New procedure for gastric bypass patients who have not lost all their weight or are regaining

Has anyone heard about the new procedure?  I mean BRAND NEW procedure that they are now doing for people who have had gastric bypass surgery and didn't lose all of their weight or who started regaining?  They do it endoscopically (through your mouth, into your stomach) so it's less invasive.  They tighten up the stoma and stomach so you're like you were right after gastric bypass surgery.  I have pretty much maintained my weight loss but I know a LOT of people who never made it to goal or who have regained.  Dr. Barry Fisher in Las Vegas is doing this new procedure and I"m sure other are too.  I did a search on google and found this info on Mount Sinai's website that explains it a little. Cheyenne The Mount Sinai Program for Surgical Weight Loss is participating in a multiinstitutional study to investigate a new less invasive surgical option to treat weight regain in post-gastric bypass patients. Most gastric bypass patients obtain excellent weight loss after gastric bypass surgery. Some patients, however, experience some weight regain years after their bypass surgery. Such weight regain may be caused by an enlarged pouch or stoma (the connection between the stomach pouch and intestine).

We are using FDA-cleared endoscopic instruments to decrease pouch and stoma size in order to improve weight loss. This technique does not require surgical incisions. Rather, the endoscopic suturing device is introduced through the mouth like an upper endoscopy. Sutures are placed in the stomach pouch to reduce the size of the gastric pouch.

This approach is intended to provide a less invasive alternative to laparoscopic or open surgical revision for patients who initially did well with their bypass but have subsequently regained some of their weight back.

Hi Diane, Yes, I am scheduled for this type of procedure on May 11th here in MI.  What I am having done is called "Sclerotherapy", where they go in with endoscopic instruments, but rather than suturing the stoma, they inject a type of irritant around the opening to actually scar the stoma, narrowing it to the diameter it should be.  He said that some surgeons do actually suture, but he said there are cases where that procedure has allowed it to stretch again.  By treating the stoma with the irritant, it  will not stretch again.  My surgeon has been doing it for a few years now.  I'm hoping it will help me.  Best of luck to all who are seeking something to help! Theresa

Theresa, Please give me the information you have on the procedure you're going to have.  We are going to be talking about these alternatives at our next support group meeting and I would love to tell them about this.  Fortunely I have pretty much maintained my weight loss (except 10-15 lbs.) since my surgery 5 years ago but know so many that have not. Who is your surgeon? Is there any down town after this procedure? I'm excited to hear more. thanks, Cheyenne

Hi Theresa, I stumbled upon your message, well, I just now stumbled upon this whole site.  I had RYN 8 years ago and have gained back most of my weight.  I had no idea a procedure like this existed.  I live in Ohio and would be so willing to travel to MI.  Could you please give me some info?  Thank you.  Tracie

Hi Theresa, I am excited to hear how the procedure went with you. I have asked my surgeon's office again about this scleratherapy and they still said they didn't think he would do it, but would let me know. That was a week ago so I guess I have to call there and ask.  Karen

Hi Karen, Yes, I had the procedure on Friday.  I'm a little tender, but other than that, it was not very painful.  They gave me loratab for any discomfort, and that takes care of it.  Most importantly, I definately feel the restriction again, of course it's "new" and tender, so I am being extremely careful with what I put in it.  I am being VERY pro-active in my eating....back to basics, serving sizes, fluids, etc.  Of course we know this is what we should do anyway, but when I always felt like I was starving and had no restriction, it was difficult to stick to.  So it's nice to have that feeling again.  I'll be able to tell you more in the days/weeks to come.  Thanks for asking, and I will be in touch! Hugs, Theresa 

Hi! I'm going to my consultation on 5/11 for sclerotherapy, with my procedure scheduled for 5/25.  **Good luck, Theresa!  Can't wait to hear from you on how things go!** If you are interested, do a search on line for Michigan Weight Loss Specialists, or call them at 616-974-4400.  I am from indiana and will be traveling to MI for the procedure.  I haven't lost all I need to lose (I'm a size 16/18, and could stand to lose another 25-40 pounds), and I certainly don't want to gain, either, and I'm trying to be preventative. The procedure will cost ~$700-800.00 w/o using my insurance (has a weight loss exclusion), so it isn't very pricy, either. Diana

Hi Diane,  I was interested n the sclerotherapy and I was wondering if you could e-mail me some more information about it if you have any?  my e-mail is [email protected]   I googled Michigan Weight Loss Specialists but I didn't find any of the info on their website.  I am also a size 16/18 and wanted to lose another 70 pounds  I definately don't want to gain anymore weight!  I live in PA but would be willing to travel to Michigan for the procedure.   Please get back to me if you have any further information, and let me know how your procedure goes!  I wish you the best of luck!!!

I am currently searching for an answer to my problem.  I had gastric bypass in 1991.  I am now at 35 BMI and growing.  I am interested in seeing if the new procedure would be advisable.  My surgeon has passed away, and the other Dr. in his office will only "consider" a revision if I go to him for 6 months and participate in a "diet " plan.  I would also have to weigh 240 (I am at 215 now). Do you have a number for Dr. Barry Fisher in Vegas (I live in UT).  Any help you can give me would be appreciated. Toni

Hi Diane, Do you know Dr. Barry's Phone Number ??  I called information and they didn't have a Dr. Barry Fisher, in Las Vegas  Im ver interested in this procedure  thank you....... :)