Bariatric surgery is an evidence-based treatment that can help you lose excess weight. However, if you’re still having difficulty losing weight after getting this treatment or experiencing serious side effects or complications, you may be an ideal candidate for bariatric revision surgery.

Here’s more about the types of bariatric revision surgery, along with signs that indicate you may need this procedure.

Understanding Bariatric Revision Surgery

Bariatric revision surgery is a procedure in which you have another bariatric surgery with the goal of resolving complications associated with your initial weight loss surgery. Some of the reasons you may need bariatric revision surgery include:

• Inability to lose an adequate amount of excess weight
• Weight regain
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Chronic or severe acid reflux
• Surgical complications, such as hernias, gastric leaking or band slippage

There are three types of weight loss revision surgery: corrective, conversion and reversal.

Corrective

The goal of corrective surgery is to fix or resolve problems related to the original surgery. 

Reasons to have gastric bypass revision surgery include:

• Leaking
• Bowel obstruction
• Bleeding
• Vomiting
• Strictures
• Severe abdominal pain
• Dumping syndrome
• Malnutrition

Reasons to have corrective gastric sleeve surgery include:

• Acid reflux
• Vomiting
• Gastric tube stricture
• Stenosis
• Leaking
• Hernia

Reasons to have corrective gastric band surgery include:

• Chronic vomiting
• Gastroesophageal perforation
• Improper positioning of the band
• Band slippage
• Stomach obstruction
• Bleeding
• Infection

Conversion

Conversion surgery may be performed to convert a type of bariatric surgery into another when the original surgery does not produce the desired results. This type of revision surgery usually involves removing a larger portion of the stomach and/or rerouting the intestines.

Gastric band surgery can be converted to any other weight loss surgery. Your surgeon will remove the gastric band from the upper part of your stomach and perform gastric bypass, duodenal switch or gastric sleeve surgery.

Gastric sleeve surgery can be converted to gastric bypass or duodenal switch, while gastric bypass can be converted only to the duodenal switch.

Reversal

Gastric banding and gastric bypass are the only two weight loss surgeries that can be reversed.

The gastric band can be easily removed from the upper part of the stomach to restore the normal functioning of your anatomy. This type of revision surgery may be performed to resolve side effects and complications or reduce discomfort during pregnancy. Some people choose to have their gastric bands removed after achieving their weight loss goals.

Gastric bypass reversal involves returning the stomach and intestines to their original places. This surgery is far more complex than gastric band reversal surgery and is usually only performed if you do not respond to other treatments.

When to Consider Bariatric Revision Surgery

You may want to consider bariatric revision surgery if your original surgery’s results affect your quality of life. Weight regain, the inability to lose excess weight and health complications are good reasons to explore this treatment option with a bariatric surgeon.

Advanced Laparoscopic Associates offers bariatric and general surgeries, including weight loss revision surgery. Contact us today to request an appointment to find out if you’re an ideal candidate for this procedure.