There's a new outpatient procedure that can help take weight loss patients to the next level. It's called StomaphyX. And because it's done right in the office, it's less invasive and allows for faster recovery than the original procedure.
48-year old Rex Adams weighed 536 pounds when he made the decision to have gastric bypass surgery, "It was something to do or else I wasn't going to be around that much longer."
His weight dropped to 325 pounds after the surgery, but Rex says he'd still like to lose about 75 more, "I mean, you don't have to worry about where you're sitting or how far are you going to have to walk or are the airline seats getting any smaller than they already are?"
Gastric bypass patients like Rex usually lose about 50% to 70% percent of their excess weight after the first procedure. Now, a second procedure called StomaphyX will give him the jump start he needs to lose more. Stomaphyx is a device that is inserted through the mouth into the stomach,while the patient is sedated. It uses a series of small pleats to make the stomach pouch smaller. "We're able to make the pouch smaller without actually going in surgically and making an incision on the abdomen," says Dr. Erik Wilson.
Because there are no incisions, StomaphyX is an outpatient procedure. "All these procedures we do through scopes allow us to get the patients out quicker because there's less pain and they don't have to be in the hospital as long," according to Dr. Wilson.
For Rex, it comes down to quality of life, "With another 75-100 pounds off, it's only going to get better. So, I am looking forward to that."
For more information on Stomaphyx, check the following website www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/a,doclisting/type,STOMAPHYX/
