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Didn't Work for Me

I had the Orbera balloon inserted in October 2017. Removed April 2018. I lost a total of 26 lbs at most. I was extremely sick for the first 4-5 months, and I lost most of my weight during the first 1-2 months. I was too weak and sick to even walk, nevermind work out. I took the nausea and heartburn medicine as prescribed. I did not experience heartburn, but I was nauseous all day, everyday (even when I was sleeping). I vomitted so bad sometimes that I thought the balloon was gonna come out as well. Most of the time I would just vomit bile or water because there was nothing left inside of my stomach. I was so weak and exhausted all the time that I had a nurse come to my house to give me IV fluids on atleast 4 occassions. Luckily I was unemployed at the time so I could lie in bed all day with a bucket beside me. Which kinda made it worse because of the debt that I incurred without any results to show for it. Once it was removed, I was still traumatized by food and scared to eat for about the first month. But after that the weight came back on pretty quickly. By 2 months after removal, I was back at my original weight. I had always eaten pretty healthy and exercised moderately, so when the weight started coming back I was confused. The doctor tried every presription under the sun to help me lose weight. Phentermine and several others. One costed almost $100 for 7 days worth (and I had really good insurance). Not to mention I kept getting billed for the nurse to come to my house to do the IV treatments. I was extremely dehydrated because I vomitted so much. I had a toddler at the time so it was devastating for him to watch me be so sick all the time. Everyone is different, this is just my experience. I am one of the ones that believed that simply changing eating habits and exercising would work. I tried everything. Before and after the balloon (not during because I was too sick), I really tried everything. I followed the nutritional plan, got a personal trainer, took the meds, etc. The only good thing about this whole experience was Dr. McGowan, his nurse Tesha and Tiffiney. From day one, Tiffiney was a doll. I felt like she was family by the time it was all over. Tesha, the same. Along with Dr McGowan, their customer service, support, responsiveness, helpfulness, compassion, etc was unmatched by any Dr and team I've ever had. I know it's not their fault that the balloon did not work for me personally. I met and kept in touch with another lady who had an even worse experience than I did. She removed hers early and only lost a total of 8 lbs. She is livid. But anyway, the doctor and his team made the experience less traumatic for me because of their great service. I don't know if they are just great salespeople or what, but I am convinced and absolutely sure that had I had another team this review would be way more of a bashing rant. They truly were awesome. Dr. McGowan is very knowledgeable and patient. My aftercare ended over a year ago, but if I called or emailed him right now, his nurse would respond willing to help in anyway, right away. I did just refer a friend of mine and she's most likely going to go forward based on my praises of Dr. McGowan and his team. I'm now considering the ESG but I can't afford it right now as I'm still paying off the Orbera bill. Lol. Good luck. Just pray about it before you make a decision.

Provider Review

Board Certified Gastroenterologist
2001 Weston Parkway, Cary, North Carolina
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Answered my questions
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