uch as arthritis, high blood pressure and gallstones. Nine years ago, she
pursued gastric bypass surgery to lose the weight.
Gastric Bypass Not Successful for Everyone
"When you're overweight people stare at you. They make fun of you. You can see the negative reaction in their face," said Maria Rusak, 53, resident of San Diego. Nine years ago, Rusak pursued gastric bypass surgery to lose the weight. She immediately lost a significant amount of weight but then the gastric bypass stopped working and she gained the weight back.
Weight gain after gastric bypass surgery is not uncommon. Every year more than 100,000 US patients undergo gastric bypass surgery. More that 20 percent of these patients encounter weight regain one year after the procedure. Over time, the small stomach pouch created by the surgery stretches out. More calories are consumed and the feeling of fullness after eating disappears.
"Gaining weight after gastric bypass surgery is extremely frustrating," said Garth Jacobsen, MD, bariatric surgeon with the Center for the Treatment of Obesity at UC San Diego Medical Center. "Gastric bypass is a major surgery that alters a person's anatomy. Patients expect the excess weight to stay off. Unfortunately, that is not always the case."
About "ROSE" (Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal)
"There are not many options to repair a failing gastric bypass. Revision surgery is risky and other available techniques don't have data proving sustained weight loss, until now," said Jacobsen. "UC San Diego Medical Center now offers "ROSE" (Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal), a minimally invasive procedure to correct the problem of weight regain by going in through the mouth."
During an outpatient procedure, a small, flexible endoscope and tools are inserted through the mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach pouch. The tools, developed by USGI Medical Inc., are used to grasp, fold and stitch tissue to reduce both the diameter of the stomach opening and the volume of the stomach pouch. No cuts are made into the patient's skin. The one-hour procedure, called "ROSE" (Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal) is performed on an outpatient basis. The most common side effect is a sore throat. Ideal candidates for the surgery are patients who were successful losing weight after their gastric bypass and now are regaining weight. Before the procedure, patients undergo an initial screening, followed by a series of evaluations including nutritional and dietary counseling, a full medical exam, and endoscopy.
Immediate Results for "ROSE" (Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal) Patients
"The results are immediate," according to Garth Jacobsen, MD, bariatric surgeon with the Center for the Treatment of Obesity at UC San Diego Medical Center. "Patients can expect to lose one to two pounds per week. The procedure has been scientifically vetted as a weight loss procedure in a clinical database. In our opinion, this is a more durable method of reducing the size of the stomach pouch-evidence we have seen in post operative clinic visits."
Patient Weighs - in
"I experienced weight loss right away," said Rusak. "I have lost 50 pounds in the last eight months. I feel incredible. I am having my clothes taken in at the tailor's. My pants are down to a size 14. I am the ‘new me' again."
About Jeff Behar
