Gastric balloon

[Justcallmesarah]

Hello,

Has anyone had this? I'm 5'3 and 11.6 stone I have zero willpower. From my research it will cost around 2,000 and if it will help me get rid of 2 stone I will be so happy and have a much healthier relationship with food. Any pros and cons to it from people with first hand experiences?

Honestly? If you don't have will power the gastric balloon will likely not be for you in the long term. Initially you're likely to have success as you adapt to figuring out what you can eat, but unfortunately that doesn't necessarily create a healthier relationship with food. If that is the issue you have, I genuinely wouldn't recommend it.

You may be forced to eat smaller portions of stodgy foods like breads or pastas for example, but that also includes less chunky vegetables or fruits, salads etc. All the while you can pretty much eat endless chocolate, ice cream etc. So if your vices are things like that now, they will still be whilst you have the balloon and afterwards.

I would perhaps consider trying something like Gastic Band hypnosis which can help with a shift of mindset. Being in the right headspace for weight loss is half the battle. Or alternatively making yourself accountable by keeping a food diary or similar. The best thing about any kind of weight loss procedure is the weekly telephone support where you're asked what you're eating, how much, how long you're eating for and so on. It makes you accountable

Thanks for your reply.
I've gone to a weight loss hypnosis, he more or less said he didn't think that it was right for me. I'm at gym and try go 2/3 times a week (I hate it).
My vices are chocolate, crisps I have it most days. I love my veg hate fruit and love a take away.
Done slimming world, calorie counting I'm just getting bigger.
Honesty open to any and all suggestions anyone may have.

Have you tried keeping a food diary or logging your meals on something like "My Fitness Pal"? It sounds so basic, but it can really help identify "hidden" calories or help steer you towards more healthy choices.

If in person hypnotherapy wasn't suitable for you, there are also ones that you listen to as background noise- whilst you're drifting off to sleep, doing chores etc.

If your vices are chocolate/crisps and the like, a balloon probably wont help i'm afraid. You can eat endless chocolate and binge on crisps and to an extent softer foods like curries.

Small changes over time may be the way forward. Cutting down portions or using the "eat whatever you like but only half of it" technique. Switching out higher fat meats for leaner ones or switching for a meat free option like lentils when able to. Fitness classes or swimming also work much better for me than the gym. Or having a personal trainer if you can afford one as they can also draw up meal plans.

I've spent years up and down weight wise and I'm having a gastric sleeve next year. It's £10k in the U.K. or £3k in turkey/Poland.

But you need to fix your head before having surgery

I've tried calorie counting, I tend to batch cook food like stews, goulash that kinda thing which makes it difficult for me to track.
I've not tried listening to things as I clean our before I go to sleep so if you have any recommendations of podcast that would be really helpful.

Can I ask what your relationship is with food and why you have taken the decision to go to Poland to get a gastric sleeve? The reason I was looking into balloons is because it's less permanent. Just wonder what brought you to this 😊

When was the last time you allowed yourself to be hungry? Like proper stomach rumbling hungry? Can you physically tell the difference between hunger and wanting to eat because it’s the right time of day to eat or because you’re bored?

@originalsause never. I have no will power🤦‍♀️