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DENVER — More than 29 million Americans now have diabetes, according to the Centers For Disease Control.

Health experts say a growing number of cases are related to excess weight gain.  Well, the FDA has just approved a new weight loss device that may be the answer.

VBLOC Therapy (designed by Enteromedics) features a  tiny implant which is placed under the skin near the ribs.  It communicates with a wire that actually blocks the nerve that stimulates the patient’s appetite.

The therapy also causes food to move through the system more slowly, so patients stay full longer.

VBLOC will be available at limited locations this year and  is recommended for people with a body mass index between 35 and 40 who are prone to serious health problems.

Patients in clinical trials of VBLOC lost at least 20 percent of their excess weight.   Gastric bypass surgery yields higher results, about 60 percent, but that can involve a higher risk for some.

Learn more about the device here http://www.enteromedics.com/usa/default.asp.

For more about other weight loss options, including gastric and duodenal bypass surgery visit Bariatric & Aesthetic Surgery Associates   http://bariatricspa.com/our-team and https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-procedures.