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Can I Get a Review of the AspireAssist Device?

Can I Get a Review of the AspireAssist Device?

Question Below Submitted By:  

Alaina (a patient from Macon, Georgia)

Hi,

I am 32 with a BMI of 36. I tried diet and exercise but it barely helped. I’ve been looking into weight loss surgery for a while, but have been a little overwhelmed by my options.

I know for sure I don’t want to cut anything out of me. The less my body is changed, the better. So, I know that cuts my options down a little bit.

I saw on the news a feeding-tube-like-thing, but honestly didn’t really think it was real. But, I’ve been doing a lot of research on this website and around the internet and it looks like the “Aspire Assist” is an actual option for weight loss.

But, I’m honestly still a little hesitant on this procedure because:

1. It says that there are not any diet restrictions that you medically have to follow. So, what exactly does that mean? Can I just eat whatever I want with the AspireAssist? That seems too good to be true.

2. I’ve seen elsewhere on the internet a lot of remarks about this being “medically assisted bulimia”. I have had people in my life suffer from eating disorders and I take them very seriously. I guess I can see why people call it that…can you explain how this is not “medically assisted bulimia”?

Sorry for the novel! Thank you so so so much in advance!

Thoughts and prayers for everyone else out there trying to get through this too!

– Alaina

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01.

Expert Responses to the Question Above

Surgeon Response to "Can I Get a Review of the AsipreAssist Device?"

by: Dr. Vafa Shayani

Here are some answers:

1. It is true that most patients are able to eat just about everything. In fact, the major difference between Aspire Assist and all other weight loss methods is that there is no element of "deprivation" involved with Aspire Assist: patients can eat what they want and eliminate a good portion of the associated calories before they travel to the small intestine where the absorption takes place. Many of my patients have told me that after seeing the "waste" associated with emptying their stomach, they have had a real change in attitude and after a while, are a lot more careful with how they spend their money on food.

2. There is a big difference between bulimic patients and the patients who undergo Aspire Assist implantation: bulimic patients often have a "body image" problem where they see themselves as overweight or obese but are actually at a healthy weight. Obese and morbidly obese patients deserve all the help they can get to lose weight and become healthy. The same way that we ultimately found it appropriate to amputate the stomach and remove 80% of it from the body (sleeve gastrectomy, most commonly performed procedure for weight loss), we will eventually warm up to the idea of giving patients the control over how much of the food that they eat will actually travel through their intestines and get absorbed. So, although some might find some similarities, there is hardly any among the appropriate candidates for Aspire Assist and bulimic patients with a significant psychological component to their eating disorder.

Thank you for your question,

(click here for Dr. Shayani's full bio & contact info)

P.S. If you've found my recommendations or this website helpful, please share on your favorite social media platform or tell a friend about us. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the details provided. The above should never replace the advice of your local physicians as they have the ability to evaluate you in person.

Dr. Vafa Shayani
Bariatric Institute of Greater Chicago

Related Pages

by: Patrick Furlong

Great question. You should contact your nearest AspireAssist practitioner and ask this question. Feedback from other visitors on this site will likely be inadequate in addressing medication concerns.

Good luck!

02.

Patient Responses to the Question Above

4 years into Aspire

by: Eric Wilcoxon

I’ve had this device for almost 4 years now. I was/am part of the original clinical trial. I’m down 160 pounds, from 409 to 250lbs.

It’s not any form of splurge and purge deal. I guess you could eat anything you want, but learn in time what foods chew the easiest and what works for you. This teaches you to learn to chew your food, therefore you eat less with the added benefit of aspirating apx 1/3 of the food you consume. If you overeat, you can’t aspirate the meal.

Aspire Assist? Is it for you?

by: Cindy E

Tomorrow marks 4 weeks from surgery, one week from aspirating for me. It’s not a quick fix! You have to be sure you have time to do this.

Some doctors restrict food. I haven’t had any restrictions, but do feel like I need to cut back a bit to be successful. You can definitely see which foods you shouldn’t be eating! Good luck.

So glad I got this done!!!

by: Ann

Hi

I had the Aspire Assist done by Dr Shayani. I had the procedure done Dec 2016 and started aspirating Dec 21. I usually aspirate 2 times a day, (sometimes only once when life gets in the way).

As of today I'm down 47 lbs. I probably have 25-30 more to go. I'm so happy I had this done. I feel better and I feel better about myself. I'm off my high blood pressure meds. I just had blood work done and my numbers where all in the normal range.

I think Dr Shayani is GREAT and very easy to talk to.

Weight

by: Rafaela B.

I would like to know if it is possible to have the aspire assist in my situation. Im 35 years old with 1.68cm and 90kilos.
I had 3 kinds of bariatric surgery and I never got less than 80kilos. Could you please help me doctor in this case?

Medication absorption

by: Michele

Hello!

I am seriously looking into the Aspire procedure and program, but wonder how aspiration affects medication absorption. I am narcoleptic and absolutely require medication to be functional.

Thank you for any assistance in this matter.

Never Ever

by: Rosa

Until you view the video, like myself, I am certain you will strongly consider this procedure. But eating food and then removing a portion of it from a tube in your stomach is not acceptable even for the average person who suffers from obesity.

How did this get any approval? Maybe it is based on a procedure for exceptional cases or where patients suffered wounds. As a weight lost procedure, I hope anyone who goes through with it success. Never Ever for me. Going without food I like doesn't seem to difficult right now.

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Weight loss surgery is tax deductible, which can have a big impact on the total cost of surgery. You can deduct medical expenses if the costs are more than 10% of your adjusted gross income.

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To receive the deductions, you’ll need to complete Schedule A of the IRS Form 1040. You’ll also need to save your medical bills and payment statements as proof.

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* Disclaimers: Content: The information contained in this website is provided for general information purposes and your specific results may vary depending on a variety of circumstances. It is not intended as nor should be relied upon as medical advice. Rather, it is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician(s). Before you use any of the information provided in the site, you should seek the advice of a qualified medical, dietary, fitness or other appropriate professional. Advertising: Bariatric Surgery Source, LLC has entered into referral and advertising arrangements with certain medical practices, original equipment manufacturers, and financial companies under which we receive compensation (in the form of flat fees per qualifying action) when you click on links to our partners and/or submit information. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Read More

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