A swallowable gastric balloon is a clinically supported weight management tool that can be placed without endoscopy, surgery, or anesthesia. In this guide, you will find how the Allurion Program works, its clinical evidence, and who may be a candidate.
What Is a Swallowable Gastric Balloon?
A swallowable gastric balloon is a medical device that can be swallowed inside a gelatin capsule, inflated in the stomach, and remains in place for 4-6 months. Allurion is a program with comprehensive clinical data in this category.
Its key difference from traditional gastric balloons is this: no endoscope, surgery, or sedation is used at any stage. The entire placement procedure takes an average of 15 minutes and requires no hospital stay.
Allurion's Regulatory Status (2026)
- FDA PMA (Premarket Approval) Class III — February 2026 (FDA PMA P250023, based on a review of clinical data)
- CE Marked — European Union medical device conformity
- TİTCK Registered — Approved by the Turkish Ministry of Health
- ÜTS Registered — Product Tracking System
How Does It Work?
Placement (15 Minutes)
- You swallow the capsule at the tip of a thin catheter with a glass of water
- The correct position of the capsule in the stomach is confirmed by fluoroscopy or ultrasound
- Through the catheter, the capsule is filled with approximately 550 ml of fluid
- The catheter is withdrawn — the procedure is complete
No anesthesia. No endoscope. No surgical incision.
Throughout the Program (16 Weeks)
The balloon fills part of the stomach, creating a faster feeling of fullness. During this time:
- Nutrition and activity tracking with the Allurion App
- Daily body composition monitoring with the Allurion Scale (smart Wi-Fi scale)
- Remote physician follow-up through the Virtual Care Suite
A study of 571 patients by Dejeu and colleagues showed that the use of digital follow-up tools significantly improved patient compliance and outcomes (Clin Pract 2024, PMID: 38804393).
Balloon Passage
After approximately 16 weeks, the balloon deflates on its own and is eliminated from the body through the digestive system. No second procedure is required. A mild awareness may be felt as the balloon passes; this is normal.
Clinical Evidence
1,770 Patients — Ienca et al. 2020
In a multicenter retrospective study conducted across 19 centers, 1,770 consecutive patients were evaluated. Mean total body weight loss (TBWL): 14.9%. Serious adverse event rate <0.2%.
Obes Surg. 2020;30(9):3354-3362 → PMID: 32279182
Weight Maintenance After 1 Year — Caballero et al. 2025
In an international multicenter study of 522 patients, 1 year after the balloon was eliminated, 95% of patients maintained their weight loss.
Obes Surg. 2025 → PMID: 40676353
Real World — Multicenter Retrospective 2025
A study conducted in a community setting shows that the Allurion Program can be applied effectively and safely outside the clinical setting as well.
Obes Surg. 2025 → PMID: 41037243
Results vary from person to person. These data are group averages; individual results may vary.
Who May Be a Candidate?
General candidate criteria (the final decision is made by your specialist physician):
| Criterion | Range |
|---|---|
| BMI | ≥ 27 kg/m² |
| Age | 18–65 |
| Pregnancy | No |
| Active stomach ulcer | Contraindication |
| Large hiatal hernia | Contraindication |
| Previous stomach surgery | Evaluation required |
Who Is Allurion Especially Suitable For?
- Individuals with a BMI between 27-35 who want support alongside lifestyle changes
- Those who carry surgical risk or prefer not to undergo a surgical method
- Those using it as a bridge therapy to bariatric surgery (in patients with a higher BMI)
- People committed to completing the program and changing their habits
Side Effects and Safety
With data from 200,000+ global placements, the safety profile is comprehensively documented:
- Serious adverse event rate: <0.2% (Ienca et al. 2020)
- First 1-2 weeks: mild nausea, fullness, decreased appetite — expected and temporary
- Rare: early deflation (the balloon deflates ahead of schedule), early passage through the digestive system
- Very rare: a situation requiring endoscopic intervention
A comprehensive discussion with your physician about all potential risks is mandatory.
Allurion + GLP-1 Combination
Protocols that combine GLP-1 receptor agonists with Allurion are on the agenda. According to preliminary results announced by Allurion and Eli Lilly in February 2026 (n=76, press release, pending peer review), a low-dose GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist combination achieved 23% TBWL.
GLP-1 medications have been shown to cause an average regain of +5.63 kg when discontinued on their own (EClinicalMedicine 2025, PMID: 41399474) — which underscores the importance of making behavioral change permanent with the balloon program.
For more information: GLP-1 + Gastric Balloon Combination Therapy →
Allurion in Türkiye
There are 60+ authorized Allurion clinics in Türkiye. The authorized distribution network provides clinical referral and support services.
In clinical studies, an average of approximately 15% (14.9%) total body weight loss has been reported with Allurion (Ienca et al., n=1,770, Obes Surg 2020, PMID: 32279182); results vary from person to person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gastric balloon placement painful? You may feel mild difficulty swallowing during the procedure. No anesthesia is needed for pain; most patients tolerate the procedure comfortably.
When does it start working? In the first week, some patients may experience dizziness and nausea. From the 2nd week onward, the feeling of fullness begins to settle in and weight loss begins to accelerate.
What happens after the balloon passes? After the program is completed, nutritional habits and digital follow-up continue. The Caballero et al. (2025) study showed that 95% of patients maintained their weight loss 1 year after the balloon was eliminated.
Can Allurion and bariatric surgery be used together? Its use for surgical preparation (bridge therapy) is being evaluated. You should make this decision together with your bariatric surgeon.
Next Step
To get information about the Allurion program from a specialist physician, fill out our form — we will call you free of charge.
Continue reading:
- Gastric Balloon Risks and Safety Profile →
- What Happens When You Stop GLP-1? →
- Clinical Evidence →
- Calculate BMI →
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Make all your health decisions together with your specialist physician.
Authorized Clinic in a City Near You
You can have the Allurion program performed at more than 60 authorized clinics across Türkiye. For clinics in major cities:
Clinical Sources
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