utahgirll

Wow, a lot of quite angry comments about the aspire device...
Also some of these quite angry comments remind me of the comments people who are against WLS in general would make.
- can continue to make bad food choices
- easy way out
- no learning effect
- there will be evil complications with a 100% likelihood
Sounds somewhat familiar.

Hi, I am an Aspire Assist user. I have been using Aspire for 2 years. I decided to participate in the Aspire Assist study because I was able to lose weight on my own, but after a certain amount of weight, no matter what I did, I could not seem to lose more. I don't regret this decision, it was one of the best I have made in my life. That's why it's so disheartening to hear all the negative and hateful comments about the program.
This site is a site about people who had WLS or are considering it. Anyone who has WLS or is considering it, knows how hard it is to lose and keep weight off. I'm responding to the people who are curious about Aspire or considering Aspire. It is not assisted bulimia. If anything, it's early or controlled pooping. You are taking a 3rd of the food out of your body before digestion is complete. You will not absorb extra calories.
The reasons why I aspirate is calorie control. Sometimes I have a bad night and emotionally overeat. Sometimes I'm out with friends and overeat. By the time my brain registers that I'm full, I'm stuffed. Before my tube I would feel bad and sometimes compound the damage by eating more. Now with the tube, I get rid of some of the damage and do better the next day. I also work jobs where I can't move all the time and sometimes don't have access to healthy food choices. Again, I aspirate those calories. At the end of the day the A-tube is a tool. It doesn't work unless you use it. It is not a quick fix. I still can eat the foods I love.
What I love about the program is that it DOES teach you better food habits and choices. I have made a lifestyle change because of my A-tube. Watching what comes out of the tube has given me ideas of why, after eating certain foods, I still felt hungry. Certain foods I will never eat again because I can see what going on inside my body. When I started, still learning about the device, I would look at my food as it was coming out the tube. It was mostly watery and chunky. I still could name some veggies.
One day, I ate garlic bread and I noticed it was greasier than normal as I was watching it come out of the tube. It was disgusting because it stuck and clung to the tube. I could see actual
fat and I could not help but think the rest of the fat that is in my body and what damage it is doing. Is it sticking to me the way it sticking to my tube? I threw out the other half of that garlic bread.
I was grateful the tube was a mirror that day. Sometimes we eat bad choices and don't realize it or realize it and rationalize it. After the tube I couldn't do that anymore.
Aspire Assist has taught me to learn how to modify some food choices and explore others. I discovered veggies that I never would had tried before and love them. When eating foods that have higher fat, I eat smaller amounts. I learned to know the difference between mental hunger and physical (mental is worse for me personally). I am more active and blessed be to at a job that does allow me to move more.
I am nearing the end of my journey with Aspire. I have lost the weight I wanted to lose with it, plus more. I am in maintenance, so I use the device less. That makes me feel empowered because again it is a tool not a quick fix. I like it when I exercise and make good choices. I don't need to aspirate but I am grateful to have the device near me for slip ups because we all have bad days. When I do get my tube removed, the lessons I have learned from it will not go away.
Also, my body will still be way it was beforehand, with no shortened stomach or intestines removed. I am truly grateful to be a part of the study. I realize that this may
not be for everyone, what works for me may not work for you, but what works for you may not be for someone else. At the end we are all here because of the inability to lose weight with our own sheer will power. Don't knock down someone for using a method because you don't like it or understand it.

I just read a pretty balanced point of view at http://conscienhealth.org/2016/06/obesity-drain-device-approved-by-fda/
"But here’s the thing. Once you get past the yuck factor, people who use this drain device are generally quite happy with it. Physicians and surgeons who were initially skeptical are surprised by how satisfied many of their patients are with their results.
Compared to other procedures and devices, it appears to be very safe and pretty easy to reverse. And people lose about 12% of their total body weight with it on average. That’s more than the average response to drugs and lifestyle therapy. It’s less than the typical response to a gastric sleeve or bypass surgery. The manufacturer claims that the costs will be significantly less than for bariatric surgeries. Finally, though, because it’s new, the long term outcomes are not yet fully known.
So you can expect to hear lots of jokes about this drain device, just as many people are still derisive about bariatric surgery. Be careful about dismissing it prematurely, though. It may turn out to be quite helpful for a significant segment of people living with obesity. Long-term data will tell us much more."
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

If like to see more trials and results from 2-3 years later. I wonder if you can use this multiple times with breaks inbetween? I won't be judgemental about something that can change someone's weight and their outlook on life. I'm also thinking this could be useful for someone who needed to lose weight in order to qualify for surgery... Say knee replacement for instance.

I felt very angry and upset when first exposed to this technology a few years ago....I even wrote an article about how abhorrent the concept was.
Every time I get this angry, I start doubting my feelings. So I started researching the procedure and device and talked to a few patients that are using it. I got to know the procedure a little better, understood their expectations, needs, and results.
What I see are patients benefiting from this method with an outstanding safety profile...
Sometimes our mind tricks us with hate and anger.... I don't like this so I turn it into something more rational for me.
I recently heard a very moving presentation from one of the investigators and a patient. I personally don't know that I'd recommend it, but the truth is that now that it's approved doctors and patients will decide if this succeeds or fails.

Aspire Bariatrics, Inc., announced today that the US food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the AspireAssist® System, an endoscopic alternative to weight loss surgery for people with moderate to severe obesity. The AspireAssist procedure is indicated for adults with a BMI of 35 to 55 who have not succeeded with more conservative therapies.
"With less than 1% of the 25 million Americans with BMIs over 35, availing themselves of bariatric surgery each year, there is clearly a need for a non-surgical weight loss procedure that is effective, safe, and reversible. AspireAssist therapy satisfies this need and additionally offers a lower cost solution to the healthcare system," said Christopher Thompson, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Director of Therapeutic Endoscopy at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
The AspireAssist provides a novel approach to obesity treatment through Portion Control. It is intended for long-term duration of use and is to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise counseling and medical monitoring. The device is implanted in a 15-minute outpatient procedure, is fully reversible, and does not alter the patient's internal anatomy.
The AspireAssist was evaluated in the PATHWAY study, a 171-subject, multicenter trial in the US, and the results will be presented in San Diego in May at Digestive Disease Week, the largest annual international meeting of gastroenterologists and gastrointestinal surgeons. In a previous randomized US clinical study with the AspireAssist, patients lost an average of 46 pounds in the first year.
"Patients with AspireAssist therapy have the opportunity not only to lose a significant amount of weight in a safe and controlled manner, but also to develop a healthier lifestyle through more mindful eating habits," said Louis Aronne, MD, FACP, the Sanford I. Weill Professor of Metabolic Research at Weill-Cornell Medicine and a co-Principal Investigator of the PATHWAY study.
"We are very happy to be able now to offer this life-changing therapy in the US to patients with obesity; many of whom felt, until now, that there were few viable solutions for them," said Katherine Crothall, PhD, President & CEO of Aspire Bariatrics.
The food and Drug Administration approved a new and unusual weight loss device Tuesday: an external pump that dumps part of the stomach contents into the toilet.
Some critics have called it "assisted bulimia" but the device, approved for use in very obese patients, helps them lose on average more than 12 percent of body weight — far more than pills or most diets.
The device is considered minimally invasive and includes a tube that goes from the inside of the stomach to a port on the outside of the abdomen. The pump can be attached to the outside port as needed to remove about a third of the stomach's contents at a time.
Aspire Bariatrics of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, which makes the device, has a video about it here.
Clinical trials showed patient lost an average of 46 pounds during the first year and another few pounds to make 50 pounds of weight loss by the second year.
"The AspireAssist device should not be used on patients with eating disorders, and it is not intended to be used for short durations in those who are moderately overweight," the FDA said in a statement.
"There is no such thing as medical bulimia or assisted bulimia," Sullivan told NBC News. Bulimia is an eating disorder defined by overeating and then purging, often through forced vomiting.
"Patients eat less with this therapy then they did before," she said. "People think patients can eat whatever they want and then aspirate it and that's just not true. It has to be liquid enough and the particles have to be small enough to get through the tube."
The device joins a growing list of new ways to help Americans lose weight, from carefully controlled diets to surgery and a batch of devices that make the stomach smaller in effect.
"THE ASPIREASSIST DEVICE SHOULD NOT BE USED ON PATIENTS WITH EATING DISORDERS."
Diet drugs don't work terribly well and doctors are reluctant to prescribe them. This new device is the first to remove food that people have already eaten before it can be digested.
The need is growing. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 38 percent of U.S. adults are obese, while 17 percent of teenagers fall under that category.
"The AspireAssist approach helps provide effective control of calorie absorption, which is a key principle of weight management therapy," said the FDA's Dr. William Maisel.
"Patients need to be regularly monitored by their health care provider and should follow a lifestyle program to help them develop healthier eating habits and reduce their calorie intake," he added.
The company has not said how much it will charge for the device, which is on the market in Europe. A surgeon will also have to implant the device in a short endoscopic procedure, and that cost may vary by center.
THIS NEW DEVICE IS THE FIRST TO REMOVE FOOD THAT PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY EATEN BEFORE IT CAN BE DIGESTED.
"Patients require frequent monitoring by a health care provider to shorten the tube as they lose weight and abdominal girth, so that the disk remains flush against their skin. Frequent medical visits are also necessary to monitor device use and weight loss and to provide counseling on lifestyle therapies," the FDA noted.
Side effects include indigestion, nausea, vomiting, Constipation, and diarrhea.
Obesity is calculated using body mass index (BMI) — a measure of height to weight — that's a score of 30.
People are considered overweight when their BMI hits 25.
Someone who is 5-foot-5 and weighs 149 pounds has a body mass index of 24, considered a healthy weight. Add a pound and the same person has a BMI of 25 and is considered overweight. At 180 pounds this person has a BMI of 30 and is considered obese.
BariatricPal has a BMI calculator online here.

If you bypass the usage with Aspire, you gain weight. With weight gaining, the tube will become too short, and you have 2 choices. Either you jump on to the train again, using the Aspire as it should be used. Or, you will be told by ur nurse it doctor that the tube have to come out. An extra control that the patient uses the device in the right way.

nope, not in the usa. you could go to india. affordable. lots of great doctors. dr. kular is one of the THE most experienced MGB doctors in the world, trained by USA dr. rutledge, (the inventor of the MGB), and with probably thousands of MGB operations under his belt. or choose any other foreign countries and research. maybe canada. let us know. I've done a good 8 years of research.
choose your USA doctor first, based on experience and others' reviews and lack of morbidities (deaths), then phone him and ask for total cost. including other doctors involved. including use of hospital. including use of operating room. those hidden costs.
Experience wise, mexico and other physicians in foreign countries have us beat.
In fact, you should start a whole new topic, SELF PAY USA DOCTORS and do a chart listing doctor and cost and operation. Seriously, you should do that. I once did a whole chart on mexican docs, operation and costs. You could do USA docs. Its way helpful. I would sure read it and consider USA docs in a new way if they were comparable on a chart.

According to KGTV & many other news sources: -- "A class-action lawsuit has been filed in Maricopa County against Dr. Mario Almanza, a doctor who performs weight loss surgeries in Tijuana.
There are more than 20 people and businesses, Including WeightLossAgents named in the lawsuit. It also includes an Arizona woman believed to have been recruited for doctors in Mexico. It alleges fraud and negligent misrepresentation."
I say it's about time!

HI there, I had my surgery july 2001. I was 290, went down to 160, stayed there (plus maybe 10 lbs if I ate too much), but held steady for about 10 years, then on the fifth year, I started little by little to gain weight. I am now up to 230. I saw a doctor today about a revision. He would do it, but said there are lots of complications and the weight loss isn't that great, like only 30 lbs?! I am soooooo frustrated. I read other folks getting the revision and losing 100 lbs!!
please write to me at valentina21459 at gmail if you like. Linda Vellucci

I have heard great things about the MGB. weight loss is great. Google dr. Rutledge on you tube for a huge amount of info. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

For an over abundance of great info, go to YouTube and view Dr R Rutledge videos. He invented it. He has returned to doing MGB surgeries and reversals of other WLS to MGB. I started the MGB forum here and after years of research, I will be getting the MGB. THERE IS a list of surgeons I posted there. I will probably be going with dr. Ponce de leon or dr verboonen due to their massive experience doing mgbs. Always important to ask how many MGBS the doc has performed. I would also ask who he learned from. Hopefully Dr. Rutledge.

This is YOUR body. Don't let them force you to have something you are uncomfortable with.

I had the mini bypass on Feb 23 in Mexico and am down 28 pounds as of today I went from the Lap Band and the scar tissue from the revision is the only pain I felt-- I have had very little gas and not acid reflux at all -- $7200 is what I paid but so worth it -- in the states for the same surgery they wanted $14000

Hi please,
i just meant for OP to consider the MGB mini gastric bypass instead of sleeve. Very little reflux, very simple 40 minute operation, can be revised or reversed and you keep your stomach. Lots of ppl are getting revised from sleeve to MGB.

Well I'm not okay with getting GERD, it is a risk. Many people to do get it, there is a medicine for it. But yes it out ways the risk for me.

I'm going to OCC in Mexico, next month for a Gastric Sleeve. The Doctor there was on Dr.Oz and other TV shows. I didn't go on that, but it drew me to the clinic in my research. I was going elsewhere until I found OCC, they charge about 2-3G's more, but I liked what I found out and a lot of people from Canada go there.

I'm going to Mexico too, lol
BE HAPPY!!!???take it easy

I don't mean to be rude, and perhaps you're not meaning it this way, but this feels like a scare tactic. See below for why I disagree with this immensely.

So yes, SOME doctors won't know what in the hell they're doing. If you're honest and open with you PCP BEFORE you have the surgery, they can prepare, educate themselves, and express any issues/concerns. There's a slim chance you'd have to change PCP's to get the follow up care you need. However, Dr. Illan and his team provide a list of blood work to have done and at what intervals. When those intervals come around, I let my doctor know, she orders the tests, I get my blood drawn, she lets me know if they're within normal range or not. It's easy peasy and isn't even related to anything bariatric when it comes to my insurance or anything. It is entirely dependent on how flexible your PCP wants to be. If they're not willing, find one that is. You can get the follow up care you need, it just might take some dedication and research PRIOR to going to ensure it's all lined up.
That aside.
I had my surgery with Dr. Illan on June 13, 2016. Before they made the move to Oasis. I'm actually jealous they weren't there when I went. Even so, the hospital was great, the staff was great, he was fantastic, and my boyfriend was taken care of every step of the way as well. I got better treatment and care from them and their staff than I've ever experienced in the US. I'm terrified of hospitals and was scared about going under as I never had before, but they eased me through it and got me to the other side. Now I'm sitting here at 199lbs, and 49lbs away from my goal. I don't regret it one bit, other than wishing I'd done it a couple years sooner. If I ever needed anything again in the future, you can bet I'll be going to Dr. Illan and his team again.
I had no complications. I experienced a bit more pain post-op within the first 3 hours of surgery than I expected. Some people say they experience none. I, however, did have some and I have a VERY high pain tolerance. So this surprised me. Once they found a good pain medicine and coupled it with anti-nausea, I was great. Once I was released 2 days later, I didn't ever have to touch the pain meds I left the hospital with.
Of course do your research and talk with your regular doctor beforehand, you only hurt yourself by not doing so.

I just got back from Mexico with Dr. Illan and I have to say that I have never been treated so well or felt as Safe and Secure as I did when I put my Health in Dr. Illan and his staff's hands. You will meet everyone prior to surgery. His Anesthesiologist is Amazing, his Cardiologist thorough and Knowledgeable all of his nurses gentle yet caring. His skills as a Surgeon are impeccable and honestly he will put you at ease by answering all of your questions. I honestly thought in the Beginning that this type of care is just too good to be true but I can Honestly say I would recommend him to any and everyone. The Best part is how well the Valets take care of you and your companion.

Good Luck! I'm going to the OCC in mexico Mexico march 23rd. I'm going in my own , but feeling good about it.

I just stumbled on this thread and am super glad that I did!
I am hoping to go to Dr. Ilian at the end of May! Although my SO is not very excited at the fact that I will be going to Mexico for surgery, my mother who is an RN volunteered to come with. She has a couple RN buddies who have gone down to TJ for WLS surgery with fantastic results... thankfully my PCP is supportive and is going to do all of my after care.
I am super excited to start my journey and end up on the losers bench!
Good Luck to everyone who has/will be on tis journey!!

I am scheduled for march 16th with Dr. Illan, hoping to find someone that will be there with me too!

I spoke with my PCP prior to surgery and she was more than happy to provide my aftercare. Frankly she was a lot angrier at my piss poor insurance company than me about going to Mexico for surgery that she felt I needed. Please remember we would all love to have surgery in our hometown, we are being forced to find a reasonable alternative by our insurance companies and greedy American health care providers. If your Dr refuses care because you didn't line there pockets for surgery then you should find another Dr. I'm pretty sure they take an oath to help people.

I was told I wouldn't need it. But for peace of mind, I got it. There are a couple companies out there, but this covered me once back in the states.

https://www.globalprotectivesolutions.com