Magnetic technique offers alternative to bypass weight loss surgery

MARLTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- Bariatric surgery is the most effective way to treat obesity.

However, many shy away, worried about potential complications like internal bleeding or intestinal leaks.

Virtua has become the first hospital in this region to offer a less-invasive procedure -- one that uses magnets.

Bariatric surgeons Dr. Emeka Acholonu and Dr. Samuel Wasser say Mag D-I uses two small magnets about the size of two Tylenol tablets, end-to-end.

The patient swallows one.

"We then find the magnet. We drag it to a certain part of the patient's small intestines," Dr. Wasser says.

He says that while it's placed lower in the intestines, a second magnet goes into the upper portion with a scope.

"We then dock the magnets together," he continues.

Over two or three weeks, the tissue in between dies, creating a bypass in the region where most calories are absorbed.

The magnets pass out of the system on their own.

"About 70% of your food will pass through that opening into your lower intestine much faster," Dr. Wasser says.

"They could lose a lot of weight, like 70% of their excess body weight."

The doctors say patients will feel less hunger, plus diabetes and high blood pressure are reduced or reversed.

The magnetic operation is an alternative to what's called the duodenal switch.

"And the healing is much better. There's less chance of bleeding, there's less chance of infections," says Dr. Acholonu.

MagDI can be done after or at the same time as the gastric sleeve procedure for optimal weight loss.

"This might revolutionize other surgery procedures - colorectal surgery and then thoracic surgery," he adds.

The doctors want to emphasize that these magnets aren't the same as the ones sold as toys. And doctors closely monitor their location at all times.