New weight loss fad

Monday, August 1st 2005, 10:23 am

By: News On 6

A new weight loss trend pops up in Tulsa. A change in diet and exercise habits is, of course, a staple of weight loss, but lately folks who want to shed a few pounds are turning to a different kind of staple, one that is inserted into the ear that's supposed to decrease your appetite.

The News on 6 first told you about the trend last week, being done in Oklahoma City. Now, a Bixby salon is offering ear stapling, but does it really do the trick? News on 6 reporter Heather Lewin checks out ear stapling.

"I had been going to a diet doctor and I was on a lot of pills and twice I ended up in the emergency room with my heart beating too fast." After years of yo-yo dieting, Nan Holley heard about a procedure that prods you into weight loss with a poke in the ear. It's called ear stapling and lately it's been the talk of the town.

Holley had hers done and decided to start offering the service at her Bixby salon, LA Tans-Plus. "I've had mine in my ears three weeks and I've lost 10. â€œThis just makes you feel like you're full all the time." The procedure is similar to ear-piercing and is patterned after acupuncture.

Be aware it goes into the cartilage and the staple completely closes so it must be removed with a surgical tool. The biggest concern is keeping it clean to avoid infection. $25, a quick pinch and you're on your way to weight loss, supporters swear by the ear staple, but some doctors are a bit skeptical. That's because medical training is not required. Holley says she simply did some Internet research and ordered the gun on-line.

Family doctor, Dr Ruth Miller: "It's questionable what you're getting; it may be ineffective it may be inappropriate, if it works, I think it's great." Dr Miller says proper nutrition, including supplements, is key to weight loss. Other doctors say the success of stapling is likely the power of suggestion. "I don't know if it is in your mind. Some people it doesn't work on. I just know that it's worked for me." Holley says it takes about 3 months for ideal results and of course it's best combined with proper diet and exercise.

Doctors say despite the recent surge in popularity, ear stapling has been around for more than a decade.