A HYPNOTHERAPIST from Gloucester is claiming to be the only person in the county to offer virtual gastric banding.

Claire McGrath, who works from Hypnotherapy 4 Health in Cathedral Close, got her licence to perform the procedure at the end of last year.

Since then she has treated seven people, all of whom weighed more than 12 stone.

And Claire claims they all lost half a stone within the first two weeks of having the treatment.

She said: "It is great, there are no side effects whatsoever and it costs a fraction of the price of the real operation.

"Having a gastric band fitted can cost upwards of £10,000, and this treatment costs just £375 for five sessions."

The procedure involves no physical contact whatsoever and takes the client through the entire procedure as if they were really getting a band fitted.

"We go through every stage with them, under hypnosis, from the consultation to the operation itself," added Claire, who comes from Gloucester.

"We tell them what foods they will be able to eat and what they won't be able to eat, and then when it comes to the operation day we reenact what the scenario would be like. The setting is the same, the smells and the sights are all what they would be too.

"The person firmly believes they have undergone the surgery in their sub-conscious, and it works!"

Lin Day, 55, from Gloucester, has had three sessions and was due to undergo her 'virtual surgery' yesterday.

She said: "I have already noticed a difference, and so have people around me.

"I need to lose about two stone, I have been diagnosed with type two diabetes and I have tried every kind of dieting.

"I comfort eat, but I am an intelligent woman and I know what foods I shouldn't eat, so I need to change the way I think about food."

But she added there was still a part of her that was sceptical about the procedure.

"I do still question it, but I trust Claire," she added.

"I wouldn't ever consider voluntary surgery so this is perfect for me.

"I had never been hypnotised in the past, or had any alternative therapy."

Coleford town councillor Richard Phelps, lost five stone after having an operation to have a gastric band fitted a year ago.

He said: "I am a bit dubious to be honest. But I can see how people might find it more palatable than invasive surgery.

"But if it works for people then great, I will be interested to see how effective it proves to be."