The Elite Clinics in Spain (2008) discovered that if a client's mind can be convinced a gastric band has indeed been fitted around their stomach, just as if they had undergone gastric band surgery, the weight-loss effect is comparable if not better, with none of the risks or side-effects of surgery. The technique is popular across the UK and some variations of the original technique are trade-marked.
The treatment works this way:
1. This treatment combines cognitive behavior therapy, hypnotherapy and guided imagery. The basic procedure of gastric band surgery is explained to the client during intake and before the client is hypnotized.
2. Clients are hypnotized over five sessions and eventually guided to imagine in detail, with a background of operating room sounds to enhance the experience, that they are having gastric band surgery (also known as gastric lap band surgery):
- Over the first four sessions, the client is guided to imagine the overall preparation and procedures involved in the placement or fitting of a band around the upper part of their stomach;
- At the fifth session, the client imagines that the band is actually “fitted” into place at the upper part of their stomach;
- Positive and direct suggestions are given for weight loss, meal portion and quality of diet throughout the hypnotherapy process; the client is assisted to develop a new and more productive relationship with food;
- The client is typically asked to listen to a reinforcement CD regularly until the desired weight and diet control is permanently achieved;
- After 28-30 days the client is hypnotized and guided to imagine the band being "adjusted" and reinforcement for positive dietary and exercise changes is also repeated.
Dangers of Gastric Band Surgery
A surgically implanted gastric band is usually reserved for those classified as "obese" and who demonstrate a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30. This surgical procedure works by reducing the size of the stomach which results in the patient feeling fuller with smaller portions of food.
Surgically implanted bands have several significant drawbacks:
- the surgery is expensive; hospitalization is required,
- potential and risky complications during anesthesia, surgery and recovery;
- it is considered a "last gasp" option because of the spate of fatalities in the last few years,
- the procedure is very invasive, and
- there is possibility of complications and side-effects of prescribed drugs during recovery.
Why Gastric Band Hypnotherapy Works
Researchers and scientists all over the world have conceded that the "mind/body connection" holds the key to wellness, achievement and personal development. Hypnotherapy works directly with the mind and its effectiveness is well known in the areas of chronic pain relief, weight management , smoking cessation and IBS pain relief, for instance.
If a person’s mind can be convinced to relate differently to chronic pain and to normalize gut function in gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS, it can be convinced to accept as reality the implantation of a band around the stomach. The subconscious mind does not know the difference between a real event and imaginary one, which of course is why the memory of a humiliating event 40 years ago can have the same "sting" as if it had just happened.
Essentially, gastric band hypnotherapy, is taking weight management therapy a step further. Standard weight management hypnotherapy involves hypnosis, direct suggestion, cognitive behavior therapy and dietary changes. Gastric band hypnotherapy adds to all this the imagination of the actual surgical procedures that would be undertaken if the client were to undergo actual surgery as well as the "adjustments" to the virtual "band" that had been fitted around the client’s imaginary stomach. As well, the mind is convinced that the stomach is becoming smaller and smaller and that they become fuller more quickly because of the increasingly smaller stomach size. By eating less and adhering to a healthy diet, weight dissolves permanently.
Virtual Gastric Bank Hypnotherapy Can Be a Lifesaver
While some patients have reported impressive results with gastric band hypnotherapy, many medical experts are skeptical of any technique that implies just "thinking" about something can solve a problem. However "thinking" at the conscious level and "imagining the results" at the subconscious level with hypnosis are two entirely different notions. At this time, despite the mounting evidence hypnotherapy is highly effective and extremely safe in resolving many problems in a drug-free way, the medical community at large still seems to prefer the slash-and-burn of drugs and surgery. Mounting evidence of the efficacy of gastric band hypnotherapy when compared to gastric band surgery will hopefully turn the tide in favor of the client.
Other Useful Articles:
Mayo Clinic Question: Weight Loss Hypnosis: Does it Work?
Sources:
Shirran, M. eliteclinics.com
McLean, B. Hypno-Band.com
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