The Intragastric Balloon is a popular option for weight loss among people who have tried diet and exercise but have not lost weight or kept it off successfully. It is also common among people with serious health conditions related to obesity to consider undergoing an intragastric balloon to achieve their goals.
However, the idea of going “under the knife” may be a daunting task for many, coupled with the fear of being put under sedation.
What Is The Allurion Elipse™ Balloon?
The Allurion Elipse™™ Balloon is the first swallowable gastric balloon that requires no surgery, endoscopy*, or anaesthesia – allowing the patient to remain conscious throughout the procedure.
The soft balloon is designed to help you reduce your food intake by taking up space in your stomach, much like the intragastric balloon. This helps to create a feeling of fullness, and a decrease in hunger levels leads to lesser consumption during mealtimes, resulting in weight loss.
What Is The Difference Between A Conventional Gastric Balloon And The Allurion Elipse™ Balloon Program?
The Allurion Elipse™ Balloon program differs from a conventional gastric balloon in many ways. The differences include:
No requirement for surgery
No requirement for endoscopy* (except for rare cases)
No anaesthesia
Reduced discharge time
Faster recovery period
It comes with a complete weight loss program
Unlike conventional gastric balloons, Elipse™ balloon requires no endoscopy* and anaesthesia in the procedure and patients remain conscious throughout the process. As patients do not require any sedation, this reduces the risk of any allergic or adverse reaction to anaesthesia. In most procedures, a patient may also expect to be discharged within an hour from the start of the insertion of the balloon.
On top of that, the Elipse™ balloon comes with a complete weight loss package which includes follow up sessions with your doctor, an assigned nutritionist and a lifestyle plan to produce sustainable weight loss results.
How Can I Qualify For The Allurion Elipse™ Balloon Program?
To qualify for the Allurion Elipse™ Balloon program, a patient must fulfil the following criteria:
Having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 and above
Be over the age of 18
No pre-existing risk factors/medical conditions
Prior to determining if you are suitable for the program, you are advised to speak to your doctor for a better assessment. It is essential to inform your doctor of any pre-existing health condition that may put your life at risk. Your doctor may be able to recommend a suitable course of action and devise the weight management program for your goals.
Where Can I Buy The Allurion Elipse™ Balloon?
The Allurion program is only available at specific clinics in Singapore.
G&L Surgical (Bariatric Clinic SG) are amongst the few clinics that offer this revolutionary weight loss program that combines an intragastric balloon with a sustainable lifestyle plan and nutritional guidance.
Apart from being on close follow up with our doctor, a patient is also assigned with a professional nutritionist who will oversee the lifestyle and dietary advice necessary for sustainable weight loss.
What Are The Possible Side Effects After The Insertion Of The Allurion Elipse™ Balloon?
Most people who have undergone the Elipse™ balloon procedure do not have any complications. While complications may be rare, abdominal discomfort, nausea and vomiting are common in the first three days after the insertion of the balloon.
Your doctor may prescribe medications to assist you with managing the symptoms, and most patients may be able to resume normal activities within three days after the procedure.
In rare cases, a patient may require the assistance of the doctor to conduct an endoscopy to remove the Elipse™ balloon.
Can I Return To Normal Activities After Inserting The Elipse™ Balloon?
In most cases, a patient will resume normal activities within three days after the procedure. Should you encounter discomfort or frequent vomiting, your doctor may prescribe you medication to reduce the symptoms and allow you to resume your activities as per usual.
Will It Be Obvious To Others That I Have An Elipse™ Balloon In My Stomach?
As with all intragastric balloons, the Elipse™ balloon does not display any obvious signs of insertion. A patient can go about their normal activities after the first three days of the procedure, and the balloon will be passed out naturally at the end of the 16-week program.
How Does The Allurion Elipse™ Balloon Program Work?
The Allurion Elipse™ Balloon program is broken down into 2 phases:
Phase 1: Insertion of the Elipse™ Gastric Balloon
Gastric balloons induce weight loss by increasing satiety (fullness) while delaying gastric emptying and reducing food eaten at each meal. The balloon takes up space in the stomach, reducing the amount of food eaten at each meal while creating a feeling of satiety for the patient.
When inserting the Elipse™ balloon, patients will be given a capsule to be swallowed, containing the balloon attached to a thin tube. Our doctor will conduct an X-Ray to ensure that the capsule has been placed in the correct position.
Once the capsule is situated correctly in the stomach, our doctor will use the tube to fill the balloon with liquid, a secondary X-ray will be conducted to confirm the balloon is filled, and the tube will be removed from your throat.
At approximately 16 weeks after the placement of the Elipse™ balloon, the balloon will self-empty and be passed out naturally.
Phase 2: Follow-Up and Lifestyle Plan
A patient who undergoes the Elipse™ balloon will be enrolled on the Allurion program, coupled with the 16-week lifestyle modification, which includes a customised program from the nutritionist, exercise, and behaviour modification.
The multidisciplinary weight loss program that Allurion adopts includes:
Follow up sessions with your doctor
Dietary coaching by a professional nutritionist
Integration of the Allurion App connected to your phone to track your progress
A patient may achieve up to 10% of total body weight loss by the end of the 16-week program.
What Are The Results I Can Expect After The Allurion Elipse™ Balloon Program?
Most patients can expect to lose an average of 10 and 15kg over the 16 weeks after embarking on the program.
As the programme is only temporary (16 weeks), patients are advised to continue with the new diet and exercise habits that they have developed to maintain a healthy weight and achieve sustainable results in the long run.
*Footer: In rare cases, the Allurion Elipse™ Balloon may require endoscopic or surgical intervention for removal. In rare cases, the empty balloon may be vomited instead of passing through the GI tract.
As a strong proponent of treating the patient holistically instead of just their condition, Dr Ganesh Ramalingam advises patients as to how they can manage their daily habits and diets to lead healthier lifestyles. As a consultant with G&L Surgical Clinic specialising in General Surgery, he sees many patients with conditions related to the stomach and is skilled in bariatric surgery, upper GI and hernia surgery, advanced laparoscopic surgery, endoscopies, and trauma.
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