Weight loss surgery – Blocking the vagus nerve

Are you considering undergoing a weight loss surgery? Here is the latest update.

Weight loss surgeries

Many consider weight loss surgery is the easiest and effective method. Most of the obese population are opting for weight loss surgeries. Weight loss surgeries result in a considerable weight reduction. But, they too have significant side effects in the long term.

Researchers have zeroed in on a nerve that communicates between brain and gut. The vagus nerve sends a signal from gut to the brain to trigger the feeling of hunger, to digest the food and to produce insulin.

The surgical procedure

The surgery can be done in two ways. The first method is known as vagotomy and the second method is ‘vagal nerve blocking’. Both the procedures are done with laparoscopic method.

In the first method, vagotomy, the vagal nerve is cut from the body. This involves cutting the entire vagus nerve and some of your stomach muscles. It results in losing a significant weight loss. But, this surgery cannot be restored. Even after you achieve normal weight, you won’t feel the hunger. Further, this surgery results in side effects such as diarrhoea, vomiting, dizziness and so on.

The second method, vagal nerve blocking, is an alternative to vagotomy. This method achieves the same results, at the same time, keeps the vagus nerve intact. In this method, an electronic device is inserted into the system that blocks the nerve and thereby, the communication between the brain and the gut. Thus, your appetite and digestion can be controlled without disrupting the vagus nerve. Once the patient achieves the targeted weight loss, the device can be removed.

Way ahead

Both the methods need FDA approval. Currently, these tests are conducted on a sample population. It may take four to five years to actually implement these surgical procedures on majority people. Let’s hope for the best in the coming years for easy weight loss.