Allurion™ ‘Swallowable’ Gastric Balloon
The Allurion™ Balloon (previously known as Elipse) is the world’s first swallowable, ‘procedureless’ gastric balloon that requires no surgery, no endoscopy* and no anaesthesia for placement or removal.
The Allurion™ Balloon is a soft, polyurethane balloon packaged into a swallowable capsule connected to a thin filling catheter (tube). After it has been swallowed and is confirmed to be in place, the balloon is inflated through the filling catheter with 550mL of fluid, to about the size of a grapefruit. After approximately 16 weeks, the Allurion™ Balloon is designed to deflate automatically, at which time the deflated balloon is passed naturally into the toilet.
* in rare cases, the Allurion balloon may require endoscopic or surgical intervention for removal.
How does the Allurion™ Balloon work?
The Allurion™ Balloon is designed to help you reduce your food intake by taking up space in your stomach and slowing the rate at which your stomach empties. Helping to create an earlier and longer-lasting feeling of fullness, the Allurion™ Balloon helps with hunger while you learn healthy eating and exercise habits for the long-term. At a technical level, the Allurion™ Balloon works by inducing early satiety (ie. a sense of fullness) in two ways:
- Delaying gastric emptying – since the emptying time of the stomach is prolonged, you feel fuller for longer
- Reducing stomach capacity – helping you to reduce your portion sizes
What does the Allurion™ Balloon involve?
The Allurion™ Balloon is placed during a short clinic appointment, taking approximately 20 minutes with the support and guidance of a specialist doctor. Patients are guided to swallow the capsule with a glass of water, without the need for an anaesthetic or surgery. If you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, the doctor can assist by gently feeding the balloon through the mouth and into the stomach using special device called a stylet.
After you have swallowed the capsule, an X-ray is taken to make sure the balloon is located correctly in your stomach and it will then be inflated with 550mL of fluid to approximately the size of a grapefruit. After filling, another X-ray is taken to make sure the balloon is fully inflated and located properly within the stomach. The clinic team will monitor you for a short period before allowing you to return home the same day.
After approximately 16 weeks in the stomach, a valve on the balloon opens allowing the fluid in the balloon to empty so that the deflated balloon can be passed naturally into the toilet*.
* In some cases, the balloon may be expelled through the mouth. Rarely, endoscopic or surgical intervention may be required to remove the balloon.
How can I enhance my weight loss?
The Allurion™ Balloon is a tool to aid weight loss, giving you a kick-start by allowing you to control portions as you develop healthy and sustainable habits. We know that all gastric balloons are most effective when accompanied by ongoing support and advice delivered by a team of weight loss specialists. Data from our own clinic demonstrates the more a patient engages with the team, the greater their weight loss.
How much weight can I expect to lose with the Allurion™ balloon?
Generally, the more you engage with your care team, the more successful your weight loss journey will be. On average, patients achieve 10-15% TBWL (Total Body Weight Loss; ie. a 100kg person could expect to lose 10-15kg on average) over 16 weeks with the Allurion™ Balloon. Ultimately, the amount of weight you lose and maintain will depend on how closely you follow the advice of your medical and allied health care team.
How much does the Allurion™ Balloon cost?
The Allurion™ Balloon is available as part of a 6-month holistic weight loss program costing $6,550, which includes:
- The Allurion™ Balloon
- Implantation of the Balloon
- Post-procedure intravenous hydration & medication treatment
- Monthly (6) one-on-one consultations with a dietitian to optimise your weight loss
- Digital smart scales and app to track your progress
Is the Allurion™ Balloon right for me?
GET IN TOUCH
“Allurion” is a registered trademark of Allurion Technologies, Inc. All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners.