Sclerotherapy??

Hello! I'm new to this forum....I have asked this question on several others, but thought I'd try here too. For a little background on me, I had my RNY lap surgery on 12/1/03...lost initially 125 lbs within 8 months...gained about 10 lbs back and rested there for about a year.  VERY happy with that, even though I was 30 lbs from goal, but started gaining and now here I am with a 40+ gain and still climbing.  And it seems I can eat anything and way more than I should be able to.  I still can't eat "as much" as I used to, but more than I should be able to.  I know, I know...I SHOULDN'T, but sometimes I do.  I had the surgery to control the amount I could eat and now that's not working anymore.  So for my question...  Has anyone had the Sclerotherapy treatment to narrow an enlarged stoma?  I have an appt. to meet with a surgeon on Friday to talk about it, and would like to talk to someone that has had it done or know someone who had it done, if possible.  I saw on a past post on here that someone had a scope and the Dr. actually "sutured" the stoma smaller, rather than scarring with the sclerotherapy, which sounds like that would be more permanent.   Anyway, don't want to fool around with something that will not work in the end.  Would rather just have a complete revision if that's the case.  Anyone have any comments?? Thanks so much! Theresa

Hi Teresa, I had this procedure done about two weeks ago and I'm very happy with the results.  Being on a liquid diet for a week was tough but I'm eating half of the food I ate 3 weeks ago and I stay full longer. I'm having my second treatment the 1st of June. Regina

Hi Regina, I'm glad to hear it's going so well for you.  I had it done on May 11th and I agree, it has definitely limited my intake.  How large was your stoma measured at?  Mine was at 16mm.  I think I am going to need another treatment as well.   Thanks for your reply and best of luck to you too! Theresa

Hi Regina, I am on the same boat that some of us are on, congrats on your procedure, i have been searching here in Texas for a Dr. and no luck, I wonder if you might have some info, that might help me, as to how do i ask for this procedure, who do i call for this type of procedure and if you might know how much does this cost.  Thanks so much Susie

Hi, Glad your doing fine, Iwould like to know if you have the information to the Dr. in Texas i live in Houston and i cant seem to find any one here that will perform any of these procedures.  Thanks Susie

Hi Cheyenne, how successful was the stomaphyx ultimately for you? I see you had it done about a year ago, did you lose the weight you wanted and are you able to keep it off? Thanks. Maureen

It was not successful.  I initially lost 17 lbs within about 2 weeks and then nothing after that. I gained back those 17 lbs. within about 6 months. I know several people who have had it done and they all had the same experience. I started doing low carb about 6 weeks ago and I've dropped 15 lbs.  I'm just 10 to 15 from my goal weight. Cheyenne

I know how disappointed you must feel about this. I've posted about these endoscopic procedures on many different threads and the more I hear and read about people's "failures" with them, the angrier I get. Surgeons and doctors are making a fortune by preying on people's desperate fears about gaining their weight back - they know these procedures don't work. I fully anticipate that law suits will begin springing up all over the country in response to how these doctors are failing the WLS community and making a killing financially in the process.  You are right to take pro-active charge of your own health, including maintaining your weight loss.  Congratulations on finding the strength within you to do that! I'd love to stay in touch, Cheyenne. Be well, Maureen

Thanks Maureen, I appreciate your encouragement.  I'm looking forward to getting this last 15 lbs. off and then eating this way indefinitely.    We all need to find what works for us and stick with it. Eating low carb and making it fun by being creative really helps.  I do not feel like I'm being deprived of anything.  I'm enjoying my meals and have lost all cravings eating this way. I think you're right - something should be done about these doctors performing procedures that do not work in order to gain financial benefit.  It's a terrible thing to continue to do to people when they know it doesn't work. I'd love to keep in touch too. Cheyenne