Bariatric Revisions

Revision surgery can help you keep the weight off forever

What is Revision Bariatric Surgery?

Since obesity is a chronic disease. Revisions are sometimes necessary beyond a patient’s original bariatric procedure. These reasons include inadequate weight loss, significant refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcer disease, and band slippage, among others.

Potential problems with a patient’s original procedure are the reason for lifelong follow-up. Bariatric weight loss complications can include excess nausea, reflux, abdominal pain, or problems swallowing food. When patients are having these symptoms a surgical weight loss revision may be appropriate.

Examples of revision surgery

Band removal is sometimes indicated for complications from laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, including band slippage or erosion, inadequate weight loss, reflux disease, and band intolerance. This can be coupled with conversion to gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy.

Sleeve gastrectomy can be associated with an increased risk for refractory gastroesophageal reflux and therefore can require conversion to gastric bypass. Inadequate weight loss can also be a reason to convert to gastric bypass.

Gastric bypass can be complicated by ulcers at the connection between the gastric pouch and the small intestine (“marginal ulcers”). This risk is greatly increased by smoking and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. When ulcers are recurrent and when the contributing factors are removed (smoking cessation, etc.), revision of the connection can be done.

Bariatric Revision Experience Matters

Revision surgery can have a higher risk of complications, and therefore should be performed by experienced surgeons. Our surgeons have extensive experience with Bariatric Weight Loss surgery and will be involved with your care both before and after surgery. Click here to meet our team of experts.