Anyone Look Into VBloc Therapy?

Hello Good People,     A friend called to ask me if I was aware of a trial being done at Tufts MC on the VBloc Therapy system.  She said if you were approved for the program or trial they would cover all expenses.  Well, I went to the website and there it was.  I had not heard a thing about it.  I then did some research on the net but it didn't look too promising.  I found one study that showed about a 20% loss of excess weight.  However, this system may be different and so I am sure one can't say that it isn't going to be the next generation of WLS.  Later I was shocked to notice an ad for the VBloc has been there in the lower right of my OH screen all along!  It is the peace-signing woman with the words, Vivacious, Vibrant, Vital.  Good grief I really am not very observant and the marketers are wasting their time with me.  LOL.    Anyway, I wonder if you have looked into this or considered this as an alternative to older surgeries?  Now that I think about it, isn't it surprising that you never see posts about it on OH?  What do you think?  Treading

What the heck is it? And 20% of your excess body weight is really not a lot - I mean, we need to lose 10% of our excess just for the surgery....

Hi Jenn,     Agreed - 20% expected loss of excess weight would never persuade me.  I don't know that the VBloc has this rate - maybe it is better than that.  Here's what I learned.  The VBloc system entails implanting a device close to the stomach that is activated by an external device that looked to me like a space age belt.  The external device causes some form of eletrical or electro-magnetis pulse to be created that affects the vagus nerve.  the vagus nerve plays a role in stimulating appetite.  So the idea is that one can use the system to decrease appetite and control one's eating.      Obviously it is still experimental and so insurances won't cover it.  Tufts is doing a research trial and will cover the expenses.  It is MUCH less invasive.  But that leaves plenty of questions unanswered like - does it work?  But I'm just surprised that more people aren't talking about it.  Did you click on the ad?  Treading

Treading, I was curious so I called for more info on it a maybe a month and a half ago.  They were busy and took my number to call back.  I haven't heard anything more from them.  If they did call back, they never left a voice mail. I'm just as happy going the route I've chosen with the OBC in ManchVegas. (I also wasn't impressed by their numbers, but figured more research as to what's out there never hurts.)  ~Donna

Hi Donna,     Very interesting.  I'm also happy with the path I am on.  I lean towards the tried and true in all things surgical LOL!  But I agree it is good to be fully informed.  And good for those in the following days and years who may have a less invasive and very effective alternative.  I won't begrudge them one bit.  After all, every med and every procedure is 'experimental' at its beginning.  Very interesting stuff.  Treading

As I was getting ready for work this morning, they had this on Good Morning America. I'm not convienced about this. Sounds too inconvient and only triggers your hunger but what about when your not wearing the belt? Also I wouldn't want to wear that belt around my waist everyday! As large as I am, it would totally be out of the question.

Hi Jess,  That an interesting observation.  And it relates to something Dr. Wagner has corrected me on a few times.  In discussing my feelings about the lab band I said I had reservations about the fill-unfill rollercoaster ride some folks experience.  I said I didn't like the idea of putting my long-term results so much in other people's hands(I meant the RN and Docs who have to agree that you need a fill and so on).  After agreeing that it is a problem for some, Wagner said the most common obstacle for band folks in his experience was the need for diligence in getting those fills instead of purposely leaving themselves unrestricted.  Sort of the idea that maybe you have a cruise in a month and maybe you might not get the fill you need so you can enjoy the cruise more ...and so on.  That had not occurred to me but I can easily see myself  thinking that way. And that was just my thought when i saw the VBloc belt.  Here's the scenario - It's my birthday and we're going out for dinner.  I can wear the belt and enjoy a salad or I can leave the thing at home and really celebrate in style?  Hmmm.... I think I'll have the RNY!  LOL.  But all of this is interesting and it is always an education, isn't it.  Take good care, Jess, and I think you're going to do just fine.  Treading

Hi there! I'm new here and was looking in to what others thought of about the VBloc therapy.  I have extensively looked in to the medical reports of findings (the study has been on going for 3 years now, not only in the US but also in England and Australia).  What has been misrepresented here, I believe, is the excess weight loss numbers.  The initial excess weight loss has been an average of 29.3% in the FIRST SIX months, post op.  They have found in the past 3 years of the study that the VBloc therapy is a good 'middle ground' surgery for those not wanting such invasive procedures as R-N-Y, etc.  It also has thus far proven to have a faster pacing of weight loss than the lapband system.  Although the first generation belt was rather cumbersome, the second generation is much smaller and the company is working on eventually working it to where there would be a self regulating (as for the study they're trying to figure out which rythms/ time pacings would be most ideal for maximum weight loss.)  I figure I've been lugging around my gut for years, the least I can do to help lose it is wear the belt!  The way it works is they attatch a little pacemaker type device inside and wrap the coils around either side of your abdominal vagal nerve.  What then happens is it sends signals to your brain making you feel fuller sooner, when to eat, etc.  HOWEVER, unlike what some people  have said 'it's only for people who overeat', it also slows the rate of food absorbtion, breaks it down differently, etc.  so your body isn't taking on every calorie.  The best part, IMHO, is it's only a 45 minute same day surgery, you don't have to keep going back and forth for resets/ fills, and if you so choose to, you can have the implant easily removed.  Thus far there have been NO adverse events reported, and the only 'side effects' are being a bit more gassy with some foods, less ability to handle sugary/ fatty stuff, and the typical post surg stuff you deal with after laproscopic surgery.  If, when the trial ends and they get the full FDA approval, it goes on the market they are expecting it to cost roughly $20000 or so...    I'm a HUGE research and info nut, so I hope it helps clear up any misinformation!
 "and now stepping off her humble soapbox, ME!"