The Allurion Gastric Balloon comes in a small capsule attached to tubing that is swallowed in the clinic. The correct position of the balloon is confirmed with XRays and the whole procedure takes about 15 to 30 minutes. No anaesthetic is required. Patients typically lose 10 to 15% of their weight.Gastric Balloons are typically used when people have a modest weight problem with a BMI of around 27 to 40. It is very useful when you want to lose weight for an upcoming event or surgery but are not wanting to commit to weight loss surgery. After four months the balloon deflates itself and passes in the bowels. The amount of weight loss achieved is variable and increases with following fairly simple eating and lifestyle guidelines that you will be supported with. People who have had previous stomach surgery are not suitable for the Gastric Balloon. Some people are not eligible for the balloon due to other conditions. The Gastric Balloon is only suitable for 18 years and older.
The weight loss with Gastric Balloons is greater than seen in weight management medication and avoids the need for repeated injections and the worry of medication supply issues. Weight management medication side effects are avoided obviously but the balloon itself can cause side effects (see below). Just like with weight management medications the best results are seen when certain eating and lifestyle guidelines are followed. Greater weight loss can be achieved by taking weight management medication while the balloon is in place.
Gastric Balloons have the advantage over medication that they not only decrease the drives to eat they also decrease the capacity of the stomach for food.
Gastric Balloons generally achieve less weight loss than surgery, but they have several advantages over surgery. Firstly, there is way less risk of major complications, at way less than 1% compared to over 2% for Gastric Sleeve Surgery and 5% for Gastric Bypass surgery. Balloons are overall safer. Patients can feel that they should have surgery but are not yet ready to make the commitment for surgery may choose the balloon. The Gastric Balloon is ideal for someone who just needs some short-term intense assistance with weight loss but do not want something long term, such as weight loss for an upcoming operation or for any other event. Patients who are not fit for surgery for some reason, such as heart disease often choose the Allurion Balloon because there is no anaesthetic involved. Also, there is no permanent change to the body and can be redone if need be. There are also limitations to the balloons when compared with surgery. The weight loss with balloons is less (10to 15% compared with 30 to 40%) and the duration of the weight loss is less (98% maintained weight loss at 12 months but drops off after that for balloons but longer lasting for surgery).
Gastric Balloons generally achieve similar weight loss. The Allurion Balloon stays in for 4 months. Other balloons stay in for longer, such as 6 to 12 months but achieve similar weight loss. Other balloons also require a medical procedure with an anaesthetic to insert and another one to remove the balloon. Otherwise, the Gastric Balloons are quite similar when it comes to how large they are, how they work, side effects etc.
The Allurion Gastric Balloon is inserted in the clinic. No anaesthetic is required. The patient simply swallows a capsule and after XRays have confirmed the balloon is in the correct position they can simply go home or back to work, the whole procedure taking 15 to 30 minutes. We have lots of tricks to help people swallow the capsule. It’s easy to imagine that there is loads of gagging and troubles getting the capsule down, but it is surprisingly straight forward in most cases. We set you up with an app designed to maximise your weight loss and connect it to a special set of scales to help you further with your weight loss. Our dietitian and doctor meet with you prior to the balloon going in to make sure you have everything you need to succeed and will also be there for the whole process to answer questions and guide you along. For the next few months, you will feel less hungry and be more easily full. By following certain eating rules and lifestyle tips you will be able to maximise your weight loss. After about 1 month some patients add weight management medication to further accelerate the weight loss, and the team at our clinic can help you with that.The Allurion Ballon is designed to deflate and pass in the bowels after about 4 months. Most people don’t even notice it has passed.The programme goes for 6 months and includes the Allurion app, scales, dietetic consultations and support, consultations with the doctor before and after the balloon insertion. Beyond this you can have as much or as little involvement as you like from our doctors and dietitian.
The cost of the procedure is $6950.
Please Contact Melbourne Bariatrics on 03 9770 7189 for more information or to make an appointment.