AspireAssist

Info

AspireAssist is a non-surgical reversible weight loss procedure that enables patients to physically remove food inside their stomach before the calories are absorbed by their body.

Following the insertion of a thin tube that connects the inside of the stomach to the outside of the abdomen, AspireAssist patients can connect a small handheld device to a discreet button (which covers the stoma on their abdomen) and empty approximately 30 per cent of their meals into a toilet.

Ideally, the aspiration process, which typically takes five to 10 minutes, should be performed 20 to 30 minutes after every meal to maximise weight loss.

AspireAssist patients are also strongly encouraged to participate in one-on-one counselling and group support meetings to encourage healthier food choices, smaller portion sizes and increased physical exercise.

Why

AspireAssist is ideal for adults with a BMI between 35 and 55, who have been unable to lose weight or maintain weight loss through diet and exercise but do not want to undergo more invasive bariatric surgery such as Gastric Band, Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Bypass.

Procedure

Once you are comfortably positioned on the operating table, your medical practitioner will sedate you with twilight anaesthesia.

Once this has taken effect, the medical practitioner will use an endoscope to insert a thin tube in your mouth, attach it your stomach wall and then create a stoma to pull it through your abdomen.

You will not feel any pain during the 15-minute procedure and will normally be able to return home within two hours.

One week after the procedure, your medical practitioner will attach a small button at your stoma site. This will only take a few minutes and is completely painless.

Once your stoma has fully healed (around two weeks after the procedure) you will be able to begin using the AspireAssist after all meals.

Risks & Complications

Aspire Assist is a non-surgical procedure that is generally considered safe for people with a BMI between 35 and 55.

Nonetheless, the following complications can occur during or after the procedure:

  • Sedation complications
  • Discomfort
  • Sore throat
  • Pain
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Indigestion
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Hypoventilation
  • Peritonitis
  • Aspiration pneumonia
  • Perforation
  • Death

Contraindications

You may not be able to undergo the AspireAssist procedure if you have any of the following:

  • Previous abdominal surgery (including bariatric surgery)
  • Oesophageal stricture, pseudo-obstruction, severe gastroparesis or gastric outlet obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease
  • History of refractory gastric ulcers
  • Ulcers, bleeding lesions, or tumours
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • History or evidence of serious pulmonary or cardiovascular disease
  • Coagulation disorders
  • Anaemia
  • Pregnant or lactating
  • Diagnosed bulimia or Binge Eating Disorder
  • Night Eating Syndrome
  • Chronic abdominal pain
  • Physical or mental disability, or psychological illness that could interfere with the ability to use the AspireAssist device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the AspireAssist procedure painful?
No. You will not feel any pain during the procedure as you will be sedated with twilight anaesthesia. However, some patients experience significant pain for the first 2-3 days afterwards. This pain can generally be managed with medications.

How long does an AspireAssist tube placement procedure take?
The procedure normally takes just 15 minutes.

Is there any downtime?
Most patients return home within two hours but you may need to take a couple of days off work or other responsibilities to manage any pain and allow your body to heal.

What aftercare is required?
After you have begun using the AspireAssist, your medical practitioner may ask to return to their office every month or two in the first year (and less frequently thereafter) to monitor your progress, check your electrolyte and other blood levels, and make sure your button site is healthy.

Why does Aspire Assist only remove 30 per cent of calories?
After a ‘complete’ aspiration (when food stops draining), about 70 per cent of the calories are still left in the stomach or intestines. This happens for three reasons: some food has already been passed to the small intestine for absorption; the tube sits mostly in the upper portion of the stomach so food in the bottom portion is not aspirated; and some food may not fit through the tube.

Do patients get enough nutrients while using AspireAssist?
Aspiration only removes about a third of an ingested meal, and food removal is uniform so the nutritional effect is similar to that of eating a reduced calorie diet. Therefore, most patients do not need to take additional supplements although some medical practitioners will recommend a multivitamin.

Do patients eat more to compensate for aspired calories?
According to Aspire Bariatrics, the creator and distributor of AspireAssist, the company’s clinical studies have found no evidence of patients using the device as an excuse to eat more, or eating more to compensate for aspirated calories. In fact, the company reports that patients exhibited “better self-restraint, less disinhibition, and no tendency to binge eat”.

Is the AspireAssist permanent?
The AspireAssist tube is permanent, but some patients may wish to have it removed after they have reached their weight loss goals. Aspire Bariatrics recommend that all patients stop aspirating for at least three months before having the AspireAssist tube removed, to determine if they can maintain their weight loss without it. According to Aspire Bariatics’ records, most AspireAssist patients choose not to remove the tube.

For more information: https://www.aspirebariatrics.com/

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