INTRODUCING POSE (Primary Obesity Surgery, Endoluminal)

POSE is a type of restrictive surgery that reduces the stomach’s capacity through the use of a flexible tube that is inserted into the mouth to reach the stomach. Because POSE is an incision-free procedure, it offers several benefits including reduced risk of infection, shorter recovery periods, and no visible scarring. Though long-term results are not yet available, doctors believe POSE will be an effective surgical option for patients who need to lose between 50 and 100 pounds.

Incision free weight loss surgery is performed under general anesthesia entirely through the patient’s mouth without any external incisions into the body. In addition to the absence of visible scars, this technique results in fewer complications, less trauma, and shorter recovery time. The procedure uses a flexible tube with multiple channels for surgical instruments. The surgeon advances the tube and a small endoscope – a video camera so that the surgeon can view the operative site on a nearby video monitor – through the patient’s mouth, into the stomach. The surgeon then inserts the surgical tools through the channels of the tube to grasp the stomach tissue and create suture folds in the stomach to reduce its volume capacity in the case of the POSE procedure.

POSE is still very new and so long term results are as yet unavailable. However, if the promise of the incision free surgical procedure of reduced complications and faster recovery times holds true, incision free surgery could significantly expand the number of patients who are able to undergo weight loss surgery.

POSE will soon be available in the UK. To find out if it might be right for you, contact Dr Elliot Goodman (Centre for Endoscopic Surgery, Nuffield Leeds Hospital) @ 0800 0988 435.

Reflux disease, in addition to being a potential cause of esophageal cancer and other diseases of the esophagus and throat, is painful and unpredictable. Heartburn and searing pain that seems to be rising in the chest can be definite signs of Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. Surgeries are available so that you needn't rely on medication but are generally quite invasive. EsophyX, a new incisionless procedure to prevent pain from acid reflux, is puts all these fears to rest. When performed by Dr. Elliot Goodman, an expert in gastric disorders and bariatric surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan, NYC, GERD from a failed gastroesophageal (GE) valve can be reduced or stopped altogether.

EsophyX is an incisionless procedure that recreates a functional GE valve. An endoscope is run down the esophagus where suction pulls a flap of tissue down in order to guard the esophageal opening from the harmful effects of stomach acid. Fasteners keep the tissue permanently in place where it will eventually fuse to function naturally. At the end of recovery, a protective barrier prevents acid reflux and the symptoms that go along with it.

Have you had a bariatric surgical procedure and the weight is starting to come back after all you've gone through? It does happen, and the ill effects on the health that come with being overweight or obese are just as likely to return with it. With a StomaphyX incisionless procedure, a correction can be made to your gastrointestinal tract with even shorter recovery than laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Elliot Goodman has performed bariatric surgeries at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan, NYC since 2004, and been involved in bariatrics since 1997.

Sometimes, after a gastric bypass surgery or other bariatric procedure, the stomach can stretch itself back to its original size. Often, without the proper diet regulation and exercise, it is just a matter of time. Patients who have lost considerable weight through gastric bypass surgery suddenly regain the unhealthy weight they had previously lost. Obesity surgery does change and save lives, but it is not foolproof and adjustments are sometimes necessary. That's where StomaphyX comes in.

StomaphyX incisionless gastrointestinal surgery uses endoscopic tools that require no cutting of the body and even less down time than laparoscopy. Vacuum suction pulls the stomach wall into aUsing a series of fasteners that cinch up the stomach walls, the maximum volume of the stomach decreases and caloric intake falls with it.