The Allurion program is a new, revolutionary method for weight loss. Instead of undergoing surgery to remove part or all of the stomach, the Allurion balloon can create a similar effect – for a limited time.
Because the balloon is swallowed like a capsule and filled with water in the stomach, and then bursts and comes out naturally after about four months, the method is a non-invasive option for people who have tried but failed to lose weight.
Because the method is both new and relatively unknown, we have collected the most frequently asked questions about both the balloon and the program, to help you make a well-informed decision.
What is the Allurion program?
The Allurion program is a weight loss treatment at Estetikcentrum, where a new, soft gastric balloon developed by researchers at Harvard University is combined with both dietary counseling and coaching to achieve both rapid and sustainable weight loss in obese people.
The program is designed as an alternative to surgical procedures , such as gastric sleeve and gastric bypass, which permanently remove parts of the stomach. These procedures involve significant risks and significant lifestyle changes that mean meals will never be the same again.
The Allurion program instead uses a gastric balloon that is swallowed like a capsule and filled with water in the stomach. It takes up space in the stomach and counteracts hunger for four months, before it bursts and comes out naturally. During these months, our patients receive both personal coaching and dietary advice, to build new habits and break patterns that may have caused the excess weight in the first place.
How does the Allurion balloon work?
The Allurion balloon is a new gastric balloon that differs from previous gastric balloons on the market because it is soft and swallowed in the form of a capsule. The capsule is connected to a catheter that is used to fill the balloon with approximately 550 ml of water once it is in place in the stomach.
The balloon then sits in the stomach and takes up space, which sends signals to the brain that you are full. Without hunger, it is much easier to start losing weight, since it is precisely hunger attacks, resulting in overeating, that usually destroy new, good habits.
When the balloon has been in the stomach for about four months, it bursts and comes out naturally. This happens without you as a patient noticing, but you will notice that you feel more hungry again. But after four months of coaching and dietary advice, your body has become accustomed to smaller portions and better nutrition, and 95% of patients therefore maintain their new weight one year after treatment.
Who can do the Allurion program?
We usually recommend Allurion to people with a BMI between 27 and 40, but there may be exceptions as body composition varies from person to person. Therefore, your surgeon will determine whether the program is right for you during your consultation.
If you have previously had gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery, you cannot do the Allurion program, as there is no room in your stomach for the balloon. If this is the case and you still want help losing weight, we can recommend the Saxess program instead.
How much weight will I lose with Allurion?
The vast majority of patients lose an average of 10-15% of their body weight. This means that a person weighing 100 kg can expect to lose about 85 kg by the end of the program. However, it is extremely individual, and some of our patients have lost significantly more than that. Our patient Wilma lost a whopping 34 kg in four months , and another six kg after the treatment.
Weight loss is partly due to genetic factors, but what makes the biggest difference is the patient's own attitude and how well they follow the instructions and advice they receive from our team. It is important to be committed and want to create new habits that will last in the long term.
What is included in the price of the Allurion program?
The price of the program of 37,900 SEK includes both the balloon and all the coaching and advice you receive along the way. You will meet with our team regularly for six months and also receive a set of digital tools as part of the deal, such as a digital scale and watch that are connected to the app where you can measure your progress yourself. Your coach also has access to this and can provide you with personalized support along the way based on how you are doing.
What happens after the balloon comes out?
The balloon bursts on its own and comes out after about four months. Most of our patients don't even notice when this happens, but they start to feel normal hunger again. Then it's important to use the tools you created together with your coach and nutritionist, and continue to live a healthy life in the future as well.
At Estetikcentrum, we have designed the program so that you will receive two months of nutritional counseling even after the balloon has left your body. This means that you can also get advice and support regarding the transition to normal hunger, to give you all the tools you need to move forward in life with your new body weight.
If you want to lose more weight and want to continue with the program, you can have a new balloon inserted. This is harmless and can be good if you want to lose a large amount of weight. However, the vast majority of our patients feel satisfied after their first balloon and are ready to continue their journey on their own.
What should I keep in mind during the Allurion program?
There are a number of things that are important to keep in mind during the program. Because the balloon takes up space in your stomach, you will feel full very quickly, and for the first time you will not be able to eat solid food.
You should also not drink alcohol or drinks with caffeine or carbonation while you have the balloon in your stomach, as they increase the production of acid in your stomach, which contributes to acid reflux which can be uncomfortable. It also speeds up the balloon's bursting, which shortens the lifespan of the treatment.
It can also be helpful to talk to your loved ones about the treatment and the process you will go through before you start treatment. Since you will need to change both your diet and your habits, it can be nice to have support from loved ones.
Would you like to know more about the Allurion program at Estetikcentrum? Contact us here or book a consultation to discuss your options. We are happy to answer your questions.
