Swallowable gastric balloon (Allurion) at Spire Bushey Hospital

Being overweight has a significant impact on your health - both physically and mentally. It can lead to low self-esteem, limit your involvement in sports or other activities that could help you regain fitness, prevent you from joining in family fun and lead to time off work through illness or extreme tiredness.

The Allurion gastric balloon is a soft balloon placed in your stomach. It is the first gastric balloon that requires no surgery, endoscopy, or anaesthesia for placement.

The gastric balloon aims to provide a short-term solution if you are struggling to lose weight even after making a real commitment to lifestyle changes, such as a calorie-controlled diet. It can help you lose weight relatively quickly by making your stomach feel fuller for longer after eating relatively small meals.

It can help boost your self-confidence and achieve some health benefits while losing enough weight to become a candidate for longer term weight loss procedures such as a gastric band.

Our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals. They have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. And many consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.

At Spire Bushey Hospital you can expect to receive expert, tailored care from one of our highly skilled bariatric surgeons. You will be able to choose from one of the following specialist consultants:

• Mr Pratik Sufi 
• Mr Periyathambi Jambulingam

You will also meet our Dietitian Gill Cuffaro. She will provide dietary counselling and support for patients undergoing the swallowable gastric balloon procedure. 

You have a formal consultation with a consultant or other healthcare professional. During this time, you can explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have. We also discuss with you if any further diagnostic tests, like scans or blood tests, are needed, and let you know if there are additional costs before we do them.

Our dedicated team provide tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit. And we aim to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.

Visit patient information for our visiting hours, food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all the other important practicalities.

Unlike other advanced weight-loss options, the Allurion gastric balloon requires no surgery, no endoscopy and no anaesthesia.

Getting the Allurion gastric balloon takes about 15 minutes. The balloon comes in a capsule with a thin tube. You will swallow the capsule and your doctor will use an X-ray to make sure the balloon is in your stomach. The balloon will be filled through the tube and the tube will be removed, completing the process.

The Allurion gastric balloon removes itself – no need to visit your doctor. After about 16 weeks, the balloon will empty on its own and pass naturally.

Living with the Allurion gastric balloon

You may experience some nausea and discomfort during the first week after you receive the balloon. Your doctor may prescribe medications to make you feel more comfortable. Your physician will provide detailed information regarding the risks and benefits of the Allurion gastric balloon

Eating with the Allurion gastric balloon

Your doctor may recommend that you drink only liquids for the first couple of days and that you move to solid foods when comfortable. Use the feelings of fullness provided by the Allurion gastric balloon to practice eating smaller, healthier meals.

If you have any questions or concerns, we're here to help so please don’t hesitate to get in touch after a procedure.

After the placement of your weight loss balloon your support continues through appointments with our dietitian, Ms Gill Cuffaro over the 16 weeks of treatment. 

You will be supplied with a set of 'smart' scales which connect to your consultant allowing them to track your progress and offer real-time advice and support, rather than having to continuously visit the hospital. 

If you are having or have had weight loss surgery at Spire Bushey, you will be able to attend the free monthly weight loss support group. Our support group allows patients the chance to share their experiences and support each other in a safe and friendly environment. Our patients say that one of the key factors in helping them to maintain their weight loss is the encouragement from other patients who have been through a similar journey.

The support group is also open to those who are thinking about having weight loss surgery and want to find out more about it from other weight loss surgery patients to gain their perspective. If this is of interest please call 020 8901 5505 and the team will book your place free of charge.

If you are thinking about having weight loss surgery and want to find out more about it from other weight loss surgery patients then you are welcome to attend one of the support group sessions free of charge. Find out more about our support group.

We’re committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.