Photo: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
Photo: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
Gastric band hypnosis is a technique used by hypnotherapists to make the client believe they have had gastric band surgery. This technique is performed either in person or virtually in the form of videos, e-books, or audio recordings. While this “solution” is looked down upon in the bariatric industry, is there any weight to the claims made by hypnotherapists or is it another failed attempt to avoid weight loss surgery? We will delve into the claims made by hypnotherapists including the methodologies used to perform this “mental surgery”.
How is Gastric Band Hypnosis Carried Out?
Gastric band hypnosis is a technique carried out by hypnotherapists and usually consists of therapy sessions in which they will try to dig deep to find the root cause of your emotional eating or overeating while the patient is under hypnosis. Because the patient isn’t exactly conscious the hypnotherapist can bring out long-forgotten memories or traumas that cause these obesity-inducing actions. Once the root cause has been addressed, the patient will then be brought to believe, on a subconscious level, that gastric band surgery has taken place. This tricks the patient into believing that their stomach is a lot smaller than it used to be and cannot hold the same volume as it previously did. This is supposed to stop the patient from over-eating allowing the patient to then lose weight and correct bad dietary habits. Although the success rate of this form of virtual surgery is not clearly defined, some studies suggest there is no clear evidence to support long-term weight loss.
How Long Has Gastric Band Hypnosis Been a Thing?
Gastric band hypnosis or weight loss via hypnotherapy has been around for decades as many hypnotherapists try to help patients in the least invasive way possible. Gastric band hypnosis saw a huge rise in popularity in the late 2000s and early 2010s by people such as Sheila Granger, Paul Mckenna, and Alan Gilchrist pushing the success of hypnotherapy for weight loss. Naturally, the popularity was drawn in because surgery was not involved and the patients had no physical risks. However, gastric band hypnosis has slowly been declining in popularity, even though experts in the hypnotherapy space are screaming from the rooftops pushing this methodology.
Why you might ask? It’s because the results are nowhere near the same as real gastric band or bariatric surgery in general. The unfortunate truth is that while many feel a change in their mental state during their therapy sessions, it is not a long-lasting change as many patients cannot continue believing that they have had the surgery without being consistently told that they have. Although some of the patients notice changes in their eating habits, many strictly rely on the subconscious to keep them in check, leading patients to go back to their bad dietary ways.
So, Why do People Bother?
As stated previously, gastric bypass hypnosis has worked for some patients as they can effectively change their mental state and consistently commit to eating less. It is important to note that changing your dietary habits to a more healthy state will always lead to weight loss and longevity no matter what the reason for doing so is. People like to believe that gastric band hypnosis acts as a placebo effect on the patient causing them to believe that their mind isn’t as hungry as it used to be and that their stomach truly is restricted. However, there currently is no solid concrete science to support this method as a solid solution for each person. It is simply a shift in mindset that has been put onto the patient on a subconscious level externally and relies more on hope and willpower than being a solid solution.
All-in-all, the best way to truly see transformational results is to opt for weight loss surgery such as a real gastric band surgery, not an imaginary one.
So What Are the Alternatives?
If you have struggled losing weight on your own and require additional support and help on your weight loss journey then weight loss surgery might be the answer you’re looking for. Bariatric surgeries, such as a gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy, have solid results of 60%+ excess weight being lost 2 years after the surgery has taken place. With many options now available, such as having weight loss surgery on the NHS, it is more accessible than ever before to undergo this life-changing surgery.
UK citizens can consult their GP and if they meet the right criteria, you can have this surgery on the NHS which is naturally cost-effective compared to having the surgery at a private clinic in the UK. However, you might be waiting an unfortunate amount of time since the gastric band NHS waiting list can be extensive and makes patients feel unappreciated. Many patients seeking gastric band surgery can feel disheartened about having their surgery in their home country since going to a private clinic is just not affordable. With the average cost of gastric band in the UK being over £11,000 it’s just not an option for the average Brit looking to change their life. Fortunately, there is a cost-effective way that doesn’t involve stringent criteria and ridiculously long waiting times.
Latvia: The Professional Safe Haven of Weight Loss Surgery
This is where Latvia saves the day for many Brits, with a price tag of less than half the cost back home, patients are flocking to this beautiful bariatric haven. Opting for a gastric band in Latvia or other forms of bariatric surgery has been a game changer for many as you can expect the same level of professionalism as back home without the financial burden. Forget having a placebo effect such as gastric band hypnosis and the price tag of going private in the UK, take the leap to kickstart your weight loss journey today.
