StomaphyX Procedure: Reverse Weight Gain Without Incisions?

The StomaphyX procedure (pronounced “stoh-mah-fix”) created by EndoGastric Solutions, is an incisionless procedure used to help patients lose weight by shrinking the size of the stomach.

• Procedure and technology (including videos)
• Outcomes
• Risks
• Recovery
• Cost & financing

The StomaphyX Procedure and Technology

While under general anesthesia, the StomaphyX device is inserted through the patient’s mouth, down the esophagus and into the stomach.

Once the device has reached the stomach, the surgeon uses it to create permanent folds (called “plications”) by repeatedly suctioning and fastening parts of the stomach wall using H-shaped durable fasteners. The folds make the area within the stomach smaller, thus reducing the amount of food the patient can eat.

Depending on the technique used, the folds can also serve to slow the draining of food into the lower part of the stomach, prolonging feelings of fullness to further facilitate weight loss.

The following two videos demonstrate the procedure in two ways:

• Computer animated video
• Actual procedure being performed

Computer Animated Video

Actual Procedure Being Performed

The entire procedure typically takes around 30 minutes to perform, and it is fully reversible by using a similar technique.

While many patients report a successful outcome after the first procedure, others not experiencing enough weight loss may need to go back in for a second surgery to add additional folds.

Uses of the Technique

The current primary use of the device and procedure is for gastric bypass revision surgery.

Over time, the stomach pouch and stoma (opening from the stomach to the small intestine) of some gastric bypass patients stretch, causing the patient to eat more and regain weight. The procedure attempts to reverse the weight regain using the technique described above.

Surgery Outcomes

The procedure is relatively new, so limited published research exists regarding its effectiveness. The following study showed promising results for 39 patients up to one year following surgery:

There are also at least two clinical trials underway to further evaluate its safety and effectiveness.

Procedure Risks

Since the procedure does not require incisions outside or inside the body, the risks are expected to be much lower than more invasive surgeries, although bleeding, perforation and the standard risks that go along with general anesthesia are present.

In the study referenced above, no major complications were reported. Minor complications included a sore throat and abdominal pain each lasting a few days or less.

Recovery from Surgery

Patients undergoing StomaphyX surgery typically go home the same or following day. Many report a sore throat and abdomen up to a few days following surgery that can be mediated with pain relievers.

While your surgeon will probably allow you to go back to work within a few days, you will need to take it easy for a couple of weeks following surgery with both your diet and exercise.

Your bariatric diet during that time will go back to what it was immediately following gastric bypass surgery to give the perforations made by the fasteners and the irritation caused by the procedure time to heal.

StomaphyX Cost & Financing

The surgery will cost anywhere from $8,000 to $13,000 depending on your surgeon and region of the country.

Insurance will typically not cover this procedure due to the limited studies documenting its results. However, several effective bariatric surgery financing options exist to help pay for some or all of the surgery.

As mentioned above, we strongly recommend avoiding this procedure until additional research is published that confirms its effectiveness and safety.

[Last editorial review/modification of this page: 11/8/2011]