Nearly 79 million adults in the U.S. are significantly overweight. If you're one of them, you probably know that carrying excess weight can contribute to serious health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. You may even have tried various diets, drugs and other tactics to lose weight without much success.
Now, another option is available. Recently, the FDA-approved VBLOC vagal blocking therapy, a new and novel weight loss technique that uses an implanted device to control appetite without medications or traditional bariatric surgery. Currently, Scripps Clinic Center for Weight Management is the only medical center in San Diego offering VBLOC. Here's what you need to know about it.
1. Vagal blocking therapy is a unique type of weight loss technique.
Unlike diets, drugs or bariatric surgery, vagal blocking therapy essentially works like a pacemaker for your appetite. A small laparoscopically implanted device sends electrical impulses to your vagal nerve, which runs from your brain stem all the way to your digestive system and controls sensations of hunger and fullness. By intermittently blocking the vagal nerve, the device blocks hunger signals sent to the brain. Your brain believes you are full, which decreases your appetite to help you eat less and lose weight.
Of course, vagal blocking does not give you permission to eat whatever you want. You still need to eat sensibly, and vagal blocking therapy is designed to make it easier to do so.
2. Vagal blocking therapy is designed for patients who need to lose a significant amount of weight.
More than one-third of U.S. adults are obese, which is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. While bariatric surgical procedures such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy can be viable options, only about 1 percent of people who are candidates for bariatric surgery actually have the procedure. Vagal blocking therapy offers another alternative.
Vagal blocking therapy is intended for people with a BMI between 35 and 45 who have at least one obesity-related medical problem, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, or high cholesterol. People who have pacemakers or may need an MRI may not be able to use the device.
In addition, people considering this procedure should have first tried to lose weight by diet and exercise in a supervised program within the past five years.
3. Vagal blocking therapy is completely reversible.
Vagal blocking therapy does not involve dividing, restricting or rearranging the stomach or intestines in any way. The device is implanted with minimally invasive techniques through four or five small incisions, and is generally performed on an outpatient basis with patients going home the same day.
4. Vagal blocking therapy has been proven effective.
In clinical trials, people who had the procedure lost an average of 25 to 30 percent of their excess weight, enough to result in significant improvements in cardiac-related conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
5. People who want to lose weight should explore many options
to find the best fit.
Successful weight loss depends on finding the treatment that fits your goals and your lifestyle, and it is important to work with a specialist who can offer the right medical options to help you get and stay fit. Comprehensive weight loss treatment centers offer a full range of options, including behavior modification, meal replacement plans, support groups, pharmaceuticals and bariatric surgery.
"To Your Health" is brought to you by the physicians and staff of Scripps. For more information, please visit www.scripps.org/CBJ or call (858) 348-4210.
Now, another option is available. Recently, the FDA-approved VBLOC vagal blocking therapy, a new and novel weight loss technique that uses an implanted device to control appetite without medications or traditional bariatric surgery. Currently, Scripps Clinic Center for Weight Management is the only medical center in San Diego offering VBLOC. Here's what you need to know about it.
1. Vagal blocking therapy is a unique type of weight loss technique.
Unlike diets, drugs or bariatric surgery, vagal blocking therapy essentially works like a pacemaker for your appetite. A small laparoscopically implanted device sends electrical impulses to your vagal nerve, which runs from your brain stem all the way to your digestive system and controls sensations of hunger and fullness. By intermittently blocking the vagal nerve, the device blocks hunger signals sent to the brain. Your brain believes you are full, which decreases your appetite to help you eat less and lose weight.
Of course, vagal blocking does not give you permission to eat whatever you want. You still need to eat sensibly, and vagal blocking therapy is designed to make it easier to do so.
2. Vagal blocking therapy is designed for patients who need to lose a significant amount of weight.
More than one-third of U.S. adults are obese, which is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. While bariatric surgical procedures such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy can be viable options, only about 1 percent of people who are candidates for bariatric surgery actually have the procedure. Vagal blocking therapy offers another alternative.
Vagal blocking therapy is intended for people with a BMI between 35 and 45 who have at least one obesity-related medical problem, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, or high cholesterol. People who have pacemakers or may need an MRI may not be able to use the device.
In addition, people considering this procedure should have first tried to lose weight by diet and exercise in a supervised program within the past five years.
3. Vagal blocking therapy is completely reversible.
Vagal blocking therapy does not involve dividing, restricting or rearranging the stomach or intestines in any way. The device is implanted with minimally invasive techniques through four or five small incisions, and is generally performed on an outpatient basis with patients going home the same day.
4. Vagal blocking therapy has been proven effective.
In clinical trials, people who had the procedure lost an average of 25 to 30 percent of their excess weight, enough to result in significant improvements in cardiac-related conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
5. People who want to lose weight should explore many options
to find the best fit.
Successful weight loss depends on finding the treatment that fits your goals and your lifestyle, and it is important to work with a specialist who can offer the right medical options to help you get and stay fit. Comprehensive weight loss treatment centers offer a full range of options, including behavior modification, meal replacement plans, support groups, pharmaceuticals and bariatric surgery.
"To Your Health" is brought to you by the physicians and staff of Scripps. For more information, please visit www.scripps.org/CBJ or call (858) 348-4210.