Stomaphyx--anyone have this done?

I recently became aware that my WLS surgeon Dr. Shawn Garber is doing a new procedure called a stomaphyx for patients who had gastric bypass surgery in the past few years and who have gained back some weight.  In my case about 40 lbs.  I am going to have this done in November.  Is there anybody out there who had this done already??  I'd be more than happy to share what I know.  Angie

My mother recently had a revision on 8/8/07 whi*****luded the Stomaphyx procedure.  She was going to have the Stomaphyx done by Dr. Garber but found out that the Stomaphyx was not covered by insurance so she went with a surgeon in Florida (Dr. Overcash).  He does a revision with a Stomaphyx so that it is covered by insurance.

My insurance will cover it.  Dr. Garber's office said as long as the insurance company pays over 70% they would take it as full payment.  How is your mom doing??  Was she in any pain after the procedure??  Has she lost weight since then and how much??  Sorry so many questions, but I don't know anyone who had this and I am a bit nervous.  Thanks for the info.  Oh, in case you were wondering, I have Empire Blue Cross insurance.  But I heard in his waiting room the other day when I went for my consult that there are other insurance carriers who would not pay for it. 

My mother has blue cross blue shield of Georgia and they would not cover it.  She was in pain  from the "revision" part  since it was done as an open procedure, so she had an incision which hurt her more than anything.  As for the stomaphyx procedure, she was able to have oral surgery 5 days after. The only symptom she had from the stoma was that her throat hurt a little but it was gone in the morning. My mother had gained back 85 - 100 pounds from her original procedure in 1998.  She has now lost between 20 - 25 pounds and feels back to normal. Do you have to have an endoscopy with Dr. Holliver?  My mom says make sure your insurance pays 70% of what Dr. Garber charges or what the isurance allows.  Also don't forget your deductable for out of network.  Did your insurance approve it already?

Thanks for the info about your mom's stomaphyx.  That's just what Dr. Garber said would happen (sore throat).  I do have an appt. for the endoscopy with Dr. Holiver at Mercy on the 4th of Oct. Dr. Garber said my insurance covers 80% and that all I have to do is pay my deductible of  $350.00.  I'm ok with that and just want to get this done.   Hope your mom's continues to lose weight.  I hate  that my bad food habits were sneaking up on me.   Boy do I recall all the pain I was in for the first 2-3 weeks after WLS. Meanwhile, when my husband had it, he was walking around the first week like nothing happened.  I guess we all heal At different paces.   Did your mom have to be on blenderized foods for the 4 wks after surgery ?  That's what in my post-op info packet.

I read a post from this woman who emailed me info she has had it maybe she can help. I knw many who are interestedin this and although I tend to be skeptical I would want to know about risks/benefits at 1, 2 5 yrs out, toonew to tell at thi time (like is it nded again and again) we all know even w smaller stoma the tool cn be defeated but for many they use it as an opportunity to work on those bad habits again. Best ok luck! Her was that email info: [email protected] Hi Jamie, I had GBS 2/11/2002 - I went from 252 down to 122. I gained up to about 130-135 and stayed there.  Last year I had surgery on my neck, disk was removed and replaced with donor bone and steel plate.  I was in a lot of pain, stopped moving as much, eating more and regained 30 lbs.  I got up to 161 lbs. and was not happy about it but figured I would eventually lose it. When I heard about Stomaphyx from Doctor Fisher (who by the way is a personal friend of mine and so is his wife) and he was willing to do it for me, I decided to go for it.  He did the barium swallow before the procedure and my pouch was shaped like a boot, it did not go straight down like it should have but was shaped very funky.  It is now 1/2 the size it was and straight as it should be.  The Stoma opening is 1/3 as wide. If I hadn't had the neck surgery and became inactive and consequently ate more, I probably would not have begun gaining weight. I have lost 15 of the 30 lbs. and have 15 to go since I had the procedure.  I just wanted to be back where I was after gastric bypass and not worry about weight regain. I'm 5' 7" tall by the way. Cheyenne *********************** -------------------------------------------- For info on StomaPhyx: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=60372 this is the link I have perhaps surgeons office would have pts who would talk w/ you and or try these revision groups:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/amosforums/failed_w ls_second_time_around

 

 

 

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/surgtype-forums/Rev ision/

 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WLSrevisionsupport/

Thanks so much for the info.  I will e-mail her and find out more.  You've been so helpful to me and I appreciate it.  Thanks again...............Angie