Slicing and Dicing--Dumb!
Hi, Hypno-Friends!
I offer hypnosis services for weight management, and periodically I get asked questions about “bariatric hypnosis.” I’d like to answer those questions here and explain why I believe it’s ill-conceived, not likely to be successful, and something that I would NEVER do to my clients in a million years.
“What is bariatric surgery?” It’s a variety of invasive medical procedures that involve the slicing and dicing of the human body to artificially create a reduction in stomach capacity, fraught with all the pain, dangers, and complications of surgery, plus the aftermath of nausea, vomiting, dehydration and potential malnutrition, with dubious longevity or long term benefit. What’s the point of all this? To achieve weight loss. (Hint: there’s an easier way!)
The goal: physically creating a situation wherein you’ll eat less–because you can’t physically eat. That removes choice, doesn’t it? And it fails to address whatsoever the core unconscious issues that lead a person to obesity-inducing behaviors–those remain, even after surgery. It doesn’t change feelings, thoughts, beliefs, it’s an artificial and unpleasant restriction on behavior. I like choices for people. What is bariatric surgery? A limiting of choice and just plain dumb.
What would it be like if there were far simpler ways to achieve and maintain a healthy weight? Ways that are pleasant, natural, non-intrusive, and encourage healthy choice? That in addition make a person feel good, not just about their body, but their whole life?? Feelings of high self esteem, accomplishment, power, joy, and so on?
Well, we’re all in luck, because there are such ways, when skillfully delivered. They are called Hypnosis and NLP. Neuro-Linguistic Programming (a specialized high-tech hypnosis, which is conversational in nature). These things, when used with artistry and creativity and skill, lead a person to a healthy weight naturally. With surgery, there are still cravings that are present yet denied due to artificial restrictions. With hypnosis and NLP, there are no cravings period. Gone. Which sounds more appealing? To me, that’s the definition of purgatory, wanting and wanting and being unable to have. After bariatric surgery, suffering an eternity of feeling deprived? NO, THANK YOU! That’s like dieting.
Hypnosis is not dieting. It’s life change. Changing how you feel, and how you think, and what you do, and even what you believe to be true. Changing your life. In ways that are useful. No scalpels required.
Unless you are a bariatric hypnotist. Dumber. A bariatric hypnotist chooses to engage in a process of hypnotic change work which involves the client undergoing the aforementioned bariatric procedures hypnotically, while in trance. Trance is meant to be a pleasant experience, not something horrific!! They have au de operating room, ether smells, and sound effects of being cut open so that the person will experience it all as real, and the body respond accordingly. This idea disturbs me greatly. A true hypnotist (one who has had legitimate training and was paying attention and has a modicum of intelligence) has tools to help, that don’t create an artificial fix. Bariatric hypnosis isn’t a “fix,” it’s another f-word, followed by an e-d.
The whole mindset around this “work” disturbs me. The other day I got a mailing soliciting bariatric hypnotists. The language appalled me. It read: “Calling All Hypnotists Seriously Interested in Helping The Morbidly Obese Client Rejoin The Human Race.” Oh!! Really? Those with weight problems are not human? What are they? Aliens? Hey, just a guess, but this does not sound like a compassionate or empathetic point of view. I guess if you’re going to cut them open, it’s easier to do if you think of them as nonhuman. Maybe it’s like dissecting lab rats.
Bariatric surgery? Dangerous, dumb, dubiously effective, and not necessary for successful weight loss. Hypnotic bariatric surgery? In my opinion, that is exponentially dumber, and absolutely wrong-minded–what a waste of a powerful and positive tool for life change–hypnosis. I KNOW how people successfully lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. And I know that they don’t require surgery to do it. Now…how do I know?
Because I’ve lived the transformation from fat to fit, and maintained it for 5 years. Without being sliced open, in reality or in my unconscious mind. Hypnosis and NLP, used properly, are all you need! Here’s what I’ve accomplished:
- Before and After.
And I help others to achieve and maintain a healthy weight as well. Here are some comments from some of my successful weight loss clients:
“I have been committed to lose weight for my health for years. However, the actual first step was almost impossible. So before I tried more radical methods, I thought I would try hypnosis. Connie Brannan, and Mindworks Hypnosis worked wonders. The day after my first session, new behaviors emerged and became habits. The amazing thing is – it was so easy.
Late night cravings – gone.
Drinking 8 glasses of water/day – new habit.
Portion control – easy.
A real desire for healthy foods – a new habit.
Feeling full with the right amount of food – a new feeling.
Neuro Linguistic Hypnosis works and fast. I have been losing a consistent 2.5 pounds per week. In the first six weeks, I’ve lost 18 pounds and counting.” –Cynthia Sullivan, COO of a local Bellevue company, Bellevue, WA Update: Cynthia has lost 50 pounds now! 
“Hi Connie,
Just wanted to thank you again for your wonderful help. I’ve lost 40# in 4 months, and I feel confident that I’m going to lose at least 40 more. It’s truly remarkable what a few easy sessions with you have done for my life.
As a health care worker, I’ve always known healthy diet and exercise were key to losing weight, but I never seemed motivated to seriously make those long term lifestyle changes. I grew so obese that I even considered surgery. But the risks scared me, so I decided to try calling you instead. Even after one session, everything changed. I found myself craving healthy foods, appropriate portions, and daily exercise. My sweet tooth and chip obsession disappeared overnight. My self esteem skyrocketted. I finally knew I could conquer my lifelong struggle with my weight. It’s been months since I’ve seen you and yet I’m still right on track with my goals. Hypnosis is easy and it truly works. You’ve changed my life. Thank you!” –E, Seattle, WA.
”The choices aren’t hard anymore.” – Anonymous client, Duvall, WA. (She lost 6 pounds in 2 weeks.)
“Thank you, Connie! The work we have done together has truly changed my life. I have found “my happy” and am now on the journey to a stronger, slimmer, healthier me.” — Kelly, Renton, WA.
“I’ve lost 8 pounds in 12 days!” –Don B., Issaquah, WA.
“It’s amazing! I’ve lost 17 lbs in 3 weeks. I’m happy! I’m sleeping like a baby. My stress level has decreased. I’m making very healthy choices. (Before my last session) I was dancing in the shower, couldn’t wait, eager to come see Connie. She’s guided me to opening my gate to freedom.” –Julie, Mercer Island, WA.
“I will have you know I’ve lost 30 lbs. Girl, you are my absolute idol!” –Lisa B.
“I’m not so glued to the food!” Liz, Redmond, WA.
“I don’t crave ice cream at all now! Or chocolate. I am in shock!!!”– Saliha B., Issaquah, WA.
“Dear Connie: Thank you so much for working with me to help me lose weight. I had just one session, and the positive effects are nothing short of amazing! The cravings that so plagued me are just gone! I feel better and have more energy and just feel more positive since I am not constantly telling myself no. I did not realize the energy I was expending either refusing certain foods, or feeling bad after having eaten them! I cannot wait for our next session. I wish I had found you earlier as I would have saved myself so much grief and disappointment. Thank you for sharing this life altering experience with me.” –Fondly, Monica Anderson, Bellevue, WA.
“I love hypnosis…my knee cracking, painful problem is GONE. I feel a foot taller. I feel thinner. I feel lighter. I feel like a superstar!…Go see Connie! She’s magical!” – Nicole, Seattle, WA.
”I’ve been loving the results and new freedoms from my first round of NLP: 10 pounds gone, much less stress in my life, and I’m saving a ton of money at the grocery store. Yay me! People have been asking me what’s up with the changes and I send them your way.” – K. Dolan, Seattle, WA
”I experienced the most wonderful shift regarding my weight. You said something during the hypnosis that has allowed me to feel much more in touch with my true desires and beliefs about my weight. I feel the change and it has a wonderful ease about it. So I just wanted to let you know and to tell you how much I appreciate your work!” –C., Bellevue, WA
“I lost 4 pounds the first week since our hypnosis session!” –Ms. J., Woodinville
”I’ve lost 3 pounds in the past week since our session. I no longer feel the need to clean my plate.” –Marilyn H., Seattle, WA.
“Thank you for working with me. My eating habits have changed and I’m full much sooner. I haven’t weighed myself, but I haven’t done that in years. My clothes feel better!” –Sheri Parker, Topeka KS
“I haven’t had a donut since I last saw you (3 weeks), which is a MIRACLE!!” – Nichole L., Bellevue, WA
“It’s been 3-1/2 weeks, and I’ve eaten no junk food or candy! None. I’ve never done that before in my life! I’m impressed!” –Jeff J., Seattle, WA.
“I’ve lost 12 pounds!” — Naomi V., Mercer Island.
“It’s amazing. I’m such a different person from who I was. I’m happy, confident, very positive. People around me are noticing and commenting. Best of all, I’m not so hard on myself, I’ve learned to say nice things to myself. I’m so much happier. I feel like I can do anything.” – K.J., Renton, WA.
“Connie, I can’t begin to thank you for the ways you’ve made things better for me. I originally sought out Mindworks as the result of a glowing recommendation from a trusted friend and health professional in an effort to curb my neurotic eating. Connie was wonderfully professional and patient with me even when I lost confidence in myself or the process. I was able to dramatically reduce my nervous/neurotic eating, let go of self-loathing thoughts, gain some peace with difficult parent relationships and feel so much more hopeful and positive about the direction in which I was headed. I absolutely plan to return to do a little more mental house-cleaning and have recommended her so several others.” — Bree, Seattle, WA.
“I went to MindWorks for weight loss but ended up getting so much more out of my sessions with Connie. I have reduced stress, increased confidence and put past dysfunctional relationships in the past. Connie is a warm, caring, professional. The work we have done together has absolutely changed my life. I highly recommend Connie / MindWorks.” –Kelly, Seattle, WA.
“I cannot even begin to say all I want to say about Connie and the work she does at Mindworks Hypnosis. I’ve worked with Connie on a couple different occasions, and she has changed my life completely. I went to her for my lack of energy and enthusiasm for working out and losing weight. I’ve lost 50lbs and am now 10lbs from my goal!” –N, Seattle, WA.
“I was so happy to find Connie. Over the past 50 years I have spent thousands tracking down my constant, and health damaging weight problem. I talked until therapists felt we had gone as far as possible and still weighed over 250 pounds! (and growing) Three short treatments from Connie and I have been losing between 15 and 20 effortless, happy pounds a month. My Life has totally changed for the better. Folks don’t even recognize me from the back! She is a REAL LIVE miracle worker.” –GG, Redmond, WA.
I could go on… Do you get the idea here? Ethical hypnosis performed by skilled and creative hypnotherapists and by credentialed, Licensed Practitioners and Master Practitioners of NLP works for weight loss. It’s natural, pleasant, non-intrusive, and makes your whole life better. Why consider anything else?
Warm Regards, Connie
Hello, hypno-friends!
