STOMAPHYX

Is a procedure where a dilated Gastric pouch or Anastomosis following gastric Bypass for morbid obesity can be reduced to achieve feeling of satiety and fullness. This in turn can either stop weight gain or will lead to further weight loss.

Incisionless: Stomaphyx is a procedure done in operating room under complete anesthesia, however no incisions are made and the whole procedure which takes around 1 hour to hour and a half is done through the mouth.

Ideal candidate: This is best acertained by the surgeon performing the procedure.

Patients who would benefit most would be

  • Patients who after gastric bypass surgery who have started to gain weight.
  • Have dilated but not large gastric pouches. (to be determined by endoscopy)
  • Have dilated stoma (size of the opening between stomach and the intestine-either stretched or created by the surgeons). (to be determined by endoscopy).
  • Patients who have shown demonstrable weight loss after gastric bypass surgery.
  • Patients who are not looking for a quick fix (continue to eat healthy and exercise) but another help to get things going in the right direction.
  • Patients who had initially a sense of fullness and restriction after eating and now have lost it.

This device has been approved by the FDA  for its StomaphyX device. StomaphyX is indicated for use in endoluminal transoral tissue approximation and ligation in the GI tract.

Insurance companies have not yet made Stomaphyx a standard treatment and consider it on case per case basis. For patients considering Stomaphyx as self pay, please check with office manager for total cost of the procedure.

Expected recovery: patients will be kept in the hospital overnight or at least till evening. They can expect some chest and abdominal pains which is tolerable. Patients can return to non strenous work next day. Patients are recommended to on liquids for 10 days and avoid straining or lifting for 4 weeks.

Since the procedure is relatively new and was started in April 2007, no long term weight loss results are available. Excess weight loss 10%-30% have been reported so far.

 
 

Click the picture below to see how Stomaphyx works