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

I had the procedure with Dr Garber in NY back in October -- I initially lost 8 pounds in the first two weeks of liquids and once I started eating solids again, put it all back on.  I am now heavier than I was when I had the procedure.

I wish you good luck, but I feel like I dropped $9,000 in the garbage as it was absollutely useless for me.  I expect that you may have better luck with it if you have an enlarged pouch, rather than an enlarged stoma which is my problem.

Please know that you will NOT feel any restriction similar to what you did after your intiial RNY back in 2003 which is also when I had mine -- June 2003.

Nannette

I had my procedure 3 weeks ago and have lost 16.5lbs. I know that many people are failing with this surgery and I think that is because there is a lack of information on how to use this tool since it is such a new procedure. That is why I created the blog to try to provide a resource center of information for people considering or who have had the surgery. I've compiled information from clinical sources and provided a day by day diary of my experience and the food I eat and my exercise and behavior modification tactics. I hope people will find it helpful. There is no paid advertising on the site. My goal is purely to help others and myself succeed.

I am glad you are having success with the surgery.  You certainly have put together a great web site, I can see it took you a lot of time... good for you.  I am sure the people who are considering the same surgery are finding your site invaluable.

Michelle

Thanks so much, Michelle. I surely hope it does help others.