NOTE: We are currently not offering Overstitch pouch reduction procedures.
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.
I had Gastric Bypass in 2012. I had done great until about last year. I feel like i am gaining weight and it is very stressful. Will the Overstitch procedure work in helping loose more weight?
Yes Tracey this is often times a great option for patients in your situation. Call 513-259-2555 and speak to our patient service reps, they can discuss the procedure with you as well as steps needed to move forward.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
With this procedure about how much would a patient lose?
Weight loss varies a lot after Overstich, typically around 25-50 lbs.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
Will the stitches loosen up with time if weightloss is 25-50 pounds.
There is no way to predict for sure but most likely it would be the opposite, stitches would still be holding tight in a patient who lost 50 lbs.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
Will vertical sleeve gastrectomy patients ever be candidates for the Overstitch procedure?
Yes, in some cases it may be possible if the sleeve is dilated.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
Hi, what is the cpt code for this procedure?
There isn’t a CPT code yet to my knowledge.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
does Medicaid cover “Overstitch Transoral Endoscopic Pouch Reduction For Weight Gain After Gastric Bypass (they paid for the Gastric Bypass).
No, they do not unforuntately.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
I understand the cost is self pay. Can you give me an idea of cost?
Hi there, you can find all our pricing at:
https://journeylite.com/financing-options/
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
What is the success rate and why is it that it’s a 20-50Lbs weight loss expectancy if it seems like it brings the stoma / pouch down to its original post gastric bypass size?
It’s complicated, and we really don’t understand it fully, but there are many factors other than stoma and pouch size involved.
do you have to have bypass surgery first, or can you have overstich transoral surgery instead of bypass surgery?
Yes you can have an Overstitch as a primary procedure, it’s called an ESG though. Just type ESG in the search bar in the upper right of the site and you’ll find more info.
Dr. Curry
Is there no programs to help the unfortunate because I am broke but need help 😢 this sounds like something I need my weight is progressing my dieting and exercise is not working so if anyone knows of any financial help please feel free to email me Thanks
We are just a small private practice so we don’t have any programs for free procedures, but we do have financing partners if you’re interested.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
my UHC Insurance through my employer covers weight loss surgery, I had a RY done in 2004. I’ve gained about 40 lbs I am interested in the Overstitch. Reading some of the comments it sounds as if you don’t process through insurance. My question is why if our insurance covers weight loss procedures?
We do process insurance for surgical weight loss procedures, but they don’t typically cover Overstitch so it has to be self-pay.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
Since this last comment, have you heard of any insurance companies covering this overstitch procedure and do you know the cpt codes?
Overstitch is not covered unfortunately.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
Hi
I had a Sleeve done approx 4 years ago, and have exercised 4/5 a week and managed to keep weight ain to a min, but feel the restriction has completely gone and very worried as gained 8lbs recently.
I have a pacemaker fitted a year ago and would like to have this stitch procedure , i also live in the uk but have travelled abroad for my sleeve and tummy tuck.
How long does the procedure take and would they consider me after having a pacemaker.
kind regards
sam
Not all sleeve patients are candidates for Overstitching, the sleeve has to be significantly dilated in order for it to work. We could probably arrange a video consult with Dr. Pitt on our new CurryCare app to discuss as he has the most experience with it.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
Is the Overstitch a major surgery like the Bypass? What is the recovery time? How long must one be off work for a desk job? Is the $6250. for the Overstitch everything or are there other costs, as well?
Hi there and sorry for the delay. It is not a surgery at all, it’s done through a scope down the esophagus. Recovery is just a few days in most cases.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
What is the cost of the surgery?
I had gastric sleeve 2016
Keeping weight off but only lost 35 lbs
Would like to lose another 50.
Medicare paid for first surgery.
Do they cover this procedure
Hello, overstitch is generally not covered by insurance. Conversion to either gastric bypass or SIPS could be however. I would recommend giving our patient service reps a call at 513-259-2555 and they can help you.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
Is the pouch stitch revision part of the $1000 off special?
Sorry, it’s not included in the special as it is a revisional procedure.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
I had a bypass in 2005 and I gained 35 pounds back. I had the scope done to see if my pouch grew and I was told it did not. Can I still get the overstitch? what can I do to lose the weight again.
We don’t recommend Overstitch for patients with normal pouches. A medical weight loss option could be a possibility. Give our patient service reps a call at 513-559-1222 and they can help you.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
Hello I had rny gastric bypass in 2005 I was 700 pounds when I had it done have lost 277 in the beginning I have regained about 75 pounds . I was told I have an ulcer in my pouch yet my surgeon never looked he just gave me some pills they don’t really work I think but I also have severe reflux bad. What kind of options could I have done it will be 15 years in March
This is tough to judge with limited info, I would recommend a consultation with one of our docs to see if they can help.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
I have low iron since my gastric bypass surgery, would this procedure make that worse, better, or no change?
Hello and thanks for your interest. I wouldn’t anticipate the Overstitch procedure to have any impact on iron deficiency.
Hi I had VSG in 2011 I lost 50 lbs but in a few months felt no restriction and gained it all back plus. I don’t want a gastric bypass can I get over stitch? Thank you!
We are not offering Overstitch for sleeve patients as we haven’t seen good results with it.
Hi, I had the duodenal in 2013 and had complications so they went back in and lengthened it to 10 ft which helped a lot.. A few years ago I had a phytobezoar associated with suture material leading to intusseseption. The initial surgery worked for about 5 years but now I’m constantly struggling with weight gain and yo-yo dieting. Would you suggest a sleeve revision or the overstitch? I appreciate your time!
There is not a lot of data on this but we haven’t seen great results with Overstitching sleeves. A re-sleeve would only be an option if a current sleeve is majorly dilated and even then results are marginal. Probably in a case like this an endoscopy would have to be done first to see what the anatomy looks like.