After approximately 16 weeks of the Allurion Program, multiple clinical studies have demonstrated that patients lose on average 10–15% of their total body weight. If you still want to lose more weight, a second Balloon can be placed after completing the first program.

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 fully filled in the stomach. The placement takes place during a 15 minute outpatient visit.

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 wire.

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

Following healthcare professional approval, most people return to normal activity within a day or two; 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, or have the balloon placed on a Friday so you have the weekend off.

There are some specific dietary recommendations before placement and during the first week after placement as you adapt to the balloon. The weeks that follow the placement are a great time to start making changes to the way you eat. You do not need to make huge changes to eat more healthily all at once, it's best to set small goals and change your habits a little bit at a time.

Some patients feel the balloon at the beginning of their journey but more often than not, people become accustomed to the balloon and often forget it is there.

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.*

*In rare cases, the Allurion Balloon may require endoscopic or surgical intervention for removal.

After the Allurion Balloon passes, the Allurion Programme and the related support from your healthcare team continues for one month. At the end of the Allurion Programme, you should continue your healthy lifestyle habits. One clinical study showed that 95% of the average weight loss with the Allurion Balloon was sustained at 1-year follow-up.³

Yes! The Allurion Program, a combination of our unique swallowable gastric balloon and a supported lifestyle change program, leads to nearly 2.5 times the weight loss than a lifestyle change program alone, according to an independent study.(superscript 1)

In another study, three-quarters of participants who attempted to lose weight over a year through calorie-controlled or restricted diets (72% of participants), exercise programs or courses (22%), and pharmaceutical treatments (12%), did not achieve a clinically meaningful weight loss defined as at least 5% of their body weight.(superscript 2) The evidence shows that these isolated methods alone are not enough.

The 6-month Allurion Program combines medical support and a weight-loss device (Allurion Gastric Balloon), digital tools (Allurion Connected Scale, Allurion Health Tracker and Allurion App) and nutritional coaching to kick-start your weight loss and help you form lifelong healthy habits to maintain the weight loss.
 
References
 
Results at 16 weeks. Raftopoulos, I et al Holyoke Medical Center. Holyoke, MA​ An Intensive 52 Week Nutritional, Exercise and Behavior Modification Program: Comparing With or ​Without the Allurion IGB Presented at ASMBS 2019
Three-quarters of adults with obesity have attempted to lose weight in the past year, but most have been unsuccessful (ampproject.org)

The Allurion Balloon is the world’s first and only gastric balloon without the need for surgery, endoscopy* or anaesthesia for balloon placement and removal. The balloon is swallowed as a capsule during a 15-minute placement which means less downtime or time off work for our patients. 
Designed to pass naturally at approximately 16 weeks, the Allurion Balloon maximizes weight loss while minimizing time spent in the body, making it a more effective option than longer 6-month endoscopic balloons, where 80% of weight loss is achieved within the first 3 months.¹ 

The Allurion Balloon is a safer option, with fewer side effects. It has a significantly lower intolerance rate compared to 12-month endoscopic balloons (1-3% vs 14.4%)^2,3, with an overall adverse event rate that is 10 times lower than other liquid-filled balloons.³

Made from vegan polyurethane, a material that’s much thinner and more flexible than the silicone material in endoscopic balloons, the Allurion Balloon flexes and adapts as your stomach moves, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit.

References:

1. Gaur et al. 2015, GI Endoscopy
2. Jamal MH et al., [published online ahead of print, 2021 Sep 30]. Obes Surg. 2021;1-6.
3. Ienca R, Al Jarallah M, Caballero A, et al. The Procedureless Elipse Gastric Balloon Program: Multicenter Experience in 1770 Consecutive Patients. Obes Surg. 2020;30(9):3354-3362

*Results may vary from one patient to another. The average of 14.2% (+/- 5%) was demonstrated by a clinical study conducted on 1,770 patients with an average BMI of 34.4 ± 5.3 kg/m² (1).

**The removal of the Allurion Balloon may, in very rare cases, require an endoscopic or surgical procedure. In rare cases, instead of being passed through the digestive tract, the deflated balloon may be expelled by vomiting.

***Eligibility for the placement of an Allurion Balloon will be assessed by a certified doctor after an initial consultation and a thorough review of your medical history. In the case of an extended Allurion Programme, your eligibility will be reassessed before each placement to ensure that you continue to meet the required conditions.

1. R. Ienca et al. The procedureless Elipse gastric balloon program: Multicenter experience in 1,770 consecutive patients. Obes Surg. 2020;30(9):3354-3362.
A multicentre, prospective, non-randomised, open registry study conducted on overweight or obese patients from January 2016 to June 2019 across 19 international obesity centres participating in the study. A total of 1,770 patients with an average BMI of 34.4 ± 5.3 kg/m² at baseline underwent treatment with the Elipse swallowable gastric balloon, with monthly visits and a total follow-up of 4 months. 63 patients (3.6%) did not complete the programme, and the balloon was removed before 4 months due to intolerance or other adverse effects.

2. World Health Organization - Key facts about obesity and overweight (who.int).

3. Best practice guidelines report "Overweight and obesity in adults: first-line medical management" from the Haute Autorité de Santé – September 2011.

4. This information is extracted from the device's leaflet - Instructions for use - Allurion Gastric Balloon - CS137-02-ENG-ART. If you have any further questions regarding this document, please consult your doctor.