PROCEDURE
Allurion Gastric Balloons are offered by only a few specialists here in Australia but are commonly used in Europe and Asia, with over 70,000 being placed to date.
The balloon works by reducing the space within your stomach, helping you feel full. This enables you to make healthier choices, curb hunger and build new habits over the 16 weeks the balloon remains in place.
In your outpatient placement appointment, Dr Balalis will guide you through swallowing a capsule containing the deflated balloon. An x-ray is used to confirm the correct positioning of the capsule before the balloon is filled with water. Once filled, a second x-ray is taken, ensuring the filled balloon is sitting in the right place.
The appointment usually takes around 20-30 minutes and allows you to go home immediately afterwards.
BENEFITS
Allurion Gastric Balloons are non-surgical, impermanent and don’t require surgical removal. There’s no recovery time and none of the usual risks associated with endoscopy, sedation or anaesthesia.
Allurion Balloons enable most people to lose 10-15% of their total body weight, but there are other advantages too. Following your balloon placement, you’ll receive our tailored 6-month specialised support, Post-Care-Success, and an additional six months of online support from our team.
And, when you maintain your weight loss long term, you’ll lower your cardiovascular risk factors, improve your kidney function, improve your blood sugars, reduce reflux and minimise your risk of respiratory diseases.
Allurion Gastric Balloons also help improve other aspects of your wellbeing, from your mental health to the quality of your life.
SUITABILITY
Allurion Gastric Balloons are beneficial if your BMI sits between 27 and 40.
Are you considering an Allurion Gastric Balloon? The best way to determine whether this is your most suitable option is to discuss it with Dr Balalis. He can talk you through the procedure, answer any questions you might have and provide an expert recommendation based on understanding you and your situation.
ALTERNATIVES
When considering an Allurion Gastric Balloon, it’s important to consider alternative treatment options, including lifestyle changes and, where applicable, medication.
However, obesity is a disease with many contributing factors beyond your direct control. These are not limited to but may include your genes, hormones, stress, sleep, medication and environmental factors.
If you are considering an Allurion Gastric Balloon, alternatives may include surgical options, such as a gastric sleeve or bypass surgery.
COMPLICATIONS
The risks associated with Allurion Gastric Balloon placements are considerably lower than with surgery. However, they still need to be considered and weighed against their benefits.
It’s also important to state that non-compliance with post-procedural nutritional advice can result in continued weight gain.
The most common risks of a balloon placement include vomiting, nausea, dehydration, abdominal pain, stomach ulcers, GORD, intolerance leading to endoscopic removal (3-5%), weight rebound, micronutrient deficiency and spontaneous hyperinflation (2-3%).
Uncommon risks (<1%) include gastric haemorrhage, small bowel obstruction requiring surgical removal, oesophagitis, pancreatitis, and gastric perforation.
Extremely rare risks (<0.1%) include oesophageal perforation, unsuccessful placement or death.
RECOVERY
Allurion Gastric Balloons are placed at a single outpatient appointment with Dr Balalis. As they require no sedation or anaesthesia, you’ll be able to go about your day and resume regular activity directly after your procedure.
Following your procedure, you will receive nutritional advice and support from Dr Balalis and our specialised dietitians. Failing to follow this advice can result in continued weight gain.
PRE, POST AND DAY OF
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