Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeFeatureshealth and fitnessMy virtual gastric band

My virtual gastric band

-

Louise Robinson reports on her latest weight-loss adventure, hoping the solution will be all in her mind.

We’ve all seen those television programmes where people are put under a “spell” and made to do ridiculous things for the amusement of the audience – and that’s what most people think of when you say the word “hypnosis”. But it can also be very useful as a therapy, helping with stress, anxieties, smoking, alcoholism, weight-loss, and numerous other things.

When Kelly, who runs the Gently Does It women’s gym at Rednal, told me about a treatment called Hypno-Bands, in which you are hypnotised into thinking you’ve had a gastric band fitted, I was fascinated.

The treatment enables you to reduce your food intake because your mind will be convinced that your stomach has become smaller, but there’s no surgery and none of the risks associated with a general anaesthetic – it sounded like a fantastic idea, and I jumped at the chance to try it.

Maggie Handy and Louise Robinson discuss the Hypnoband

At my first brief meeting with Maggie Handy, the resident hypnotist at Gently Does It, I instantly knew that I liked her and trusted her completely.

The treatment takes four sessions in all: two “pre-op” sessions, the “operation” itself and then a post-op session.

My first session was very interesting: Maggie explained how the mind can work, and I soon realised that what she was saying was right. I remember sitting at the dinner table as a child and being told not to leave the table until I had finished everything on my plate – and these habits tend to stick with us for life. We all hate to see waste, so finishing what’s in front of you must be a good thing . . . or is it?

I’ve struggled with my weight for years, and you may have read about my efforts in the gym at Gently Does It, but I have to say that this is the most exciting treatment I’ve tried. Maggie does have a lovely way about her, and a very calming, trusting voice.

I thought I would just go to sleep and then wake up not knowing what had gone on, but in fact Maggie put me into a trance, so I could hear her voice throughout.

I can’t explain how I felt during or after, but I knew I felt different, if that makes sense. I love my food, and clearly I had been eating too much, because from that very first day I knew something had happened to me subconsciously.

When dishing up my tea, I automatically gave myself a smaller portion than usual, and ate until I was full – I even left some food. Scraping my leftovers into the bin gave me an overwhelming sense of pride. Ever since, I’ve been eating much smaller portions but feeling fuller and satisfied.

Maggie has given me a special CD to listen to, which is very relaxing and must be keeping me on the right track. I could tell that I was already losing weight, and I was thrilled to discover that I’d lost 9lb in my first two weeks. My second session, the build-up to the “operation”, was even more interesting. I know this may seem completely bizarre and perhaps ludicrous, but under hypnosis I “met” the surgeon who will fit the gastric band. I could actually see him! You must think I’m losing my marbles, but honestly I could see him in my mind . . .

Of course I won’t really be going under the knife; it will be all done through hypnosis with Maggie talking me through it. Oddly enough I’m terrified of anything to do with hospitals, but I’m reassured by the thought that I’ll just be popping into Gently Does it and seeing Maggie as normal – but I’ll feel as though I’ve had an operation.

If I thought too much about this treatment, my head would be in a spin, but I’m not going to – it’s enough to know it’s working for me. I will report on the operation in the next issue.