Bariatric Revision Surgery
For most patients, bariatric surgery offers significant benefits, including dramatic weight loss as well as an improvement in physical health. However, for a small percentage, problems may arise that can compromise the advantages of surgery.
For those who have experienced issues in healing or have struggled with adhering to doctor-recommended behaviors after a procedure, bariatric revision surgery may be appropriate.
What Is Revision Surgery?
Bariatric revision surgery is essentially a second follow-up surgery performed to adjust the results from an initial bariatric procedure. The vast majority of bariatric surgeries will not require revision; most frequent reasons for revision surgery include:
- Slippage or erosion of adjustable gastric bands
- Weight regain due to either ineffective surgery or inability to follow post-surgical guidelines
- Bending or shifting of staples, re-enlarging the stomach after a stapling procedure
A patient is more than likely aware when something is wrong, but these are signs a physician may watch for that indicate a potential need for revision.
- Failure to lose weight despite following the post-surgical diet
- Pain, bloating and cramping
- Significant weight gain following an initial weight loss
- Herniation of the incision site
- Ulcers
- Ongoing gastrointestinal discomfort
Patients who are hesitant to go through a second surgery may be able to avoid a procedure through dietary counseling, psychological counseling and behavior modification, medical management, and support from peer groups.
In some cases, revision surgery can fully or partially reverse the effects of bariatric surgery in patients who no longer desire intervention for weight loss.
Can a Gastric Bypass Be Revised?
A gastric bypass can be revised in patients who are struggling to see the desired results. This can be done for a variety of reasons, but it most commonly performed when staples shift or a patient does not follow dietary restrictions or overeats, resulting in the stretching of the stomach pouch.
For patients who require a revision, a number of options are available. Surgeons may choose to incorporate a gastric band to reduce food intake. Alternatively, additional staples can be used to close gaps or shrink the size of the stomach pouch.
What Kind of Revision Can You Get After Gastric Sleeve?
Gastric sleeve surgeries cannot be reversed but they can be revised. The most common reason for revision is overeating that results in the stretching of the reduced stomach sleeve. When this occurs, it is harder for patients to keep diet in check, resulting in weight regain or troubles losing weight.
A gastric band can be incorporated into a gastric sleeve, or additional stomach tissue will be removed. Some surgeons may also choose to perform a gastric bypass on a patient who has previously had a sleeve gastrectomy.
Revision for Gastric Banding
A gastric banding revision is among the easiest surgical options. Bands can be moved, adjusted, or replaced in a minimally-invasive manner, leading to immediate progress. Those who are no longer satisfied with gastric banding may request an additional surgical procedure, including a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass.
What Is Gastric Overstitch?
To alleviate surgical risks and the challenges of recovery, Overstitch procedures are frequently performed for patients in need of a revision. An innovative fiber-optic endoscope, gastric Overstitch allows physicians to perform some pouch and stoma revisions without the use of incisions.
If you believe you are a candidate for bariatric revision surgery, the team at Virginia Bariatric Surgery Center may be able to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or to learn more about our surgical opportunities, register for one of our free bariatric surgery seminars!
