Allurion Gastric Balloon for Weight-Loss

The Allurion 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 to 15kg 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.

The placement takes place during a 15-minute outpatient visit. Allurion is the first gastric balloon that requires no endoscopy* or anesthesia for placement or removal. Simply swallow a capsule containing the deflated Balloon with a catheter: once the Balloon is confirmed to be in your stomach via x-ray, the Balloon is filled with water through a catheter. A second x-ray takes place to ensure the Balloon is filled correctly.

Nearly 100% of people succeed in swallowing the Allurion Balloon. If you have trouble swallowing the capsule on your own, your doctor can assist you by gently stiffening the catheter with a thin stylet wire.

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 two 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.

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.

Yes. A recent clinical study has shown that when coupled with a 16-week intensive lifestyle modification (of nutrition and exercise), Allurion leads to significant weight loss when compared to lifestyle modification alone. The percentage of patients achieving 10% of total body weight loss at 16 weeks was 72% with Allurion, compared to just 8% of those who tried to lose weight with diet and exercise alone. Allurion has more success than dieting alone because patients feel less hungry, feel fuller sooner after eating, and will not have hunger attacks which can be experienced when typically dieting. ¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰ **

95% of patients sustain their weight loss 12 months after their Balloon placement! ¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰ **

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.*

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.

Total price for the 6-month program is $7,000. This includes: 16-week Allurion Balloon placement, multiple follow-up appointments with Dr Balalis and his dietitians (in person or via Zoom), 6-month nutritional support, access to a private Facebook support group for Dr Balalis patients, and a 24-hour access line as required. You will also recieve an Allurion connected scale, watch and App to track your weight-loss journey.

Nausea and vomiting in the first few days after placement. Intolerance of 2-3%, which may need endoscopic removal. 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. Dr Balalis will discuss all of the risks and benefits during your consultation.

The Allurion program is non-rebateable, but there is some rebate for consultations with a valid GP or specialist referral.

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.