Revisional bariatric surgery is a highly specialized medical procedure which can treat issues with previous weight loss surgeries such as LAP-BAND®, gastric bypass, or sleeve gastrectomy.
Our team of bariatric surgeons is very experienced and highly skilled. We have what it takes to diagnose and treat issues with prior bariatric surgeries and to get you back on your journey to weight loss success.
Do I Need a Revisional Bariatric Procedure?
Whether you need a revisional bariatric procedure and which one you need will depend on your unique medical history, and the type of complications you are experiencing.
Occasionally, after prior bariatric surgery, some stretching can occur to the original operation, requiring a follow-up surgery to correct it. For example, we can reduce a stretched bariatric operation back to an effective size for continued weight loss.
In some cases, patients who have had one bariatric surgery in the past will want to convert to a different bariatric surgery to treat an issue they are experiencing.
For example, if you have a malfunctioning LAP-BAND, we can provide removal of the old LAP-BAND while simultaneously converting to a different bariatric procedure in the same process.
Why Would I Revise Rather Than Reverse A Bariatric Operation?
Most patients prefer to revise to another operation rather than merely reversing the original operation because they would regain their weight within a year if the procedure is simply removed.
There are many reasons you might opt for a revision to an existing bariatric surgery, including:
Insufficient Weight Loss or Weight Regain
- Stretched Gastric Sleeve
- Stretched Gastric Bypass Pouch (Rare, Preventable)
Obsolete Bariatric Operations Which Need Reversal or Revision
- Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (occasionally)
- Jejunoileal Bypass
Gastric Band Intolerance (Common, Not Typically Preventable)
- Band Prolapse
- Band Slips
- Food Intolerance
- Persistent Severe Re-flux
- Hardware Failure
If you have developed any of these issues and would like to have us address it, we would be happy to help. Contact our office to schedule a consultation.
What Are Some Examples of Revisional Bariatric Surgeries?
In the instances where you need revisional surgery, there are a variety of modifications which could be necessary, depending on the situation. A handful of these issues and revisions are as follows:
- Gastric bypass with weight regains – Convert to Loop Duodenal Switch, revise pouch, stoma, or limb length, or perform an investigative revision of pouch or stoma only.
- Gastric Band Intolerance – Revise to a sleeve or gastric bypass.
- Loop Duodenal Switch with severe re-flux – Revise to gastric bypass.
- Sleeve with re-flux issues – Add a loop to complete Loop Duodenal Switch.
- Gastric band with insufficient weight loss – Revise to Intestinal Bypass, such as a gastric bypass or Loop Duodenal Switch.
Keep in mind that when weight regains, or insufficient weight loss are due to behavioral factors, you will need to make changes to those behaviors first before considering a revisional surgery. Failure to address the root cause of the issue could lead to the revision not producing the desired weight loss results.
Would I Need to Have a Gastric Bypass Revised?
Gastric bypass operations are typically successful in achieving the desired results. If you receive adequate support, you are unlikely ever to need a gastric bypass revision.
If you do end up needing a revision, it is often due to not following the prescribed diet and exercise routine after receiving the procedure, or issues with following the instructions correctly. If you have these issues, we can work with you to help you get back on track.
In some cases, the gastric pouch may have become stretched, allowing you to eat more food before feeling full. This could lead to regaining previously lost pounds. If this happens, we can perform a variety of procedures to help you continue losing weight.
Can a LAP-BAND Be Removed?
If you have had a LAP-BAND procedure done in the past, there is a roughly 50 percent chance you’ll need to have it removed in the future.
Some patients end up not losing as much weight as they had hoped and opt for a different procedure. Others experience issues with the band itself, which we can correct with revisional surgery.
If you have experienced any of these issues, we can help. We can adjust or replace your LAP-BAND with a gastric sleeve, which may help some patients experience better results.
What About New and Emerging Bariatric Technologies?
The field of Bariatric surgery is constantly evolving and moving forward as we continue to discover safer and less invasive procedures.
We are committed to incorporating these state-of-the-art procedures as they become available. Some of these procedures may fall within the realm of revisional bariatric surgery.
If you have been experiencing pain, weight regains, severe re-flux, or vomiting after previous bariatric surgery, contact our office today to schedule a consultation. We can usually help!
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