Key points

A hypnotherapist is exploring a new way to use hypnosis for weight loss.

Patients are hypnotized in an operating room to believe they are having bariatric surgery.

Out of 41 patients receiving hypnotic imaginary surgery, 86 percent have lost weight after 3 months.

55% of those who never had bariatric surgery have lost more than 20% of their excess weight after 3 months.

Maya Mizrahi is performing hypnotic induction in the operating room, making the patient believe that she is having sleeve gastrectomy surgery. Source: Maya Mizrahi and Hadassah Mount Scopus Medical Center/ Used with permission

Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis have investigated weight loss through hypnosis, finding small effects. [1],[2], [3], [4].

But no study has ever been publis

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