Allurion Gastric Balloon

To be considered for the Allurion Balloon:

No prior surgery to your stomach or oesophagus.

Over the age of 18

A BMI between 27 and 40

Are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding

Are prepared to make changes

Dr Balalis will also formally assess you for all contraindications in your initial consultation and discuss risks and benefits of the procedure. Dr Balalis is very passionate about helping patients improve their health. If you do not meet the criteria for the Allurion Gastric Balloon,  but your BMI sits in the obese range, Dr Balalis encourages you to consider other clinically proven options.

The Allurion Balloon (formerly the Elipse Balloon) is a soft balloon placed in your stomach. It is the first gastric balloon that requires no surgery, endoscopy, or anaesthesia for placement or removal.* The balloon is placed during a brief 20-minute outpatient visit. After approximately 16 weeks, it empties and passes naturally.

The balloon takes up space in your stomach and induces weight loss by increasing satiety (fullness), delaying gastric emptying and reducing the amount of food eaten at each meal.

After approximately 16 weeks of the Allurion Program, clinical studies have demonstrated that patients lose on average 10-15% of their body weight over the 4 months of the balloon.

The patient swallows a capsule containing the deflated balloon along with a thin tube. Once the balloon is confirmed to be in your stomach via x-ray, the balloon is filled through the catheter with 550 ml of water. A second x-ray takes place to make sure the balloon is filled. The placement takes place during a 20-minute outpatient visit.

99.9% of patients are able to swallow the Allurion balloon. Dr Balalis has techniques to assist with this and can discuss this with you during your consultation.

Some people experience nausea, abdominal cramping, and occasional vomiting after balloon placement. In most cases, these symptoms are well-controlled with the commonly used medications prescribed.

Most people return to normal activity within 2-3 days, however some people may experience longer side effects. It can be a good idea to book a few days off work afterwards just in case. Medications are prescribed to assist with the management of this.

After approximately 16 weeks inside your stomach, a time-activated release valve will open, allowing the balloon to empty and pass naturally through the gastrointestinal tract without the need for a removal procedure [1].

Following medical approval, there are no absolute dietary restrictions with the Allurion Programme. However, to maximise weight loss and comfort, our dieticians will make recommendations tailored to each patient. The Allurion Balloon must be used in conjunction with a nutrition plan.

After the Allurion Balloon passes, the Allurion Program and the related support from your healthcare team continue for one month. At the end of the Allurion Programme, you should continue your healthy lifestyle habits.

A recent clinical study has shown that, when coupled with a 16-week intensive lifestyle modification (nutrition and exercise modification), The Allurion Balloon leads to significant weight loss when compared with lifestyle modification alone.

Nausea and vomiting in the first few days after placement.

Intolerance of 2-3%, which may need endoscopic removal [1].

The risk of the balloon itself are rare (less than 1%), and these include hyper inflation or obstruction which would require intervention to remove the balloon (such as an endoscopy). Dr Balalis is a specialist bariatric surgeon and able to perform this in the rare event of it occurring [1].

Over 100,000 + patients have been treated with the Allurion Balloon and serious adverse events have been reported in 0.34% of patients.

Dr George Balalis is FRACS trained and specialises in Bariatric/Weight-Loss surgery and Gastrointestinal Surgery. He believes in long term solutions for weight-loss and is able to discuss and offer a number of options for patients struggling with their weight and health. Dr George Balalis believes that the Allurion Program is a fantastic option for individuals struggling with their weight, that do not qualify for surgery or as an alternative to surgery in some cases.