Revision bariatric surgery is a weight loss procedure for patients who have regained weight after a primary weight loss procedure or if the primary procedure hasn’t worked. In most cases, bariatric surgeries successfully allow patients to lose weight and maintain the results. But if the results aren’t sustainable or don’t go far enough, the patient may need a revision bariatric surgery to achieve the desired results.
Reasons for Revision Bariatric Surgery:
- Weight gains after the primary weight-loss procedure
- Insufficient weight loss after the primary bariatric procedure
- Complications related to the primary bariatric procedure
- Reputed gastric bands, necessitating a gastric bypass or sleeve
- Staples from the gastric sleeve are compromised
- Enlarged gastric pouch after the gastric sleeve procedure
- Dysphagia, a medical condition that makes it hard to swallow food
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GRD), which leads to persistent acid reflux
Types of Revision Bariatric Surgery:
Gastric Bypass Revision
A gastric bypass is a surgical procedure that involves stapling off a major part of the stomach, essentially turning the stomach into a small pouch. This procedure reduces the size of the stomach, so you need less food to feel full and satisfied. A gastric bypass revision may be necessary to correct an enlarged gastric pouch — it can decrease stomach size and increase intestinal bypass.
Gastric Sleeve Revision
A gastric sleeve surgery, also known as a sleeve gastrectomy, is a surgical procedure that restricts your food intake. The surgeon removes most of the left part of the stomach and leaves a narrow tube called a sleeve. This procedure dramatically reduces how much food you can eat. A gastric sleeve revision may involve adding a gastric band, recreating the gastric sleeve, or turning the sleeve into a gastric bypass.
Gastric Band Removal
A gastric band is a surgical procedure that involves placing a silicone band around the upper stomach to decrease the stomach size. The adjustable silicone band turns your stomach into a small pouch, so you need less food to feel full. If you’re suffering from complications related to gastric banding, the surgeon can remove the band and perform a gastric sleeve or bypass.
Postoperative Care After Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery should be viewed as a tool for effective weight loss. The success of your bariatric surgery depends on two primary factors — whether your surgeon performed the surgery correctly and whether you have followed the aftercare guidelines properly. Dr. Ahuja supports you through every stage of your bariatric surgery, ensuring you have the support and information you need to maintain the results of bariatric surgery for a lifetime.
Why is Revision Bariatric Surgery Done?
Bariatric surgeries are usually successful. Patients who undergo bariatric surgery and follow the postoperative recovery guidelines lose significant amounts of weight and maintain the results of weight loss. But treating obesity is similar to treating other medical conditions and you may need an additional treatment for optimal results. Your weight loss procedure may not lead to as much weight loss as hoped, you may recover the lost weight, or suffer from unwanted complications.
If you regain weight after a bariatric surgery or experience complications, you may need a revision bariatric surgery. Dr. Ahuja provides highly personalized bariatric surgeries using the latest laparoscopic and robot-assisted techniques that optimize precision and minimize the risk of complications. He will understand your medical history and lifestyle, review the results of your primary procedure, and determine if you’re a candidate for revision bariatric surgery.
Schedule an Appointment
Ahuja Bariatric & Beyond is a state-of-the-art medical center specializing in laparoscopic and robot-assisted bariatric surgeries. Dr. Ahuja is a fellowship-training bariatric surgeon with over 4000 bariatric surgeries under his belt. His considered approach to weight loss ensures optimal results, allowing patients to lose and keep off unwanted weight. Please schedule an appointment to explore your revision bariatric surgery options in Mount Vernon.
