What is Stomaphyx?
Stomaphyx is also known as gastric bypass revision. Stomaphyx is a fairly new procedure that is intended for patients who had gastric bypass surgery and how experience stomach stretching over time. Stomaphyx is considered a safe alternative to the traditional gastric bypass revision procedure. The procedure reduces the size of the stomach without surgery, and with minimal recovery time. It is not to be used solely as a weight loss method, and is intended for gastric bypass patients.
Who is a candidate for the Stomaphyx procedure?
The Stomaphyx procedure is intended for gastric bypass patients who did not achieve sufficient weight loss, or regained the weight they initially lost. There is no minimum weight requirement, and there is no pre-op diet.
How does a patient know if their stomach has stretched?
A patient may suspect their stomach has stretched if they are eating significantly more than they did shortly after the gastric bypass surgery, and if they have gained a noticeable amount of weight that they had initially lost. A patient can find out for sure if their stomach has stretched through a procedure known as an upper endoscopy.
This quick and simple procedure involves using a small scope with a video camera to measure the stomach pouch and stoma. The patient is lightly sedated, and the scope is guided down to the stomach through the mouth. Measurements of the patient’s stomach are then taken to determine whether the stomach has stretched.
Why do stomachs stretch?
Many patients who have gastric bypass surgery lose weight very successfully, losing 60-80% of their excess weight. However, some patients start to regain weight a few years after their surgery as they increase their food intake. The stomach pouch is very elastic, and stretches gradually over time as the body becomes familiarized with the changes in eating habits.
The stomaphyx procedure decreases the size of the stomach pouch to what it was originally, shortly after the gastric bypass surgery. When the stomach’s size is decreased again, it will restrict food intake, and decrease the rate that the stomach empties into the small intestine. Decreasing this rate usually allows the patient to feel full longer, and will indefinitely make them full faster.
Although this procedure helps to decrease the stomach size again, thus decreasing the food intake, patients are urged to incorporate healthy eating habits into their life. Gastric bypass surgery, and the stomaphyx procedure are not going to cause permanent weight loss unless patients can maintain a healthy, low calorie diet.
How is the Stomaphyx procedure performed?
During the Stomaphyx procedure, the patient is put under anesthesia, and the surgeon guides a device through the mouth and into the stomach pouch. No incisions are made and it is not considered a traditional surgical procedure. The procedure is performed using endoscopic visualization, which is a miniature light and camera. Sections of the stomach are suctioned into a small opening in the device. Folds of tissue are then secured together with staples to hold them in place, which makes the pouch smaller. Usually a patient will need multiple folds. This procedure takes about 20-60 minutes, depending on the size of the pouch, and how many folds need to be secured.
How long is the recovery time for Stomaphyx?
The recovery period for the Stomaphyx procedure is extremely short. Most patients can return to work as early as the following day. Since the procedure is done through the mouth, there are no incisions or visible scars. To allow the pleats to bond to one another, the patient is put on a liquid diet for two weeks.
What are the risks of Stomaphyx?
There are little known risks of the Stomaphyx procedure because it is new. However, it is a generally accepted principle that the procedure is low risk as long as the surgeon is experienced, and knows how to use the endoscopic device. The procedure is virtually painless. Revisional surgery is very risky and many patients avoid it, and live with the struggle of regaining weight. With stomaphyx, there is a less risky alternative.
How much does Stomaphyx cost?
The Stomaphyx procedure costs approximately $9,500-$10,500.
Disclaimer: This information is intended only as an introduction to this procedure. This information should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor does it guarantee results of your elective surgery. Further details regarding surgical standards and procedures should be discussed with your physician.
By BariatricNetwork.org Staff
Updated: January 23, 2009
