Americans Travel To Canada for Gastric Balloon

By Kai Colvin - Senior Medical Research Editor | May 7th, 2012

No pill. No diet—O Canada.

Canadian clinics are changing lives one balloon at a time.

The intragastric balloon weight loss method is different than anything you have ever experienced.

Since 2006, Canadian clinics have been soaring high with weight loss patients in mounting numbers. Drawn by the virtual simplicity of balloon placement and availability, Americans account for nearly a third of patients undergoing the procedure.

The intragastric balloon is not approved for use in the US, however small studies on the safety and effectiveness of the procedure have been performed.

This luxury alternative to weight management surgery is truly a phenomenon. The device is inserted temporarily into your stomach to encourage portion control. In combination with expert instruction and training patients are encouraged by an extremely personalized, habit altering plan.

Canadian clinics provide great support on your weight loss journey to kick-start your new lifestyle.

So, just what is this life altering balloon?

The intragastric balloon is a soft, silicone, balloon like device that is inserted into the stomach and inflated with sterile water through a self-sealing valve, allowing the feeling of early and prolonged fullness after meals—indispensable for weight loss. The balloon will be removed after six months.

The Canadian balloon of courage is a key resolution if you are looking to lose 20-40 pounds. It is a life changing method to achieving – and sustaining – your weight loss goals.

Successful weight loss is about overcoming the challenges of reinstructing your appetite, implementing new healthy habits, and creating a practical and motivating exercise routine.

Struggling with her weight for years, Tammy Kwarciak was determined to lose 50 pounds. She drove from her home in Port Huron, Michigan, across the border into Canada to have the intragastric balloon method performed.

“The nice thing about the balloon is that you have such a sense of satiety,” said Mrs. Kwarciak, who has lost 25 pounds since the procedure. “I feel full all the time. I have to remind myself at times to eat.”

Troubled by a significant amount of weight, but not enough to qualify for bariatric surgery like gastric bypass surgery and adjustable gastric band surgery, US patients are securing their spots for this relatively noninvasive procedure.

While the intragastric method is not as invasive as complicated surgical options, the procedure does have possible complications. The most common complication?

“That’s the most common complication — not losing as much weight as the patient would like,” said Dr. Sanjeev Kaila, the plastic surgeon who pioneered the intragastric balloon program in Canada.

Like with any medical prodedures there are risks. With inserting a forgeing object into your body like the gastric balloon your body goes through a period of rejection through the first 2 weeks or so. Causing the patient little to severe discomfort including stomach cramping, vomiting, and dehydration.

Successful weight loss with the intragastric balloon solely relies on lifestyle changes, comprising of a nutritional diet and amplified physical activity, and maintaining the changes after the balloon is removed. This ends up being the biggest struggle after the balloon is removed, not gaining the weight back again.

To learn more about weight loss surgery, find a weight loss surgeon in your area.