A radical balloon-in-a-pill weight-loss treatment created to end obesity

A NEW groundbreaking weight-loss treatment is being made available in the UK to help combat obesity.

The Allurion Weight-loss Programme is the world’s first and only swallowable, surgery-less gastric balloon and it is already being offered at one NHS England Trust.

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Find out more about the Allurion weight loss programme

The Allurion Weight-loss Programme begins with the insertion of a gastric balloon, often described as a “balloon in a pill”, into the stomach.

The soft vegan capsule can be swallowed without the need for any invasive surgery or anaesthesia, and when ingested it inflates to roughly the size and shape of a grapefruit.

The short insertion process only takes 15 minutes.

The gastric balloon creates less space for food in the stomach, and the patient is encouraged to eat smaller meal portions that will still allow them to feel satisfied while it is in place.

The Allurion pill is the first and only pill treatment of its kind.

It is designed to be used as part of a comprehensive 360º wellness programme, which also includes digital tools and behavioural and nutritional coaching, to help shed pounds rapidly and with lasting results.

Benoit Chardon, Allurion’s International Director, emphasises the ease of placement, stating: “The Allurion Programme not only offers a procedure-less, swallowable, non-permanent gastric balloon that can be placed in 15 minutes – it really is that easy – but it is also supported with a 360º wellness programme to make sure the weight stays off for good.”

After about 16 weeks the balloon self-empties and passes naturally through the digestive tract.

‘A first for the NHS’

The innovative treatment, which was approved in 2020 by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), has been initially trialled by one NHS Trust in England.

The first two patients were seen at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton in September, with dozens of other procedures already scheduled.

For weight loss intervention on the NHS, certain criteria must be met, such as a high BMI of over 27 or an increased risk of diabetes.

Speaking to The Sun about the treatment, Professor Richard Welbourn, consultant bariatric surgeon at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer this new treatment, a first for the NHS, that offers clinically meaningful weight loss as part of a holistic programme involving dietary support and care.

“People with severe obesity are prone to diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, which can be reversed with weight loss.

“The Allurion balloon is a 15-minute outpatient procedure, and is swallowed, so there’s no need for an endoscopy, hospital bed, theatre time or anaesthetic, which is better for the NHS and a much-improved experience for our patients.

“We expect that patients using the programme will lose 10 to 15 per cent of their weight in four months, which improves quality of life and makes patients healthier.”

The treatment is also available privately to overweight adults aged over 18 years old with a BMI over 27, who are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding and have not had stomach or esophageal surgery.

But before embarking on this treatment you must consult with a medical professional.*

As with any medical procedure, there are always risks.

Despite the Allurion gastric balloon treatment being safe and fully approved, there may be immediate side effects such as stomach cramping, nausea or vomiting straight after the procedure takes place.

But Allurion advises that most side effects subside after three to four days.

Longer term complications from the procedure are extremely rare but can include intolerance to side effects or very occasionally a balloon rupture.

However, a harmless dye is added to six or 12-month balloons which would change the patient’s urine if a rupture occurred.

Who is the Allurion Weight-Loss Programme suitable for?

The Allurion Programme is suitable for a wide range of people who need to lose weight, including individuals who have type 2 diabetes or are at high risk of developing it.

It’s also a great solution for anyone wanting to lose weight quickly, that wants a non-permanent and minimally invasive solution.

According to an independent study, Allurion’s combination of a unique swallowable gastric balloon and supported lifestyle changes leads to nearly 2.5 times more weight loss than when compared with using lifestyle changes alone.

Allurion uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to correlate weight-loss data and patient profiles, enabling medical professionals to deliver timely and personalised support.

Patients can access Iris, a 24/7 Generative AI-Powered Weight Loss Coach that provides on-demand nutritional guidance and exercise advice through a handy mobile app.

The entire programme, including the gastric balloon and the 360º wellness journey, costs around £4,000 to £4,500 – making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional surgery and weight-loss drug programmes.

Find out more about how the Allurion weight-loss programme works here.