The balloon is placed in your stomach during a brief 20-minute outpatient visit with one of our surgeons. You will swallow a vegetable-based capsule that contains the deflated balloon. The balloon is connected to a long thin tube. Once the capsule has entered your stomach you will have a first x-ray to confirm the correct position of the capsule.

Your surgeon will then use the tube to fill the balloon with 550mL of water and then a second x-ray will confirm the balloon is correctly filled. Once the balloon is filled, your surgeon will gently remove the tube and you’ll be on your way.

Most people can swallow the capsule containing the Allurion Balloon without any problems. However, if you do have difficulty swallowing it, your surgeon can use a thin wire (stylet) to help guide the capsule into place – still without endoscopy or anaesthesia. 99.9% of people are able to swallow the capsule.

People on average lose between 10 and 15kg over four months of balloon therapy and on average 95% of weight loss is sustained at 1 year follow up.

Most people can return to normal activity within a day or two. However, some people do experience nausea, abdominal cramping and, occasionally, vomiting during the first week after balloon placement. In most cases, your doctor can prescribe commonly used medication to help manage these symptoms.

After approximately 16 weeks, a time-activated release valve on the balloon will open, allowing it to empty and pass naturally without any medical intervention when you use the toilet.

After your balloon passes, the support from your healthcare team continues. This is to help you consolidate your new lifestyle habits and focus on keeping the weight off.

As with any procedure there are some risks of having the Allurion Balloon place.

The most common side effects of balloon placement are vomiting, nausea, dehydration, abdominal pain and reflux. We have medications to help with the management of these symptoms.

There are also, more rare, side effects which your surgeon will discuss with you before your procedure. The rate of serious adverse events is 0.34%.

The procedure may not be as effective if you do not make the recommended changes to your diet and lifestyle after the procedure or if you do not keep contact with your healthcare team.

Learn more about Allurion here.

When comparing costs, please be aware that our costs include all of the following:

• Initial consultation with Surgeon, dietitian and psychologist
• Dietitian consultations to support you throughout your journey
• Placement of the balloon
• Access to on-call Surgeon at all times
• Comprehensive after care

See if you are eligible for the Allurion Balloon, and check out our quote generator here:

Our experienced surgeon, Dr Ara, places Allurion balloons at Mulgrave private hospital. Consultations with Dr Ara are available at our Dandenong North, Berwick, Cranbourne, Frankston, Warragul and Burwood locations or via phone.

Consultations with our dietitian and exercise professionals are available at our Dandenong North clinic or via telehealth (phone or video).