Procedure  

Surgical Gastric Band

Gastric Mental Band(Hypnosis)

What is it?

An adjustable silicone

ring (band) is placed around the top part of the stomach to create a small pouch about the size of a golf ball.  

• Under hypnosis, your mind contracts a band of muscles around the upper part of your stomach! 

• You actually imagine and create the narrowing of your stomach wall.  

• The constriction and the pouch formed are similar to a physical lap band in behavior and effects on your stomach. 

How does it work?

• When food fills the pouch, the stomach signals "fullness." 

• Food trickles slowly into main stomach.

• Adjustable through saline injection or removal through tube with port below skin.

• You sense fullness with very small portions.  Your hunger level is greatly reduced. 

• Adjustable through mental (hypnotic) suggestions. 

• Similar to physical band in sensation. 

What is the weight loss?

• 60% excess weight loss. (Other more drastic gastric surgeries are 60%-80%) 

• Requires the most effort of all gastric procedures to be successful.  ("Some of us learn how to "cheat" the mechanism!",
  (words of a cheater)

• Your sub-conscious mind is running your body! 

• Hypnosis-induced lap band is new to the US and recently successful in Europe. 

• Hypnosis helps with deep-seated emotional issues that often lead to overeating. 

• Hypnosis has been used to help people lose weight for many years.

• Liquids only for several weeks, then pureed, moving to shredded and then regular food after about 6 weeks.

• Your desire for water and healthy foods are encouraged hypnotically. 

• You progress rapidly from soft foods the first week  to regular foods thereafter..

What are the long term dietary modifications?

(Note: Excessive carbohydrate/high calorie intake will defeat all procedures!

• Must consume less than 800 calories per day for 18-36 months, 1000-1200 thereafter.

• Certain foods can get "stuck" if eaten (rice, bread, dense meats, nuts, popcorn) causing pain and vomiting.

• No drinking any liquid with meals.  (Liquids flow through the pouch and wash the food out into larger stomach, defeating the fullness sensation, another method of "cheating")

• Your very small portions result in your calorie intake being less than your energy requirements, resulting in your weight loss. 

• Your thorough chewing removes all dangers of anything "getting stuck". 

• The size of the pouch opening is under control of your mind. 

• You use your mind to control the effect of liquids during meals. 

What nutritional supplements are needed? (Lifetime)

• Multivitamin  

• Calcium  

•  Vitamin and mineral supplements are recommended until you completely shift to nutritional excellence.

What are the potential problems?

• Slippage                    

• Port (where fluid is inserted) problems 

• Infection 

• Erosion (puncture of stomach) 

• Blockage

• Device malfunction

• No potential  problems. 

• Your mind is in control.

• There is a long list of beneficial side effects, especially if you have some other medical issues, or stress.

 How long is procedure? 

• Surgery -- 1 hour 

• Hospital stay overnight ( less than 1 day) 

• Office hypnotic procedure -- 1 hr.  

• Mental preparation for the lap band is two weeks with two one hour office visits. 

• NO hospital

How much time off from work is required? 

• 1 week 

• none 

 What are other considerations?

• Many insurance companies will NOT authorize this procedure. 

• Individuals are generally left to their own resources for support afterward. Weight frequently returns to those who do not alter lifestyle eating habits.

• Generally not covered by insurance. It is an investment in your healthy life! 

• Health Savings Accounts are regulated by IRS Bulletin 503, which states that weight loss programs (except food) are covered if a doctor says weight loss is necessary because of some medical condition. 

• The comprehensive program aids with positively adjusting attitudes and eating patterns. 

• Continuing support services are available beyond the initial period as an optional weight wellness maintenance program.

• The Mental Band Weight Loss Program can help surgical gastric band patients adjust their lifestyle for permanent weight wellness.

What is the cost?

• $15,000-$30,000, generally for surgery only.  Other services extra. Usually no provision for lifestyle change assistance.

Complete multi-week , multi-faceted program that causes you to lose weight and adjust your lifestyle to your new smaller appetite:

• Total Cost of $1250