ENDOBARRIER

jjmoonie said:

Hi All,
I am confused as to why nobody is talking about ENDOBARRIER (checkout http://www.endobarrier.com ) the last time it seemed to be discussed on the forum was 2008 when apparently at that time it was a major operation. My mother cut it out of the newspaper for me recently and I looked it up, it is a simple 15 minute procedure done by endoscope, no surgery and its being performed here in the UK.

It is put in for 12 months by which time sugar levels should be back in control and up to 20% of body weight could have been lost during that period of time; seems like a win-win to me, why isn't anyone talking about this? I shall be talking to my doctor about it on Monday as I have been summoned to the surgery due to poor ongoing test results.

checkout http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLMKGPPS6Js&feature=plcp

JJ

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Clarkej said:

Hi ..I had the endo barrier in December 2011
And taken out December 2012
I lost 4 stone and still losing ..I also took fresh lemon juice in water each day to counteract the acid problem
I had no ill effects it made me eat less and still the same to this day ..I did research on it and decided it was the better option for ..my medication has been reduced by 3/4's and am looking to be off medication soon ..my HCB levels have been normal since the week I had it fitted ..and to me it was a godsend ....I highly recommend it but accept all bodies are different to the way they react to anything ..but for me ..brilliant

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FergusCrawford said:

Clarkej has not posted since April 17 2013 so he probably won't update us!

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Sonoferin said:

That's too bad maybe he will check in sometime..
I will keep all posted that are interested as I go.

So far I have taken an A1C test, Weight, and what seems to be very important a vitamin D test
My A1C was high 8.3. BP was 139/82 (pre Hypertension) Weight 210 Height 5.5
I also had to supply a stool sample which apparently showed I have a H-Pylori infection in my stomach, so I am on a dual course of antibiotics. Some people told me this would be very uncomfortable and nasty, but I haven't had any bad reactions to this stuff. Except a taste on my tongue, and after this last week it has gone.
Also my vitamin D was fine (6 more people before me failed on this test) apparently the area where they put the Endobarrier has something to do with Vitamin D production or management.
Next is a Chest XRay that is scheduled for 10 days. After that I'm supposed to go in about April 10th for the procedure.
I have tried weight loss programs and diets and even though I had great success with the 6 week body makeover program, I gained it all back.

So Ill let you know if your interested.

Martin

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saynotoendobarrier said:

I had an Endobarrier fitted nearly a year ago. I was hugely optimistic that it would reduce my blood glucose and enable me top lose weight, especially after reading some positive reviews. The procedure costs £10,000 - a huge amount for a 25 min operation and a plastic sleeve! Fortunately, mine was partly covered by my private medical insurance as my helpful GP wrote a letter saying that the procedure was essential if I was to fulfil my normal life expectancy.

Nearly 12 months on, I am hugely disappointed with the results and can see no benefit whatsoever in having had this done. I lost a small amount of weight (18st down to 17st 8lbs) in the two weeks after the endobarrier was fitted but that was only because I was on quite a restricted diet and didn't feel great after the op. After that frankly, it is as if the procedure was never carried out (I did wonder if I had been conned!)

It seems to me that the Endobarrier itself makes no difference at all, It is the restricted diet and reduced portions that you are encouraged to eat that cause any weight loss. The obvious point is that those who have lost weight would have done so anyway if they had followed the restricted diet and therefore the money spent on the Endobarrier is a waste. You could argue that it has a placebo effect but it's a very expensive placebo! Look closely at how you are expected to eat post-Endobarrier and if you can do that, then do it without the Endobarrier! (but I guess like me, if you could change your eating habits you wouldn't be considering an Endobarrier in the first place)

I was also attracted by the promise of 'support' from the National Obesity Surgery Centre. This was nothing short of a joke. It consisted of various slightly patronising phone calls from people with hardly any knowledge or training just asking how things were. They even sent me a small paper plate in the post with lines drawn on it to show what food should go where and the portions you should have! It was laughable and it seems that they assume that if you are fat you must be REALLY stupid. As soon as you ask a remotely difficult question, the person is out of their depth and waffles. On several occasions, once the call had started I realised the person calling hadn't even bothered to look up what procedure I'd had done. The NOSC are a money making organisation, nothing more nothing less and whilst the notion of ongoing support may help sell their products the reality is that they are mainly staffed by poorly trained part timers who sound friendly and caring but actually know very little - so don't be fooled.

I don't normally post reviews but I hope this is helpful, even though I know it sounds negative. My children and wider family had such high hopes for the Endobarrier after all the marketing hype but I cannot stress enough how little difference it has made. Others may say differently and point to weight loss or reduced blood sugar but I strongly suspect that is down to eating less and nothing to do with the Endobarrier itself. My GP agrees. Be warned and ask lots of questions! Good luck.

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