Endoscopic Sclerotherapy was Today

Well today's procedure went off well. The Endoscopy revealed that YES the anastomosis is stretched out. Hey that helps explain why I quit losing weight about 8 months ago.
My doctor made the injections of the acid in the area. We won't know for about two months how much the acid causes the desired scaring that we are looking for to "shrink" the opening.
As for now, I am back to clear liquids for a few days, then soft foods. Gee, just like old times. I should drop about 10 lbs there alone!!

Where did you have your procedure done?  I had a endoscopy a couple of weeks ago.  They told me my pouch was too small for the procedure.  This was for a study a Vanderbilt.  They don't use the injections, but sutures.  Any info could help.  Thankyou and good luck on your procedure

The procedure was done at the same hospital I had my original surgery in. Memorial Hospital Jacksonville. In the photos taken, you could see the sutures from my original surgery. My pouch still appears to be "normal" just there was a HUGE "stoma" at the bottom. Not only did the scope go in the pouch---but down the juenum (sp) too.

I hope the procedure proves to be a success for you and please keep us posted on your results.  Do you know if you doctor will take outside patients?  Did your insurance cover the procedure?

Thank you. I am hopeful, but the doctor warned me that of the 12 patients he has treated all but one lost some weight.
This doctor is a Gastroenterologist, so he sees many patients, not just those of my WL surgeon.
Does insurance cover it? I don't know. The hospital and doctor have submitted the claim. If not, then I pick up the tab. I'll keep everyone posted.

Congrats on sailing through the procedure (really, for me, it wasn't too bad).  I see this procedure being offered in the future at many places as long as gunea pigs like us keep informing others of the ups and downs, so keep letting everyone know how you're doing. I didn't lose any weight this week.  I went up, and then back down for a loss of 0.  I think it's just my body adjusting and fighting to hold onto fat.  Not really a "starvation mode" since I'm not starving, but just adjusting to it's new caloric intake.  Anyhow, that's my theory.  *wink* Good luck! Deeno

Congratulations on taking the step to get back at losing!  I had mine almost 2 months ago, and it was going pretty well, but had a bout with vomiting and after that episode, seems I could eat more again, even though I was trying not to.  Sooooo....I'm schedule for my second session on Aug. 9th.  I think I lost 7 lbs initially, so yes, I felt MUCH restriction at the beginning.  I think the wretching episode stretched it again or something.  He will be checking it out while in there.   Anyway, best of luck to you and take it slow!  Sometimes it smarts when you swallow something that hasn't been chewed enough...really smarts!  But I was so glad to feel it working, I didn't care!:lol:   Take care, Theresa

So you are going in for a second session? How often can it be done? How does the final results, i.e. losing how much weight compare to have a whole new surgical procedure such as the DS done?  Is it suppose to be for long term? If it doesn't work, can one then have a completely new surgery such as a revision to a DS done?

Hi! Yes, I am going in for a second procedure.  The Sclerotherapy sometimes takes more than one procedure to make it "stay".  They inject the stoma with an irritant to scar it smaller, so sometimes the first time isn't enough.  I don't believe they will do it more than three times.  I don't know the statistics yet as far as compared to a whole new surgical procedure, but I am guessing a new surgical procedure would be a definite outcome.  With the Sclero, they are making the stoma smaller to keep the food in your pouch longer, therefore you are not hungry all the time.  You are full faster, etc.  The only thing is, you have to be vigilant about what you eat.  You can still sneak in sugary things or whatever because it's not detouring that like you RNY did by bypassing intestine.  It's still a struggle to behave, but we have to.  Bottom line.   I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that if the procedure didn't work, you could still have a revision of some sort, although as I said, I'm just guessing.  I will ask him when I go in.  Hope this helps! Please keep me in your prayers (if you are the praying kind) that this time it does the trick!! Hugs, Theresa

Yes I will pray for you Theresa. I wish you loads of luck and your new life to continue to drop pounds. What part of Michigan you in? I am from the Detroit area, Oak Park actually. I moved away in '87. Lived in Dearborn Hts for a while.