Allurion (formerly known as Elipse) is an intragastric balloon that’s swallowed and then filled with a saline solution so it takes up space in your stomach, creating a feeling of fullness and accelerating weight loss.
It's the first gastric balloon that doesn't require an endoscopy procedure to place it. Allurion also deflates on its own after four months, so you don’t have to return for a removal procedure.
Good candidates for this particular balloon weight loss program are over the age of 18 with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 27. It's a good option for those that are looking for a weight loss procedure that's less invasive than bariatric surgery.
The Allurion gastric balloon isn’t yet cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sale or use in the United States.
It is currently available in over 40 countries, most commonly in Europe.
Pros
Cons
The average cost of the Allurion balloon is $4,800. The price you pay will depend on a variety of factors, but will be most affected by your healthcare provider's level of experience and their practice location.
Health insurance doesn’t typically cover intragastric balloon procedures because they’re considered an elective cosmetic procedure, and because their weight loss results can be duplicated without a balloon.
You can finance your treatment with CareCredit.
The placement process takes about 20 minutes, and you won’t need to be sedated.Â
First, you’ll swallow a capsule that contains a deflated balloon attached to a thin tube.Â
Then, you’ll be x-rayed to make sure the capsule is in the right position before your doctor fills the balloon with the saline solution via the tube.Â
Then there’s a second x-ray to confirm balloon placement.Â
Finally, your doctor removes the tube, and you’re free to go home.
Six hours post-procedure, you can start having small sips of liquid. You’ll stay on a liquid diet for the first three days before you can start eating soft foods. Slowly sip water after each meal to rinse the balloon and help prevent burps caused by food sticking to the device.
Avoid unnecessary physical activity the first week, then gradually increase as you become acclimated to the balloon.Â
Ten days after the insertion procedure, you should be able to start eating regular food. Your doctor and nutritionist will guide you through recommendations for dieting with healthy meals and supplements, in case you’re not getting enough vitamins and minerals.
This can be managed through the Allurion app, which acts as a hub for your weight loss plan, tracking and sharing your progress with linked health care professionals. Â
After approximately 16 weeks (4 months), the balloon’s time-activated release valve will open, allowing it to empty and pass naturally through your digestive system, meaning there's no need for endoscopic removal.
For two more months, you’ll continue to have support from a nutritionist and follow a behavioral modification program with a diet and exercise plan. Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment six months later (one year after the original placement).
An Italian study from 2017 says that participants in a clinical trial undergoing the Allurion program (known at the time as Elipse) lost about 28 pounds (12.7 kg), and their BMIs went down an average of 4.2 points.
Even more impressively, comorbidities related to obesity were all significantly reduced: blood pressure, triglycerides, and blood glucose all registered in the normal range.
Many patients see their weight loss with Allurion slow around the 12-week mark, when the balloon is excreted.Â
Those who underwent this procedure also report that their adjustment to smaller food portions continued long after the balloon passed through their gastrointestinal tract.
To keep the weight off, it's vital to stick to a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Updated August 30, 2023