APC - argon plasma coagulation for weight regain

Hello,

I'm 15 years post-op and looking into endoscopic options for revision. I'm still 50% down from my original highest weight (regained from pregnancies and and 2 awful postpartum thyroid crashes) but can't seem to loose the 70/75 lbs I've regained. Been under medical supervision (meds, diet, etc...) and it's not budging. I've been referred to a surgeon again and he's suggested APC as an endoscopic option because a full (non-endoscopic) surgical revision is a hard NO for me.

I've never even heard of this. Anyone undergone this?? I would like to connect to someone who has undergone it, ideally, to hear about how it went.

Here are a few research articles:

Argon plasma coagulation of gastrojejunal anastomosis for weight regain after gastric bypass https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25005812

Efficacy of Utilizing Argon Plasma Coagulation for Weight Regain in Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Patients: a Multi-center Study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29627948

There are several different methods of lessening the size of the anastomosis, but none of them seem particularly successful beyond 20 ish lbs from the liquid diet post the procedure.

However, there are many of us here who have lost significant regain by going back to basics.

Personally, I lost 58lbs last year and am maintaining that loss comfortably. I'm hoping some others will chime in with their loss of regain stories.

With all due respect, I'm not investigating surgical options because I'm looking for a quick fix. I've been "back to basics" in addition to meds (topiramate, phentremine, even off-label metformin) and for a long time now and it's not working, even according to my doctors. Letpin levels are through the roof. I'm sure hypothyroidism and lipedema aren't helping anything. I'm really needing other options, however.

I wasnt talking about surgical revisions but endoscopic options. As I said, I'm not sure we've seen any measurable success stories beyond 20lbs or so, but maybe someone will post one.

Good luck with your revision, I hope it fixes all of your regain as you want

20/30 lbs would be a blessing at this point.

I don't think Kim was implying that you were looking for a quick fix.

Having said that, can you confirm the main issue? Is it that you don't lose no matter how much you restrict calories? Of is it that you never feel full and so eat more than you'd like to, more than what is necessary to lose the regain? It would help if you could elaborate.

Because what happens is this: inevitably you will have to face down the regain issue. Even if you have this procedure and re-lose considerable weight, what will you do if you have subsequent regains? Can you have this procedure done repeatedly? (Not assuming you'll regain what you lose, but it does happen).

Just trying to understand what will make post op life after this procedure any different than what you're facing right now. I completely believe that you've done and tried everything you listed and probably more without success. It's understandable that you are researching all of your options. But is this particular one supposed to last ad infinitum? Because not much else really does. The body is super efficient about finding ways to "normalize" after any surgery or procedure.

I'm glad you brought this subject up; we can all learn from it. And I hope whatever you do works out for you.

ISO anyone that has undergone APC to shrink the size of the stoma.

No personal experience to chime in, but I did take a look at the two articles you linked. The second one concludes that patients lost 6 - 10% of total weight at the 12-month mark.

I crunched some hypothetical numbers... let's say someone has a goal weight of 150, gained 75 lb, and is now currently 225lb. If this procedure has them losing between 6 and 10 percent, that's only between 13.5lb and 15lb-- not even close to the 75 you're looking to lose.

I didn't say I was looking to loose 75 lbs, I said I was 75 lbs over my lowest weight. Then, I had 2 babies, 2 postpartum thyroid crashes and was dx'd with lipedema. Are any of you familiar with lipedema? Do click the link I linked if not. Adipose tissue disorder....

Given all that, I think setting my goals at even losing more than 25 lbs is basically setting myself up for failure. I'd be thrilled with 6-10%!!

Again... looking to connect with someone who has personal experience to share with me!

Apologies for the mis-understanding, just going off the small amount of info you gave :)