I think "balloon" dick is just a temporary condition. I pumped last nite for about 30 minutes. I use a 2" x 10" tube. my cock size is 7.25 x 6.50(base). when I pump I fill the tube girth wise with about 1/2 the length of my cock. it tapers towards the tip or head. I slowly increase the pressure til I'm at my 7.25 length, I also move the tube up & down, and I'm edging in a way. I do some kegels while I'm doing this also. I slowly increase the pressure til I get to 7.5. 7.5 was not obtainable a few months ago. then I move the cylinder up and down, do some kegels, a little more pressure to get just beyond the 7.5 mark. I might add that I lube up liberally and if for some reason it doesn't feel right or it hurts I cut the pressure back or just quit. I usuallly wait a day between pump sessions.
after a 30 min session, I have a "donut" under my cock head, all the way around. my cock is super thick, and heavy. at this point, the donut does not look all weird. if I continue the session for a total of 45 minutes, I get a big donut, and it does look weird. the donut effect last about 4-6 hours. over time the top part of my cock is thicker, almost the same size as the base. my head is also slightly laarger. my goal is to lengthen my cock, that's why I don't go to a larger diameter cylinder.
so is it working?? well, if I work myself to a full erection I can, on most days, hit the 7.5" mark easily, after being stuck at 7.25 for years. I do at times have an ED problem. I think some of that is my age, and maybe a problem in my head psychologically. my goal is to reach 8".
One of the benefits after I pump is I got a lot of cock to cram into a pair of jeans. It makes an impressive bulge that is pretty noticeable on my slender frame.