Background

Twelve-month endoscopic intragastric balloons achieve 15.4% (Wiggins et al.) and 16.2% (Jamal et al.) TBWL at 12-months. Consecutive treatment with the Allurion Gastric Balloon (AGB) may be an effective alternative.

Methods

Data were collected retrospectively from 11 international obesity centers where patients underwent consecutive AGB placements. On average, 4 months after passage of the first AGB, a second AGB was placed. Data included weight-loss (WL)(kg), total body weight loss (TBWL), and adverse events.

Results

121 (38M/83F) patients were identified who underwent consecutive AGB treatment (March 2017-November 2023). Starting mean age, weight, and BMI were 43.6+-11.1 years, 102.8+-21.6 kg, and 36.4+-7 kg/m2, respectively. After 4 months, mean WL and TBWL were 14.0+-5.7 kg and 15.9+-5.7 %, respectively. At second balloon placement, mean weight and BMI were 90.8+-20.2 kg and 32+-6 kg/m2. Consecutive balloon resulted in additional WL and TBWL of 7.3+-5.3 kg and 9.3+-7.1, with total WL, TBWL, and BMI decrease of 19.3+-8.9 kg, 22.1+-9.5 %, and 7+-3.4 kg/m2, respectively, at the end of 12-months. In the first AGB, there were two early balloon removals, one due to pregnancy and one due to history of appendicitis. In the second AGB, adverse events were mild (intolerance requiring balloon removal 5.0%, hyperinflation 0.8%, premature deflation 1.7%). There were no serious adverse events.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that consecutive Allurion Balloon treatment achieves an average 22.1% TBWL. This surpasses published results of 12-month endoscopic IGB and approaches weight loss surgery results, while maintaining an excellent safety profile.