case study - chantal farla

Name: Chantal Farla
Treatment: Stomach balloon
Weight before: 96.6 kg
Weight after removal: 63.5 kg

My whole life long I've had troubles with my weight. At one time, I managed to lose 15 kilograms. I was very proud of myself but now, a few years later, I weigh almost a hundred kilograms. What I lost then, I got back double.

After having read an add in the paper about the stomach balloon I decided to go for it and get information. Diana gave me the chance of an informative talk without any obligations. I left knowing much more, this was on a Monday. On Tuesday I called Diana to say that I wanted the balloon and on Thursday on 16.00 hours it was in. The battle could begin.

Thursday 22 March: 96,9 kilograms
You get a sleight narcoses so that you feel hardly anything at all during the procedure. I had the feeling it was all done in five minutes. I felt drowsy and went home as quick as I could. There I went to bed and tried to sleep a little. I was very nauseous and gave up the water almost immediately. But you have to drink, to get used to the balloon and to make sure it doesn't dry out. I found it hard to lay on my back. After some experiments, I felt laying on my left side was best.

Friday 23 March
Drank again and again it came back. It makes you so tired. I tried to eat a little piece of apple but threw it up again. You feel horrible and not hungry at all.

Saturday 24 March
I feel filled with all this water. Today I ate some strawberries and had a little drinking bouillon. The bouillon tasted all right, but in the end it came back out again. It should be all right in the end, so I try to keep my spirit up.

Sunday 25 March Today is the first day that I didn't vomit. Even dinner, a little spinach, stayed in. I didn't do much all day. But I'm getting better and the worst is over.

Monday 26 March
Today eating is good again. I started with some fruit and water. In the afternoon I had a dry biscuit and a pickle. In the evening a piece of salmon with some cooked carrots. I can also go to the toilet again. With all the vomiting you hardly need to.

Tuesday 27 March
I'm glad that I pulled through. I can eat a reasonable amount of food and it stays in.
08.00 hours kiwi, to be able to go to the toilet
11.00 hours cracotte, no dressing
13.00 hours a tomato
14.30 hours two cups of bouillon
17.30 beans and fish
+ 2,5 litres water

22 March : 96.6 kilograms
10 April : 85.1 kilograms
24 April : 81.4 kilograms
8 May : 76,8 kilograms
5 June : 71.1 kilograms
19 June : 64.8 kilograms
26 June : 63.5 kilograms

My life has changed. I can go to the store and I can buy normal clothes. I don't have to go to a special store anymore. Wonderful. Everybody gives me compliments. Some people don't even recognise me anymore.

Every fortnight I go to Ridderkerk to be weighed. This was a stimulant to me and I looked forward to it. I could also ask my questions there.

I do have a tendency for overweight and I'll always have to be careful. But I'm sure I never want to be as heavy again as I was. Much fruit, vegetables and sports are very important to me. I take sports twice a week and that makes me feel good. It's much easier now. My Knees and ankles no longer bother me.

In closing:
It hasn't always been fun. I vomited every once in a while and felt very bad after it. But it was worth it all in the end. It's a matter of discipline and discipline is easier with a balloon in your stomach. You know that if you eat fat or sugar you have to vomit afterward and you feel bad. But the advantage is I haven't felt hungry once in three months. Appetite, but hunger no. I'm glad that I did it and am able to go through life as a slim woman. I hope to be rid of overweight for the rest of my life.

I wish everybody best of luck with their decision.
Regards, Chantal