Nerve-snipping: An Alternative Solution to Obesity

The obesity problem in the United States has been gaining so much attention that more and more people have been researching for a solution for it. Obesity surgery is one of the answers to this problem but not all the obese people are qualified for it. You need to be extremely obese to become eligible for an obesity surgery, the most popular one being gastric bypass. But there is an ongoing study that another type of surgery can possibly cure obese people – cutting the vagus nerve that helps control hunger.

This surgery is actually an ulcer operation that became popular in the 1970s but is now being considered as an answer to the obesity problem. This procedure involves snipping the vagus nerve that is connected from the brain to the abdomen with fibers that reaches into various organs with different effects. One of the effects is to stimulate gastric acid production. This can be relieved if part of the nerve that attaches to the front and back of stomach is cut. As a result, the patient would feel less hungry and be able to start with the weight loss program. Also, this type of surgery is ideal for those who might be afraid of undergoing gastric bypass or might not even be qualified for it. This is perfect for obese people looking for middle-ground options.

But Dr. Robert Lustig of the University of California in San Francisco believes that this surgery is not a cure-all. So far, he and the other surgeons from the University of Rochester are still observing the patients who are part of the study. In the 11 people who underwent surgery a year ago, only one was not able to lose weight. All of them reported no serious side effects. But they still have more to go in this study so they recruited more patients to research on this idea.

Getting this surgery is not the final answer. Obese people still need to change their diets and exercise regularly to lose weight effectively. Actually, undergoing any type of surgery should not be your solution, it should only be your last resort. Before going under knife, consider going through a lifestyle change on your own. It may seem difficult at first but all you really need is a little discipline and determination.

Start by making changes in your diet and eating habits. Cut the calories off your diet and eat healthier foods. You can even talk to a nutritionist about making a personalized diet plan for you. You should combine a well-balanced diet with regular daily exercise. You can start off with low-impact exercises like walking around and then work your way to the gym after some time. Consult with a doctor on what type of physical activity is good for you. You can also ask your doctor if it would be helpful to use natural weight-loss supplements. Make sure that your weight-loss program is custom-made for you because one size does not fit all.