StomaphyX:
An Incision Free Way to Tighten a Gastric Bypass
T he StomaphyX procedure is a remarkable new technique that is used to re-tighten a gastric bypass through the mouth, without any incisions.
If a patient has undergone gastric bypass surgery and either their stomach pouch or their stoma (this is the connection between the stomach and the small intestine) has stretched, the patient has a strong tendency to re-gain weight. The StomaphyX procedure is a very low risk, straightforward, outpatient procedure that allows the surgeon to shrink the stomach from the inside, like taking darts or tucks in a waistband that is too large. The size/volume of the stomach can be reduced by up to 80%, which gives the patient a small stomach that fills quickly and empties slowly. Patients have reported that it gives them a fresh tight feeling similar to having had a new gastric bypass. This allows them to reduce the amount of food they eat and the number of times they eat, without feeling overly hungry.
There are a couple of physically correctable reasons why weight re-gain occurs:
- Pouch too large
a. If a patient has a pouch that is too large or has stretched over time, he/she will require more food intake in a given sitting before feeling full. This increased intake leads to weight re-gain over time. - Stoma too large
a. If a patient has a stoma that has stretched over time (generally from inappropriate eating habits), the food that he/she eats will not stay in the stomach very long. It will tend to pass out of the stomach and into the small intestine rather quickly. This will result in the patient feeling hungry soon after a meal and the resultant increase in the number of meals will lead to weight re-gain.
The traditional method of repairing these problems is a very high risk revisional surgery, performed through a large incision in the abdomen. This is a long, difficult procedure and is fraught with complications, risk, and failure. Because of this, many patients just haven’t wanted to undergo a revision and they have just lived with the weight. Now that the StomaphyX is available, patients can undergo a “tightening” procedure without having to undertake the risk of a major operation.
If you would like to learn more about this procedure, please view the educational seminar by pressing the button on the top left of this page. It is designed to answer most, if not all of your questions. If, after viewing the seminar, you have additional questions, you may call us at 619-229-3340. I would be happy to discuss your situation with you by phone or in my office.
If you live near San Diego, please consider attending one of my free educational seminars. You can register by pressing the appropriate button at the top left of this page. It will take you to the calendar of events - you simply choose a StomaphyX seminar date, and register for it online.
I look forward to answering your questions!
Julie Ellner, M.D.
*Refers to private practice only. Excludes cases that may have been performed as part of a surgical training program.
