My Decision to Have StomaPhyx

Why?
I looked into the StomaPhyx surgery because I had regained 15lbs and have not been able to take it off since December. Back in July of 2003 I had my gastric bypass surgery and lost 85lbs. In Spring 2006, I lost another 15lbs. This may not sound significant, but it was... my BMI moved from obese to overweight, and my belly was much smaller so that I was physicially more comfortable and attractive and clothes fit properly. I felt very very good about myself.

How?
One fat night I was looking for my surgeon's online support group. I went to his practice web site for the info and read about this new StomaPhyx procedure. I emailed him right away! At our consultation, we discussed both the LAP Band and the StomaPhyx. Although my weight loss would be greater with the LAP Band, I was told that insurance would not cover it because my BMI was too low. Since I do not have $16k to drop on the procedure, I decided against it.

Cost
Cost was a huge deciding factor why I got the StomaPhyx. Thankfully, my surgeon's office is very good at getting insurance approvals. Note that most surgeon's post on their web site that the surgery is not covered. My insurance is covering the procedure because it is medically necessary due to dumping syndrome, which the surgery will correct. My out of pocket expenses should be $3k max, hopefully less. I will post the info when I know it accurately. I think it is around $7,500 for the surgery with my surgeon's practice if the insurance hadn't covered it... still below the going rate of $10,000 (and more).

Expectations
With the StomaPhyx procedure, my surgeon said that I could easily take off the 15lbs and that I could take off 30lbs, maybe 40lbs, which would bring me down to 160-170lbs. I would be over joyed with that! My nutritionist and I graphed this weight loss over 6-mos and she said it would be easy to achieve as the line graph was almost a "straight" line -- as long as I stay with the program of diet, exercise, and behavior change.

I invite you to read my blog, "Gastric Bypass, StomaPhyx, and Behavior Management," to follow the progress of my Stomaphyx experience. There is so much information lacking on this new procedure that I hope to provide a resource center for patients considering or who have had StomaPhyx. http://survivingchubby.blogspot.com

Hi there,

I am interested in the Stomaphyx and I was wondering if you ever went through with the procedure? I am thinking of going to the same doctor you went to in New Brunswick.   I see this post was back in september of 2008.  If you did have the procedure what happened?  Were you happy with the results so far?  Did you lose any weight...was it worth it?  Please let me know...thanks!

bleachmama

I've been reading the revision board for 2 years now and I have yet to see anyone post that they were happy with the results.  It's all pretty much the same, people lose about 20# on the post op diet and as soon as they started on solids they regained their 20#.

Honeslty, I wouldn't waste the money and emotional investment.

Yes, I had my procedure in late Aug. I lost 30lbs and kept it off. See my post below for additional info. Good luck in whatever decision you make.

Have you read anything or talked to anyone (aside from the surgeon selling it) that had StomaPhyx or Rose procedure, and say it worked for more than a week?

I haven't heard even one good outcome, and all say the only thing they lost was about $8000. I'd hate for you to waste money as none of us can afford to be ripped off, so please ask around and see if there is ANYONE that has something positive to say about StomaPhyx.

I had the surgery in late Aug and lost 30lbs. Another woman I know had it and hard a complication right after the surgery (while in recovery) and required surgery to save her life. Her sister had it and I believe it was not successful for me... she is always hungry. We all had our surgery by the same physician, who also did our gastric bypass.

Fortunately, my procedure was covered by my insurance. My costs were $1500, I think. I'd hate to regain the weight none-the-less. Please keep me in prayer. Thank you.