Weight gain after gastric bypass is a problem which, until now, has had few good solutions.  Fortunately now, Apollo Endosurgery offers a device called Overstitch, which can help patients deal with this frustrating issue.  This is a unique endoscopic suturing device that can be used to reduce the size of the pouch or the stoma (the outlet from the pouch) to help with weight gain after gastric bypass surgery.

Prior to the Overstitch, other devices have been released to help physicians reduce pouch and stoma size, however many of them were flawed from the standpoint that they only allowed partial-thickness sutures to be placed in the stomach wall.  The Overstitch, however, allows the surgeon to place a stitch through all layers of the gastric wall, almost as if he were in the operating room doing open surgery.  The advantage for the patient is that this procedure should be more durable and likely to lead to permanent reduction in pouch or stoma size.  Accompanied by a healthy diet and regular exercise, this procedure can effectively help patients reverse the trend of weight gain after gastric bypass.

Not all patients who have suffered from weight gain after gastric bypass surgery are candidates for the Overstitch procedure, because pouch dilation or stomal enlargement are note the only cause of weight regain.  Typically, a screening endoscopy should be done in patients considering this procedure to determine if their anatomy is favorable to benefit from the Overstitch.

Typically this procedure is not covered by insurance, but is relatively affordable compared to more invasive options that have been done in the past.  Financing is available for patients who are interested in taking advantage of this new and exciting technology.  Click here for more info on financing options.