How Does Nerve Stimulation for Weight Loss Work and What Are The Possible Risks?

Updated on September 10, 2023

If you’re looking to lose weight but don’t want to go through the long process of dieting and exercising, nerve stimulation could be for you. Nerve stimulation is a type of treatment that sends electrical impulses into certain nerves to activate them. The idea behind this is that the signals will slow down your appetite, which will lead to less food consumption and ultimately weight loss. There are many different types of nerve stimulators available on the market today, and some work better than others. 

This article will explore how nerve stimulation for weight loss works and its possible risks.

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How Does a Nerve Stimulator Work?

The way it works is by sending electrical impulses through the vagus nerve, which stimulates your brain to release chemicals that will make you feel less hungry as well as improve several other functions throughout your body. 

However, this procedure is not suitable for everyone. For people with heart conditions or diabetes, for example, it’s best to avoid this treatment as the side effects could be life-threatening. Always discuss your options with a medical professional first before getting one fitted.

Some people who have used this procedure report positive results, while others note that they haven’t lost any weight. This can be due to multiple reasons. For one, if you don’t change your eating habits after the procedure, it won’t be very effective. Secondly, some people may not need nerve stimulation to lose weight in the first place. 

The overall success rate of this method is around 70%, but just like any other treatment or surgery, that doesn’t mean that it won’t work for you. It can also take some time to see results after the treatment, as it may be a gradual process that takes weeks or even months before weight loss occurs.

How Much Does the Procedure Cost?

The cost will depend on where the procedure is performed, what type of anesthetic or sedation is used, and the individual practice of the anesthesiologist or surgeon performing it. You can expect to pay between $5000 and $15,000 for nerve stimulation surgery, although this price may vary depending on where you live as well as your insurance coverage. Insurance coverage will also depend on your specific policy and the complexity of the procedure, so check with your insurer first to see what you’ll need to pay for yourself. It’s important to note that if your insurance provider covers bariatric surgery, they may also cover this treatment.

How Long Does the Procedure Take?

Depending on your condition, the nerve stimulation treatment procedure can take anywhere from 20-60 minutes. If you’re having both sides of your body treated at once, it may take up to two hours for one session. However, this procedure is considerably shorter than other weight-loss surgeries like gastric bypass surgery, which lasts about three hours and requires a hospital stay.

As for how long it takes to see results, the average time required for a person who has received nerve stimulation to lose weight is around 12 weeks. However, it could take longer depending on the person.

Risks 

Nerve stimulators can also prevent you from losing too much weight. That’s because there are some risks associated with getting this procedure done, and one of them is a significant drop in blood pressure which could prove fatal if left untreated for long.

The other negative aspect of this procedure is that it could cause some damage to the vagus nerve, which would make a person feel sick and tired all the time. They won’t have much energy or motivation to exercise, which would defeat the purpose of weight loss surgery.

There’s also the possibility that you might experience temporary or permanent changes in voice quality, heart rate, and breathing patterns, which can occur if nerve stimulation doesn’t work correctly for whatever reason. Some people may not even notice these side effects, though. 

Some patients report a tingling sensation during treatment sessions and a temporary tightness in the chest, but this should subside following procedure. Nerve stimulation is not suitable for people with pacemakers or defibrillators.

Benefits

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The benefits of receiving this type of treatment include improved heart rate and blood pressure and reduced symptoms associated with depression. People who have received this procedure say they feel happier, more energetic, and less stressed overall.

Nerve stimulation provides an alternative that is both non-invasive and effective, making the recovery time much faster than other methods. Nerve stimulators can be used as an alternative or supplement to other treatments for obesity, such as dieting or surgery.

  • https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/features/vagus-nerve-stimulation-sheds-light-on-tackling-obesity/
  • https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03299881
  • https://today.tamu.edu/2021/01/08/tiny-wireless-device-sheds-light-on-combating-obesity/

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.