rsunkees

My name is Robin. Dr. Callery did my gastric bypass in June '00. It was the best thing I've ever done for myself. In the past three years, I have gained some of my weight back. I lost a total of 115 lbs and have gained about 35 lbs. This includes the 20 lbs I gained during thyroid cancer two years ago. (I have since gotten a clean bill of health; no cancer.)

I contacted Dr. Callery a couple of years ago inquiring whether, since I was having surgery anyway, he could do a "tuneup" on my bypass. He told me that wasn't possible. A couple of weeks ago I read an advertisement for a new procedure being done at Alvarado Hospital in their Bariatric department for former gastric bypass patients who have gained some of their weight back.

I want to know if anyone has heard anything about this procedure, the good, bad and the ugly. I am attending an informational seminar about it on Wed, March 19.

Mavisavis

I called and got info about this...it is done here in Ohio too. There is a thread where we talked about it if you want to read that. You can go up to search and key in Stomaphyx. For me, I think after reading and giving it a lot of thought (and honesty, cause I just feel so defeated), I felt I was jumping the gun. I am about 15 lbs up from goal......which is about 25 up from my lowest weight. I think honestly for me, I am falling into the food addiction again....snacking and grazing unhealthy things. I still can't eat large portions if I eat healthy foods. It does sound like a good procedure if someone truly feels the issue is stretched pouch or stoma. For me, I think it would force me back to my goal, maybe motivate for some months, then I would wander back to where I am. I am going to keep the info though for future if need be. BTW, the total for the procedure here is $9500.

__________________
Marty

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts--Winston Churchill

Lap RNY 9-7-05
Dr. Ben-Meir
Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery
235/135/135
pre/now/goal

mlg

Hi Robin...My name is Marcia...I am a patient of Dr. Julie Ellner here in SanDiego and was the first patient here in San Diego to have the new stomaphyX procedure...I had my first gastric bypass procedure done by Dr. Ellner five years ago, never felt better in my life and never looked better, I was thrilled to feel like I had a chance to start my life again..I maintained my 100lb weight loss for about 3 years, feeling like there would be no way I could ever gain a substantial amount of weight again...over the last two years I have gained back about 40 pounds, sort of drove myself off into a ditch, started snacking, stopped exercising as much, and sure enough the weight started coming back on...I was devistated, felt like a failure, and saw myself going back to where I was before my surgery...I went back to Dr. Ellner feeling humilated that I could have been so weak as to let myself start old bad habits...but she was wonderful, supportive and understanding, and told me about the new stomaphyX procedure...she explained how this could be a second chance to get started again, but also that like the first time around it is only a tool...It takes committment and a change in lifestyle in order to be successful...I was so thrilled to think that I could possibly have a second chance that I recommitted myself to stay on track...Well, I indeed had the first stomaphyX here on Feb 14, 2008...almost weeks ago, and I am absolutely thrilled with the results thus far..I can share with you that I had the surgery in the morning and was home that night...there was no pain whatsoever...the procedure is done endoscopically (down through the throat) so there are no incisions..I was only off work for two days...It is like starting over after gastric bypass...water, broth, jello, sugar-free popsicles for the first week and even longer if you can handle it...Dr. Ellner recommends patients follow the same tool-kit as after gastric bypass, with regards to protein, vitamins and bringing foods back in gradually...I am soo excited I have already lost 16 pounds with about 20 more to go...I cannot tell you how excited I am about life again and how good I feel..Dr. Ellner saw your blog on this website and asked me if I would send you a message, and, that you might possibly be at her lecture on 3/19...Dr. Ellner had me go to her lecture two weeks after my surgery on 2/23 and had me speak..she has asked me to come and speak at her 3/19 lecture also, which I am more than happy to do..I cannot encouage you enough to at least go the lecture and see what you think...I would love to meet you and share my experience with you and/or answer any questions you may have...Whatever you decide, good luck to you Robin...I wish you love, luck and happiness always...Marcia

TiredOfBeingFat

Hi Marcia,
Thanks for your post. I am considering have the StomaphyX procedure done with Dr. Peresh Raja... in San Antonio shortly. I just discovered the procedure a few weeks ago in an effort to get help with my weight gain. I had my R-N-Y Gastric bypass in 1997 when pouches were created much larger than now. I felt like a lab rat then and I feel the same now... No long term results with a new procedure. It is helpful to hear about your procedure and outcome. I need to lose about 40 lbs total. I managed to keep my weight loss off for almost 10 years with the exception of about 10-15 lbs. Now that menopause is upon me....I know it will only get worse. I want to get a handle on it before it gets too far out of hand. I only wish insurance would pay for it. I understand that there are no insurance codes available for this procedure yet. I think the doctors should give us "guinney pigs" a huge discount for practicing on us. Let's face it. Most of them have no real experience to speak of. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

razorsgerl

Okay I had my gastric bypass in 2000. I am ashamed to say I do not know exactly which one I had, all I know is I have a huge zipper from my breast bone to my belly button. On the day of surgery I weighed 509 at my lowest I weighed 250. In 2004, I got pregnant and had a baby. I am now at 400. I am desperate for some help is this new procedure right for me? My sleep apnea has returned and I am so afraid I am not going to wake up.
Side Note:
I think I found the reason I gained so much weight back and I am sharing this to help anyone else who might be in the same position......I started smoking weed. My husband smokes a little every night after work and I started to join him, it was a great way to relax at the end of the day. But I started thinking DUH, the reason cancer patients smoke is for pain and nausea. Nausea is your friend when you have GP its the body's way of saying ENOUGH, well I think that is why the weed was making me get the munchies and not feel nausea.

Godsblessedme

have you all tried that 5 day pouch test?

__________________
Deborah
Highest weight 268
Surgery Date: 12/18/07 Lap RNY
Current Loss: However far this journey will take me Current Weight:175 (10/26/09) and finally a SIZE 12

Charlotte Martin

Hi Robin,
I had gastric bypass RNY w/Dr. Clark at Alvarado in 1998 (10 yrs ago already!). I initially lost 160 lbs but gained a bunch back so had a "Conversion" surgery w/a bariatric surgeon in Pittsburgh (I live in Buffalo, NY) in 2004. Helped some but not much and now I would like to have the StomaphyX w/a bariatric surgeon in VA near where my daughter lives, but I Medicare for me is primary and Federal BC/BS is secondary and I heard Medicare doesn't cover "revision" surgery very often. Federal BC/BS would probably cover it but once Medicare says it's not medically necessary then BC/BS will probably deny it too. Wish I could just go thru them first. Do you know if Stomaphyx is covered by ANY insurance? How much would it cost if not covered? Charlotte

offstringgirl

I saw this procedure done last week on Big Medicine with a lady that had a bypass done 30 years ago, and only lost 40 pounds total with it because the surgeon made her pouch way too big, so they went in and made it smaller through her mouth.

__________________
Laura

RNY July 10th, 2008

Starting weight: 333 pounds

Charlotte Martin

What IS the 5 day pouch test? Charlotte

TML

I am in the same situation as some of you are. I had my gastric bypass in November of 1999. I was 235 and my lowest weight was 126. I think I only was at that weight for a very short time and I settled in around 132-136. I have maintained that for all these years, but in the past 2-3 years, I have been struggling. I am a firm believer in Atkins - it is the ONLY food plan I have ever been able to lose weight with consistently. I also feel really good when I am able to stick to it. I am a total carb junkie. But, my real problem is exercise. In the past 2 mos I have stopped. I am a walker - nothing more, nothing less and when I walk and stick to Atkins I feel really great. But then..... well you know. So, I just had the Endoscopy which is required by Dr. Ellner to have the StomaphyX. I truly believe that having this procedure is going to allow me to lose the 20 lbs I need and maintain it. If I didn't mention it in the beginning, I am an addict. It may only be to carbs, but it is just as insane as drugs or alcohol.

Those of you that have had this procedure, I would really like to hear from you as to how you are doing both mentally & physically. Thanks!