Obera Balloon?

150poundsofme
150poundsofme Posts: 523 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, Has anyone had the Obera Balloon procedure? If so, how are your results, the procedure, etc.? The balloon, filled with saline, occupies space in your tummy and it is put in with an endoscopy procedure. It stays in for 6 months and then is deflated and removed. I have an appointment with a doctor in a few weeks. There is no cutting or rerouting like in a gastric sleeve or gastric by-pass. Thank you.
p.s. I am, for over 45 years, a compulsive overeater yo-yo dieter binge eater all or nothing. I did see a new dietician 2 weeks ago and have a number to call a therapist who specializes in eating disorders. I think, hopefully, the balloon will make me feel full, eat less and hopefully will help me learn to eat less, lose weight etc.
Any thoughts, negative or positive on this is welcomed. Thank you!

Replies

  • 150poundsofme
    150poundsofme Posts: 523 Member
    *orbera
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    edited January 2017
    I don't understand how it can teach you to eat less when it makes you always feel full? You aren't supposed to always feel full. Physically, undereating leads to overeating. But mentally, binge eating isn't about wanting to feel full, it's to numb feelings you don't want to deal with.

    If you consistently eat less than you burn, you will lose weight. Consistency is just as important as eating less. You need to work on the all or nothing-mentality, and find other ways than eating to handle negative emotions.
  • 150poundsofme
    150poundsofme Posts: 523 Member
    I think you won't be able to overeat because you will fill full pretty quickly . True about the binge eating and numbing feelings.
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    edited January 2017
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    I don't understand how it can teach you to eat less when it makes you always feel full? You aren't supposed to always feel full. Physically, undereating leads to overeating. But mentally, binge eating isn't about wanting to feel full, it's to numb feelings you don't want to deal with.

    If you consistently eat less than you burn, you will lose weight. Consistency is just as important as eating less. You need to work on the all or nothing-mentality, and find other ways than eating to handle negative emotions.

    This. I was going to say this, but couldn't quite find the words.

    Yes, it fills your stomach, but it won't help you stop binging/overeating. What happens when the balloon gets deflated? It hasn't fixed your binging so you'll go right back to it. It is just a bandaid for a compound fracture. I know with me, I will continue to binge even if I am full as heck. I think CBT may be a better option for you to get to the root of the overeating issue.
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    If you dont feel full after compulsive overeating a balloon isnt going to help you. Why bother? Treat the underlying mental hurdles dont get a surgery that will do you no good anyway. Spend time surfing these forums. Educate yourself.
  • 150poundsofme
    150poundsofme Posts: 523 Member
    I do feel full after compulsive eating. I will do a lot more research. Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions!
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    I have heard commercials for it on the radio. I am no expert, have no direct experience so my advice is general and can be applied to many things in life: question everything.

    From what they say on the radio I understand it is nonsurgical but still has risks. It is temporary. It is intended to teach portion control. I can see the logic of how a balloon in your stomach could make you feel 'full' on less food. If you typically eat until you feel full and then stop, perhaps this could be a useful tool? If you eat when you're not feeling hungry, and eat beyond feeling 'full' then I'm not sure how it would help. And I do not understand how it manages to teach one portion control.
  • CattOfTheGarage
    CattOfTheGarage Posts: 2,745 Member
    It seems to me it might actually be less helpful for binge eating (which has little to do with actual hunger/fulness - many binge eaters will do it to the point of pain) and more helpful for people who just slightly overeat due to an inappropriate appetite. If binge eating is your issue, it seems like this is fixing the wrong problem.

    I recommend doing research on how people who have successfully tackled binge eating actually did it. One good resource is the Half Size Me podcast - the host successfully tackled binge eating and talks about it a lot.
  • tvkoo
    tvkoo Posts: 7 Member
    This is a temporary balloon, right? Won't you get used to feeling full all the time and be super hungry when it comes out?
  • NancyYale
    NancyYale Posts: 171 Member
    I just saw something on this, and find it interesting. It certainly seems more sensible than having your innards rearranged with invasive surgery. The bottom line is that this, like bariatric surgery, only give people a head start on WL. Unless any mental issues are addressed, and long held habits changed, it won't help long term.

    Most of the many people I know who have had WL surgery have gained some weight back. Many gain it all back.

    Still, as a tool used as part of a comprehensive program, it seems much better than more invasive options.

    But the hard work will still be needed for any real change.
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,340 Member
    I've heard of the balloon, and the surgeon I initially saw for lap-bands is going to be offering doing the balloons now too, as I understand.

    My issue with bariatric surgeries designed to make you feel fuller sooner are nice and can be a very effective tool....particularly if you only eat because you're hungry all the time. Unfortunately, I never ate because I was hungry. I ate because I was happy, sad, tired bored, elated depressed, because it was sunny, rainy, snowing, windy, because traffic ticked me off, because we'd get solicitors at work even though there were signs on the doors that said "No Soliciting". I'm very much an emotional eater.

    Your surgeon should set you up with a nutritionist, a therapist, and know or have a support group that you can attend for people who've had that procedure. The therapist and the nutritionist are (IMHO) the two most important....to help you figure out why you're eating and what you might be able to eat instead.

    As others have eluded to, the surgery is only a tool. It isn't a magic bullet and the weight won't just "fall off" without other effort in changing your eating habits and understanding why you turn to food in the first place.

    For what it's worth.....
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    150poundsofme wrote: »
    Hi, Has anyone had the Obera Balloon procedure? If so, how are your results, the procedure, etc.? The balloon, filled with saline, occupies space in your tummy and it is put in with an endoscopy procedure. It stays in for 6 months and then is deflated and removed. I have an appointment with a doctor in a few weeks. There is no cutting or rerouting like in a gastric sleeve or gastric by-pass. Thank you.
    p.s. I am, for over 45 years, a compulsive overeater yo-yo dieter binge eater all or nothing. I did see a new dietician 2 weeks ago and have a number to call a therapist who specializes in eating disorders. I think, hopefully, the balloon will make me feel full, eat less and hopefully will help me learn to eat less, lose weight etc.
    Any thoughts, negative or positive on this is welcomed. Thank you!

    I have not heard of this, but I am curious. Your username is "150poundsofme," which leads me to believe you weigh 150 pounds. If that is correct, why do you want a balloon?

    How much are you trying to lose?

    Good job on getting help for your issues around food. :)
  • 150poundsofme
    150poundsofme Posts: 523 Member
    Noel57 Did you get a high pitched voice lol

    I would like to weigh 123 to 150, of course, not sure until I am near those numbers. I currrently weigh 260 and am 5'3" though maybe have shrunk a little. I have been losing and gaining the same 20 pounds for the last 2 years. I was up around 270 and sometimes 286. Years ago I went down to 220 but then went back up to 266.
    I am trying to find as much research as I can. A forum but not too many people there because it is newish. I do see that after the procedure for the next 6 months, I think you are eating as though you have had gastric bypass or the gastric sleeve - first week just clear liquids, then later pureed foods, then eating your protein first etc. I would need within those 6 months to get cured of my eating disorder or otherwise I would go back to binging. I so want to lose weight but for whatever reasons can't seem to do the work to lose (sometimes I do but when I get into binging mode it can take me months to get myself geared up to start eating in smaller quantity and healthier choices. My name is 150poundsofme and I have a problem.
    p.s. Thank you all for your supportive comments and thoughts. I do appreciate them.
  • CajunCher2005
    CajunCher2005 Posts: 21 Member
    This procedure reminds me of nicotine gum and patches to help you quit smoking. As soon as the gum or patches are removed, the person starts smoking again. You just have to get your mindset in place and not rely on a quick fix. Period.
  • CattOfTheGarage
    CattOfTheGarage Posts: 2,745 Member
    150poundsofme wrote: »
    I would need within those 6 months to get cured of my eating disorder or otherwise I would go back to binging.

    The problem there is that you are trying to learn to deal with your eating problems while having surgically altered them. It's like trying to learn to ride a bike when you don't have a bike. So when you get your bike back - ie the balloon is removed - everyone expects you to be able to ride it but you're more likely to fall off.

    There are a lot of people here who have dealt with binging and there is a lot of experience to tap into. One question I would ask is what do you do after you have a binge? Do you keep logging your calories (including the binge) and carry on the next day? Or do you get overwhelmed and give up all attempts to lose weight?

    One of the most powerful things you can do when you have a binge is accept it, log it in full, and just carry on. No judgement, no guilt, no drama. A binge does not have to derail you at all. But if you feed the drama by hating yourself and beating yourself up, the binge just keeps getting bigger and bigger - it's a spiral.

    I had a number of small binges yesterday because I'm working on getting back to my calorie goals after the festive season and I was rebelling against my own efforts. As a result, I was well over my goal for the day. But I'm getting to be an old hand at this now - I logged it all, shrugged my shoulders and said "tomorrow is another day". Over time that attitude has defused binging so that now they are small and self-limiting and generally pretty rare. It takes time, but you can do it.
  • courtneyfabulous
    courtneyfabulous Posts: 1,863 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    150poundsofme wrote: »
    Hi, Has anyone had the Obera Balloon procedure? If so, how are your results, the procedure, etc.? The balloon, filled with saline, occupies space in your tummy and it is put in with an endoscopy procedure. It stays in for 6 months and then is deflated and removed. I have an appointment with a doctor in a few weeks. There is no cutting or rerouting like in a gastric sleeve or gastric by-pass. Thank you.
    p.s. I am, for over 45 years, a compulsive overeater yo-yo dieter binge eater all or nothing. I did see a new dietician 2 weeks ago and have a number to call a therapist who specializes in eating disorders. I think, hopefully, the balloon will make me feel full, eat less and hopefully will help me learn to eat less, lose weight etc.
    Any thoughts, negative or positive on this is welcomed. Thank you!

    I have not heard of this, but I am curious. Your username is "150poundsofme," which leads me to believe you weigh 150 pounds. If that is correct, why do you want a balloon?

    How much are you trying to lose?

    Good job on getting help for your issues around food. :)

    Actually my guess was they want to lose 150 pounds- so probably weigh around 300?
  • courtneyfabulous
    courtneyfabulous Posts: 1,863 Member
    I think learning self control and therapy would be a lot more effective.

    If you yo yo diet the bingeing may be a reaction to over restricting- which isn't effective for weight loss anyhow. Too few calories is just as bad as too many. It's about balance. If you eat too little not only are you starving and likely to binge, but you will slow your metabolism, lose muscle (actually more muscle than body fat), have no energy for exercise, poor health, even likely cause organ damage and hormonal disruption. But if you just maintain a mild calorie deficit you will be able to lose body fat effortlessly (though more slowly) without any or those negative side effects.

    How many things in your life are better when done with an all or nothing approach? I'm guessing not many. Just because you can't pay off your entire home loan at once do you stop paying the monthly mortgage payment? If you can't work 7 days a week for every waking hour do you just give up and not work at all? Weight loss is similar- and no balloon apparatus is going to help you learn new mental behaviors.

    Get a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and obsessive behaviors and I think it will be time and money much better spent.
  • Lolalikeslolagets
    Lolalikeslolagets Posts: 142 Member
    My sister got this done and lost a lot of weight but it makes her throw up every time she overeats. And by overeats I mean every time she eats more than a small handful of food, which is almost every time. It's really horrible actually. Please just learn to eat properly, there are no quick fixes.
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    Working on the why behind the binge episodes/eating disorder seems to be something that should take priority. I'm not sure an eating disorder is something that can be 'cured' but can be managed.
  • 150poundsofme
    150poundsofme Posts: 523 Member
    This new dietician I went to a few weeks ago - she gave me a meal plan to follow - carbs at every meal and she wants me to snack between breakfast and lunch and between lunch and dinner and also in the evening. Right away I told her I never need a snack between B and L. She felt I should. Also full carbs (6 starches) a day I will never lose weight. When I was dieting I would have what I called one full carb a day (maybe about 200 calories though never accurate). You see, I never abuse any other foods so it all fell into place. I actually called her a few days later and said do I have to have a carb for breakfast. Or could I just have the 2 full carbs during the day whenever I wanted. She did say ok. I know that what I have been doing hasn't worked (though I do feel I know how to diet and how to lose weight. So I should listen to her but it just goes against all my habits of 45 years. I feel like you guys are my therapists. Again thanks for your input.
  • red99ryder
    red99ryder Posts: 399 Member
    I know this is a hard decision for you .

    Good Luck
  • courtneyfabulous
    courtneyfabulous Posts: 1,863 Member
    So glad you are considering therapy as an alternative!!

    Be careful with dietitians- some really know their stuff, and some not so much. But if what you'd been doing the past 45 years worked, don't you think you'd be at your goal weight already? Instead of having issues with your weight and trouble sticking to a plan? Might be good to try it her way for at least a month or two. I know I need a snack between breakfast and lunch, and I usually have some sort of carb with breakfast (usually fruit or a rice cake).

    Have you been weighing and logging your food into myfitnesspal? Might be good to check the calories and macros on this new plan you've been following.

    Yes 3-4 pounds of weight loss is too fast. It's ok if it happens just the first week or 2 because it could be water weight coming off if you have sudddnly cut sodium or carbs, but it's impossible to healthfully maintain a loss rate like that long term. 0.5 to 1 pound per week is good. Also remember your body retains water weight at certain times of the month because of hormones, so seeing no loss or even a slight gain is normal and doesn't mean the diet isn't working. Often I gain or plateau for 3 weeks but then the water weight comes off and reveals that I've actually been losing the whole time and it all shows on the scale that 4th week. Then the same thing happens again the next month- but it averages out to about 0.7 pounds lost per week. That's why I advocate comparing your current weight only with your weight from 1 month ago (or more).

    Most of all try to have patience and learn consistency.

    Good luck!!
  • courtneyfabulous
    courtneyfabulous Posts: 1,863 Member
    CattOfTheGarage wrote: »
    Great constructive approach, OP. A few comments:

    Along with many, many others, you're tripping yourself up with this idea of being "on" or "off" of a "diet". This is causing you to swing wildly between chronic undereating and binging, and then your binges completely derail you because you think "oh, I binged, that means I'm not 'on a diet' any more". But there is no "diet". There's just what you eat. And if you want to lose weight, the key is to consistently eat a little bit less than you need to maintain your weight. Just a little bit less.

    The more extreme your restriction, the more likely you are to binge, and binge hard. It's a defence mechanism against what your body sees as starvation. You need to break the cycle, and you can't do that by just "stopping binging" - binging is compulsive, you don't have much control over it. What you need to do is cut the cycle at the other end and stop over-restricting. Binges will not stop right away, but they will gradually ease off. Just keep logging everything you eat, including the binges, and stay calm.

    The other thing is that you need to kick this idea that "carbs are bad". The only thing that matters for weight loss is how much you eat - not what you eat. There are no foods that will prevent weight loss, and avoiding specific foods and seeing them as "bad" will only increase binging tendencies (in my experience this has been one of the biggest factors in binging).

    I realise you have some long standing habits here, and that you have been fed a line by the diet industry, as we all have, that losing weight is complicated and involves eating special foods and avoiding other foods, but it is all a lie - it does not serve our health or our weight loss, it serves their bottom line in keeping us fat and buying their products. The truth is, you can eat anything. Whatever you like. Bread, pasta, chocolate, ice cream, cookies, cakes - you will still lose weight as long as you get the portions right.

    I say trust that dietitian - her schedule of meals and snacks may suit you long term, or it may not (meal timing varies a lot from person to person), but right at this moment, it could be exactly what you need to break out of your old approach and to regain your body's trust that you're not going to starve it. You can absolutely eat that many carbs and still lose weight. Try it for a while.

    100% YES

    OP read this comment.
    Then read it again...
    And again.

    So right on!
  • 150poundsofme
    150poundsofme Posts: 523 Member
    Thank you all for taking the time to help me. I never heard of HalfSizeMe. I started reading the blogs. I so need to get my health and life back. You guys are great!
  • ahoy_m8
    ahoy_m8 Posts: 3,053 Member
    I also agree with everything Cattoff said.

    I think too it helps to have an attitude of experimentation about weight loss, weight maintenance, exercise, diet... all of it. Even when I'm maintaining GW and happy with my strength training results, I'm always wondering, "is there a way I could be more efficient, get better results with fewer lifts if I restructured my routine?" Plus your body changes, so what was optimal for you once (diet or workouts) might have significant room for improvement presently. So try what the dietician suggests and make lots of observations about how you feel.... mentally and physically. Maybe it's an improvement over what you've done in the past or maybe not, but the only way to know is to really give it an honest chance.

    Apologies for the repetition.... it bears repeating though: the fastest way to fail is under eating. Sure, everyone thinks about not over eating when trying to lose weight, but under eating has its own perils. Over restricting = binge waiting to happen for me.

    It sounds like you have a good attitude and are willing to put thought into a solid approach. Best of luck to you, OP.
  • 150poundsofme
    150poundsofme Posts: 523 Member
    Thank you. I need it :)

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