Gastric balloon (BiB) at Tunbridge Wells Hospital

We work in partnership with Phoenix Health, Allurion and Healthier Weight to provide the gastric balloon treatment.

What is the Allurion Programme?

The Allurion Programme is a 360-degree multidisciplinary programme that involves a swallowable gastric balloon. The balloon works by making you feel fuller for longer, reduces hunger cravings and delays gastric emptying, meaning you can reduce portion sizes with ease. The treatment includes a full body composition, Bluetooth scale and healthtracker that monitors your progress in real time, meaning your clinical team can track your success and build a bespoke programme around your lifestyle. The procedure is fully non-invasive, requiring no endoscopy, no anaesthesia and no surgery, just a simple walk-in 15-minute appointment.

What are the benefits of the Allurion Programme?

If your Body Mass Index (BMI) score is over 27, the gastric balloon may help you to achieve long-term weight loss, and the management of other medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

While reducing hunger cravings and feeling fuller for longer, your dietitian will work with you to create healthy lifestyle habits that last. 95% of the weight lost on the Allurion Programme is maintained 1 year later*.

We will gradually increase your exercise levels, monitor your sleep and bring you delicious recipes that help build on new habits while the balloon is in place. Patients lose on average between 10-15% of their total body weight or 10-15kg.

How long do the benefits of treatment last?

If you wish to lose more than 10-15kg, then why not try our sequential balloon programme which involves having a second balloon at the end of your 6 months and embracing a year treatment. 95% of the weight lost on the Allurion Programme is maintained 1 year later*. We aim to give patients lifelong habits and results. * Ienca et al. Obes Surg. 2020 2. Vantanasiri et al. Obes Surg. 2020

Is the Allurion Programme right for me?

Have you tried diet and exercise before and failed? Are you looking for a non-invasive option that doesn’t have life altering implications.

General criteria is: a minimum of BMI 27 (great to add a BMI calculator if you can, or a link to one as most patients will not know their BMI), must be 18 year or over, and have not had previous Bariatric surgery. Crohn’s disease is contraindicated unfortunately.

What happens during treatment?

Preparing for the Allurion Programme

• Take the medication prescribed for you by your doctor.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Have a light dinner (as long as this is at least 8 hours before your appointment).
• Ensure that your kitchen is stocked to support your post-placement food choices; ask your dietitian for advice on what to prepare.
• Plan your travel to your clinic; with no sedation involved, you can even drive yourself there.
• Arrange for a friend or family member to check on you after placement

During treatment

• Take the medication prescribed for you by your doctor.
• Drink clear liquids only (like water or herbal tea), up to two hours before your appointment.
• Stop drinking two hours before your appointment, this is simply to make you more comfortable during placement.
• Don’t wear lipstick, lip balm or a necklace as they could interfere with the placement process.
• Arrive at your clinic 15 minutes before your appointment timeand check in with reception.
• Review and sign your consent form.
• Under the supervision of your doctor, you’ll swallow the small capsule attached to a soft catheter, which will be used to fill the balloon with fluid.
• You’ll have an x-ray to check that the Balloon is in the right place.
• The Balloon will be filled with fluid and a second x-ray will confirm it’s full and safely in your stomach.
• Your doctor will gently pull the catheter out of your mouth and ensure that you are comfortable.

Recovery

Most patients fully recover after a couple of days.

You can drive after the treatment but for comfort we recommend a friend or family member to assist. All patients respond differently and on the rare occasion, you could feel a little sick straight after the procedure.

We recommend a couple of days off work to recover and allow any symptoms to settle. In rare cases it could be a little more than this.

Patients will receive five follow-up appointments with their dietitian and a check up with the consultant.