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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want this balloon thingy to lose weight?

58 replies

Mrsmadevans · 19/05/2017 22:30

I don't know if you have seen about this balloon thing you swallow and they inflate and it fills your tum up with this balloon. Well it's 3000 pounds done privately not yet available on the nhs according to the DAILY FAIL. I am just wondering if this is the magic wand I need to lose 3 freaking stone! Where do I go any idea?

OP posts:
CiderwithBuda · 19/05/2017 22:48

I'm going to look into it.

I think there are two types of balloon. One you swallow which I think is the one you mean. And one which is a bit more invasive. And has to be removed medically too.

I have about five stone to lose and have tried everything. Can't stick to anything lng term. I know I need to address the why. But it is such a long bloody slog to lose so much. Especially as I keep losing and going the same stone.

So I would hope it would give me a quick boost while I'm dealing with the psychological side and I will then manage to lose the rest and keep it off.

Empireoftheclouds · 19/05/2017 22:49

People are crazy - it's hard to lose weight, but it's no great secret you just have to change what you eat.

Foggymist · 19/05/2017 22:50

It'll work, then it'll be removed and you'll put it all back on. The balloon would deal with appetite, it wouldn't deal with the psychology of food issues/why you eat/etc.

Original poster
Mrsmadevans · 19/05/2017 22:51

Jolly I have spoken at length with the GP. I don't think they can help tbh .I lost 10 stone 3 years ago and have put 5 back on over the three years I am just feeling hopeless atm. l lost my dmil nearly 2 yrs ago and a great friend who was like a mum to me in Feb. I have also just retired early to look after my parents , mum is 85 with terrible arthritis and dad 87 has been diagnosed with bone dysplasia which will lead to leukaemia. It feels like we are just waiting for the worst to happen and in the meantime I eat for comfort . I am not complaining I use the food to cope I know that . Thanks for listening everyone

OP posts:
JollySmelly · 19/05/2017 22:53

You could say that about many things though empire I expect it's easy to come off heroin. You just have to not take it.
For some people it's just not that simple and a few kind words and a bit of empathy go much further than a dismissive "you just have to......"

CiderwithBuda · 19/05/2017 22:54

Ivor - the one you linked is the more medical one I mentioned. There is anther one called the Elipse. It was in the papers this week I think. I could be wrong but I think it's less invasive having it inserted and it doesn't need to be removed. Naturally disperses I think. I need to research it.

JollySmelly · 19/05/2017 22:54

Sorry you're going through it OP. Flowers

AfunaMbatata · 19/05/2017 22:58

Maybe it's time to think of something long term, sleeve or bypass?

I had the sleeve done and I feel like a new person.

Original poster
Mrsmadevans · 19/05/2017 23:00

Aw Thank you Jolly. I was just grasping at straws in reality ,although it does sound brilliant tbf and your hopes raise at the thought of something that will make you get the weight off and no arguments iyswim

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 19/05/2017 23:01

But some possible side effects that could be really horrible?

Original poster
Mrsmadevans · 19/05/2017 23:06

Afuna I was so desperate I was going to do this 4 years ago but I wasn't big enough to have it done on the NHS and I wouldn't have it done privately because it is such a big op and I was afraid I wouldn't recover. This balloon is non invasive and when I saw it in the paper I thought it would help but sadly I realise very quickly that it's no good for me. I hope it will help others though for me I am back to the drawing board.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mrsmadevans · 19/05/2017 23:07

Wolfie I haven't seen any side effects yet have you found out some please?

OP posts:
Empireoftheclouds · 19/05/2017 23:10

You could say that about many things though empire I expect it's easy to come off heroin. You just have to not take it.. Well no because we know there is a physical dependence.

As for a few kind words and empathy, I'm sorry, I don't think these fad things are a good idea. 3 grand for a temporary fix. If the OP wants to solve the problem for good the I'm afraid she DOES have to change how she eats. I'm not saying that to be mean, I'm saying it because it's a fact.

As someone who has been size 20/22 and a short arsed 5 foot 3 for the past 20 years, I know how to do it, I also know how difficult it is, but it's not comparable to heroin addiction, not even close.

Witchend · 19/05/2017 23:14

There was an old lady who swallowed a balloon
It went down too soon, the inflated balloon

She swallowed the balloon to fill up her tum
She filled her tum to stop the rumble
Her tummy rumbled to ask for food
It was in a mood, when it asked for food
This song is rude...

AnnieAnoniMouse · 19/05/2017 23:17

You're right Empire, it's nothing like a Heroine addiction.

It's worse because you have to eat, every single bloody day.

Just because something worked for you, doesn't mean it will work for everyone.

Holier than thou attitudes to this really, really don't help.

Miniwookie · 19/05/2017 23:20

Not heroin, Empire, but it is comparable to something like a gambling addiction. All they have to do is stop/change too. It's possible, but it's very difficult for some people. OP Flowers

originalusernamefail · 19/05/2017 23:20

I have been seriously looking at the Spatz ballon. It stays in 12 months and the 'package' from the clinic includes 18 months counselling / aftercare. I'm hoping the balloon will control my appetite while I address the disordered eating / emotional issues that have got me the way I am. I have been overweight for my entire adult life. I'm not looking for a quick fix, but I have tried all the simple fixes with no success. Good luck with whatever you decide OP Flowers

Sunshinegirls · 19/05/2017 23:21

Have you tried fasting? This naturally shrinks your stomach. It's the only way I successfully lose weight. Fast every day for 18/19 hours, consume no calories at all in this period, drink plenty of water. Then eat all your food for the day within the remaining 5 hour window. Eat whatever you like in the window. The first few weeks are tricky but once you get into it it is amazing. You don't have to restrict what type of food you eat. Just when. Your body naturally craves healthier food the longer you do it. The weight comes off slowly but surely.

Original poster
Mrsmadevans · 19/05/2017 23:23

Thank you Annie that is so understanding of you

OP posts:
Original poster
Mrsmadevans · 19/05/2017 23:25

Thank you Mini and Original, right back at you

OP posts:
Original poster
Mrsmadevans · 19/05/2017 23:30

Sunshine , thank you for your suggestion my dear, I have done all sorts of stuff to try and lose weight the only thing that worked was total abstinence from processed foods, then crisis happens and you try to cope but you go back to your old way of coping ,which for me is bingeing and overeating .

OP posts:
Empireoftheclouds · 19/05/2017 23:31

Holier than thou attitudes to this really, really don't help. I wasn't being 'holier than thou' Confused

I didn't agree that a balloon was a good idea ffs that was all

imnottoofussed · 19/05/2017 23:39

I read about this in the paper this week too. Said it goes in I think down the throat, and is filled with water then the valve closes and the tune is pulled out of your throat. After so long it automatically starts to open and then shrinks down and passes out naturally. Being looked at as a new help towards fighting obesity. Sounds like a good idea to me. If you are full and feel ill eating too much with the balloon in then eventually the habit, behaviours and addiction will diminish so hopefully once the balloon deflates you would be in a better mindset to continue with the healthy eating etc.

CaulkheadUpNorf · 19/05/2017 23:40

TBH id spend the £3k or whatever on therapy and see if that made a difference.

Wolfiefan · 19/05/2017 23:46

Any "surgery" has risks.
Sedation?
Balloon bursting or infection or internal damage of some sort.
If you look at the websites of people selling this procedure then no you won't find lots of info on side effects. Doesn't mean there aren't any.

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