GastricBalloonGroup Reviews 

From start to finish the team have been consistent. My journey has been smooth sailing and very informative. On the day of the op I was very nervous. But they talked me through everything again. The staff and nurses and Southampton spire were incredible. I have received the best aftercare.
This’s isn’t an easy journey to go on. The acid reflux and heartburn have been a killer… but now I’m in day 6 I feel much more myself as the balloon settles.

I booked a double balloon over the course of 10 months .
On the day of insertion i was in and out in under an hour .
Yes the swollowing of the pill is tricky and can be traumatic but hey if you can manage to get a large pie and chips down your throat then something the size of a babys finger should be easy .
The days that followed i can only say i totally get the morning sickness that women get with pregnancy, and heres the thing you have to treat your balloon like you would a baby . Look after it make sure its clean (lots of water). No starchy sticky or slow digesting foods (red meat) . Learn to love fish . The aftercare was amazing for me . The first 4 months i managed to loose 5 stone and the last 4 was another stone . It becomes a very rewarding journey when you see the weight and clothes size dropping .
You must really understand the rules of having this done and it will work .
I cant thank them enough for this .
My blood pressure is normal and i feel so much better now im 6 stone lighter.

Day 6 post-treatment and the support and encouragement has been nonstop. I am now getting advice on recipes which move me back onto solid foods. The app is a great tool for recording exercise, consumption, and weight to help me stay on track. Lost 7lbs so far with no hunger or cravings. I felt a little weak and tired the first three days but that has now subsided. After dieting for more than 26 yrs, I am encouraged and motivated that this was the right decision for me.

Great group and fantastic team,really professional

The decision to have this gastric balloon has been the worst and most expensive of my life.

I had my gastric balloon inserted on the 6th of January this year to jump start and assist in my weight loss journey. I paid £4500, which has been completely wasted.

Firstly, I found the insertion of the balloon incredibly traumatic. The consultant told my mother afterwards that my heart rate (168 bpm) was so elevated that he almost had to abandon the procedure. I was told before that if I wanted to have a general anaesthetic that it would cost me a further £200. I didn’t want to have to pay for that on top of just paying £4500, and Carly said to me “that it’s very rare to have a general and that no one has ever complained about the insertion”. The staff are quick to tell you that "no one has ever had an issue, and that no one has ever not lost weight etc" which is rubbish.

I decided not to go for a general and just have sedation. Personally, I found the procedure very traumatic and felt like I was choking and couldn’t breathe. I then received an email on the 4th of February asking me to pay the £400 general anaesthetic charge. Receiving that email inflated my frustration even further. Lara tried to tell me that because an anaesthetist had given me my sedation, I had to pay the fee, even though I didn’t have a general (which I wish I had done). To say I was angry was an understatement.

The seven days that followed the insertion of my balloon were some of the worst of my life. I went to A&E on day 3 in the hope of being given stronger pain relief, as instructed by the gastric balloon group nurses. Even the nurse I saw at hospital said she couldn’t believe that I had had a procedure done privately, and the NHS were having to pick up the pieces. I came very close to having the balloon removed on day five. The pain eased slightly on day five, and having just paid so much money, I decided to persevere with the balloon, hoping that in a few months’ time this past week of pure misery and pain would feel worth it.

Here I am in January, 12 months after I had this balloon inserted, and I am 12 pounds heavier than I was before I had the balloon. This balloon has done absolutely nothing. It has never made me feel “fuller quicker and for longer” as stated on your sales literature. The only thing I have felt is indigestion.

The reason I haven’t had it removed until now is because I have been so traumatised by the insertion that I am scared to have it removed.

I feel completely mis sold by the gastric balloon group and had my hopes of a gradual, stress free weight loss journey total dashed. Their website and staff are not forthcoming about telling you all the people that have not been successful, but rather conning you into thinking that everyone loses 2 or more stone.

I filled an official complaint with the general manager asking for a partial refund, and have been told no. I am now going to take this matter up with a solicitor as I feel I am owed compensation.

Do yourself a favour and DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS BALLOON.

I lost 3st 11lb during my 16 week balloon. It would have been 4 stone were it not for Christmas! I've gone from a size 22 to a size 16 and would recommend it to anyone who is prepared to commit to it. Its not an easy fix, the balloon cannot stop you eating over your calorie deficit, it's a tool to help you out.
I've lost weight before but the biggest difference for me this time is how my apetite and habits have changed over the 16 weeks. My appetite is much smaller, I think about food a lot less and my sweet tooth has practically gone. If you commit to good habits you'll find by the end of the balloon process that they have just become normal practice.
The process of swallowing the balloon isn't as bad as you might imagine. Not pleasant (I did gag once!) but not difficult. I was lucky enough to have a very easy first few days. I recommend lots of Lucozade Sport drinks in the fridge. They kept my stomach settled in the first three days. I did take a few days off work, you definitely need it.
After two weeks, I no longer noticed I had the balloon in, even when sleeping on my side.
I didn't over exert myself with fitness and chose long dog walks 3-4 times a week.
During my 16 weeks I had two 3 course celebratory meals, two festive afternoon teas, a works Xmas party (the only time I pushed the balloon too far and was violently sick through night!) and I enjoyed Christmas. I enjoyed each event, didn't make particularly healthy choices but remained consistent the rest of my journey. It doesn't have to be perfect or completely restrictive but you have to be committed the majority of the time.
The support during the 16 weeks can be as involved as you choose. There is always someone available, either via phone or the app messenger. I didn't experience issues and preferred to just crack on by myself.
My balloon lasted 17 weeks. I did not see it pass (apparently around 50% dont) but you will know when it's gone as the slight heaviness (that becomes normal to the point you don't notice it) leaves you. You can also feel the balloon/lack of, by applying slight pressure to your stomach area with your hand.
So far I'm only one week into my journey without the balloon. I've not noticed any change in my habits or feeling any hungrier without the balloon. I've lost a further 3lb (I tried to find out how much of that was the balloon going) I only found one piece of info which said the balloon weights around 1.2lb but I haven't had that confirmed.
I wanted to give as much info here as possible as I think there is a lack of patient first hand information and these were some of the things I wanted to know at the start.
The balloon is expensive, but I would pay it all over again. I would 100% recommend investing in yourself and giving the 16 weeks all you've got! I look and feel ten years younger, like a new person.

Support and guidance from this company from the moment you put your enquiry through to even after having the balloon removed. Very well looked after! Thank you!

When I enquired at the gastric balloon group about a gastric balloon they were so helpful and gave me all the information I needed. I was booked in within 2 weeks of speaking to them on the telephone and the procedure took 15 minutes. I have lost 13% of my total body weight in 120 days. I am so pleased with the results. It took some time to get used to it as it is massive change in my lifestyle but after the first 2 weeks I was feeling amazing and now I feel the best I ever have. I have hit my target goal and I would highly recommend the aftercare and all the service that they are provided for me while I have been on my weight loss journey

From the first enquiry to aftercare, they have been so helpful and informative. I would highly recommend!

The procedure was quick, little bit of discomfort trying to swallow it but both the Dr and nurse were calm and helpful. Three weeks in I am very happy so far, no nausea or vomiting.

Supportive, informative and the do exactly what they say they're going to do! It's been a great experience, I've learnt alot and I'm losing weight!

From day 1 they have been so helpful and supportive. Nothing is a problem for them and they are at the end of the phone if needed. I'm so pleased I used the Gastric Balloon Group for my gastric balloon. I would not hesitate in recommending them to everybody. They are first class and go above and beyond what is expected of them.

Reassuring and kind and caring made the whole process calming and supportive the staff were very professional and kind

An exceptional experience with caring staff who made me feel valued. They took time to really understand my personal circumstances and regular contact meant I was fully informed at each stage. The resources and after care are excellent. First two days I experienced cramps and nausea but was prepared for this. Slowly but steadily I am retraining my eating habits and losing weight so it is sustainable and a life style change. I have really embraced this and it is working well.

Great service
I felt supported and well informed through out the procedure
Highly recommend

Great experience from first exploring this option to the insertion! Lovely staff to communicate with and on the day of the insertion the doctor was very lovely and reassuring in Birmingham centre! The first few days after the insertion of the balloon are very difficult however after that it gets a lot more positive.. I’m feeling so good about this journey so far and I hope it continues.

The care of the nurse's nutritionists is made by experience good one.

Working well - great information and support going in, and fantastic ongoing support during the process, I am 60 days in and down 25lb, I had minimal/no ill effects in the first few days which was nice. Also had one occasion to speak to medical staff to confirm some minor issues. Issue was dealt with without full. Ongoing weekly support with coaching staff is a great help to me personally.

Good support with prompt responses to queries