Virtual Gastric Band – New Weapon Against Obesity

Boston, MA (PRWEB) November 4, 2010

Hypnotherapists Myra Durkin and Erika Slater are launching the Virtual Gastric Band weight loss procedure in the Boston area in a free trial. Virtual Gastric Band treatment is a hypnotherapeutic procedure that simulates the impact and benefits of gastric band surgery. The major difference is the “surgery” takes place in the unconscious mind of the patient.

Martin and Marion Shirran developed this weight-loss technique in Europe. The technique was featured on ABC’s Good Morning America in September, 2010.

“The Shirrans report remarkable success in helping patients to lose considerable weight with no surgical intervention and no medication,” says Durkin. She continues, “Because the technique addresses the core underlying reasons for weight gain, the weight loss is lasting.”

The Virtual Gastric Band procedure is available to anyone who wishes to achieve lasting significant weight loss regardless of whether or not they are candidates for weight-loss surgery.

Slater says, “The procedure was developed as a replacement for weight loss surgeries such as gastric band and gastric bypass surgery. Two major problems with weight loss surgery are its risks and complications, and the possibility of regaining weight lost as a result of the surgery, because the fundamental emotional reasons for weight gain are often not addressed.”

Candidates for weight loss surgery include people who weigh more than 100 pounds over their ideal body weight, have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, and/or type 2 diabetes. These people are candidates for a Virtual Gastric Band procedure. Anyone who has struggled with weight gain can also benefit from it.

Results and trials so far of Virtual Gastric Band treatments have been promising. “Hypnotherapists report that patients who’ve received the treatments have experienced a 74% – 95% success rate,” Durkin says, “losing and maintaining the loss of significant amounts of weight.”

Slater and Durkin will conduct their trial in the Milford and Boston areas of Massachusetts. The trial will be independently verified and the results published at the VGB of New England web site, https://www.vgbnewengland.com.

Both Durkin and Slater have been trained and certified by Sheila Granger in her Virtual Gastric Band procedure.

The New England study will involve 25 people. Participants will experience four hypnosis sessions in a group setting over a one month period in the Milford and Boston Massachusetts areas. There will be no cost to participants. Identities of participants will be strictly confidential.

“While both Myra and I are excited about this alternative to weight loss surgery we want to validate the results other hypnotherapists have reported” comments Slater. She concludes “We’ll continue to monitor the study participants for 12 months to accumulate data on the long-term impact of the procedure, and to provide information to health care professionals and those considering surgery.”

The study is expected to conclude in December 2010 with results published in January 2011.

Slater and Durkin also offer the procedure in their private practices.

Slater and Durkin formed VGB New England to promote awareness of the Virtual Gastric Band procedure in New England. The group will also run the New England study.

About Myra Durkin and Erika Slater:
Myra Durkin is a clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience working with adolescents and adults. She is certified in clinical hypnosis and has been practicing it for over 15 years. Ms. Durkin attended Harvard College, and earned a Masters of Social Work degree from the Simmons School of Social Work. Erika Slater is a Certified Hypnotist with over 5 years experience in smoking cessation and weight loss. She received her training and certification in hypnosis from the National Guild of Hypnotists. She has completed specialized training in smoking cessation, weight loss and NLP.

More information on the Virtual Gastric Band procedure and the New England weight loss study can be found at, https://www.vgbnewengland.com or call Erika Slater at (508) 269-0109.

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Erika Slater, CH
Myra Durkin, MSW, LICSW
Virtual Gastric Band of New England