As an alternative to more invasive bariatric surgeries, doctors can instead use a gastric pacemaker to help a person achieve weight loss. The neurological device, also referred to as the gastric pacer, works in a similar fashion to pacemakers designed for the heart. You can speak to your doctor about a referral for a doctor who performs this procedure.
Function
The gastric pacemaker is used in obese patients who have not been able to lose weight with traditional methods, such as diet and exercise. When implanted, the device affects the nerve pulses in the body. When switched on, the pacemaker uses electricity to block signals between the brain, pancreas and stomach. This controls how much food is consumed by tricking your body into feeling full after eating a normal-sized meal. Reduced calorie intake allows you to lose weight.
Prevention/Solution
The pacemaker can be installed using a laparoscopic approach or during open surgery. The device is implanted on either the right or left side of the abdominal wall. The electrodes are separated one centimeter apart and a doctor can adjust the settings during and after implantation. The procedure takes approximately one hour to complete.
Effects
The gastric pacemaker has fewer side effects than other weight loss surgeries, such as gastric banding and gastric bypass, according to Mayo Clinic researchers. Individuals who underwent the surgery to have the gastric pacemaker installed did not report incidences of nausea, food intolerance and vomiting.
Expert Insight
A study done by Mayo Clinic researchers and printed in a 2008 edition of the journal "Surgery" found the gastric pacemaker effective at achieving weight loss in obese patients. Over the course of six months, participants lost an average of 15 percent of their total body weight.
Considerations
The gastric pacemaker has also been used as a treatment for a disorder called gastroparesis. This condition occurs mostly in young women and causes a delay in gastric emptying. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and weight loss. According to the "Journal of Family Practice," the gastric pacer is successful in treating about 67 percent of gastroparesis patents.
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