Allurion Balloon

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 20-minute placement which means less downtime or time off work. The balloon stays in the stomach for a period of time, during which it helps you to eat smaller portions, consume fewer calories and achieve significant weight loss. Designed to pass naturally at approximately 16 weeks, the Allurion Balloon maximises weight loss while minimising time spent in the body.

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.

The Allurion balloon is a weight loss solution that involves placing a soft, inflatable balloon in the stomach to reduce its capacity and help you feel fuller faster and stay fuller for longer. It is considered safe and a less invasive alternative to weight loss surgery. The balloon stays in the stomach for a period of time, during which it helps you to eat smaller portions, consume fewer calories, and achieve weight loss. After this residence period, the balloon deflates and passes out of the body naturally.

The placement takes place during a less than 20-minute outpatient visit. Allurion is the first gastric balloon that requires no endoscopy* or anaesthesia 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.

The Allurion capsule is roughly the size of a large vitamin and is easy for most people to swallow. If, for whatever reason, the patient has trouble swallowing the capsule, the doctor may assist with a thin wire to guide the capsule down. In general, this isn’t needed, and placing the capsule is easy and painless, taking less than 15 minutes in total.

The full package—including the balloon itself, placement by a specialist, plus six months of support—starts at about $5,200. Most of that cost will be private (out-of-pocket), though after your consultation with the specialist and nurse practitioner you’ll receive a certain amount as Medicare rebate.

There is, unfortunately, no Medicare or private coverage for this procedure, and all expenses are out of pocket. To assist with this, Healthy Weight Australia offers payment plans, and for eligible clients, we sometimes assist with early access to superannuation.

Unfortunately, the Allurion program is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. This weight loss program will need to be funded by the patient themselves, although many clinics offer payment plans to spread the cost over a longer time period, in order to make it more manageable.

The Allurion balloon is generally only recommended to those with a BMI between 27 and 40. Additionally, you must be over 18 years of age, and you cannot be pregnant or breastfeeding. Certain digestive-tract conditions or a history of surgeries involving the oesophagus, stomach, or bowel can pose issues for the balloon. The specialist will review your full medical history and assess your eligibility before proceeding.

Importantly, the Allurion program is a temporary measure designed to promote long-term lifestyle changes. Most practitioners will expect and/or require a commitment to dietary adjustments and increased physical activity to maintain the weight loss achieved through the Allurion program.

Up to 96% of weight-loss may be sustained 12 months after the Balloon exits the body if you continue with healthy eating habits and lifestyle changes.

After the placement, you can continue with your life; however, you may have some symptoms for a few days such as nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Your healthcare professional will advise you on care and nutrition after placement and the best plan to resume your activities, such as going to the gym and exercising.

One of the main benefits of the Allurion balloon is that it doesn’t require surgical removal. There is no need for endoscopy or surgery to remove it. After 16 weeks, a time-activated valve on the balloon opens, allowing it to deflate and pass through the digestive system.

In less than 1% of cases, the deflated balloon is also removed via vomiting. This process is painless and has no noticeable side effects, but the patient may experience increased hunger once the Allurion balloon has passed.

After the balloon is out, you will receive ongoing support from your medical team (dietitian, follow-ups) to help you maintain what you've achieved and continue healthy habits.

For most, the main downside is that a gastric balloon is a temporary solution. This means that once the balloon is removed, there’s a risk of regaining weight if healthy habits aren’t maintained.

Additionally, many people experience nausea, vomiting, or stomach discomfort in the first few days, and in rare cases, complications like balloon deflation or ulcers can occur. It’s also not suitable for everyone, and the procedure doesn’t come cheap, with costs starting at $5,000, with no Medicare cover.

Yes, you can fly with an Allurion balloon in place.
The cabin on commercial flights is pressurised, which prevents any issues like burst or deflation at altitude. Additionally, the balloon is made from polyurethane and won’t trigger airport scanners or X-rays, as it contains no metal.