Elipse Swallowable Gastric Balloon

• The Elipse (now Allurion) Balloon is swallowed as a capsule, filled with 550ml of liquid, and passes naturally after about 16 weeks with no endoscopy, anaesthesia, or surgery.
• Patients lose an average of 10-15% of total body weight in one cycle, and over 20% with two cycles.
• Prices range from around €1,900 in Turkey to £4,000-£6,000 in the UK and roughly $4,000-$4,800 in the USA.

The Elipse Swallowable Gastric Balloon, now marketed as the Allurion Balloon, is a non-surgical weight-loss device swallowed as a capsule, filled with 550ml of liquid inside the stomach, and naturally excreted after about 16 weeks. It requires no endoscopy, anaesthesia, or surgery, delivers an average total body weight loss of 10-15%, and suits adults with a BMI of 27 or higher. Wupdoc connects you with vetted clinics that place the Allurion Balloon across Europe, Turkey, and beyond.

What is the Elipse Swallowable Gastric Balloon and how does it work?

The Elipse Balloon is the only gastric balloon placed and removed without endoscopy or anaesthesia. You swallow a capsule attached to a thin catheter, and a doctor fills the balloon with 550ml of liquid once it reaches the stomach. The whole placement takes under 20 minutes. The balloon occupies stomach space, triggers early fullness, and reduces how much you eat. After roughly 16 weeks, a patented release valve opens, the balloon empties, and it passes out of the body naturally.

A 1,770-patient study reported an average baseline BMI of 34.4 kg/m². In that group, 3.95% experienced side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, while only 0.34% had serious adverse events. On 23 February 2026, the U.S. FDA approved it as the world's first and only swallowable gastric balloon requiring no surgery, anaesthesia, or endoscopy. Wupdoc lists clinics offering this exact device, so you can compare providers before you travel.

How much does the Elipse gastric balloon cost in different countries?

Elipse balloon pricing varies widely by country, and the gap between medical-tourism destinations and domestic clinics is large. Turkey is consistently the lowest-cost option, while the UK and USA sit at the top of the range. The figures below reflect all-inclusive or program pricing where available.

Turkey is typically 50-75% cheaper than the UK for the same device. The price difference reflects lower clinic overheads, not a lower-quality balloon. Wupdoc helps you compare these clinics side by side and connects you directly with accredited providers in each country.

Is the Elipse balloon better than gastric sleeve or bypass surgery?

The Elipse balloon and bariatric surgery solve different problems. The balloon is temporary, non-surgical, and reversible, making it ideal for people with a lower BMI or those wanting a first step. Gastric sleeve and gastric bypass are permanent surgeries that deliver far greater long-term weight loss but carry surgical risk and recovery time. The sleeve cannot be reversed. The balloon leaves no permanent change to your anatomy.

Choose the balloon if your BMI is 27-35 and you want to avoid surgery. Choose the sleeve or bypass if you need substantial, durable weight loss and qualify medically. The Elipse balloon is also used as a bridge to surgery, helping higher-BMI patients lose weight before an operation. Wupdoc connects you with providers offering all three options so you can match the treatment to your goals.

Who is eligible for the Elipse swallowable balloon?

The Elipse balloon is for adults over 18 with a BMI of 27 or higher. It suits people who are overweight or moderately obese and prefer a non-surgical route. You do not need to qualify for bariatric surgery to be eligible for the balloon. It is also chosen by patients who want a faster, lower-risk intervention than surgery.

Pregnant individuals and anyone with a history of oesophageal or stomach surgery are not eligible. A full list of contraindications is provided by the doctor in the device's instructions for use. A pre-treatment consultation confirms suitability. Wupdoc's guide to the Elipse Swallowable Gastric Balloon explains the eligibility screening in detail.

What are the side effects and risks of the Elipse balloon?

The most common side effects are nausea, abdominal cramping, and occasional vomiting in the first few days after placement. These are usually well-controlled with standard medication. In the 1,770-patient study, 3.95% of patients reported these side effects. Serious adverse events occurred in just 0.34% of patients and included small bowel obstruction, pancreatitis, and gastric outlet obstruction.

Rare complications include balloon hyperinflation, bowel obstruction, and stomach dilation, which may need medical or surgical intervention. Because there is no endoscopy or sedation, the Elipse balloon removes the risks tied to those procedures. Most patients return to normal activity within one to three days.

How much weight can you lose with the Elipse balloon?

Patients lose an average of 10-15% of their total body weight during the 16 weeks the balloon is in place. This equals roughly 2 to 3 stone (about 12-19 kg) for many patients. Doing two balloon cycles can push total loss beyond 20% of body weight. Results depend heavily on following the accompanying diet and behaviour-change program.

The balloon works best as a kickstart combined with lasting lifestyle change, not as a standalone fix. When the balloon passes after 16 weeks, the healthy eating habits built during treatment are what sustain the results. For guidance on the removal stage, see Wupdoc's guide on when to remove a gastric balloon. If you later need a surgical option, Wupdoc also covers duodenal switch surgery.

The Elipse Swallowable Gastric Balloon is the least invasive medical weight-loss device available, requiring no surgery, anaesthesia, or endoscopy while delivering 10-15% total body weight loss over 16 weeks. It costs far less than the UK or USA when performed in Turkey, and it suits adults with a BMI of 27 or higher who want an alternative to surgery. For patients needing greater long-term loss, gastric sleeve or bypass remain stronger options. Whichever path fits your goals, Wupdoc connects you with the best accredited healthcare providers offering these treatments and helps you compare prices, clinics, and outcomes in one place.