The problem with bypass and banding is that many patients have a difficult time eating fibrous vegetables and red meat after the procedures and often complain of nausea and vomiting. Some nausea has been reported by patients on the Enteromedics device, but it doesn't appear to be as pronounced as with other surgical weight loss techniques. For the trials, the device will only have one setting, but Lea says that it could be adjusted depending on the needs of the patients to lose more or less weight. Doctors involved in the device's clinicial trials, including John Morton at Stanford University and Henry Buchwald at the University of Minnesota, think the device is "very promising." "It's safe, simple, and can be reversed," said Buchwald. "If it passes its trials, and indications are that it will, it will take its place among other weight loss surgeries." Other physicians not involved in the trials also expect it will work but downplay the overall significance of the device. "This is a hopeful and useful thing," said Richard Atkinson, editor of the International Journal of Obesity. "But what I hope will happen is that this will enable us to better tailor treatments for patients who don't respond to a particular weight loss procedure." While the success of the device remains to be seen, one thing is certain -- there will be plenty of people ready for a shrinking waistline. Related Links: Eric Bland's blog: Interior Design |
advertisement
Put Discovery News on Your Site!
|
-
our sites
-
video
mobile
-
shop
-
stay connected
-
corporate
