Weight loss surgery is considered a highly effective treatment for those who are morbidly obese. However, sometimes, years after weight loss surgery is performed, revision surgery may be necessary due to a number of complications. To qualify for revision surgery, you must experience at least one of the following:
• Unsatisfactory weight loss
• Significant weight regain
• Complications, such as ulcers or malnutrition
• Unresolved co-morbidities

For gastric bypass patients, weight regain or insufficient weight loss can occur when a patient’s pouch (or stoma) begins to stretch. As a result, they no longer feel full as quickly and go back to eating larger portions. To find out if your stoma or pouch has stretched, Dr. Provost will perform a diagnosis test using an endoscope to take measurements.

If your pouch or stoma has stretched, Dr. Provost will likely recommend the StomaphyX procedure. StomaphyX is a simple, 20- to 60-minute operation performed under general anesthesia. During the operation, Dr. Provost will insert an endoscope attached to a StomaphyX device through your mouth and into the stomach, and sections of the stomach tissue are sucked into the StomaphyX device to create folds. Typically Dr. Provost will create 10 to 20 folds and fasten each one with staples to hold it in place. This procedure returns the pouch to its original operative size.

Revision surgery is considered a higher risk surgery compared to the original weight loss surgery you had. Dr. David Provost is one of the country’s leading experts in revision surgery and has helped thousands of patients regain control of their weight loss through the StomaphyX procedure. Although the complexity of your revision surgery will depend on the original surgery you had, Dr. Provost has the experience necessary to help you get back on track.

To find out more about having a weight loss surgery revision procedure and to schedule a consultation, contact our offices.