Does Hypnosis for Weight Loss Work?

Have you ever seen hypnosis for weight loss advertised as a surefire way to lose weight for good? Some people are putting their minds in the hands of hypnotists in the hopes hypnosis for weight loss will help them shed pounds.

In fact, some hypnotists are using hypnosis to walk patients through a weight-loss surgery procedure in hopes the sessions will trick the mind into thinking they’ve had the surgery and, thus, need to eat much less.

But does it really work?

“Unfortunately, there is very little evidence to suggest that hypnosis can help people lose a significant amount of weight or maintain those weight losses in the long term,” said Dr. David Sarwer, member of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Team and Director of the Stunkard Weight Management Program.

Bottom line: Hypnosis for weight loss may help in the short term, but for long-term success, an overall lifestyle change through diet and exercise is the only way to lose weight for good.

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

Register for a free information session today.