New Implant Signals the Brain to Help the Body Lose Weight

What haven’t we tried yet in our quest for the next diet? The battle against weight has become popular and industrial, in light of research findings in recent years showing that obesity shortens life. However, not everyone manages to train their brain to lose weight, and the countless methods available on the market—mostly unregulated—open the door to financial exploitation of consumers genuinely trying to achieve health and a proper appearance for their bodies.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the FDA, has approved for marketing an electronic implant that will be a breakthrough in the fight against obesity. It sends electrical signals to the brain that induce slimming. Through the nervous system, the new implant, Maestro Rechargeable, controls the feeling of fullness. It is implanted surgically into the abdominal cavity and sends electrical signals that interfere with the activity of the "vagus" nerve, which signals to the brain that the stomach is full. The patient can recharge the implant, and the doctor can adjust and control it from outside. The expectation: a reduction of about 10% of body weight.

Over 12 months, a trial was conducted on a group of people who managed to lose 8.5 kg more than the group subjected to a diet regimen without the implant. The company hoped for more impressive results, but the FDA members decided the results were impressive enough to market the implant, which is approved for use from age 18 and up, for people who have not succeeded with diet programs and whose BMI is between 35 and 45—extreme obesity, and who suffer from obesity complications such as vascular disease or diabetes. During the trial, side effects were reported including nausea, pain, vomiting, or complications from the implant surgery, which included bleeding and infection.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, about half of Israelis suffer from overweight, obesity, or extreme obesity. Men are more likely to be overweight than women, and severe obesity is more prevalent among lower socioeconomic classes. More than half of the population is interested in losing weight—mostly women. So far, insurance companies are not eager to insure the new product, even though it has already been approved for use.