POSTED UNDER Obalon Intragastric Balloon REVIEWS
Obalon is a Huge Waste of Money and Poor Providers Are Involved
ORIGINAL POST
I first did the orbera balloon and lost 50 lbs. I...
roughmagickMay 16, 2018
$12,000
I first did the orbera balloon and lost 50 lbs. I still had about 20 lbs to lose and then went on a medication that caused a little weight gain, so I wanted to lose 40 lbs more. I decided to try the obalon because it sounded simpler - you just swallow the balloon. Simpler isn't always better. A few things to keep in mind.
1. Orbera balloons tend to be done by doctors who have complete practices dedicated to weight management. They are surgeons and also understand dietary counseling and follow up.
2. Obalon ballons tend to be done by just about any doctor - especially those who have no interest in weight management strategies and don't do surgery - so you have a lot of secondary costs for removal etc.
3. The orbera balloon is a one-and-done scenario. You go in, they place it, and you lose weight like crazy.
4. The obalon balloon requires multiple visits where you swallow a balloon with a long string attached - totally causes a gag reflex.
5. Orbera gives you transparent pricing: this is what it costs up front and no surprises.
6. Obalon has lots of extra costs because the doctors offering it don't seem to really be able to do what needs to be done to complete the process - so there are lots of other providers involved.
7. Orbera is one big balloon - you are not hungry. You lose weight.
8. Obalon requires three visits and three little balloons. What a nightmare. It costs significantly more to get the other balloons, and if you have a gag reflex good luck getting them down - and they want to charge $1000. per balloon past your first few tries
9. Orbera providers focus on follow up and dietary counseling.
10. Obalon providers rarely follow up with you at all. They don't even really monitor your weight loss.
Frankly, take the time to do the initial Orbera procedure. You have to have the Obalon removed by a separate doctor (with yet another bill) so it is not such a deal.
In summary, Orbera far exceeded my expectations. Obalon was a huge disappointment. It felt like a money grab. 10k for someone to stand you over a doggy pee pad (I'm not kidding) and try to get you to swallow the giant pod with a long string attached. Plus another chunk of change for the x-rays each time you swallow, removal etc.
Definitely avoid Obalon and go with Orbera. It was like night and day.
1. Orbera balloons tend to be done by doctors who have complete practices dedicated to weight management. They are surgeons and also understand dietary counseling and follow up.
2. Obalon ballons tend to be done by just about any doctor - especially those who have no interest in weight management strategies and don't do surgery - so you have a lot of secondary costs for removal etc.
3. The orbera balloon is a one-and-done scenario. You go in, they place it, and you lose weight like crazy.
4. The obalon balloon requires multiple visits where you swallow a balloon with a long string attached - totally causes a gag reflex.
5. Orbera gives you transparent pricing: this is what it costs up front and no surprises.
6. Obalon has lots of extra costs because the doctors offering it don't seem to really be able to do what needs to be done to complete the process - so there are lots of other providers involved.
7. Orbera is one big balloon - you are not hungry. You lose weight.
8. Obalon requires three visits and three little balloons. What a nightmare. It costs significantly more to get the other balloons, and if you have a gag reflex good luck getting them down - and they want to charge $1000. per balloon past your first few tries
9. Orbera providers focus on follow up and dietary counseling.
10. Obalon providers rarely follow up with you at all. They don't even really monitor your weight loss.
Frankly, take the time to do the initial Orbera procedure. You have to have the Obalon removed by a separate doctor (with yet another bill) so it is not such a deal.
In summary, Orbera far exceeded my expectations. Obalon was a huge disappointment. It felt like a money grab. 10k for someone to stand you over a doggy pee pad (I'm not kidding) and try to get you to swallow the giant pod with a long string attached. Plus another chunk of change for the x-rays each time you swallow, removal etc.
Definitely avoid Obalon and go with Orbera. It was like night and day.
roughmagick's provider
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