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 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
THANKS!!! 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. Thanks again!
On September 20, 2008 at 3:21 PM Pacific Time, LMV wrote:
Hi,I just had the stomaphyx procedure Thursday. I am able to drink liquids steadily. I was told I could have yogurt and I did but I wonder if that was smart.
I would love to see your diary for guidance! How can I view your postings?
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR STOMAPHYX!!!
Congratulations! Everything else I've read on StomaPhyx hasn't been that positive. Your experience is very encouraging.
Could you please explain in more detail how you got your insurance to cover it? I don't understand "medically necessary due to dumping syndrome". I've always thought (mostly because I don't) that dumping was a good thing, in that it helps to keep you away from bad carbs. If StomaPhyx pleats your pouch what effect would that have on dumping?
I haven't looked yet, but have you posted on the Revision board? I'm sure the people there would be very interested in your experiences.
Michele
Could you please explain in more detail how you got your insurance to cover it? I don't understand "medically necessary due to dumping syndrome". I've always thought (mostly because I don't) that dumping was a good thing, in that it helps to keep you away from bad carbs. If StomaPhyx pleats your pouch what effect would that have on dumping?
I haven't looked yet, but have you posted on the Revision board? I'm sure the people there would be very interested in your experiences.
Michele
Thank you. I did not get my insurance to cover it. My surgeon's office did.
Excessive dumping would not be a good thing. Your levels all will be thrown off. I was not dumping because I was eating like a pig or feasting on sugar and stuff like that. The food was passing through my stoma too quickly. It had stretched over time. Even after StomaPhyx I will not be able to eat junk and not dump. But at least I can eat healthy and not dump.
I hope this helps answer your questions.
Yes, I posted on the revision board. Thank you.
Excessive dumping would not be a good thing. Your levels all will be thrown off. I was not dumping because I was eating like a pig or feasting on sugar and stuff like that. The food was passing through my stoma too quickly. It had stretched over time. Even after StomaPhyx I will not be able to eat junk and not dump. But at least I can eat healthy and not dump.
I hope this helps answer your questions.
Yes, I posted on the revision board. Thank you.
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