Allurion Gastric Balloon (Stomach Balloon)

The Allurion Program is patient-centred, and the progression of the plan after placement is tailor-made. During this time, the goal is to help the patient’s body adapt to the ball.
Dieticians must allow patients to evolve at their own pace and help them to do so.
Dietitians should help patients focus on maintaining hydration and their protein intake goals.

How to test tolerance: Take a very small portion and wait 30 minutes to 1 hour:
– If the patient has no symptoms, proceed to the next step.
– If the patient has symptoms, remain at the current stage for an additional 24 hours.
– Repeat the test if necessary and at each step change.

Dehydration is a potential risk for patients with gastric balloon, often due to insufficient fluid intake or episodes of vomiting. To address this, it is recommended that patients consume between 2 and 2.7 liters of water (women/men respectively) or other hydrating beverages per day, with the exact amount varying depending on individual factors such as height, weight, age, environment, activity level…

Hydration is especially crucial in the first few weeks after the balloon is placed. Taking a structured approach to fluid intake can help manage this situation. Healthcare professionals should therefore emphasize the importance of proper hydration with their patients to ensure optimal results during this time.

It is recommended that the patient:
– Drink 700 ml of fluid in the morning, afternoon and evening.
– Start with small sips and gradually increase the amount over time, avoiding large sips. Some people can only tolerate one tablespoon of liquid every 5 minutes. – It is also advisable to avoid icy drinks as they can exacerbate cramps; Hot or room-temperature drinks are preferred.
– In case of vomiting, rehydration solutions should be used.

This strategic approach can promote effective hydration.

Adopting thoughtful eating habits is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is advisable to eat slowly, taking the time to chew each bite well. In addition, it is recommended to avoid eating and drinking at the same time. Instead, it’s best to drink water about 30 minutes before and after meals. This method promotes digestion and strengthens the feeling of satiety, thus reducing the tendency to overeat. When it comes to weight management, it is important to note that the ALLURION Gastric Balloon encourages this practice.
When you eat your meal, take short breaks between bites. This approach allows you to assess your level of satiety. It’s important to emphasize that satiety doesn’t mean feeling bloated or uncomfortable, but rather experiencing a feeling of contentment or accomplishment after finishing your meal.

It is essential to stop eating or drinking at the first signs of satiety to avoid overconsumption. This principle is at the heart of the effectiveness of the ALLURION gastric balloon.

Learning to identify the signs of satiety is essential in this process. It can be a feeling of tightness in the chest, burping, hiccups, etc. These signs indicate that your body has had enough, and continuing to eat could lead to discomfort or unnecessary calorie intake. Remember, every bite counts on your journey to a healthier lifestyle.

1. Patients should not initiate any physical activity (e.g., exercise) for one week after ball placement, until symptoms have subsided and patients are able to remain well hydrated.

2. Patients can walk as much as they tolerate after the procedure, as long as they feel well hydrated.

3. Deep water diving and skydiving are not recommended (the balloon can induce vagal stimulation which can be exacerbated by extreme conditions and cause loss of balance or sensory reception disturbance that can be dangerous in these circumstances).

4. The use of wearable technologies and activity trackers can have a positive effect on healthy physical activity behaviours. Encourage patients to get the smartwatch and the Allurion App.

5. Patients can do sit-ups and other strenuous activities with jumping : they may feel the ball move, but it won’t affect it.

Many patients will experience stomach cramps due to decreased food intake, and these symptoms should be differentiated from balloon intolerance cramps/pain. It is essential to understand the difference between stomach cramps due to hunger and those due to intolerance.

Hunger cramps usually occur 2 to 3 days after the procedure, without causing nausea or vomiting. If a patient is experiencing only hunger cramps, they may consider adjusting the texture of their diet to alleviate the discomfort. He can move more quickly from a liquid to a soft diet, you from a soft to solid diet, while progressing earlier to the next stage of the diet.

Intolerance-related cramps and pain are common side effects in patients who undergo gastric balloon. Typically, this pain occurs 3 to 5 days after the procedure, or even later, often due to changes in their diet or overeating. In addition, these discomforts are frequently accompanied by nausea or vomiting. This physical reaction can be a sign of gastric balloon intolerance.

In such cases, it is recommended that patients adopt a liquid diet for a period of 24 hours. This measure allows the digestive system to rest, recover and gradually adapt to the presence of the gastric balloon. After this period and once symptoms have resolved, patients can begin to gradually reintroduce soft, solid food.

This precautionary approach aims to carefully monitor the body’s reaction to dietary changes, while ensuring a smooth transition. This reduces the risk of recurrence of cramps or pain related to intolerance. It is imperative that patients understand these potential side effects of the procedure and are prepared to follow the recommended dietary measures if necessary.

To relieve constipation, especially constipation due to gastric balloon, it is necessary to make certain changes to the diet in order to improve digestive health.

Incorporating certain fruits such as prunes, pears, kiwis, mangoes, and apples into your daily diet can go a long way in alleviating constipation. These fruits are rich in natural components that have a laxative effect, thus facilitating intestinal transit by softening the stool.

Another effective remedy is the consumption of flaxseed. A spoonful of ground or whole flaxseeds mixed with water or yogurt can be beneficial. However, it is important to note that flaxseeds are high in calories and should be eaten in moderation.

For people with chronic constipation, introducing probiotics into their diet can be helpful. Probiotics help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which improves digestion. People suffering from gastric balloon constipation might find these tips helpful in relieving their discomfort and promoting better digestive health. However, it is always recommended that you seek the advice of a health professional before making any significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Natural mineral waters rich in magnesium sulphate can also be useful due to their osmotic effects (e.g. Hepar, Ensinger Schiller Quelle, Donat Mg – at least 20 mMol magnesium sulphate per day).