Important! If you're thinking of a revision..Read this 1st!!!

I am very curious and interested.  I have a appt. for a seminar on the rose procedure next week.  What is the difference and how did you get this started. Who would I need to contact?

This is replying to both questions from tybare1 and getinther. As far as how I began the process was sort of by accident I guess. When I started gaining weight my wls had be go get an upper endoscopy (sorry about spelling). It was then found my stoma was wide open and he stated the only way to correct this would be by a revision surgery. When I asked how this happened I got the same lecture many of us have gotten about how "I" did something wrong and it had to be my fault, etc. etc. Needless to say I went home crying because #1 I was made to feel there was something I could have done to prevent this even though I did everything I was told to do and #2 Since my insurance didn't cover this and I had already paid $17k for my wls I knew it was absolutely hopeless in thinking I could afford another $20k for the revision.

This is when I began researching what other options there were. I came across the article I attached in my original post and began calling and emailing everyone I could to find out more. It was that this time a doctor back East--I live in Seattle--said she knew a doctor here that could and did do this procedure and gave me his info. I then made an appt and took in my file of information to my consultation. From there he scheduled me for a few tests and then to do the procedure.

As far as how it differs from the Rose--and I am by any means no doctor--is from what I understand the Rose actually attempts to shrink the pouch done by putting stints (or something like that) into the pouch by making folds within the pouch. The procedure I had was for my stoma. It was found there was nothing wrong with my pouch and it was still small in size. In working with my stoma he went in through my mouth and more or less scarred the area of my stoma making it smaller. I know that is so not medical terms but that is how he explained it to me. In short, my stoma was made smaller so my food didn't go right through.

It was actually pretty cool because he took pictures of my stoma from inside before he began each procedure and then what it looked like when he finished. The difference was amazing.

I hope this helps anyone thinking of having this done. Please always feel free to ask me anything about this.

Lori

I agree with you on all of your posts it was very much the same as what my Dr. told me ands it does work I had a second scleratherpy done yesterday on June the 6th  my first was done on April 16th and he said I might need it another time, but we will see.

thank you for your post it was an uplifting- i am looking at seeing if a revision will work for me. last fall i weigh 222 and by 2/08 i was at 319 again i found out finally after seeking a new doctor that the veins in my right leg are two small so i am going to have to wear this weird machine that makes me look like the michilean man on tv. with hug red legs for the rest of my life.Loosing weight will help but my veins in my body are just to small you should seem them try to get blood.lol

Every one that I know that had scleratherapy had to have it done 5-8 times and it still did not work for them, they ended up having an operation to revise their stoma.  My doctor doesn't recommend them because he has had the same results.  Diane

I am so sorry that this did not work for others you know.  Everyone I have talked to has been really happy with it and it was a total blessing for me. I am just curious if the doctor who doesn't recommend this is your wls??  I know my wls said it wouldn't work either but that --I have to believe--was because if he said it would work then he wouldn't get another $20,000+ to do my revision.  I did do very extensive research before I had my procedure done and found nothing but positive outcomes and replies from those who had it done.  The only ones that ever said anything different were those performing wls. In talking with other surgeons and their findings, etc. they all were for it especially since it is so non-invasive and much safer than a full revision. I hope this helps others in their research and in making the right decision for them. Lori :-)

I have been curious if this was my problem.  My WLS will not do revisions.  So is it a GI Dr that does thos procedure or a WLS?  I have no idea where to start. 

it is your wls that does it

Jenniegirl It is actually not your wls surgeon who performs this.  Myself and everyone I have talked to that has extreme success with this procedure had it performed by a GI.  The doctor I go to is actually a specialist in many areas.  I took in the research and info I had found to my first appt which was more or less an evaluation.  After talking with him he performed the test where you drink that white stuff and they can see if you have any leaks or staple lines breaking down...so sorry the name of this procedure escapes me at the moment. After we did this test and he saw everything else was just fine we schedule the first of my appts for this sclerotherapy procedure.  I have been so happy with it and best of all insurance pays 100% (at least mine has) because is in not considered a wls, revision, etc.  At the time I had my first appt I did let my dr know that I also had problems with gerd...which I guess can be a result of everything being wide open too. Free free to PM me as well.  I think there is a lot of misinformation about this procedure.  It is only my opinion but just think how much money all the weight loss surgeons would lose if this was true and this procedure did in fact help those with enlarged stomas and pouches.  Of cource...again only my opinion...they aren't going to say how great it is and it doesn't work.  My other question is if a wls is doing this procedure is he doing the combination of clips and scleratherapy?  His expertise is not in doing upper endoscopies but it is that of a GI.  WLS is such a huge business with millions of dollars being spent and made.  Another example is all the other procedures being tried as a revision without much success. Sorry I was on my temporay soap box.  Dang I hate that when it happens...lol.  Seriously, feel free to contant me anytime. Warmest wishes, Lori

PS>  What kind of WLS did you have?  RNY???? Mine was open RNY.

Hi I had my first scleratherpy done on April 16th and lost 10 lbs. but my Dr. Scott said my stoma was very stretched I ask how that could happen he said sometimes it just happens and di NOT say it was my fault or something that I did to cause it , I do know he is a very superior Dr. as is his partner also which is Dr. De la Torre of DePaul Health Center of Bridgeton Mo.. phone to the weight loss center is 314-344-6800 he will be doing another scleratherapy on me this Fri. June 6th he said he did not get too agressive the first time but the stoma was very dialated it was at 250 centimeters and I understand that was very big, it  should be considerable less I dont remember what the numbers were but I know it was way too large and the food was going right on thru as the other lady stated on her post and yes the scleratherapy does work and it is also paid for by insurance and also by medicare if that answers any one's question of insurance but you should check your own individual insurance first but medicare does pay for it also and they said as long as your Dr. ordered it it would be paid for. My email is [email protected] if you need any more info, he said it is a less invasive surgery than some of the others, there is  not as many complicatons afterwards with the scleratherapy as there are with some of the others being done, and he said they have had better results with this procedure than any of the others,  last post I had some misspelled words and made meaning to some things I posted, wrong