Implant, Belt May Help Fight Obesity

(CBS)  There may be new hope for people struggling with obesity.

It's called "VBLOC therapy," which seeks to stop the impulse to overeat by blocking the vagal nerves. Those nerves communicate feelings of hunger and fullness from the brain to the stomach.

With the new approach, doctors insert a VBLOC device just beneath the skin. It's a receiver. Electrodes are hooked up to the vagal nerves. And the patient wears a belt that transmits electronic impulses to confuse or block the nerves' signals. The desired result -- pangs of hunger are reduced, and patients eat less.

A nationwide trial of VBLOC therapy is under way.

The treatment is considered less invasive than bariatric surgeries, which usually involve shrinking the stomach by wrapping a tight band around it -- a so-called lapband -- or bypassing large sections of the stomach altogether and going directly to the rest of the digestive tract -- commonly referred to as gastic bypass surgery.

On The Early Show Friday, Dr. Scott Shikora, chief of bariatric surgery at Tufts Medical Center in Boston and one of the current study's principal investigators, showed a VBLOC device, explained how it works, and outlined the new therapy's possible benefits.

And Jeff Collins, who had the device implanted in Los Angeles in December, said he's lost 20 pounds and now weighs 285. "I would recommend it to anybody who's (trying) to lose weight."

"The risk with the other two gastic bypass procedures right now is too high, especially with people my age," Collins said.

"With gastic bypass," Shikora pointed out to CBS News, "we're dividing the stomach and bowel, and it's fraught with potential risks, such as infection. With the VBLOC, we're not dividing the stomach, we're simply attaching electrodes to two very prominant nerves."

But, he cauutioned, "Remember: This is research. We don't know yet how this device will perform, how consistent it will be long-term. It could prove to be a better alternative for some. Also, gastric bypass has a 40-year track record. We know it works."

Shikora says it takes 45 minutes to an hour to implant the device and patients can often go home the same day.

He added that no one knows yet how quickly patients will lose weight with VBLOC: "It might turn out to be a much slower way to lose weight than gastic bypass. But, more importantly, weight loss has to consistent and effective; it doesn't have to be rapid. The key is achieving meaningful weight loss."

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CLINICAL TRIAL PARTICIPATION

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, "Stanford University is one of 13 sites around the country participating in the study, being funded by medical device company EnteroMedics. Researchers hope to sign up 250 to 300 volunteers, about 50 of them in the Bay Area, and study them for five years.

Stanford is looking for up to 50 patients to participate in the five-year trial. Participants must have a body mass index of 40 to 45, or of at least 35 for people suffering from an obesity-related condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or sleep apnea. Participants must have completed at least six months of a supervised weight-loss program and either failed to lose weight or could not keep it off.

To apply for the trial, fill out a registration form at links.sfgate.com/ZDAY, or call [phone].

[chinneymae-2009]

I am a 51 year old mother of three and grandmother of four. I have been struggling with weight (5''1 and 220lbs.) for several years now. I kept 10-15 lbs after first two pregnancies. After the third pregnancy I began to gain more rapidly. I weighed 98lbs when I got married in 1974 and 125 after second pregnancy in 1980. I have been on low fat, low carb, weight watchers, diet pills, joined fitness clubs. You name it I''ve done it. I would lose a few lbs and then gain it back and more. I know that my health isn''t going to get any better until I lose the weight and keep it off. I have a heal spur, hypertension and high cholesterol. I''m embarrassed to go places because Im always the fattest person there. I feel like my husband is embarrassed to be seen with me even though he says he isn''t. I have my 35th class reunion coming up in June, 2009 and I probably won''t go. Last time I went for my 20th I was at 180 and no one knew me. How embarrassing that was. I hope I can become a candidate for your program. You are my last hope. Thank you.

[delynn51]

I am a 56 year old divorced female, mother of 4 grown sons . My bmi is 60+ and my weight is 342 pounds, I am 5''2" . I have been struggling for years with my weight .With each pregnancy came more pounds , with each marriage / divorce , came more pounds. Unfortunately I am a very emotional eater and it shows. I would be so grateful to have the chance to try this implant .
I know I do a lot of mindless eating , but I always seem to be "hungry" . I''ve tried low fat , low carb , low calorie , TOPS(for 30 years) , weight watchers etc. Each weight loss seems to creep back up .
Now at this point , I would give anything to be 50 , 100 or 150 pounds lighter. I would like to see my grandkids grow up and enjoy these last 20 years . I have been so uncomfortable in my body for so long , it''s time for a change .
If given the chance , I would give 110 % in this effort to lose the weight with this procedure.
Whoever is picked , I congratulate you on your efforts and praise you for "not giving up" in this frustrating struggle with excess weight . Good luck to you all :)

[ahm12-2009]

I am a 310 pound man with healtlh issues, my insuranc e Blue and blue will not let me have the gastric bypass I feel will save my life an give me a Quality of life I deserve. I would be willing today to try this new device. I have been fighting for Bariatric surgery since 08/01/2007 and to no avail my Appeals haven''t been heard. Please help this Maine Logger/Forester get his Surgery and help him live a thinner, healther, Longer life.This is the answer for me, I know this...

[klingwench]

My BMI is 50+, I have diabetes and arthritis. I''ve tried just about every weight loss thing out there. A friend just underwent gastric bypass and ended up with two subsequent surgeries for obstructions, pneumonia, and other complications. Not for me, thanks! If you ever get around to doing trials on the East Coast, please make it very public, as I would be extremely interested in participating!

[lloydbest1]

I am in favor of anything that works. The bottom line though is energy balance. To change your weight you have to alter that balance - to lose, you need to take in fewer calories than you use up.
But having said that, I also say that for an unfortunate few of us, that is an all but impossible task. I have seen many who have tried EVERYthing and have failed to reach the weight they wanted.
A couple of points:
1. Think of this as a lifestyle change. Simply going on a "diet" implies once one has reached one''s weight loss goal he or she can go back to "eating as usual". No. The "diet" has to be permanent.
2. Any progress is progress and should be celebrated! If you are 100 pounds overweight and are able to lose only 50, that''s STILL 50 pounds you don''t have wrecking your knees or increasing your insulin resistance.
3. Not everyone is going to be able to look like Angelina Jolie, "Eva the Diva", Matt McConaughey or T.O. Focus instead on that suit you haven''t been able to get into since 1993. Rejoice in your resurrected ability to see your shoes while still wearing them. The goal is to be healthy, not to look good in underwear.
I am NOT trivializing the plight of the overweight and I hope this doesn''t come across as flippancy, but I''ve been there and I have worked years to strip my own excess lardage. By and large, I have been successful but it takes a continuing effort. I really hope this less invasive Vagal block procedure is all that it promises to be.

[dede1959]

I hope to be able to have this device implanted for I am way over weight and not healthy at this weight I feel it may be what I have been needing I have tried
weight watchers, pills, Nutrisystem nothing has worked for me

[cruse7]

I hope this works for many peole; I myself had gasteric byypass surgery in the early 90''s after struggling for years. I would do it again,but due to the surgery I have lost most of my teeth(lack of nutrients) I wish this would have been an alternative back then. I suggest healthy foods; and exercise tokeep your skin looking tight. Another drawback on the gasteric bypass. Rapid weight loss skin loose and pitted where stretch marks were. Good Luck to all participants.