Elipse Balloon Is Now Allurion: What Changed and Why It Matters
If you’ve been researching swallowable gastric balloons, you’ve probably come across two names: the Elipse Balloon and the Allurion Balloon. Are they different devices? Is one better than the other? The answer is simpler than you might think: the Elipse Balloon is now the Allurion Gastric Balloon System. Same groundbreaking technology, new name — and now, for the first time ever, it’s FDA approved in the United States.
At LapBandLA, Dr. David G. Davtyan has been at the forefront of non-surgical weight loss innovation for decades. Here’s everything you need to know about the Elipse-to-Allurion transition and why this rebrand represents a major milestone for patients seeking non-surgical weight loss options.
Why Elipse Became Allurion
The Elipse Balloon was developed by Allurion Biotechnologies (now simply “Allurion”), a company founded with the mission to end obesity. For years, the device was marketed internationally under the Elipse brand and became available in over 60 countries worldwide. Hundreds of thousands of patients across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America received the Elipse Balloon — all while the company worked toward securing FDA approval in the United States.
As part of the US FDA approval process and a broader global brand unification strategy, the company made the decision to bring everything under one name: Allurion. The device, the digital health platform, the coaching program, and the company itself now all share the same identity.
This wasn’t a cosmetic change made on a whim. Unifying the brand under “Allurion” allowed the company to:
- Present a cohesive identity to patients and physicians worldwide
- Align the device name with the comprehensive Allurion Program (Connected Scale, Health Tracker, App, and coaching)
- Streamline regulatory and marketing efforts across all markets
- Build a single, recognizable brand that stands for innovation in non-surgical weight loss
So if you’ve been searching for “Elipse balloon FDA approved” or “Elipse vs Allurion” — now you know. They’re the same device, and Allurion is the name going forward.
What’s Different Now?
The most significant change isn’t the name — it’s the FDA PMA (Premarket Approval) that was granted on February 23, 2026.
Before this date, the Elipse Balloon was available in dozens of countries but was not approved for use in the United States. Patients who wanted the procedure had to travel abroad or wait. Now, with full FDA approval, the Allurion Gastric Balloon System is available right here in Los Angeles through Dr. Davtyan’s practice.
What changed:
- FDA PMA approval — the gold standard for medical device clearance in the US
- Rebranding from Elipse to Allurion Gastric Balloon System
- Enhanced digital health platform — the Allurion Program now includes the Connected Scale, Health Tracker, and mobile App for comprehensive patient support
- Up to 10-month program with the option for up to two balloons
What stayed the same:
- The core technology: a swallowable capsule containing a deflated balloon
- No endoscopy required for placement or removal
- No anesthesia needed
- Approximately 16-week residence time in the stomach
- Natural passage — the balloon deflates and passes on its own
- 15-minute office placement procedure
Is It the Same Device?
Yes, fundamentally. The Allurion Gastric Balloon System uses the same core technology as the Elipse Balloon:
- Same polyurethane balloon material — biocompatible, safe, and designed to deflate after approximately 16 weeks
- Same capsule delivery system — the patient swallows a capsule attached to a thin catheter, the balloon is inflated with saline solution, and placement is confirmed via X-ray
- Same mechanism of action — the balloon occupies space in the stomach, promoting earlier satiety and reduced food intake
- Same natural passage — no removal procedure needed
The Allurion branding also brings enhanced digital health tools that weren’t always part of the original Elipse offering in every market. The Connected Scale syncs with the Allurion App to automatically track weight trends. The Health Tracker monitors activity levels. And the integrated lifestyle coaching program provides nutrition guidance and behavioral support throughout the treatment period.
Think of it this way: the Allurion Gastric Balloon System is the Elipse Balloon — evolved, enhanced, and now backed by US FDA approval.
The FDA Approval Game-Changer
The FDA’s Premarket Approval (PMA) is the most rigorous pathway for medical device approval in the United States. Unlike the 510(k) clearance process, PMA requires extensive clinical trial data demonstrating both safety and efficacy.
The Allurion Balloon’s FDA approval was supported by the AUDACITY clinical study, which demonstrated:
- 2.2 times more weight loss compared to diet and lifestyle changes alone
- Average 14% total body weight loss
- 10–15% total body weight loss in just 16 weeks
- 95% weight maintenance at one year
- Significant improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar
Why FDA PMA approval matters for patients:
- Safety validation: The device has undergone the highest level of scrutiny by US regulators
- Physician confidence: Doctors who may have been hesitant to offer an unapproved device can now recommend it with full regulatory backing
- Patient trust: You can be confident that the device meets the same safety and efficacy standards as other FDA-approved medical devices
- Potential future insurance coverage: FDA approval is typically a prerequisite for insurance companies to consider coverage — while not covered now, this opens the door for the future
- Ongoing post-market surveillance: FDA approval comes with requirements for continued safety monitoring
What This Means for Patients in Los Angeles
Dr. Davtyan has been a pioneer in bariatric innovation throughout his career. Board Certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Obesity Medicine, and trained at the UCLA School of Medicine, he has decades of experience helping patients achieve lasting weight loss.
With FDA approval now in hand, Dr. Davtyan offers the Allurion Gastric Balloon System at all five LapBandLA locations:
- Beverly Hills
- Glendale
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Fountain Valley
- Marina Del Rey
For patients who previously considered traveling abroad for the Elipse Balloon, the wait is over. You can now access this proven, clinically validated technology right here in Los Angeles — with the confidence of US regulatory approval and the expertise of one of Southern California’s most experienced bariatric specialists.
The Allurion Balloon is priced at $4,000 at LapBandLA, which includes the device, placement, the full Allurion Program with Connected Scale, Health Tracker, App access, and lifestyle coaching support.
Ready to take the next step? Get the FDA-approved Allurion Balloon at LapBandLA, or explore all balloon options available through Dr. Davtyan’s practice.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Whether you knew it as the Elipse Balloon or you’re just now discovering the Allurion Gastric Balloon System, Dr. Davtyan and the LapBandLA team are ready to help you start your weight loss journey.
Call 877-9-BE-SLIM to schedule your free consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the Elipse Balloon dangerous before FDA approval?
No. The Elipse Balloon had an extensive safety record across 60+ countries and hundreds of thousands of placements worldwide. It simply hadn’t gone through the US FDA approval process yet. The FDA PMA approval confirmed what international data already showed — the device is safe and effective. FDA approval provides an additional layer of regulatory validation for US patients.
Is the Allurion Balloon the exact same as the Elipse Balloon?
Yes, the core device is the same — a swallowable polyurethane balloon placed via a capsule and thin catheter, with no endoscopy or anesthesia required. The Allurion branding also includes the enhanced digital health platform (Connected Scale, Health Tracker, App) and structured coaching program that make up the comprehensive Allurion Program.
Why did they change the name from Elipse to Allurion?
Allurion Biotechnologies, the company that created the Elipse Balloon, unified its brand globally. Rather than having different names in different markets, the company brought everything — the device, the program, and the digital platform — under the single Allurion name. This coincided with the US FDA approval process.
Can I still find information about the Elipse Balloon online?
Yes, you’ll still find many articles, studies, and patient testimonials that reference the “Elipse Balloon” or “Elipse Gastric Balloon.” All of that information applies to the Allurion Gastric Balloon System. The device, the science, and the clinical data are the same. Only the name has changed.
Is the Allurion Balloon available in the US now?
Yes. The Allurion Gastric Balloon System received FDA PMA approval on February 23, 2026, and is now available at qualified practices across the United States. Dr. Davtyan offers the Allurion Balloon at all five LapBandLA locations in the greater Los Angeles area.
How much does the Allurion Balloon (formerly Elipse) cost?
At LapBandLA, the Allurion Balloon is priced at $4,000. This includes the device, placement procedure, and the full Allurion Program with Connected Scale, Health Tracker, App access, and lifestyle coaching. The national average ranges from $3,000 to $4,000. Call 877-9-BE-SLIM for details.
