More than 200,000 people in the United States had gastric bypass surgery last year.

Many times, patients start to gain weight a few years after the surgery.

But now, some doctors say another surgery may keep you from packing on the pounds.

In 2005, weighing 278 pounds, Ramona Maltby had gastric bypass surgery and lost 100 pounds within a year.

“My quality of life completely changed,” said Ramona.

Eventually though, her weight plateaued, and she wanted to continue losing weight, but started to gain a little instead.

“You don’t have that same feeling that you did in the beginning where you absolutely could care less whether you ate or not,” Ramona explained.

So last month, Maltby had another procedure called StomaphyX.

It is a non-invasive, out patient procedure.

Her surgeon went in through her mouth, down her esophagus and into her stomach.

“That stomach you make it smaller and by pulling tissue over the connection between the stomach and the small bowel it actually slows the time for the food to empty,” explained Dr. David Ward.

Allowing patients like Maltby, to feel full longer, so they eat less and lose weight.

And because the surgery is incision less, the risk of complications is low and the recovery is quick.

Maltby was back at work the day after surgery and says she once again has the control she needs when eating.

“My goal was to lose another 30 to 40 pounds and I’ve lost 14 and a half,” she explained excitedly.

But some Bariatric surgeons question whether patients should be offered another surgery.

“Obviously these patients are looking for something, particularly the ones that have gained a lot of weight back, but it’s unclear whether any procedure will offer them a long term solution,” explained Bariatric Surgeon Greg Dakin.

Maltby says she is glad to know there is an option, should she need to regain control again in the future.

The StomaphyX is not cheap.

If you decide to have the procedure, it will cost anywhere between $10,000 to $40,000, depending on pre-op tests, follow-up care and counseling appointments