Quick Nerve Snip May Spur Weight Loss

P1 · 07-03-2007, 01:52 AM

An old ulcer operation is getting new attention as a possible alternative obesity surgery: a quick snip of a nerve that helps control hunger.

It is far from clear if cutting the vagus nerve really helps — initial pilot studies in a few dozen patients have just begun. Skeptics abound, and even proponents say it would not lead to nearly as much weight loss as more traumatic operations that shrink the stomach and reroute intestines.

It is part of a hunt for middle-ground options for people scared of today's surgery, or those not quite fat enough to qualify for it.

"By no means do I think this is a panacea," cautions Dr. Robert Lustig of the University of California, San Francisco, who is studying the method along with University of Rochester surgeons.

"But I think this will be a rational alternative for a cadre of patients that are sort of in the middle there. With as much obesity as we have in this country, that's a big middle."

More than 177,000 people underwent obesity surgery last year, according to theAmerican Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. The most popular method is gastric bypass, stapling the stomach to create a tiny pouch. Options include placing an adjustable band around the stomach, or cutting off the stomach's side and rerouting the intestines.

**BigDaddy** · 07-03-2007, 11:37 AM

My cousin got a gastric band. He looks better now than he did when he was in college. And it's been several years - so it seems to have "stuck".

**Yevette Cox-Lowe** · 07-31-2007, 08:13 AM

Both of my nieces had the gastric. I must admit that the difference is incredible, they are mere shadows of themselves. 301 to 149 / 280 to 198, even though hers has just been a little over a year. Down side has been some health issues due to the surgery, however, both swear they would do it over again, without hesitation. They are both in their mid to late twenties. This is DRASTIC surgery, us more "seasoned" individuals more than likely would not tolerate all the internal changes as well.

**Hunyb4evr** · 09-15-2007, 12:34 AM

First of all, I will never allow myself to get heavy. Even if I did get overweight I would stick to the old fashioned way to loose weight, WORK OUT! I would never look to surgery for that. Especially not sniping a nerve...geezz! haha

07-03-2007, 01:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
P1 Administrator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,120 Rep Power: 10	Quick Nerve Snip May Spur Weight Loss An old ulcer operation is getting new attention as a possible alternative obesity surgery: a quick snip of a nerve that helps control hunger. It is far from clear if cutting the vagus nerve really helps — initial pilot studies in a few dozen patients have just begun. Skeptics abound, and even proponents say it would not lead to nearly as much weight loss as more traumatic operations that shrink the stomach and reroute intestines. It is part of a hunt for middle-ground options for people scared of today's surgery, or those not quite fat enough to qualify for it. "By no means do I think this is a panacea," cautions Dr. Robert Lustig of the University of California, San Francisco, who is studying the method along with University of Rochester surgeons. "But I think this will be a rational alternative for a cadre of patients that are sort of in the middle there. With as much obesity as we have in this country, that's a big middle." More than 177,000 people underwent obesity surgery last year, according to theAmerican Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. The most popular method is gastric bypass, stapling the stomach to create a tiny pouch. Options include placing an adjustable band around the stomach, or cutting off the stomach's side and rerouting the intestines.

07-31-2007, 08:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
Yevette Cox-Lowe Exclusive Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dallas area Posts: 22 Rep Power: 2	Both of my nieces had the gastric. I must admit that the difference is incredible, they are mere shadows of themselves. 301 to 149 / 280 to 198, even though hers has just been a little over a year. Down side has been some health issues due to the surgery, however, both swear they would do it over again, without hesitation. They are both in their mid to late twenties. This is DRASTIC surgery, us more "seasoned" individuals more than likely would not tolerate all the internal changes as well. __________________ *HAVE NO REGRETS . . . CALL* YEVETTE! Prosper's #1 resource for all things Real Estate! Call Today: 214~876~7334 Exclusive Realtor of Prosper-Living.com**

09-15-2007, 12:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
Hunyb4evr Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: McKinney, TX (formerly Prosper) Posts: 10 Rep Power: 0	First of all, I will never allow myself to get heavy. Even if I did get overweight I would stick to the old fashioned way to loose weight, WORK OUT! I would never look to surgery for that. Especially not sniping a nerve...geezz! haha __________________ "They didn't agree on much in fact, they rarely agreed on anything. they fought all the time & challenged each other everyday. but in spite of their differences they had one important thing in common they were crazy about each other!"

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07-03-2007, 11:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
BigDaddy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 337 Rep Power: 15	My cousin got a gastric band. He looks better now than he did when he was in college. And it's been several years - so it seems to have "stuck".

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Quick Nerve Snip May Spur Weight Loss

Quick Nerve Snip May Spur Weight Loss

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