The Allurion gastric balloon is an instrumental tool in lifestyle and dietary behavioural change.  It helps by taking up room in your stomach, therefore reducing the portion sizes you need to eat before feeling full, and extending the time of that feeling of fullness. While it is a safe weight loss program and has many benefits to the majority of people who undertake the treatment, it is still a medical procedure that should be understood before embarking on the Allurion gastric balloon journey. Here’s what the procedure is like, and what you can expect to feel throughout. 

Consultation

Newcastle Obesity Surgery Centre is one of the select few weight loss clinics to provide Allurion Gastric Balloon in the country, and we take the procedure (and your experience of it) very seriously and with great care and respect. 

To begin the process, you’ll have a consultation with our doctors to evaluate if the balloon is a suitable and safe choice for you. Check here if you are a candidate for bariatric surgery. Once you and your doctor have reached an agreement and thoroughly discussed all aspects of the gastric balloon, a date will be scheduled for its insertion. To help manage any potential side effects during the initial days after the balloon placement, you will receive the necessary prescriptions for nausea control. Following these initial steps, you will have a meeting with the dietitian who will provide you with a comprehensive nutritional guide, assisting you throughout the pre and post balloon placement period.

Placement 

The Allurion balloon procedure involves the temporary placement of a swallowable balloon in the stomach to create a feeling of fullness. Here’s a general overview of the procedure:

Swallowing the balloon 

The deflated balloon is enclosed in a small capsule that is swallowed with water. Once in the stomach, the capsule dissolves, and the balloon is inflated with a buffered water solution  (which is completely harmless to the body)  through a very fine tube. The procedure is performed by medical doctors and is painless. You may feel a little discomfort as it goes down to the stomach, and a feeling of fullness once it is placed. 

Balloon placement 

The inflated balloon occupies space in the stomach, promoting a feeling of fullness and reducing the capacity for food intake. The balloon does not alter the normal digestive process; it simply acts as a physical restriction. You should feel no pain after balloon placement, although many people experience varying degrees of nausea for several days after.  If any pain or major discomfort occurs at any time however, contact your doctors immediately for a review. 

Monitoring and support 

After the balloon is placed, patients are usually provided with dietary and lifestyle guidelines to support their weight loss efforts. Regular check-ins with healthcare professionals help monitor progress and provide necessary support.

Our dietitians are in contact with you throughout the time you have the balloon and follow your progress in “real time” via the Allurion App. The dietary team can assist you with food choices, nutrition labelling, portion sizes, meal planning as well as provide coaching around any habits you have that are not aligned to your goals. The more you lean on your dietary support team, the more accountable you will be to the process and the more success you will enjoy.  Let our team lead you in making changes to your lifestyle that you can  sustain throughout the life of the balloon, but more importantly, beyond the balloon.

Balloon removal

The Allurion balloon is designed to be temporary and does not require surgical removal. After a few months, typically around 16 weeks, the balloon naturally deflates and passes out of the body through the digestive system.

It’s important to note that the Allurion balloon procedure is just one approach to weight loss and should be part of a comprehensive weight management plan, which may include diet, exercise, and behavioural modifications. It’s crucial to consult a qualified healthcare professional to determine if the Allurion balloon procedure is suitable for your specific circumstances and to discuss any potential risks or side effects associated with the procedure.