Dr. Leon Ehlers

Allurion Gastric Balloon for Weight-Loss

Lose 10-15% total body weight in ~16 weeks without surgery, endoscopy* or anaesthesia.
15-minute balloon placement in Durban.

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Start your weight-loss journey in 2024!

The Allurion Balloon is designed for powerful appetite control; reducing hunger as you change your lifestyle and lose weight.

Our patients have reported significant improvements in quality of life, including increased energy and mobility, as well as improved self-esteem and confidence.

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How does it work?

Swallow the Allurion Balloon in a capsule, under the guidance of Dr. Ehlers without anaesthesia or endoscopy*. The Balloon is inflated in your stomach, checked using a quick x-ray and you’ll be on your way! The entire procedure takes approximately 15-minutes. You will also be supported by the Allurion Connected Scale, Health Tracker, and App.

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What happens to the Allurion Balloon?

During your Balloon journey, you and Dr Ehlers' team will focus on your relationship with food, your goals and weight loss education to help you achieve the best weight-loss results for you, and to set you up for weight loss maintenance after the Balloon has gone. After approximately 16 weeks, the Balloon will naturally deflate and pass through your digestive system.

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Are you overweight? Fed up with spending money on weight-loss tools that don't work?

The Allurion Program supports your ongoing weight-loss over 6 months and combines:

A state-of-the-art gastric pill balloon will be inflated in your stomach and checked using quick x-rays.

The Allurion Connected Scale and Health Tracker, connected to the Allurion Mobile App to track and support your achievements.

A team of experts to support your personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan.

15-MIN BALLOON
PLACEMENT

A breakthrough in simplicity: lose weight without surgery, endoscopy, or anesthesia.***

A FULLY-SUPPORTED PROGRAM

Receive multi-disciplinary support from your clinic during your weight-loss journey.****

LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE RESULTS

Demonstrated that 95% of weight-loss from the Allurion Balloon can be sustained at 12 months.**

What people say

Dot shares her weight loss journey and experience on how she lost 21 KG with the Allurion Program.

The Process

Check to see if you're eligible:

We may offer the Allurion Gastric Balloon Pill Programme to candidates that meet the following criteria:

1 - Age over 18.

2 - BMI of 27 or above.

3 - Have tried dieting with little success.

4 - Do not drink alcohol excessively.

5 - You are not currently pregnant.

6 - Ready to make the change and take control.

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FAQs

Your burning questions about the Allurion weight-loss Programme (previously known as the 'Elipse balloon')

Will I put the weight back on?

Up to 95% of weight-loss may be sustained 12 months after the Balloon exits the body! ¹

How is the Balloon placed?

The placement takes place during a 15-minute outpatient visit. Allurion is the first gastric balloon that requires no endoscopy* or anaesthesia for placement or removal. Simply swallow a capsule containing the deflated Balloon with a catheter: once the Balloon is confirmed to be in your stomach via x-ray, the Balloon is filled with water through the catheter. A second x-ray takes place to ensure the Balloon is filled correctly.

Does a doctor need to remove the Balloon?

No. After approximately 16 weeks, the Balloon deflates and passes naturally. In very rare cases, an intervention might be required.*

How much weight can be lost with Allurion?

After approximately 16 weeks of the Allurion Programme, multiple clinical studies have demonstrated that patients lose on average 10–15% of their total body weight. If you still want to lose more weight, a second Balloon can be placed after completing the first programme.

Is the Allurion Program more effective than dieting alone?

Yes! The Allurion Program, a combination of our unique swallowable gastric balloon and a supported lifestyle change program, leads to nearly 2.5 times the weight loss than a lifestyle change program alone, according to an independent study.(superscript 1)In another study, three-quarters of participants who attempted to lose weight over a year through calorie-controlled or restricted diets (72% of participants), exercise programs or courses (22%), and pharmaceutical treatments (12%), did not achieve a clinically meaningful weight loss defined as at least 5% of their body weight.

The evidence shows that these isolated methods alone are not enough. The 6-month Allurion Program combines medical support and a weight-loss device (Allurion Gastric Balloon), digital tools (Allurion Connected Scale, Allurion Health Tracker and Allurion App) and nutritional coaching to kick-start your weight loss and help you form lifelong healthy habits to maintain the weight loss.

References

Results at 16 weeks. Raftopoulos, I et al Holyoke Medical Center. Holyoke, MA​ An Intensive 52 Week Nutritional, Exercise and Behavior Modification Program: Comparing With or ​Without the Allurion IGB Presented at ASMBS 2019
Three-quarters of adults with obesity have attempted to lose weight in the past year, but most have been unsuccessful (ampproject.org)In another study, three-quarters of participants who attempted to lose weight over a year through calorie-controlled or restricted diets (72% of participants), exercise programs or courses (22%), and pharmaceutical treatments (12%), did not achieve a clinically meaningful weight loss defined as at least 5% of their body weight.² The evidence shows that these isolated methods alone are not enough.The 6-month Allurion Program combines medical support and a weight-loss device (Allurion Gastric Balloon), digital tools (Allurion Connected Scale, Allurion Health Tracker and Allurion App) and nutritional coaching to kick-start your weight loss and help you form lifelong healthy habits to maintain the weight loss.¹ ² **

Dr Leon Ehlers

Dr. Leon Ehlers graduated from the University of Pretoria with the degree MBChB in 1982. After his time in the South African National Defence Force, he started his own medical practice in 1985 in Sunnyridge on the East Rand of Johannesburg.

Over the subsequent 19 years he built up a large and successful medical suite where his scope of practice involved general medicine, obstetrics & gynaecology and general surgery including mammoplasty, ENT as well as abdominal surgery.

In 1995 he was considered a pioneer in the field of Sexology and co-ordinated in the Institute of Sexology in Pretoria Hospital’s Urology Department.

In 2004 Dr. Leon sought after a change in pace and a different quality of life and made the decision to move to Umhlanga Rocks. It was considered a massive endeavour to pack up and start up a new practice in a different province after having established such a large medical suite. However, he rose to the challenge and carried out his vision to create a family practice that placed particular emphasis on male and female executive health, and to incorporate general and gynaecological aesthetics as well as anti-aging medicine to provide holistic patient wellness.

In late 2017 he was also involved with establishing The Institute of Aesthetic Options where he currently acts as a consultant, educator and trainer for facial aesthetics and sexual health.

Dr. Leon has over 20 years of experience with aesthetic & anti-aging medicine and frequently hosts educational and training seminars at Aesthetic Options where some of South Africa’s most recognisable and accomplished aesthetic practioners have come together to share knowledge and skills in order to provide our clients with highest quality, science-based aesthetic medicine practices.

Book a hassle free 15 minute consultation with Dr Ehlers.

Address: Shop 2E, Level 4, The Pearls. 6 Lagoon Drive, Umhlanga Rocks, Durban, 4051.

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References

* Lenca et al. Obes Surg. 2020

**  Lenca, Presented at TOS Obesity Week, 2020.

*** In rare cases, the Allurion Balloon may require endoscopic or surgical intervention for removal.

**** The Allurion Balloon must be used in conjunction with a supervised nutrition and behavior modification program. Allurion advises a 6-month follow-up. Its duration is defined by the physician and may vary depending on the physician and patient profile.