Our new endoscopic procedure offers patients a treatment option for post-weight loss surgery weight regain that hasn’t been available until recently. The potential advantages are significant: lowered risk of infection, limited post-operative pain, no visible scars and faster recovery times.* Patients can usually go home the same day of the procedure, which is a substantial improvement over the lengthy recovery times associated with traditional surgical procedures.*
Houston Surgical Specialists now offers an endoscopic option to achieve successful re-initiation of weight loss in qualified weight loss surgery patients. This endoscopic procedure is a safe and effective alternative to help patients achieve expected weight loss through the reduction of the enlarged stomach pouch and outlet to their original post-operative proportions.*
Unfortunately, some patients regain significant weight after weight loss surgery. A common cause includes gradual stretching of the stomach pouch or outlet. When the standard-of-care weight loss surgery procedures are performed, the stomach and outlet are made very small to reduce the amount of food consumed and slow the passage of food through the digestive tract. Together, this helps patients feel fuller longer after eating just a small amount. As a result, weight loss occurs from a dramatic decrease in calories. Many clinicians have shown when the stomach pouch and/or outlet gradually stretch, it takes longer for the patient to feel full. As a result, patients may begin to regain weight.
In weight loss surgery patients, weight loss can be reinitiated by renewing the restrictive component of the procedure with the addition of a gastric band around the pouch or reducing the diameter of the stoma.* This procedure is performed using a small flexible endoscope and specialized devices that allows sutures to be placed through the endoscope. The scope and suturing devices are inserted through the mouth into the stomach pouch the same way as a standard endoscope. Sutures are then placed around the outlet to reduce the diameter, typically from the size of a silver dollar to the size of a dime. The same technique may then be used to place additional sutures in the stomach pouch to reduce its volume capacity.
An open weight loss revision surgery can take longer than the original weight loss procedure and patients are three times more likely to develop complications. Scarring and adhesions from the initial weight loss procedure often make open or laparoscopic revision surgery challenging and at times impossible. However, an endoscopic weight loss revision procedure decreases the patient’s risks when compared to open abdominal revision surgery.* Patients experience less pain, recover faster and have no abdominal scarring.* Typically, patients are discharged the day of the procedure but each case will vary based on Dr. Marvin’s recommendation.
* Results will vary by person and are based upon the patient, the surgery type and the compliance with the aftercare program. As with any medical procedure or surgery, there are specific risks and possible complications. The testimonials, statements, and opinions presented on our website are applicable to the individuals depicted. Results may not be representative of the experience of others. Testimonials are voluntarily provided and are not paid, nor were they provided with free products, services, or any benefits in exchange for said statements. The testimonials are representative of patient experience but the exact number of pounds lost and experience will be unique and individual to each patient.