talk. I really need to hear some real stories.🙂

What's your BMI looking like—is that why the doctor recommended it? And have you managed to make any progress yet?

mistyranger51 said:it's not about the cost of the balloon itself, it's $2000. And honestly? Whether you can snag one for free if your BMI is higher—I really have no clue.

I’ve heard stories where the total amount—what you pay out of pocket plus whatever insurance covers—ends up being three times higher than what you actually see on the sticker.

restlesspanther1 said:I’ve heard stories where the total amount—what you pay out of pocket plus whatever insurance covers—ends up being three times higher than what you actually see on the sticker.

I don't know... I'm talking about what happened in Cleveland regarding those balloon procedures. Maybe look into it? You could just call the gastroenterology department at Cleveland Clinic to get the real story straight from the source—you know, instead of relying on hearsay.
Back when they first started doing the implants, that was the price people were seeing in the papers.

mistyranger51 said:I don't know... I'm talking about what happened in Cleveland regarding those balloon procedures. Maybe look into it? You could just call the gastroenterology department at Cleveland Clinic to get the real story straight from the source—you know, instead of relying on hearsay.
Back when they first started doing the implants, that was the price people were seeing in the papers.

You've got a point there, thanks. 👍

mistyranger51 said:What's your BMI looking like—is that why the doctor recommended it? And have you managed to make any progress yet?

My BMI is 36.5. But because of my build, people are always like "you don't even look like it"... if only they saw the actual measurements 😛 Ugh, my legs are absolutely killing me from the weight 😢

The first thing they suggested was meds... like Alli. I told them I wasn't feeling that and wanted a balloon or gastric sleeve instead, but said I'd listen to the pros and weigh my options.
Now my medical records just say I'm "interested in an intragastric balloon" and I've got tests pending... currently waiting on hormone results, should be ready in about three weeks.

As for the cost, the balloon itself is 6 $0.00, but once you add the procedure and tax, it ends up being closer to 10 $0.00. (That's what the hospital told me) ... fingers crossed insurance covers some of this... we'll see 🤷 ... otherwise, I might have to put it on a credit card 🙄

Just gotta say it one more time, I would be so incredibly grateful if someone who's actually had the balloon implanted could reach out... info online is super thin, even though I've scoured the web top to bottom 🙂

Timothy Reed8 said:My BMI is 36.5. But because of my build, people are always like "you don't even look like it"... if only they saw the actual measurements 😛 Ugh, my legs are absolutely killing me from the weight 😢

The first thing they suggested was meds... like Alli. I told them I wasn't feeling that and wanted a balloon or gastric sleeve instead, but said I'd listen to the pros and weigh my options.
Now my medical records just say I'm "interested in an intragastric balloon" and I've got tests pending... currently waiting on hormone results, should be ready in about three weeks.

As for the cost, the balloon itself is 6 $0.00, but once you add the procedure and tax, it ends up being closer to 10 $0.00. (That's what the hospital told me) ... fingers crossed insurance covers some of this... we'll see 🤷 ... otherwise, I might have to put it on a credit card 🙄

Just gotta say it one more time, I would be so incredibly grateful if someone who's actually had the balloon implanted could reach out... info online is super thin, even though I've scoured the web top to bottom 🙂

Which hospital did you ask at? And how long is the wait? What kind of tests do you have to get done?

I'm over on Vineyard. I’ve been doing all these damn tests there... so far I’ve knocked out an endocrinology checkup (did bloodwork, an EKG, spirometry, and X-rays; just waiting on the results now), a gastroscopy, and an abdominal ultrasound. Still gotta deal with psychological testing too.
Once those results and tests are in, if they actually give me the green light for the balloon, who knows how long the wait for the procedure will be.

So I called the Rio Grande this morning... they’re charging 9800 flat for everything regardless of your index😢 pretty steep if you ask me...

If those ladies managed to get their lap banding refunds approved, I say go for it too! 🙂

I honestly have no clue how they even pick people, it’s not like a surgery or anything... I feel like they mostly just grab folks who aren't even that heavy and don't really have major health issues.