New Procedure for those who've gained - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Escondido Elf · 02-22-2008, 06:44 PM

Greetings All,

Many of us have heard people say “I wish I could have my gastric bypass tightened.”

We’re writing to you to announce that the Alvarado Surgical Weight Loss Program is now offering a new procedure that does just that. A new device, called StomaphyX, is used to take tucks (or pleats) in the pouch of a gastric bypass patient, thereby cinching the stomach down to a much smaller size. Dr. Ellner, our Medical Director, was the first in San Diego to perform this procedure and it is currently not available anywhere else in the city.

Some of the important features of the procedure are:

· Incision free (It is performed entirely through the mouth)

· Return to work immediately

· Outpatient

· Very low risk

· Allows weight loss to resume immediately

· Patients describe the feeling of having had a fresh gastric bypass

We are currently offering this procedure to those patients who have regained weight due to stomach or stoma stretching. It allows people to have a second chance at using the gastric bypass as a tool to recapture control of their weight.

If you would like to learn more about this procedure, please give us a call at 1-877-6-BYPASS, or 619-229-3340. If you want more information, you can also visit Dr. Ellner’s StomaphyX website at www.californiastomaphyxsurgeon.com.

Sincerely,

The Alvarado Surgical Weight Loss Team

rappaport · 02-22-2008, 06:50 PM

Very interesting...couldn't this be done on normal stomach as well?

Escondido Elf · 02-22-2008, 06:52 PM

I think not only because the untouched stomach is so large...thi is just a "tuck."

paige52 · 02-23-2008, 07:29 PM

you can get your insruance to approve it!

Been arguing with BCBS for over 6 months now. it's still considered experimental so I'm out of luck for a bit now.

It's also used for those us that have an enlarged stoma and severe dumping syndrome, hypoglycemia due to enlarged stoma...

Teh original stomach is to large for the equipment but the goal in time is to use this as a purely restrictive procedure from the begining...

Someday......

rsunkees · 03-04-2008, 08:23 PM

I just heard about this and am going to attend an info meeting on Wed, March 19. I've done some research online but haven't seen how long it's been in use. Any info available on past patients?

paige52 · 03-04-2008, 08:47 PM

Not much actually...

The doctor in Ohio that trains the surgeons here in the USA on this procedure has done less than 20 of them himself so its all very new here. I've got a list of surgeons in the USA that do them but not sure if any have much experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsunkees

I just heard about this and am going to attend an info meeting on Wed, March 19. I've done some research online but haven't seen how long it's been in use. Any info available on past patients?

Squishy · 03-05-2008, 05:56 AM

This is very interesting!!

Now if someone can come up with, a tummy-tuck, thigh lift, and moob reduction that can be done through my mouth, give me a call!!!!

Seriously though, this could be a great option for a lot of people! Thanks for sharing the information.

-Mike-

Mavisavis · 03-05-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paige52

Not much actually...

The doctor in Ohio that trains the surgeons here in the USA on this procedure has done less than 20 of them himself so its all very new here. I've got a list of surgeons in the USA that do them but not sure if any have much experience.

I live a few hours from this doc and had the info sent. The problem for me is that I am pretty sure my weight creeping is grazing and bad choices. So for me, this would help me to some extent by going through that initial jump start again, but in the long run I think I still have that addictive edge. So $9500 and going under anesthesia and not have dealt with my emotional part....sigh. I am stable now, but up about 12-15 pounds from goal. This does sound great for people who can honestly eat too much healthy food. I have read that this may replace the bypass in some way in the future.

Claire-in-Texas · 03-05-2008, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mavisavis

I live a few hours from this doc and had the info sent. The problem for me is that I am pretty sure my weight creeping is grazing and bad choices. So for me, this would help me to some extent by going through that initial jump start again, but in the long run I think I still have that addictive edge. So $9500 and going under anesthesia and not have dealt with my emotional part....sigh. I am stable now, but up about 12-15 pounds from goal. This does sound great for people who can honestly eat too much healthy food. I have read that this may replace the bypass in some way in the future.

EXCELLENT point, Marty!

porshh951 · 03-05-2008, 10:46 AM

jesus. Honestly this isn't the answer people are looking for. I realize this new procedure will be huge and will have lots of people lining up to get a another surgery done on their stomach but, it pains me so to hear it.

People need to be spending time/money/energy into learning new eating habits and workout habits. Learning discipline with their eating addictions and working on their emotional/psycological reasons for having those addictions in the first place.

Not going to the surgeon again and saying "patch me up"