Is laser declawing more humane than the traditional method?

[Kutay]

Please know that I am definitely what people refer to as a "cat person" and have not owned a declawed cat in my life. My parents had them and they were indoor-outdoor pets, and mine is an indoor cat. We've moved into a new home and NO, my concern is NOT that my cat is destroying $1000 furniture (we don't have $1000 furniture anyway) or that he's damaging things with his claws. He's damaging himself and that is the problem. This cat has serious pica issues (eating inedible things). He has had numerous vet visits, including a Christmas where he ingested so much curling ribbon that it was lodged in his intestines and had to be surgically removed (~$800). We cannot keep flowers, or small ribbon-like material ANYwhere in the house. Our new house's stairs are carpeted, and he has taken to clawing the corners of them. He is pulling up carpet thread (clear, nylon thread) and (surprise, surprise) eating it. He is then vomiting wherever he is when it comes back up. We cannot afford another intestinal surgery. We've bought new scratching posts and different kinds of anti-scratch spray and nothing is working. We've tried foil before. I'm not sure we have a choice.