Private Allurion Balloon service in Glasgow

The Allurion Balloon provides an alternative to other weight loss surgery and treatment options currently offered to patients. Unlike traditional methods, the Allurion Balloon is carried out as an outpatient treatment, ensuring no need for endoscopy or surgical theatre, and therefore no hospital overnight stays. 

The Allurion Balloon is suited to a range of weight loss patients, with a maximum BMI threshold of 55. Both patients who qualify for other options but do not wish to pursue them (surgical) and those who do not qualify for other options due to their BMI, or other factors, are suitable for the Allurion Balloon. 

Studies have shown the Allurion Balloon has lower intolerance rates than traditional balloons, with its thin and malleable polyurethane material allowing it to flex and adapt to the shape of the stomach. 

Weight loss maintenance results are extremely positive, with studies showing 96% of average weight loss during the balloon’s placement can be sustained at the one year follow-up. Furthermore, patients can benefit from close to 2.5x more weight loss than what they would, should they choose to adopt an intensive lifestyle change without the Allurion Balloon. 

The average weight loss a patient with the Allurion Balloon can experience is 10-15% in approximately four months. 

Patients for the Allurion Balloon will have their initial consultation with Consultant General and Bariatric Surgeon, Mr Chris Shearer, at Ross Hall Clinic Braehead. Mr Shearer is both highly experienced and regarded in weight loss surgery, and is well versed in the Allurion Balloon procedure. 

Mr Shearer will have an informal, open and honest discussion with you regarding your lifestyle, goals, and why you want to have the Allurion Balloon as your preferred means of achieving your, or working towards your ideal weight. You will have your basic measurements taken (height and weight) to find your BMI and assess your suitability (a BMI of 65 and under). From here, Mr Shearer will explain to you how the Allurion Balloon will work, the after care, and importantly the realistic results you should expect from having the Allurion ballon in place. More so, Mr Shearer will stress that you must be proactive in your approach regarding lifestyle modification, sleep, and eating habits to maximise the benefits of the procedure. You will also be able to download the Allurion app at this stage to support you in your preparation for your procedure. 

If you are suitable for the Allurion balloon, you will have a discussion with the Specialist Bariatric Nurse at Ross Hall Clinic Braehead where you will discuss your personal details and circumstances in further detail, filling out an in-depth health questionnaire, assessing physical and mental health, as well as identifying any comorbidities and any other relevant details pertinent to your treatment. 

From here, you will have an appointment at Ross Hall Clinic Braehead with our Dietitian where you will be able to discuss how you should approach your diet before, during and after your Allurion Balloon treatment. This is to ensure a safe and effective treatment, allowing you to be in the best position for your weight loss at all stages in your patient journey.

Your initial consultation for the Allurion Balloon with Mr Shearer is not included in your package price. However, any other appointments moving forward including the appointment with the Specialist Bariatric Nurse, as well as your pre-treatment appointment with the Dietitian are included in the overall treatment package price, and as such come at no additional cost. 

You will have your Allurion Balloon procedure carried out in our Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow.  The procedure is both safe and simple, with no surgery or endoscopy required. Furthermore, you will not require any form of anaesthesia.

Your consultant will firstly pass a catheter down your throat and into your stomach with the deflated Allurion Balloon attached. From here, your consultant will use x-ray to ensure the balloon is properly in place. Following this, 550ml of liquid is passed down into the balloon to fill it. Once more, your consultant then uses x-ray to ensure the balloon has filled appropriately. From here, the catheter will then be removed.

Overall, your Allurion balloon procedure should take no longer than 15 minutes. 

You will also be provided with special scales which connect your Allurion app as part of your Virtual Care Suite, giving you and your consultant the ability to track your progress during your Allurion journey. These digital support tools provide you the platform to proactively assess your own progress and ultimately lead to better weight loss outcomes.

During your recovery from your Allurion Balloon treatment at Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow you will have a number of follow-up appointments. At these sessions, you will be able to review your progress and explore your eating and activity habits, as well as your mindset and psychological wellbeing. At each stage in your journey, you will be provided with all the support you require, both from your consultant and the Allurion app, in making the most out of your Allurion Balloon treatment and realising your weight loss goals.

During the first few days of your Allurion treatment journey, you may experience certain symptoms including sickness and loss of appetite as you adjust to the balloon. You should take time away from your work for the first days of your treatment during your initial recovery. You will be provided with personalised guidance on how to best manage your symptoms and when you can move from liquids back to solid foods, whilst your hydration status and fluid intake will also be closely monitored. Furthermore, you will be able to discuss both your eating and drinking habits with the dietitian and how they should change moving forward i.e. stopping at the first sign of fullness. More so, you will be provided with guidance on when you can return to normal activity.

In the first few months after having your Allurion Balloon procedure, your progress with your weight loss journey will be assessed and realistic expectations for the remainder of your treatment will be discussed. It should be noted that the first 2 months after your Allurion Balloon are where you can expect to see the fastest weight loss; after this, progress is expected to slow.

At the 3-month mark in your Allurion Balloon journey, you should prepare for life after your balloon. You will cover dietary adjustments, further weight loss (diet and exercise, medication, surgery, a 2nd balloon) and maintaining your weight loss.

Your Allurion Balloon will self-empty and pass naturally after 4 months of being in situ. In rare cases, you may vomit the balloon at the end of its residence. In very rare cases, you may require endoscopic intervention to remove the balloon.

After 5-6 months, once your Allurion Balloon has been out of your system for a month or two, you will have a final follow-up with the nurse to check in on your progress and how you are coping without your balloon, as well as being able to discuss through any other questions you may have moving forward regarding diet, lifestyle, and general approach.

The cost of your Allurion Balloon treatment package at Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow is £4,100.

This does not include your initial appointment with the consultant. The price is inclusive of all other appointments before the treatment, as well as the treatment itself, the necessary follow-up appointments, and 6 months aftercare.

We also offer flexible finance through our dedicated finance provider, Chrysalis Finance. Patients have the ability to spread the cost of their treatment over up to 5 years. If patients choose to spread the cost over 10 months, then these payments will be interest free. Should patients choose to pay over a period of 12 - 60 months, 9.9% APR will apply. To find out more about our flexible finance, please visit here.

At Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow, we are well prepared to support you at every step in your weight loss journey with the Allurion Balloon. With a highly experienced clinical team, you can rest assured every step of your journey with us will be smooth, safe and efficient, from your initial consultation through to your final follow-up appointment.

We see people from across the West of Scotland and further afield. People come to us from Newton Mearns, Milngavie, Bearsden, Giffnock and Clarkston. We also see patients from Partick, Bishopbriggs, Ayr, Troon and Prestwick. If you’re living in one of these areas and looking for a private hospital near you, our team is ready and waiting to help you.

To book your free consultation for the Allurion Balloon in Glasgow, call 0141 810 3151.