Question:
What about StomaphyX for an enlarged stoma?

I had an endoscopy done and the Dr. said my pouch is fine but my stoma is very large. Does anyone know if the StomaphyX procedure can be done to fix this problem? Also, will Medicare pay for it? I had my surgery (RNY) 10/13/03.    — maryalida (posted on May 25, 2009)

May 26, 2009
Stomaphyx actually has nothing to do with the stoma, despite the name sounding like it does. What the Stomaphyx procedure does is make your pouch smaller by using special staples. It folds the walls of the pouch up onto themselves so that there is less room in the stomach. The actual procedure goes nowhere NEAR the stoma, and care is used to make sure that the exit from the pouch is NOT affected by the procedure. Sorry, but so far, the only way to fix an enlarged stoma is through surgery as far as I know. I hope this helps. Hugh
   — hubarlow

May 26, 2009
There actually may be another solution. In speaking with my surgeon, he informed me that RNY surgeries fail much too often. My stoma is definitely stretched. His alternative solution is to BAND the stoma so it can be adjusted - just as the stomach would be with banding. He did say it's not as simple of a procedure as an original banding as he would have to go through scar tissue to place the band on my stoma. It would be another self-pay, as my insurance does not cover bariatric at all. Good luck in your search for continuing your journey...and please keep in touch should you find something that might work, as I'll be curious to hear of other options available. You can reach me via [email protected]
   — tonidaniels913