What is transoral outlet reduction?
Transoral outlet reduction is a minimally invasive weight loss revision procedure for individuals who experience weight regain or inadequate weight loss after gastric bypass surgery. Over time, your gastric outlet (the opening between the gastric pouch and the small intestine) can become bigger, leading you to feel hungry faster and increasing your food intake.
A transoral outlet reduction reduces the size of your gastric outlet which reduces the overall capacity of your stomach. With the restriction of your gastric outlet, you will feel full after eating less food, absorb fewer calories, and lose weight.
If you choose to undergo a transoral outlet reduction procedure, you can expect to lose around 9% - 17% of your total body weight in one year. As with any weight loss program, this number is influenced by the amount of weight regained and your commitment to adhering to a healthy lifestyle.
What happens during a transoral outlet reduction?
Transoral outlet reduction is an outpatient procedure that lasts about 60-90 minutes.
While you’re under general anesthesia, a specially trained doctor passes an endoscope – a flexible tube equipped with a small lighted camera and stitching instrument – into your mouth and down into your gastric pouch. A heat treatment is applied to the edge of the gastric outlet. Your doctor sews your gastric outlet into a smaller shape without any incisions to your skin.
Many patients go home the same day after the procedure. Your care team will provide post-recovery instructions and post-procedure diet plan.
Who is a candidate for a transoral outlet reduction?
Transoral gastric outlet reduction procedure may be an option for adults who:
- Have struggled with weight regain or unsatisfactory weight loss after a gastric bypass surgery.
- Are overweight with a body mass index of 27 up to 50. Calculate my BMI.
- Have not been successful in losing weight through diet and exercise alone.
- Are looking for an alternative or don’t qualify for bariatric surgery.
This procedure may not be suitable if you have significant medical conditions or health problems. Talk to your primary care doctor if you are considering a transoral outlet reduction.
How do I prepare for my procedure?
Transoral outlet reduction is not for everyone who is overweight. Before scheduling the procedure, your provider will perform an evaluation and thoroughly review your medical history. The care team will discuss your weight loss goals, insurance and payment options.
If the transoral outlet reduction procedure is the right option for you, your next step will be to enroll in a medically supervised weight loss program at the HonorHealth Bariatric Center as part of our collaborative approach to care.
Before your scheduled procedure, you will meet the Endobariatric team to discuss pre- and post-procedure care.
What does recovery look like?
Most people go home the same day after recovering from sedation. You should plan for an adult to drive you home after the procedure.
Detailed instructions on what you should and shouldn’t eat while you recover from your procedure is provided by your doctor and your clinical team. Diet modifications during the first few weeks are appropriate for you to get used to your new anatomy.
Are there risks involved?
There is a low risk of serious complications. You may experience minor side effects after your procedure, such as nausea or discomfort, lasting only a few days. Your doctor and care team can prescribe medications to adequately treat your symptoms while you recover.
We’re here to support you on your journey
Like all other weight loss procedures, the best results are achieved with your commitment to living a healthier lifestyle. At HonorHealth, you have access to a specially trained Endobariatric team and weight-loss experts from the HonorHealth Bariatric Center, including behavioral health therapists, registered dietitians and exercise specialists. Together, we will get you back to a healthier you.