Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

POSTED UNDER Orbera Gastric Balloon REVIEWS

46 Yo, Female, Fit-fat, 5'2" - 165lbs

ORIGINAL POST

I had my balloon place on April 21st. The first...

SuzieXform
WORTH IT$7,500
I had my balloon place on April 21st. The first day was so awful. I was in excruciating pain and felt so sick to my stomach. I was barely able to get water in. The next morning I started feeling better, not great, just not as sick. I was able to drink more and even ate a Popsicle. Third and fourth days were another step to feeling better. I was able to get more liquid in, including Popsicle, but not food or even thick consistency liquids. By the 5th I woke up a new woman! I feel much better, about 85% and was able to drink more and started some protein drinks.
I stayed on the full liquid diet for a couple of weeks, occasionally adding soft foods (pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese). It's been a month and I still am not eating 'real food' exclusively. I'm only doing ground meat on occasion and keeping veggies and fruits on the soft side, or over cooking the vegetables. I still do quite a bit of protein shakes to ensure that I'm getting protein and nutrition.
I have always been an exerciser. I run, spin, do yoga and lift weights. I always called myself fit-fat. I wasn't able to exercise until about 2 weeks after placement. The balloon was just too heavy in my stomach and I had too much stomach spasm. I'm not running yet, but I am doing all of my other activities.
I'm down to 144 - that's 20 pounds in one month! I'm thrilled about it and I'm looking forward to loosing the remaining 14 to get to my goal weight. I do contribute my exercise to my weight loss accomplishments. Even if you can't run, spin, etc. Do walk!! Start slow and build up. You can do it!
I recommend this procedure to anyone hoping to jump start their weight loss to regain their footing to their healthiest self!

SuzieXform's provider

Fernando B. Bonanni, MD

Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery

SuzieXform rating for Dr. Bonanni:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Replies (3)

July 11, 2017
Do you have monthly meetings with a nutritionist as part of your Orbera plan?
July 12, 2017
Yes. I do the Orbera Coach. But I must say that I'm not impressed with it. This month I paid for a 4 month plan on Noom and I love it! The Orbera Coach doesn't do a good job teaching how to make good choices and monitor caloric intake. Noon is great, and has a group support, personally I think it's well worth my $100 to supplement my weight lose and habit changing!
July 12, 2017
I keep getting Noom ads on my FB feed. I will look into it.
UPDATED FROM SuzieXform
2 months post

2 Month Check in

SuzieXform
I'm 2 months in now. I'm down just over 25 pounds. Weight is definitely slow to come off now. I'm exercising again, 3-5 days a week, plus trying to get my 10K steps in each day. I think for me then next 4 months will be slow moving the weight off.
My doctor recommended that I follow a strict full liquid to a puree diet for the first 6 weeks. I did eat 'regular' food sometimes, and paid the price (vomiting). I strongly recommend anyone who is still in the first 2 months to take it easy with what you're eating. I'm still not doing raw vegetables, I'm scared they'll upset my stomach. All of my veggies are steamed. I chew my meat very thoroughly, and take small bites. I still get full quite fast and it does take quite a bit more time for my food to digest.
I'm seeing a CBT therapist to help with my compulsive eating habits and I've joined weight watchers for some extra help with healthy eating and the support there is great! Once this balloon comes out, I'm hoping that I've transformed my relationship with food and have made the forever change that I needed so badly!

Replies (1)

August 7, 2018
You are approaching the fourth month now. Are you still happy with your progress?