Virtual gastric band: thinness by the force of thought
Bariatric surgeryto treat morbid obesity developed very rapidly in France. Thus, the number of interventions has been multiplied by 20 in the space of 20 years(1). The technique has also evolved: the gastric band, very popular in the 1990s, has been beaten by other techniques (by-pass, sleeve gastrectomy) and now represents only 3-4% of interventions(2). What if it were possible to have a gastric band placed virtually, without going through theoperation box? This is the promise of many hypnotherapists, who extol the merits of their virtual gastric band.
What is the virtual gastric band?
The concept of “Virtual Gastric Band”(3) was created by a British hypnotherapist, Sheila Granger, in 2010. His principle: to suggest to his patients, through hypnosis and psychology, the virtual placement of a gastric band, which would have the effect of moderating their appetite and thus, making them lose weight. It is not a dietand it does not involve any particular restriction. It just aims to drastically change the way we think about food and eat. A kind ofmental reprogramming, with a particular focus on eating habits (snacking, compulsions) and portion sizes absorbed. Sheila Granger claims that her technique eliminates the obsessiveness he associates with food in the subject and instead instills in her mind the idea of moderation.
In France, the main ambassador of the technique is Frédérique Chataigner, hypnotherapist specializing in eating behavior and addictions and creator of theChataigner method. The gastric band is also one of the pillars of his method, along with logical nutrition and nutritherapy.
What is the placement of a virtual gastric band?
The “procedure” actually takes place in four sessions, each with its own topic of “suggestion”.
Session One: Preliminary Preparation
The first session consists of an Inventorytag. The therapist becomes aware of the weight of his patient and assesses with him his situation: eating behavior, extent of the obsessive nature of food, but also general state of health,Quality of Sleep , level of stress and personal objectives in terms of slimming. This discussion is done in full consciousnesstag. It is only afterwards that the hypnosis session takes place. The patient is invited to relax, close their eyes and listen to the therapist. The latter will “talk to his unconscious” and beginmental reprogramming, inviting him to detach himself from the food. This is a preparatory behavioral work for the virtual pose of the gastric band.
Second session: work on taste
Third session: visualization of the stomach
food.
Last session: installation of the AGV
It is during the fourth session that the “installation” of the virtual gastric band takes placetag. This is a visualization exercise, where the therapistinvites the patient to imagine the surgerytag. This virtual experiment is supposed to reprogram the mind of the subject vis-à-vis his feelings of hunger and satiety. Thus equipped with his virtual gastric band, the patient should:
- be less hungry ;
- Reachsatiety more quickly and thus, not necessarily finish your plate at each meal;
- no longer constantly thinking about food, or even losing interest in it;
- stop any food compulsion;
- break away from ” emotional ” foods that are usually appreciated.
Finally, the patient is invited to regularly listen to hypnosis sessions sent by the therapist, at home. He is also advised not to overindulge and not to consume alcohol, throughout the duration of the therapy. In principle, nothing complicated, if the hypnosis sessions are really effective.
What are the opinions about the virtual gastric band?
Among hypnotherapy patients, opinions are dividedtag. Some claim that the mental reprogramming has changed their lives and do not hesitate to share before/after photos of their physical transformation. It is clear that they have indeed lost weight. Whether the hypnosis sessions are the cause, nothing is less certain. Others, on the contrary, admit to having been completely hermetic to the work of unconscious suggestion and not to have lost weight.
What about science? Today, there isonly one studyconcerning the installation of a virtual gastric band, the technique being still recent. The latter(4) aimed to determine whether AGV had an effect on weight loss in obeseadults (BMI > 27, men and women), compared to simple relaxation hypnotherapy and a self-managed diet. The study concluded thatthe principle of virtual gastric banding did not result in greater weight loss than the relaxation technique .
In addition, many studies have been conducted regarding the effectiveness of hypnosis on addiction. While some are positive, others questionthe universal and long-term natureof the technique. It is recognized thatsome subjects are not receptive to hypnosis , so the installation of a virtual gastric band cannot have any impact on them (5)tag. Finally, many reviews(6) suggest that hypnotherapy could be effective on addictive behaviors (and compulsive eating is one of them) but that:
- very often, therapeutic success is attributable to non-hypnotic factors, such as psychological care;
- the effectiveness of hypnosis depends on the nature of the disorders to be treated, the manner in which the therapy is delivered and the hypnotic susceptibility of the patients.
Also, nothing prevents you from trying the experience of a virtual gastric band installation and making up your own mind. Indeed, the procedure is perfectly harmless, except that it will cost youon average 300 to 400€.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.