Gastric balloon experience: Any thoughts?

😉Hajdić, it’s good to see some familiar faces here. Justin Davis2, I’m right there with Benjamin Sanchez51 regarding your balloon. Honestly, your best bet is to call the office on Vinogradski or just reach out to Nikolić directly to figure out the next steps, especially given how you've been feeling.

I started my research back in November 2007. It took me a little longer to get moving because I was dealing with a nasty bacterial infection, so I was stuck on a cocktail of meds, followed by three months of Controloc, then another endoscopy (where I burped like I’d swallowed all the air in the country). 😲
By then summer was hitting, and I figured I wouldn't get anywhere—with vacations coming up, who knows when I'd actually get seen. I almost threw in the towel, but thank God someone kept pushing me to stick with it.

It’s wild how much a person can change; Benjamin Sanchez51, you hit the nail on the head about how my relationship with food has shifted.
For instance, I used to think eating a juice, a stew, or a goulash without bread was impossible. I’d happily polish off some bread at 10 p.m.—once, during one of those late-night snacks, I actually cut myself and needed two stitches, so clearly someone upstairs was trying to give me a sign. 🤣 I’d even have a glass of milk with it. Now, the thought doesn't even cross my mind. Bread is strictly for breakfast now.
I actually stumbled upon the idea for the balloon through my aunt. I figured, hey, why not give it a shot? I’m so glad I did. I’ve already lost 24 pounds, and if I lose another 24, I’ll be over the moon. 🙏🙏

Let's talk compliments... how do you guys handle them when people comment on your looks? Does it feel good? Do you wish they did it more? Or is it just annoying? How do you even react? ....

So, people are starting to notice I've lost weight. They haven't quite put two and two together yet, but they're telling me I look great—even my boss asked if I changed my hair color (he's a guy, of course)!!! Honestly, while it does look good, it actually makes me pretty uneasy. Generally speaking, any talk about my appearance, even positive stuff, just bugs me. And whenever I get stressed, I start eating to cope :-) so I guess I'm hitting that stage where everything gets complicated...

I'm basically a pushover when it comes to what others think. Even though I won't admit it and try to defend myself, outside opinions really get to me. That's why I haven't talked to anyone about the weight loss balloon or mentioned it to anyone, not even my immediate family. I just don't think it's anyone else's business. I don't care what people think, good or bad, and I mostly just want everyone to leave me alone :-) Maybe it's because I've worked with people for years and I'm just burnt out on it... eventually, you reach a point where you just want to move to a deserted island...

Anyway, I can see a problem brewing because people are going to keep noticing the "new hair color" :-) and I have no clue how to deal with it... I just want to be invisible....:-) just like I was when I had the extra pounds...

Hey hey... I'm back... been gone for a minute. Wasn't even in Washington, D.C., and honestly, where I was had zero service (thank God for that 😉)
Haven't actually started anything yet, but I'm diving in now, whatever happens, happens. Got an appointment tomorrow over in a suburb near the city, and first, I'm gonna go poke around to see who, when, and why. No clue what the deal is, but I just don't trust Mercy Hospital one bit 😢. Never actually been there myself, but... I don't know... screw it. I'll just head to the other clinic and call it a day... if they even have space. Like you guys mentioned, the doctor's name is Dr. Kolak? Anyway, I've gained weight and gotten super scatterbrained. All these doctors and medical terms have my head spinning... 🙂 girls, I read everything posted here since I last checked in. Glad to see you guys are making progress. Until I can jump in fully with my own results, I'll be rooting for you all and crossing my fingers that things go smoothly and fast... anyway, what's the word after 6 months? A new balloon or what?

Morgan Jackson66 said:Hey hey... I'm back... been gone for a minute. Wasn't even in Washington, D.C., and honestly, where I was had zero service (thank God for that 😉)
Haven't actually started anything yet, but I'm diving in now, whatever happens, happens. Got an appointment tomorrow over in a suburb near the city, and first, I'm gonna go poke around to see who, when, and why. No clue what the deal is, but I just don't trust Mercy Hospital one bit 😢. Never actually been there myself, but... I don't know... screw it. I'll just head to the other clinic and call it a day... if they even have space. Like you guys mentioned, the doctor's name is Dr. Kolak? Anyway, I've gained weight and gotten super scatterbrained. All these doctors and medical terms have my head spinning... 🙂 girls, I read everything posted here since I last checked in. Glad to see you guys are making progress. Until I can jump in fully with my own results, I'll be rooting for you all and crossing my fingers that things go smoothly and fast... anyway, what's the word after 6 months? A new balloon or what?

Look, we don't really have anyone on this board who's actually had a balloon placed at that specific facility, so you'd be wise to give them a ring first just to see if they even offer that service anymore. It's better than driving all the way out there for nothing. :mis:
I mean, they probably do it, it's just that none of our usual patients here seem to go to that particular doctor.

edit: As far as I can tell, it isn't handled by a surgeon anyway; it's an endoscopic procedure, so you're likely looking for a gastroenterologist rather than a surgical specialist. 🤷

Correct me if I'm wrong, ladies, since you all know much more than I do. 🙂

Oh honey, Benjamin Sanchez51, you can't stay invisible anymore now that you've started dropping those pounds! Just soak it all up—go buy yourself some sexy lingerie or something! Honestly, you’ve gotta love it when people start showering you with compliments; it totally fuels me. I used to be built like an elephant, but now I’m rocking a size 14 up top and a 16 on the bottom, and let me tell you, the world is my oyster! I HAVE TO GIVE CREDIT to the crew over at Vinogradski; they were such a huge help. With the gastric sleeve, I dropped 27 pounds in just 6 months and I am over the moon—mostly because my "exercise routine" consisted of nothing but moving between the stove, the bed, and the bathroom while using a cane. All in all, I’ve lost about 84 pounds in a year and a half. I had hip surgery too, so right now I’m zooming around on a cane, but hopefully soon I won't even need that.
You know what? Don't go hiding away on some deserted island. Walk through the city with your head held high and be proud of yourself! Don't let the haters get to you. Doing it this way is how you actually change your relationship with food. I still have to stop myself mid-meal and ask, "Are you actually hungry, or are your eyes just hungry?" Because let me tell you, my eyes are HUGE. And yeah, I eat to calm down sometimes, but instead of grabbing junk, I just gnaw on a raw carrot like a little bunny and suddenly I feel better—it's like... autosuggestion is everything! Only my inner circle knew about the sleeve. My girls at work? NOPE. When I showed up with my new figure, they were absolutely floored. Actually, it kind of shocked me how the people I wasn't even that close with were the most sincere about it, while my usual buddies were just stunned—you could see it in their eyes, like I was suddenly a threat or something. I don't even know why, because I haven't changed as a person, I just... deflated! So, we just keep pushing forward, you and me and all the other ladies out there. Cheers to carrots, celery, and leeks!

Where the hell did this thread go? I barely found it again... nothing's happening here 😢. I guess that doesn't mean everything is fine, right? Come on, let me read what you guys have until I actually have something to say about it. Give me every single tiny detail 😉 from the endoscopy onwards...

I bet everyone finally popped those balloons and is just soaking up the results, right?!

Good grief... looks like almost everyone vanished from here... hope it’s not for the same reasons I disappeared...

I messed up...
... everything was going great for two months... dropped 25 pounds and then, boom, back to square one... the gastric sleeve has officially moved in and made itself at home... and me? Well, my primal instinct kicked in and I started "healing" my stress and my crappy love life with good old-fashioned comfort food... you know how it is...
The truth is, I know I’d be eating way more if I didn't have this balloon in my gut, but even so, the bloat takes up all the space and I'm still gaining weight... just slower... but still gaining.

Real talk... I’ve got two months left... but I’m starting to wonder... what's the point of any of this anymore? I’m just spent... after this latest mess with the balloon... I'm terrified that whole "everything happens for a reason" cliché doesn't apply to me.

Timothy Reed8, my dear, first off, I’m so sorry to hear that. Where did the short circuit happen?
I can't believe you don't have someone by your side to give you a little boost or some encouragement. Haven't you already learned that sulking when things go wrong doesn't actually help anyone?
The problems won't disappear, and a prince on a white horse isn't going to ride in to save you (let's face it, all the princes are taken nowadays, leaving us with nothing but old nags).🤣
Pull yourself together. Weren't you happy this morning when you stepped on the scale and saw you were down at least a couple of pounds instead of up?
As for me, I've wanted to rip this gastric balloon out myself a hundred times. I can't even remember the last time I didn't throw up or have acid reflux wake me up in the middle of the night. Instead of sleeping, I just lie there wondering what I was thinking—it would be so much easier if I could just tape my mouth shut and stop eating, but nooo.
We've both dragged ourselves this far, but now we have the chance to fix things and become who we haven't been in a long time: thinner, happier, and healthier. I'm heading to Nikolić tomorrow for my final checkup before they remove the balloon (Dec 30, 2008). I need to tell him about the vomiting, though I'm not exactly rushing to have the balloon removed before my scheduled date. Nobody's died from throwing up yet (at least, I hope 😍), so I'll tough out these next two months, come what may. I've lost about 48 pounds so far, and honestly, I feel great 😉 Fingers crossed for you.

Hey ladies!
I had my balloon removed on December 31st. It was almost two weeks ahead of schedule, but my doctor and I agreed it was the best move for practical reasons.

Bottom line? My results aren't amazing—the "yo-yo effect" totally caught up with me. I’m back to my old self, just adapting to life as usual, haha. 😛 I dropped 12 kg in the first two months, then gained four back.

Still, I'm happy with it. I know deep down I just had to do this because six months ago, I was right on the edge... of losing my mind. Honestly, I needed something drastic to pull me back from the brink. Maybe sounds pathetic, but that’s how it felt—just totally helpless. This surgery gave me the kickstart I needed, and things actually started looking up. I lost some weight, sure—way less than I hoped—but it counts. Plus, I finally found love. Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I don't think it would've happened if I hadn't gone through this. Even landed a new job.

Long story short... these procedures help, more or less, if you're tough enough to handle them. But at the end of the day, you still have to face your own demons. You either fight them or keep burying them, but they always find a way to resurface eventually.

Heh... whenever I type stuff here, I can't help but feel like these posts belong in a psychology forum. 🙂

Catch ya later!

Timothy Reed8, I have to hand it to you—that was gutsy!
Maybe now is finally the moment to tap into that inner strength and just tackle this issue head-on, slowly and steadily, with some actual self-belief. From what you've been through, you already know the truth: the most powerful help you’ll ever get comes from within yourself. It all boils down to whether you can actually learn to love yourself enough to step up and fix things.

I'm rooting for you!

Hey ladies.
Just wanted to chime in—I’m one of those people who actually saw massive results from the gastric balloon. I had mine removed nearly two years ago; I lost 77 pounds in the first six months, then another 22 after the procedure. Since then, my weight has mostly stayed within a 10-pound range. I just wanted to be clear: this isn't some magic wand that does the work for you—it requires a total overhaul of your lifestyle. The procedure handles its part, but everything else? That’s entirely on you.
Wishing you all the best of luck with your journeys.

Hey there, it’s been a while. I finally had my balloon removed on November 20th because I just couldn't deal with the constant bloating anymore. Honestly, getting it out felt like a total rebirth; I dropped 25 pounds and gained 2 back, but hey, I'm not sweating the small stuff. Unfortunately, I had a miscarriage on December 20th—turns out I didn't even realize I was pregnant, so... yeah. Still, they say everything happens for a reason, because after ten years, I actually managed to get pregnant for the first time, so we're gearing up to try again. As for the balloon, I’d recommend it to anyone; it quite literally changed my life.

Looks like it’s been a minute since anyone posted here.😢 Am I really going to be the only one reporting on my balloon adventures?? Anyway, it’s great hearing about people getting solid results, and I’m aiming for that same thing—a permanent lifestyle overhaul. My BMI is sitting at 36.5 and I finally had a reality check: I am never going to lose this weight on my own again. I need help. Real, concrete help. I want to get thin, finally!!! I quit smoking two years ago, I recently had a baby, and instead of the weight dropping, it’s just heading straight up...
Reading everyone's experiences here actually gave me the push I needed, so I'm heading out tomorrow to schedule my first consultation!
I'll let you guys know how it goes....

So, I finally booked my first checkup for tomorrow afternoon. It's at a private clinic over by Langov trg. They want me fasting, and since the appointment is at 5 PM, I’m basically not allowed to eat or drink anything all day... I have no idea how I'm going to pull this off while breastfeeding. I mean, I can at least have some water, right? I think they're doing a gastroscopy and a balloon procedure. I'll update you guys once I'm done... My mom keeps calling me every few hours blowing smoke up my ass, telling me it's dangerous because she "knows someone who knows some kid" who died from complications with the balloon. I told her she's full of it. How do you even die from a balloon?? Maybe it popped, deflated, and moved into the intestines... and caused an obstruction? And if they didn't run straight to the ER after they started turning blue, then that's just on them. Even worse if they didn't see a doctor once the pains from the blockage started... ugh, such a heavy and stupid topic. I'll let you know what happens tomorrow....

So, just finished my checkup... that gastroscopy was pretty brutal. Ugh. My throat still hurts every time I swallow, and I felt like I was gonna puke the whole damn time during the procedure. But hey, I’m cleared for the balloon insertion. Appointment is set for two weeks from now. Just gotta swing by my doctor's office to grab my blood work. She also ran an ultrasound to make sure there aren't any kidney stones or whatever clogging things up, since that would disqualify me from getting the balloon.
Once that little balloon is in, you guys won't be hearing from me much.🙂))

Amy Sanders10, what else did you have to go through besides the gastroscopy and blood work? Are you already all set with Dr. Nikolić or what? It seems like you scored an appointment for the 👍 insertion super fast.

I think I might need some help too, but honestly, maybe I’m just a weird case. I don't really eat huge meals, and I can't stand fatty food—I just won't touch it. But sweets? I could basically live on sugar alone. My mom keeps telling me I don't even need a gastric balloon because I eat like a little bird, but the sugar habit is killing me... I'm honestly starting to lose it and wondering if there's any hope left as long as dessert exists. I don't even know if a balloon or a sleeve or whatever would actually save me, because, you know, it's not about how much I eat, it's just what I choose to eat...🙄

Hey Justin Davis2🙂
I don't even see Dr. Nikolić; I go to this private clinic over on Langov trg. That’s why everything moves so fast... Look, I’m not some total glutton and I don't exactly live on greasy junk (I can't stand Coke or any of those sodas, and burgers and fries aren't really my thing...), but man—I could eat sweets until I drop. Cakes, cookies, chocolate... you name it. My tests are: full blood panel, thyroid hormones, blood sugar, endoscopy, ultrasound for my bladder and abdomen, plus a stomach biopsy.
What about you? You doing the balloon or the strip test?

Hey everyone—figured I’d jump in on this balloon discussion. I’ve got an installation scheduled for June 9th over in Seattle—has anyone here actually gone through this process or maybe handled an installation themselves? Would love to hear some firsthand experiences if you have a moment to share.

Hey there, my fellow balloon enthusiasts, sending some love your way. Honestly, I just pop in here on my laptop whenever the mood strikes because that’s basically how this whole thing started for me. This thread was looking pretty much dead, but since I see a few of you ladies are still hanging around, let’s try to breathe some life back into it. Just to give you a bit of background, I had my 7.4 balloon installed back in July 2009 over at a shop near Trump’s place. Since then, I’ve lost about 20 pounds, and honestly, I’m feeling great about it. It could have been more, sure, but I’m not out here killing myself over it. If any of you have questions or just want to pick my brain about anything, just ask—I’m happy to share everything I know. ZZZ