StomaphyX Surgery
StomaphyX surgery is an incisionless procedure designed to reduce stomach size when the organ has stretched out following previous bariatric surgery. It is performed endoscopically through the mouth. While bariatric surgery is a powerful tool in the fight against obesity, as many as 15 to 20 percent of patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery begin to regain lost weight within 3 to 5 years. This is because the smaller stomach pouch created by the surgeon, as well as the stoma, the opening connecting the stomach and small intestine, may gradually stretch.
As the stomach and stoma become larger, patients no longer experience a sense of fullness with as small an amount of food. They begin consuming more calories, unfortunately regaining some of the weight they have worked so hard to lose. StomaphyX surgery is one of several revisional procedures that may be performed to correct this problem.
Candidates for StomaphyX Surgery
A patient who has had previous bariatric surgery and has gained back a substantial amount of weight is often a good candidate for stomaphyX surgery. If the patient is regaining weight, in all probability there has been an increase of the size of the stomach pouch and stoma after a gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy or duodenal switch procedure. The only way this can be confirmed is by a diagnostic upper endoscopy. During the endoscopy, the physician will take precise measurements of the affected region to determine how much enlargement there has been.
Other medical and psychological evaluations prior to surgery will be similar to those before the first operation. The patient's overall health and readiness to recommit to lifestyle changes remain important factors in the decision.
The StomaphyX Procedure
StomaphyX surgery does not require an incision since it is performed through a natural orifice. During the operation, the surgeon inserts an endoscope through the mouth down into the stomach. Some of the patient's stomach tissue is then suctioned into an opening in the surgical device. This is done to create folds, or plications, which are then stapled in place to create a small pouch. This pouch will be similar to the pouch created during the original bariatric operation and will function in a similar way, inhibiting overeating and resulting in weight loss.
A stomaphyX procedure is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia and usually takes about 30 minutes. It may take somewhat longer depending on how much revision is required.
Benefits of StomaphyX Surgery
As a revisional procedure, stomaphyX surgery provides renewed hope for weight loss and improved health. It has many advantages since it:
- Is an outpatient procedure
- Requires no incision
- Makes use of endoscopic visualization
- Results in minimal pain
- Results in no scarring
StomaphyX is also an adjustable and reversible procedure.
Risks of StomaphyX Surgery
While it is considered a very safe procedure, especially since there is no surgical incision necessary, stomaphyX surgery is associated with a few risks. Because stomaphyX surgery is a relatively new procedure, there is not sufficient data available to prove positive results over an extended period of time. Known risks, though rare, may include:
- Loosening of the surgical staples
- Leakage where either the stomach pouch or stoma has been created
After stomaphyX surgery, some patients may develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Recovery from StomaphyX Surgery
There is minimal pain after stomaphyX surgery, although nasal, throat, and chest discomfort as a result of the insertion of the endoscope, are common during recovery. Patients may also experience some digestive problems during recovery, such as nausea and diarrhea. Typically, patients are able to resume their normal activities about a week after the procedure.