RICHMOND, VA - The obesity problem in America has led to countless new weight loss strategies from low-calorie diets to drastic surgery.

Now a new device falls somewhere in the middle.

The experimental technique called VBLOC, works by slowing down digestion.

Doctors first implant a device about the size of a pacemaker inside the abdomen.

It sends electrical signals to block the vagus nerve which normally helps the stomach expand to take in a meal and contract to digest it.

Patients wear a belt with a coil over the implanted device to turn it on.

For more on this study go to www.vcu.edu/lesspainsurgery/obesity/empower/aboutstudy.htm.  To find out how to be a study participant go to www.clinicaltrials.gov and put NCT00521079 in the search box.