Allurion Programme For Weight-Loss

Allurion Weight Loss Balloon

Allurion Programme For Weight-Loss

It is widely known that even a small weight loss (starting at 5% of initial weight) greatly benefits the health of overweight or obese individuals. It can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and enhance the health and blood sugar management in those already diagnosed with the condition .

What is the new data from Allurion?

The Allurion Programme has achieved a significant milestone by clinically proving its effectiveness in treating individuals with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, leading to disease remission (where blood sugar levels fall below the diabetic range).

This innovative approach, which involves a gastric balloon pill that can be swallowed effortlessly, provides healthcare professionals with a new option to support their patients with diabetes and prediabetes. The groundbreaking data supporting this program has undergone peer review and has been published. It was also chosen by a panel of experts for presentation at The Obesity Society (TOS) Obesity Week 2021.

What were the main results from the clinical study?

The published data reveals that the Allurion Gastric Balloon Programme can effectively treat type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, leading to disease remission.

The clinical study involved 226 patients who followed the Allurion Programme for weight loss. All participants were initially diagnosed with either type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, indicating a high likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

On average, patients lost 17.7kg (equivalent to 16.2% of their initial body weight) within 4 months.

Throughout the trial, researchers monitored the patients’ haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) levels, which indicate blood sugar control (lower numbers indicating better health). At the beginning of the trial, all patients had unhealthy HbA1c levels, corresponding to a diagnosis of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

For patients with type 2 diabetes, their HbA1c levels improved from 7.0±0.6% to 5.5±1.1%. Similarly, for those with prediabetes, their HbA1c levels improved from 6.0±0.2% to 4.9±0.7%. These significant reductions in HbA1c resulted in complete disease remission for both groups within just 4 months, as their HbA1c levels reached the normal range observed in individuals without diabetes.

How does this compare with bariatric procedures?

Research conducted on individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes who undergo bariatric surgery has shown that a weight loss of approximately 15kg can lead to remission of type 2 diabetes in the majority of cases. The chances of achieving remission are higher if the weight loss occurs closer to the time of diabetes diagnosis and is rapid.

The groundbreaking data on the Allurion Programme builds upon these studies, indicating that a lifestyle change program combined with the Allurion Balloon (previously known as the Elipse Balloon) can also provide substantial and transformative health benefits with clinical significance.

Maintaining healthy lifestyle changes and weight loss is vital to sustain these health benefits. Published evidence demonstrates that the Allurion Programme – a lifestyle change programme, digital tools and the temporary Allurion Balloon (formerly known as the Elipse Balloon) – delivers sustained weight loss, with up to 95% of the weight lost maintained by patients a year down the line. (Ref:2)

Why is this topic so important?

The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes is at an all-time high, with approximately 5 million people in the UK alone diagnosed with diabetes and nearly 14 million individuals at a high risk of developing the disease (prediabetes). Moreover, there are likely more undiagnosed cases, and these rates are continuously increasing.

The impact of this situation extends beyond the personal health and well-being burdens faced by individuals affected by complications such as amputations, vision loss, premature death, higher hospitalization rates, and increased likelihood of experiencing depression, among others. It also places significant financial strain on the NHS and other public services, accounting for about 10% of the total NHS budget.

There is an urgent need for scalable and effective treatment options. Weight management is recognized as a crucial therapeutic aspect for most individuals living with obesity and type 2 diabetes, highlighting the importance of having a range of effective weight management treatments available.

The health benefits associated with weight loss are noticeable even with a modest 5% reduction, and these benefits continue to increase with further weight loss. A weight loss of 7% can make a significant difference in preventing the development of type 2 diabetes. For individuals on the verge of diabetes, a weight loss of 7-8% can effectively bring them back from the brink.

These results will undoubtedly bring great satisfaction to the medical community, as they have the potential to significantly improve the health and well-being of their patients. It is crucial to acknowledge that obesity has far-reaching health implications, with over 200 possible complications affecting various organs and systems. Therefore, this weight loss will not only deliver individual health benefits but also contribute to overall health improvement and enhance quality of life.

What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

The provided data solely focuses on patients who are either at risk of or have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is categorized into two main types: type 1 and type 2. Although they share similar symptoms and potential complications, they are distinct diseases. Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90% of all diabetes cases.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the inability of the body to produce insulin, a hormone necessary for regulating blood sugar levels in the bloodstream and cells.

On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body produces insulin, but it does not respond to it in a normal manner.

For individuals with type 2 diabetes, the disease may develop gradually over several years. In fact, they may remain unaware of their condition until symptoms of complications arise. Uncontrolled and elevated blood sugar levels can lead to various short- and long-term health issues.

How can type 2 diabetes be prevented?

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is influenced by various factors, some of which can be controlled while others cannot. Certain lifestyle choices and modifications have been proven to help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. The first step is to assess your risk by taking Diabetes UK’s quick risk quiz.

Diet plays a significant role, and adopting a healthy and diverse eating plan is the most effective approach to prevent type 2 diabetes. This entails consuming ample fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, wholegrain carbohydrates, and healthy fats.

Physical activity is crucial, and according to the NHS, adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. This can be achieved by engaging in 30 minutes of exercise each day, five days a week.

Managing weight is a powerful strategy to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Striving to achieve and maintain a healthier weight is particularly important for individuals living with obesity and type 2 diabetes, as weight management is considered the foremost therapeutic measure.

Is a balloon as extreme as having a gastric band?

The Allurion Balloon is inserted by a doctor during a quick 15-minute consultation. Administered as an easy-to-swallow gastric balloon pill, it does not necessitate anesthesia, endoscopy, or surgery.

Offering an alternative to weight loss surgeries like the gastric band and gastric bypass, the Allurion Balloon (previously known as the Elipse Balloon) provides patients with additional options. While it is not intended to replace bariatric surgery, this temporary gastric balloon pill can serve as an early intervention or be utilized by individuals who prefer or are unable to undergo surgery.

Although bariatric surgery, which reduces stomach size, is highly effective, the anesthesia poses potential risks for individuals with obesity. Furthermore, those considering surgery must undergo extensive physical and psychological preparation. The procedure is costly, and there are long waiting lists in the UK.

The swallowable gastric balloon pill offered by Allurion can be used at an earlier stage or for those who opt out of surgery or are not suitable candidates. It is particularly beneficial for individuals seeking substantial weight loss, providing an alternative to weight management surgeries or for those who have found that diet and exercise alone are not effective.

Book a free consultation

Related Articles

athlete-ready-run-with-are-you-ready-message
How to Prepare For Our Swallowable Gastric Balloon
Allurion Weight Loss Balloon How to Prepare For Our Swallowable Gastric Balloon If you’ve just joined...
Woman sleeping in bed
The Benefits of Deep Sleep
Allurion Weight Loss Balloon The Benefits of Deep Sleep Why do we care about sleep? How much sleep you...
Allurion_app_using
Is the Allurion Program more effective than dieting alone?
Allurion Weight Loss Balloon Is the Allurion Program more effective than dieting alone? In short – Yes!...
Allurion_App_hand (1)
The Importance of Tracking Your Weight Loss Progress
Allurion Weight Loss Balloon The Importance of Tracking Your Weight Loss Progress Are you thinking of...
woman-doctor-is-taking-notes-symptoms-patient-which-is-obese-woman-before-analyzing
Common Gastric Balloon Myths Explained
Allurion Weight Loss Balloon Common Gastric Balloon Myths Explained Losing weight is one of life’s biggest...
Plus-size Woman Jogging
Exercising with a temporary gastric balloon
Allurion Weight Loss Balloon Exercising with a temporary gastric balloon If you are thinking about getting...

Allurion Programme For Weight-Loss Read More »

How to Prepare For Our Swallowable Gastric Balloon

Allurion Weight Loss Balloon

How to Prepare For Our Swallowable Gastric Balloon

If you’ve just joined the Allurion Programme and waiting for your balloon placement, here are some tips to help get you ready for the insertion of this swallowable gastric balloon and your successful weight loss journey after! 

Pre-Balloon diet

There are some important considerations before your gastric balloon placement that everyone needs to take into account to ensure their procedure is a success.. 

A week or so before placement: 

  • It’s important to stay well hydrated before the placement of the gastric balloon. Most people can meet their hydration requirements by drinking 2-2.7litres of water (or other fluids) daily.
  • Take the medication that your doctor has prescribed.
  • Download the Allurion App on your smartphone to get ready for using the handy digital tools during your journey (you might have been sent an email from your clinic to download the app – simply click on the link and get going).

The day before placement:   

  • Keep drinking fluids!
  • Take the medication that your doctor has prescribed.
  • You can have a light meal the evening before placement day.

The day of placement:  

  • Take the medication that your doctor has prescribed.
  • Stick to clear liquids only 8 hours prior to your balloon placement; don’t eat anything in the morning before you’re due to have the gastric balloon pill. You can still drink clear liquids such as strained clear broth, herbal teas, coconut water, etc.
  • Stop all clear liquids 2 hours prior to placement .
  • When you are in the clinic, step on your Allurion Connected Scale and have your starting weight measured and tracked via Bluetooth into your Allurion App – now you’ll have the tools to track your progress. 

You’ll be guided by your clinic team and your transition to eating food will be customized to you and your specific needs.  You’ll need to follow a transition plan from clear liquids, to soft and then normal solid foods for around a week after the gastric balloon has been inserted. Start with clear liquids only for at least the first 24 hours (48hrs is recommended); if this feels comfortable and your clinic team are happy for you to do so, you can then switch to soft foods like yoghurt, scrambled egg or soup and then progress at your own pace to normal solid foods.

 It’s important to start small and build up at your own pace, everyone is different in this first week or so and your clinic team is there to help you every step of the way.

Taking your time to eat and to listen and respond to your body’s fullness signals will help to optimize your journey. Take small mouthfuls of food, remembering to chew thoroughly with each bite and stop eating the moment you start to feel full.
 

The importance of gastric balloon pre-placement preparation

Taking the right pre-placement approach is key to the procedure’s success for several reasons:

  • It helps you to start forming healthier habits for a long-term lifestyle change.
  • It can help you to focus on eating more mindfully.
  • It can help to prevent dehydration in your first week or so after placement

Why is a Gastric Balloon pre-op diet important? 

Taking the right pre-op approach is key to the procedure’s success for several reasons:  

  • It reduces the risk of any complications during the procedure.
  •  It helps you to start forming healthier habits for a long-term lifestyle change.  
  • It can help you to focus on eating more mindfully. 

When you choose the Allurion Programme you won’t be going it alone – you’ll have the full support of our team to help you with any questions you may have about the gastric balloon programme.

The great news is that the Allurion swallowable balloon does not need any surgery, endoscopy nor anaesthesia to place in your body – it self-empties and passes naturally too. So, when we talk about pre-placement preparation, we are really talking about what to do before your short outpatient procedure.

The Allurion Programme – A Long-Term Lifestyle Change

If you’re sick of crash diets and spending money on weight loss tools that don’t work, the Allurion programme is for you. We don’t believe in a quick fix; instead, we focus on a long-term lifestyle change so you can lose weight and keep it off – for good.

Our six-month Allurion Programme includes support from a doctor, nutritionist and the Allurion Health Tracker, Scales and App, so you’re supported every step of the way.

Book a free consultation

Related Articles

Picture2d
Allurion Programme For Weight-Loss
Allurion Weight Loss Balloon Allurion Programme For Weight-Loss It is widely known that even a small...
Allurion_Promotional images-Balloon-capsule
Gastric balloon vs other weight loss methods
Allurion Weight Loss Balloon Gastric balloon vs other weight loss methods Comparing a gastric balloon...

How to Prepare For Our Swallowable Gastric Balloon Read More »

The Benefits of Deep Sleep

Allurion Weight Loss Balloon

The Benefits of Deep Sleep

Why do we care about sleep? How much sleep you get has a major impact on day-to-day life regardless of your weight. A lack of sleep – or poor-quality sleep – can have a negative effect on your overall quality of life and wellness.

But sleep is especially important to the weight-loss journey .Getting a healthy quality and quantity of sleep can help set you up for success on your weight-loss journey and ensure you’re well placed to achieve your weight-loss goals.

How much sleep is enough sleep?

The recommended amount for adults is 7 to 9 hours each day. Research shows that 7-9 hours every night allows adults to be fully rested and productive the next day. Even so, there is no perfect number that works for everyone. 

Sleep requirements vary from person-to-person and are based on lots of factors, including age, genetics, environment and behavior. How many hours you need also depends on the quality of your sleep. You may get 8-9 hours of sleep a night, but if it’s poor quality, you still may not feel rested during the day. So think about quantity AND quality!

 How to know if you’ve had enough sleep

 

When you get enough quality sleep, you’re better equipped to feel your best, do your best and live your best life. You know you’re getting enough quality sleep when you’re not tired during the day and you’re able to function at your best.2 Still not sure? Ask yourself a few key questions:

  1. Do you wake up and feel refreshed?
  2. Are you tired during the day?
  3. Does being tired stop you from being as productive as you’d like?

If you’re getting a good 7-9 hours’ sleep a night but not feeling at your best during the day, it may be a good idea to chat to your doctor.

Sleep and the Allurion Program

Tracking your sleep is easy with the sleep tracker function via Apple’s health-integrated trackers and the Allurion Health Tracker. Your sleep duration (hours and minutes) is fed into your Allurion App for you to see – and into your clinic team’s platform (called Allurion Insights) for your clinic team to see. Together, you can work on goals that are right for you to help improve your sleep quality and quality – to and support your overall weight-loss journey.

Effects of sleep on emotions and eating habits

 

It’s crucial to recognize the link between sleep and emotions, and to understand how closely they’re connected. A lack of sleep can affect mood and brain function, and lead to poor decision-making. When you’re tired and not getting enough sleep, you may find yourself making poor food choices – such as eating more snacks and sugary foods than you usually would.

There’s also growing evidence to show that consistently getting less than 6 hours’ sleep a night may alter the hormones that regulate your hunger and appetite, and influence your healthy eating habits.

Sleep and your activity levels

 

Poor sleep can affect other key areas of your weight-loss journey, such as your ability to exercise and stay active. We know that regular exercise can support not only weight loss but weight-loss maintenance too. The science is also clear that being active is beneficial for your sleep quality. Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and improve the quality of your sleep.

More research is needed to fully understand the effect that sleep has on physical activity, but – as you may have experienced – you tend to feel less motivated to exercise when you’re tired, which means you may end up spending more time being inactive.

Sleep and your overall health

 

Getting quality sleep is crucial to feeling your best, doing your best and living your best life. A lack of sleep can make the challenges of day-to-day life more difficult to manage – and this may also make it harder to balance your weight-loss program with other commitments.

The average person will spend about one-third of their life sleeping. As sleep affects almost every part of the body – from the brain to the heart and immune system – it also impacts your overall quality of life. It can affect things like work, study, family and your mood.

When you’re not getting enough quality sleep, you may feel more stressed or irritable, or be unable to concentrate properly or think creatively. A lack of sleep can also make dealing with stressful events more difficult. At the same time, stress can lead to lower sleep quality. This can become a vicious circle, which is why it’s especially important to get sufficient rest during times of anxiety and stress, or during periods of change, such as committing to a new weight-loss program.

What’s more, not getting enough quality sleep puts you at higher risk for a long list of chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression and obesity.

If you have a sleep disorder such as insomnia or sleep apnea, seek advice from your doctor on strategies to help you.

Does eating before bedtime affect sleep?

Avoid large meals two or three hours before bedtime because they can result in indigestion, acid reflux and heartburn. They can also lead to poor sleep quality thanks to extra trips to the bathroom in the night. That said, being hungry at night can also affect your sleep, so it’s important to find a balance that works for you. If you’re hungry, opt for a smaller, lighter nighttime snack.

On the Allurion Program, to help avoid reflux, we recommend that you eat early in the evening and avoid lying down soon after eating – waiting around 2-3 hours before going to bed. Propping yourself up with pillows can also help, while sleeping on your left side can help you to feel more comfortable.

Why is tracking your sleep helpful?

Tracking your sleep can help you to become more aware of your sleep patterns. It can help you answer questions like: Am I getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night? Am I going to bed and waking up around the same time every day? How do I feel in the mornings? Are there certain nights of the week I don’t sleep well? Why is that?

By looking at these patterns, you can learn to work out what’s working and what’s not when it comes to sleep. That in turn can help you to work out what you could change – and to set goals to get there. When tracking your sleep, don’t worry about being perfect and inputting the exact time that you woke up or fell asleep. In fact, you shouldn’t watch the clock at night at all, since ‘clock watching’ can interfere with getting a good night’s sleep. Research has found that tracking consistently is more helpful than exact accuracy.

 Your Allurion Health Tracker can monitor your sleep for you.

Does alcohol affect sleep?

While it may seem that having a few drinks before bed helps you fall asleep faster and sleep better, the opposite is actually true. Studies have consistently found that drinking alcohol – even small amounts – near bedtime makes it harder to fall asleep. It can also result in you waking up more often, plus it can stop you getting a deep sleep. However, as with most things, alcohol affects people differently. How your sleep is affected may depend on the amount you drink and when you drink it, as well as on your tolerance levels and your typical alcohol habits.

Does caffeine affect sleep?

Drinking caffeine close to bedtime can disrupt your sleep, but it differs from person to person. Individual responses to caffeine vary and its impact on your sleep can depend on factors like how much caffeine you drink during the day and your tolerance levels.

If you’re used to drinking a lot of caffeine, a small amount before bed may not affect your sleep. However, if you’re more sensitive to it, it could result in a disrupted sleep.14 It may take some trial and error to work out how much caffeine you can drink – and when – without it affecting your sleep. Instead of a caffeinated coffee or tea at bedtime, try herbal teas like chamomile or lavender to help relax you.

 
Does nicotine affect sleep?

Nicotine is a stimulant that promotes wakefulness – it can impair your sleep, especially in high doses. Studies have found that using nicotine can make it harder to fall asleep, leading to less sleep. It can also lead to you waking up more often during the night. Unlike caffeine, which may not affect your sleep as much if you’re a regular caffeine user, nicotine can impact sleep even if you have a high tolerance for it. That’s why it’s recommended to avoid nicotine – including smoking, pills and patches – to get better sleep. It’s worth noting, too, that if you’ve recently stopped using nicotine, you may find that your sleep is disrupted as you go through withdrawal.

Does exercise before bedtime affect sleep?

The science is clear that staying active helps your sleep quality. Regular physical activity – no matter what time of day – has been shown to cut the time it takes to fall asleep. It also helps boost total sleep time and sleep quality.5 There’s a common belief that you shouldn’t exercise right before bedtime, but this isn’t true for everyone. If you’re a good sleeper, late-night physical activity may not affect your sleep at all. You should be active at the time of day that works best for you, as long as it doesn’t affect your bedtime routine. Just be aware of how the timing and intensity of exercise and take note of how it impacts your sleep.

Does ‘napping’ affect sleep?

More research is needed to work out the exact effect napping has on night-time sleep.14 People respond to naps differently, so you should do what feels right to you. If you nap, try and pay attention to whether it affects your ability to fall asleep that night.  The goal is to get 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. If your naps get in the way of that, you may want to shorten your naps or cut them out altogether. As always, talk to your doctor if you have any question or concerns, especially if you’re getting 7-9 hours of sleep a night but still feeling tired during the day.

Book a free consultation

Related Articles

The Benefits of Deep Sleep Read More »

Is the Allurion Program more effective than dieting alone?

Allurion Weight Loss Balloon

Is the Allurion Program more effective than dieting alone?

In short – Yes! Read on to find out why our holistic 6-month program gives you better results than just dieting alone, and we have the data to back it up! 

We know that losing weight is not easy. Not only do you need the right tools and support on your side, very often diet and exercise alone are just not enough to achieve significant weight loss results.  

While there are a range of effective and sustainable weight-loss treatments out there, what’s consistent across all of them is taking steps to change your lifestyle habits and behaviors, as well as your diet and physical activity.  

In fact, a more holistic lifestyle change approach is recommended around the world as the cornerstone to any weight-loss treatment, even medical or surgical options. It’s the combination of all these elements that delivers optimal results, not doing any of them in isolation.

Did you know that the Allurion Program leads to nearly 2.5 times the weight loss than a lifestyle change program alone? 

Research shows that the Allurion Program (a combination of our unique swallowable gastric balloon and a supported lifestyle change program) achieves significantly better results than a lifestyle change program alone. (Ref:8) Other studies on intragastric balloons tell the same story; they help patients achieve significantly superior weight loss vs just dieting alone. 

Unsuccessful weight loss methods

As Zoe Griffiths (Registered Dietitian and Director of Global Nutrition at Allurion) highlights, what’s worrying is that not only have the majority of adults tried to lose weight in the last 12 months (depending on the county it could be anything from 50-80%)10,11 , but that most are unsuccessful. Studies underscore the need for increased support and solutions for weight management. 

One study11 shows that the most common weight loss methods people use are calorie-controlled or restricted diets (72% of participants), exercise programs or courses (22%), and pharmaceutical treatments (12%). However, three-quarters of participants who attempted to lose weight within the past year, did not achieve a clinically meaningful weight loss defined as at least 5% of their body weight. 

In another study, the most commonly reported weight loss methods were exercising (63%) and eating less food (63%), followed by consuming more fruits, vegetables, and salads (50%). 

The evidence clearly shows that exercise and calorie-controlled or restricted diets are the least beneficial, with respect to achieving clinically meaningful weight loss. These isolated methods alone are not enough.

How the Allurion Balloon and Allurion Program lead to successful weight loss 

 

The swallowable Allurion Balloon is the only gastric balloon in the world that requires no surgery, no endoscopy and no anesthesia*. This non-invasive medical tool kick-starts your weight loss by: 

      . Helping you feel fuller for longer 

      . Helping you feel fuller quicker with smaller portions 

      . Slowing down digestion so you feel less hungry 

With these benefits on your hunger and satiety, adopting changes to your diet and activity is much easier while you work with your Allurion care team to start making sustainable changes to your lifestyle and eating habits. 

As part of the Allurion Program, you will also be provided with an Allurion Connected Scale, Allurion Health Tracker and Allurion App. You can use these to check in with your healthcare team, receive support and guidance, and be accountable for your weight-loss achievements.
 

Book a free consultation

Related Articles

Is the Allurion Program more effective than dieting alone? Read More »

The Importance of Tracking Your Weight Loss Progress

Allurion Weight Loss Balloon

The Importance of Tracking Your Weight Loss Progress

Are you thinking of losing weight, or perhaps you’ve already taken a step in that direction and started seeing some results? Whichever your case, this article will shed some light on why it is important to track your progress. From how to start losing weight, to looking beyond the numbers on the scale, read on to understand how you can play an active role in your weight loss journey.

Starting your weight loss journey with Allurion

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you may be feeling ready to take the first step on your weight loss journey with Allurion. Losing weight isn’t always easy, for a variety of reasons. However, setting yourself some realistic goals and tracking your progress can be helpful for keeping the weight off in the longer term.

We know that maintaining a healthier weight has positive health benefits and reduces your risk of many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis, as well as mental health conditions such as depression.

The Allurion Programme is a safe, evidence-based weight loss program that supports you to change habits from the inside out. It kick-starts your weight loss with the placement of the temporary Allurion Gastric Balloon during a 15-minute non-surgical procedure. The programme also involves support from healthcare professionals and a nutritionist as well as access to a variety of technologies to help you track your progress.

Losing weight AND keeping it off takes effort and commitment on your part. So, it’s important that you’re equipped with the right tools and resources to empower you to make lifelong changes. 

Tracking your progress with Allurion

Do you sometimes feel like you’re doing all the right things but the weight loss isn’t happening? Or maybe your weight has plateau-ed for a while and you’d like to know why. Keeping track of progress is considered central to weight loss and maintenance and involves observing and recording your behaviors (such as eating, physical activity, sleep). This can help improve your self-awareness of these behaviors. At Allurion we help you to keep track of your progress with the Allurion mobile app which connects in real-time to the health tracker we’ll provide you.

Weighing yourself regularly can increase awareness of how eating and lifestyle habits can influence your weight, as well as helping you to understand what does and doesn’t work for your weight loss journey. At Allurion, we recognize the importance of regular weighing to keep you on track with your weight loss journey and provide you with your own Allurion Connected Scale.

However, we also understand that how often you choose to weigh yourself is personal to you. We suggest trialling a couple of different approaches, then deciding which suits you best. Your tracking is automatically synced to the Allurion mobile app, allowing your healthcare team to view your progress. You can check in with the Allurion mobile app regularly to get helpful content, messages from your healthcare team and feedback on your weight, activity and sleep progress.

While the weighing scales are a handy tool, they’re not the only measure of success, and they shouldn’t discourage you or prompt feelings of negativity. There are many other ways to measure your progress such as your self-esteem or even sleep quality, which we’ll touch on further down.

It’s not just about the weight

So you’ve been exercising a few times a week, eating better but that number on the scale is just not going down. Before you feel like all is lost, let’s take a moment to put things in perspective. Weight is just one piece of the puzzle during your weight loss journey. Another important aspect to consider is body composition (a term often used by doctors and healthcare professionals). Body composition refers to the percentage of fat, bone, water and muscle in the body. It describes your weight more accurately and provides a more effective insight into your overall health than your weighing scales alone.

A healthier body composition consists of less fat and more muscle mass. During your weight loss journey, it’s important to maintain as much muscle mass as possible. This is because having more lean muscle is associated with better bone health, as well as increased strength and movement and reduced risk of injury.  The use of technologies can have a positive effect on healthy physical activity behaviors which is why at Allurion, we encourage you to track your progress using the Allurion Connected Scale (measuring your body composition) and health tracker (to help you monitor your activity levels).

One of the best ways to maintain your muscle mass during weight loss is by staying physically active. Try to include a combination of aerobic (e.g., jogging, brisk walking or swimming) and resistance-based exercises (e.g., squats, lunges and free-weights) into your routine. As part of the Allurion Programme, we ask you to use the Allurion health tracker to monitor your steps and exercise.

There are many ways to measure your progress along your weight loss journey that do not involve the weighing scale:

Increasing self-esteem

Are you noticing changes as you dress up in the morning? Perhaps a certain dress or pair of pants falls better on your body now. Celebrate that feeling! Many people who lose weight often report an improvement in their self-esteem, feelings of body positivity and confidence in their body image.

Improving overall health

One of the best reasons to lose weight is doing it for your own health. Weight loss (even as little as 5-10%) has been shown to have a positive impact on health markers. This includes improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which reduces your risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. People often report other benefits too such as feeling less tired and increased energy levels.

Getting better sleep

As you progress on your weight loss journey, think about the quality and length of your sleep. Getting sufficient sleep has been linked to helping people manage their appetite better, make better food choices and benefit their metabolism. You can use the Allurion health tracker to track your deep and light phases of sleep, along with your total sleep time.

Track your weight loss progress with Allurion

Technology plays such a big role in our daily lives that the use of digital tools is an effective addition to any weight loss and maintenance journey, enabling you to track your progress and encourage motivation. In addition to ongoing input from your healthcare team, there are a number of Allurion technologies which also support your weight loss journey.

Allurion Connected Scale

 

The Allurion Connected Scale offers a complete weight tracking experience for those seeking effective and sustainable weight loss. It measures body weight, as well as body composition, including fat tissue (% total body weight that consists of fat tissue), visceral fat (fat that is stored around your abdomen) and muscle tissue (% body weight that consists of muscle tissue).

Allurion Health Tracker

 

The Allurion Health Tracker enables you to monitor other key aspects in your weight loss journey, including physical activity and sleep. All information collected is synced to the Allurion mobile app for convenience and ease of use.

Allurion Mobile App

 

The Allurion mobile app is a secure platform that stores your ‘on-the-go’ progress during your weight loss journey, allowing you to track and monitor your weight, body composition metrics, and fitness, with engagement in real-time. Your healthcare team will also have secure access to your data from the app so that they can provide additional support, guidance and advice when needed. In addition to the tracking features, you can communicate easily with your clinic team using the secure messages and video consultation features.

 

Book a free consultation

Related Articles

The Importance of Tracking Your Weight Loss Progress Read More »

Common Gastric Balloon Myths Explained

Allurion Weight Loss Balloon

Common Gastric Balloon Myths Explained

Losing weight is one of life’s biggest challenges for some people. Diet and exercise on their own simply don’t work for everyone. Something else is needed to tip the balance toward successful weight loss. That missing ‘something’ is the swallowable gastric balloon which, literally, takes up residence (temporarily) in the stomach, making it possible for you to feel full on less food and therefore to lose weight.

Many people who want to lose weight may be interested in a gastric balloon, but they don’t pursue it as an option because of their misconceptions about what it is … and what it isn’t. In this article, we explore some common myths and questions about the gastric balloon pill, such as:

The Allurion gastric balloon pill involves surgery

A major advantage of the gastric balloon pill unlike, for example, a gastric band, is that it does not require any form of surgery. And nor does this revolutionary treatment require an endoscopic procedure to place the gastric balloon in the stomach (as is needed with other types of gastric balloons). The Allurion Balloon is the world’s first and only swallowable gastric balloon pill and it does not even require local anaesthesia for its placement.

“The gastric balloon pill involves no form of surgery. Really?” Absolutely. A certified healthcare professional places the balloon, without anaesthetic, in the stomach during a simple 15-minute procedure at any one of our clinics – that’s less time than it takes to enjoy a coffee with a friend.

 The balloon is packaged into a capsule that’s attached to a thin catheter for easy placement. Your healthcare professional will help you swallow the capsule with a glass of water, and once the balloon-capsule is in the stomach, an X-ray will be taken to confirm that it’s in the correct position.  The capsule shell of the pill is made up of plant material that breaks down when it reaches the stomach, releasing the balloon, which is then filled with 550ml of water

All gastric balloons are temporary, and most of them need to be removed endoscopically (a procedure performed under an anaesthetic in which an instrument is introduced into the body), but that is not required with the Allurion Gastric Balloon. Thanks to our revolutionary technology, the balloon deflates and empties itself of water after about 16 weeks, leaving the body naturally during your usual bowel movements. 

A gastric balloon is uncomfortable

One of the main concerns people have about the gastric balloon is, “Surely it must be uncomfortable?” Okay, let’s be honest, and say that the sensation of having the soft swallowable gastric balloon might feel a little strange for a few days. As with any new sensation that is not actually uncomfortable (think of that new pair of shoes that has a different feel to your usual pair), we become used to it and may not even notice the sensation after a while.  

Similarly with a temporary gastric balloon, the sensation of it being there should disappear as you go about your daily routines in the days following its placement.  But remember that the purpose of having the gastric balloon is to feel satisfied after having eaten smaller-than-usual amounts of food, as well as prolonging that satisfying sensation of fullness in between meals and snacks. The impact of the balloon on your hunger and satiety remains, but after the first few days of having the soft balloon in your stomach, your body adapts and any discomfort that you may have felt initially subsides.  

The gastric balloon is a purposeful application of healthcare technology that contributes to the physical sensation of fullness, which is so important as you make changes to your lifestyle and approach to eating. 

You’ll regain all the weight once the gastric balloon is removed

Let’s start by giving you the science.  Clinical studies show that 12 months after the gastric balloon has passed out of the body, patients maintain 72% to 95% of their weight loss. 

This is achieved with the support of the clinic team and the all-encompassing Allurion Programme which gives you the digital tools and knowledge to build habits that will benefit you for the long term. 

It all starts with the gastric balloon pill. This is designed to be placed in the stomach temporarily, to kick-start desirable, yet elusive, weight loss that people yearn for and have high hopes of being able to maintain. This is the dream.  And it’s a realistic one.  The key to making it a reality is to start to make shifts in your lifestyle choices, building up behaviours that will eventually become rock-solid habits, that will be just as difficult to break as those that led you down the pathway to weight gain.  

For example, did you know that being active is the single greatest predictor of who keeps weight off and who doesn’t? Even though the expected additional weight loss through physical activity is, on average, not more than 2 to 3 kg2, the benefits of moving your body are overwhelming and wide-ranging; supporting good health and overall wellbeing including improved mood and sleep. Your clinic team will help you make shifts in your activity routines to build up habits that will benefit you for the long term.  

Keeping the weight off 

Our customised lifestyle change Programme is evidence-based, tailored to your needs and supports you in adopting a weight loss approach that is balanced and works to preserve your all-important lean body mass (LBM) too – this is everything in your body that is not fat tissue, vital for your health and sustained weight loss success.  

All weight loss programmes result in some LBM losses, as well as body fat. Taking steps to preserve your LBM will help optimize calorie-burning when your body is at rest – preserving even small amounts of LBM, and therefore not losing that extra daily calorie-burn, adds up over the months and can make a real difference to your total weight loss and keeping it off.  Your nutritionist will tailor your intake of protein and give you guidance on exercise to maximize the preservation of LBM as you lose weight.  

We’ll give you all the guidance and support you need to create a structured approach to a new way of eating that works for you.  In other words, our Programme is tailored to your lifestyle.  You will have the support of your doctor and your qualified nutritionist as you progress on your journey, as well as our Virtual Care Suite.  Collectively, we have you covered, offering a Programme that helps you reset your mindset in relation to food and gives you the expertise and tools to sustain the weight loss achieved by placement of a temporary gastric balloon. 

You can’t eat a normal diet

Once the balloon gastric has been placed in the short 15-minute appointment, you will quickly progress through three phases of reintroduction to a ‘normal diet’ solid food.  Each of the phases lasts 24–48 hours, and the pace at which you progress is customised to you. Everyone is different in how they progress, but most people progress to solid food at around 5 days after placement of the balloon.  At this point you’ll be supported in adopting healthier dietary and lifestyle habits that suit you. Your nutritionist will learn about your favourite foods, preferences and needs and build a plan together with you that is doable and includes foods that you love – this customised approach is at the core of the Allurion Programme

Our support Programme is evidence-based and puts you at the centre of the process that ensures your diet provides all the nutrients your body needs, helps to keep you feeling full and satisfied between meals and preserves your lean body mass (LBM) as you lose weight.   

Variety in what we eat is so important for enjoyment of meals, as well as helping ensure our diet is nutritionally sound, which is especially important on a weight loss journey.  For everyone, a healthy balanced meal includes options from the protein, vegetable and starchy carbs food groups. And it is the same for anyone who has a gastric balloon in place – in other words, you can eat a normal diet! A key difference will be the amount of food you can manage before you feel full will be less than it was before the balloon was placed, which, of course, helps to lead to that desirable weight loss. 

Book a free consultation

Related Articles

Common Gastric Balloon Myths Explained Read More »

Exercising with a temporary gastric balloon

Allurion Weight Loss Balloon

Exercising with a temporary gastric balloon

If you are thinking about getting a temporary gastric balloon or if you already have the Allurion Balloon implanted, it is crucial to prioritize an exercise regimen. Engaging in regular physical activity not only promotes mental well-being and physical health, but also aids in managing body weight. While a gastric balloon is a highly effective tool for weight loss as it helps you feel satiated while consuming fewer calories, it is just one component of a comprehensive approach to healthy weight management. Keep reading to discover more about exercising with a weight loss balloon and how the Allurion Programme assists in maintaining motivation.

Can I exercise with a gastric balloon?

Absolutely! Engaging in physical exercise holds significance for everyone as it positively impacts both our mental well-being and physical health. This remains true even if you have undergone a gastric balloon procedure, as it simply facilitates the consumption of smaller meals and enhances your ability to recognize and manage physical hunger.

Moreover, studies indicate that combining dietary modifications with increased physical activity results in a 20% greater weight loss compared to solely altering eating habits.

Maintaining an active lifestyle not only aids in expediting weight loss but, more importantly, it significantly contributes to the sustainability of the lost pounds over the long run. This is primarily due to the fact that exercise plays a crucial role in preserving lean body mass (LBM), which is essential for both short-term and long-term weight management.

In simple terms, LBM can be calculated by subtracting the weight of body fat from the total body weight.

LBM = total body weight – body fat weight

LBM includes muscles, bone mass and bodily fluids etc. Muscles and internal organs use up more calories at rest, than their equivalent weight in fat so a higher LBM percentage helps to boost your metabolism and weight loss efforts.

If you’re on the Allurion Programme or considering getting the Allurion Balloon, the programme includes a range of digital tools to support you in getting fitter or starting a fitness routine.

The Allurion Connected Scale measures body weight, as well as body composition, including fat tissue (% total body weight that consists of fat tissue), visceral fat (fat that is stored around your abdomen) and muscle tissue (% body weight that consists of muscle tissue).

The Allurion Health Tracker enables you to monitor your physical activity and sleep, while the Allurion App allows you to track and monitor your weight, body composition metrics, sleep and fitness activity. Your healthcare team will also have secure access to your data from the app so that they can provide additional support and guidance when needed.

As you’ll see, there are plenty of ways to stay active and healthy while living with a gastric balloon.

When can I start exercising after getting a gastric balloon?

If you’re wondering how soon you can return to your exercise routine after getting a gastric balloon, the answer is sooner than you might think. Placement of the Allurion Balloon is a quick 15-minute procedure which doesn’t require anaesthesia or endoscopy, so you’ll walk away from the clinic pretty much as you went in – plus your 550 ml gastric balloon in situ, of course.

It’s recommended that you avoid strenuous physical activity, like sports, for at least one to two weeks after the balloon has been placed. This will give your body time to adjust to the changes in your intake of fluids and food. As soon as you feel comfortable, you can start leisure walking. During this time, it’s important that you drink enough fluids to ensure you’re adequately hydrated.

Remember that the gastric balloon will reduce the space in your stomach for food and fluids, so it’s important to prioritize taking in enough fluids. You will gradually transition from clear fluids to a normal diet over the course of a week or so with support from your clinic. Keep in mind that everyone is different, so the timeline for these steps may vary.

After your first week post-placement and as you get used to the balloon, you can introduce physical activities (doing things that you enjoy so you’ll be more likely to keep it up) or increase the activities you are already doing (the frequency, intensity and length). Your clinic team can help you set goals that are appropriate for you, and you can use the Allurion Health Tracker to track your progress.

It is important to ensure that you are properly hydrated when you resume your exercise routine, or when you start a new one. During exercise, we lose fluid through sweat and breathing, and if we lose more fluid than we have consumed, it can lead to a negative fluid balance. Signs and symptoms of negative fluid balance include headache, negative mood, and poor concentration. Hence, drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated is a great habit that will support your weight loss and should start as soon as the gastric balloon has been placed.

The key thing to remember regarding exercise, is to start with gentle activities, listen to your body and increase the duration and intensity of what you do when you feel ready. It’s important to take it easy and not push yourself too hard before your body is ready, as this can increase the risk of injury and set you back in your goal to be more active. Your clinic team can work through your goals with you based on your progress and how you feel.

Safe exercises with your temporary gastric balloon

The benefits of exercise beyond calorie-burning

Exercise benefits overall health. Muscles require ATP for energy. ATP is produced by converting fat stores into energy. Regular exercise helps burn fat and support weight loss. Physical activity improves sleep quality, reduces cravings, and enhances mental health. Exercise increases dopamine and serotonin levels, promoting positive feelings and protecting the brain. The gastric balloon jumpstarts weight loss, but healthier habits are necessary for long-term success. Combining healthy eating and physical activity is more effective for weight loss maintenance. Most people need over 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. Combining activity with a healthy diet increases success in weight loss. Incorporating exercise and healthy eating is crucial for achieving and maintaining weight loss.

Book a free consultation

Related Articles

Exercising with a temporary gastric balloon Read More »

Gastric balloon vs other weight loss methods

Allurion Weight Loss Balloon

Gastric balloon vs other weight loss methods

Comparing a gastric balloon vs other weight loss methods

What is the optimal approach to achieve safe and effective weight loss? It’s a common question posed annually by millions of individuals of varying ages and fitness levels.

The realm of weight loss methods is vast and overwhelming, encompassing diet plans, supplements, hypnotherapy, surgical procedures, and gastric balloon pills. Determining the most suitable option for oneself can appear daunting. Medical professionals and nutritionists widely agree that a sustainable weight loss program primarily involves reducing calorie intake while ideally increasing daily physical activity. Despite the availability of countless minerals and herbal supplements, these so-called ‘miracle’ remedies are unlikely to yield significant results without a reduction in calorie consumption, often only draining one’s bank account.

This is where many people encounter their first challenge when embarking on weight loss. Restricting food intake is a difficult task, especially for those who enjoy their meals. Initially, one may begin with good intentions, skipping an occasional meal or substituting carbohydrates with more salads. However, the persistent pangs of hunger quickly test even the strongest willpower, leading to a return to old habits accompanied by a sense of guilt.

Various surgical options for weight loss, such as gastric bypass, band, and sleeve procedures, exist. These methods typically restrict the amount of food absorbed by the small intestine or reduce stomach size to suppress hunger signals sent to the brain. However, as with any surgical intervention, these procedures are generally irreversible and carry the risk of various complications.

If you are genuinely determined to lose weight but struggle with cravings experienced by millions, there is an alternative to surgical methods that can effectively alleviate the misery of constantly feeling unsatisfied. The Allurion Programme, recommended by doctors, offers a safe and painless approach that makes weight loss goals more achievable, without the need for anesthesia, endoscopy, or prolonged hospital stays. It revolves around the Allurion Balloon, previously known as the Elipse Balloon—a small, ingestible gastric balloon pill that gently expands within the stomach, creating a sensation of fullness and suppressing the desire to overeat. In contrast to invasive surgical procedures, the balloon naturally degrades after a few months and passes out of the body without any intervention.

Teamed with personalised support from trained professionals, this innovative programme can help patients lose an average of 10-15% of their bodyweight in just 16 weeks, while developing healthier habits that can stay for life.

Book a free consultation

Related Articles

Gastric balloon vs other weight loss methods Read More »

Contact

Find our clinic

23 Widegate Street, City of London, London, E1 7HP, United Kingdom

Search