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- I have a few questions regarding your obesity treatment in Poland. What was your lifestyle before the intragastric balloon implantation? How much did you weigh and how did you feel before the procedure?

- I work seated most of the time, so I am not very physically active, or actually I am not active at all. I was weighing 116.5 kilograms before the implant, and this was a problem. My knees and back wouldn’t put up with me running much, my feet would hurt.

- Was this the main reason why you decided to look for treatment?

- Well, the main reason was that I was about to turn 41 and wanted to get my life under control. I have young boys and I wanted to make sure I can be active and fit with them.

- Have you tried any other methods, for example a general diet?

- Yes, a variety of different diets and exercise with varying degrees of success.

-Then why did you choose this particular treatment method, the gastric balloon implant? Did you do any research about the available treatments?

- My wife told me about it and what I liked about it was that it is a non-surgical procedure and that it is completely reversible. It was a big advantage for me.

- And why did you decide to undergo this treatment in Poland?

- We looked at different places, Prague, Poland, South Africa and United Kingdom, and the final factor was the cost.

- How did you prepare for the treatment?

- I weighed a little bit more before I came to Poland, 118.5. I was telling people I would finally lose weight and I lost 3 kilograms by the time I got here, so that when I started to lose weight, people were expecting me to do it and they were not surprised seeing that I am becoming slimmer. I did some research in the Internet and found a special group of people who have had gastric balloon implantation and read about their experience.

- And what was your main concern before the treatment and the trip to Poland?

- I didn’t have any major concerns, I felt quite stable… But I suppose maybe one concern was that I was to go to a different country, where I wouldn’t be able to speak to the doctor in person or obtain good treatment.

- What was your first impression after the arrival?

- The first people I met were from MTA Poland, and you seemed professional and arranged everything well, and that gave me confidence. When you were picking me up, I felt a little bit scared like before a very important event.

- I understand that our arrangements allowed you to feel more confident?

- The fact that I went into the clinic and could see that it was modern and professional gave me what I needed to see really.

- Did you feel anything during the treatment?

- Not at all. Of course, I had the uncomfortable feeling lying in bed before the procedure. I wasn’t sure what was going on, whether it began or not. I felt like I’d been sleeping and couldn’t remember anything.

- How long did it take for you to return to normal life, what was the first reaction?

- I was throwing up a lot, and I had some diarrhea at the beginning. I felt sick and this feeling was quite strange because your stomach feels really full and yet you feel quite hungry. I was back at work after three days. I wasn’t able to eat much, but after five days I was able to eat proper food.

- So what would you advise to patients who are interested in this treatment method?

- I would advise them that it’s good to have a go in the Internet and look at discussions on various treatments, so they can get a realistic idea of them and choose the one that is right for them. I would also say that I’d probably be honest with my close friends and family because that might get concerned if they see you looking worse and losing a lot of weight. If you’re trying to lose weight, it also helps to have people around you, people who will encourage you in the right way, and won’t make it more difficult for you. I am not convinced that people understand that the gastric balloon itself doesn’t make you lose weight; it just makes it easier for you to eat less. It helps you make the right food choices, change your lifestyle and exercise.

- How did you change your lifestyle after the ballooning?

- Once I’ve lost about 7 kilograms, I started to very gradually run. I ran a little bit and then I had breakfast and walked a lot until I felt better and then again started running a little bit. So I was gradually working out and now I am running five days a week. I must say that it absolutely helps. I probably lost more weight strengthening my muscles. I dropped two sizes. Now I am back to my weight from about 15 years ago.

- How much exactly have you lost?

- Not counting the two kilograms that I lost before implantation, I’ve lost 12 kilograms.

- Would you recommend this treatment method to other people who want to lose weight?

- I would. If you tried diets and things that have not really helped you, then I would recommend this method because it’s relatively safe. Yes, you feel bad for a few days, but after that you can resume typical activity and work. The intragastric balloon had no major impact on me except for the fact that I actually had this implantation and had to take some medication for a while. Other than that, I think it’s very safe. Before you go for a more invasive method like banding, it’s worth trying something that is actually reversible first.

- So now how do you feel after gastric balloon removal?

- I don’t feel much different actually. Just normal. I put up with the feeling of weariness and sore throat, and now I feel fine.

- And what will you do to maintain your weight?

- I will definitely stay active and try to eat the same amount of food as I was eating with the gastric balloon, try to chew it more slowly, savour it, try not to eat in front of the TV or when I am reading. You just have to make sure that when you sit down to eat, you actually enjoy what you’re eating. If you’re about to give yourself harm and feel sore, then stop eating before you’re too full.

- Yes, but do you avoid some products?

- I try to avoid sugar and maybe not so much fat, but rather really starchy food like butter spread and pasta. I try to eat more protein, vegetable and fruit.

- Comparing your life before the gastric balloon implantation and now, do you feel better?

- I feel much better because my clothes fit better. I got rid of the clothes I couldn’t wear anymore because they were too big. I am a lot fitter and a lot more active. I also haven’t had any back problems since I had the operation about five years ago. My back is being much better since I’ve lost that weight, so I am definitely feeling much better.

- What was the reaction of your family and friends? Did they support you a lot?

- Very positive. I communicated to everybody that I am determined to lose weight. I hadn’t told everybody that I am having a gastric balloon, but I asked them for help in losing weight and I must say this was good, because it keeps you accountable at times when you might eat something you shouldn’t. They often gave me that bit of encouragement that I needed. Some people may think that you’re just upset about being big, but then they come to understand that you’re really trying to achieve something. So generally, I think the support helps a lot.

- Are you satisfied with the services and arrangements in Poland? Would you come to Poland for another treatment?

- Yes, I think the important thing is to make sure that you’re surrounded by professionals like MTA Poland who have been really helpful arranging everything and make the procedure much easier than if you were trying to make it yourself. The clinic was very clean and efficient, and I don’t have any hesitations from that point of view. Besides, I think you can have bad surgery in your home country as well.

- Exactly, this happens as well. But would you recommend booking treatment with MTA Poland?

- Yes, I’ve been satisfied with the way MTA Poland has handled the whole thing.

- Was it convenient for you to come over from the UK to Poland for a few days?

- Yes, I came on my own and when everything started, I thought it might have been a bit easier if there were somebody with me, namely my wife. But yes, it was pretty easy.

- Thank you. To sum up, can you say that your experience was positive?

- It was scary at the beginning, while I was waiting for the gastric balloon implant. I was wondering what I was doing. And also when you feel very bad after the treatment, there are moments when you regret that you’d done it, but after those first three or four days you find out it was definitely worth it.

- Thank you for the interview, and good luck with keeping your weight.

- Thank you.

Go to: INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON description

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