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Doctor’s slimming belt wins French contest after judge loses weight
The inflatable belt that mimics gastric surgery won France’s Concours Lépine inventors’ contest - one of the judges lost three kilos in a week
A former gastric surgery doctor has won an inventors’ contest with an inflatable belt which he claims reduces your appetite – so you can lose weight without following a diet.
Users pump it up with a bulb, putting pressure on their stomach to decrease its size.
Judge asked to trial the belt
Dr Jean-Pierre Allibe wanted it to mimic the effects of gastric surgery, which he calls an aggressive solution as it removes healthy body parts.
His current model goes on sale this month and is for overweight, rather than obese, people.
His belt idea won France’s prestigious Concours Lépine inventors’ contest, where he asked one of the judges to test it.
The judge lost an impressive three kilos and 3cm around the waist in a week, despite not wearing it for some meals with fellow judges during the event where the contest is hosted, Dr Allibe said.
Five doctors on judging panel
He is still working on a heavier-duty version, as well as models that might appeal more to women.
The current version is a bulky-looking black device designed more for efficiency than aesthetics.
He said a Concours Lépine prize is something all inventors dream of and the fact that five doctors were among the judges this time adds to the credibility of the award.
For weight loss, users should wear it, as a minimum, for an hour before and after as well as during meals, he said, though the ideal is to wear it throughout the day under loose clothes to reduce the urge to snack.
There is no need to diet.
Shop planned in Antibes
Dr Allibe says he lost around 12 kilos himself with it over around three months, adding that around a kilo a week would be an average result.
Testimonies from testers published at ceinture-alligator.com mention losses from one kilo to 10.
The belts are available online, priced €280-€330, depending on size.
A physical shop is planned in Antibes on the Riviera.
Some 17% of French adults are considered obese and another 30% overweight.
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