Treatment guide

Bariatric Revision Surgery

Weight-loss surgery relapse can happen for a variety of different reasons: your anatomy may have adjusted to your old procedure or you have been unable to keep up with your routine due to personal stressors or other life changes. You may be a candidate for bariatric revision surgery. Bariatric revision surgery is an umbrella term employed for various follow-up revisional procedures carried out on patients who have previously had a weight-loss surgery.

The content has been reviewed for quality and accuracy to the best of our knowledge by Qunomedical and its Medical Board of Experts.

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Bariatric Revision Surgery Quick Details

WHO IS THIS FOR

  • Patients who are having complications from their previous weight-loss surgery.

  • Patients who are unsatisfied with results from their previous bariatric surgery.

TREATMENT DURATION

  • Between 1 to 4 hours, depending on chosen revision surgery.

RECOVERY TIME

  • Patients should be able to resume their normal schedules over the course of a few weeks.

SUCCESS

  • Patients with revision bariatric surgery have been shown to experience up to a 75% decrease in their BMI over the course of one year.

POTENTIAL RISKS & SIDE EFFECTS

  • Leaking or disturbances in the gastric band or balloon

  • Bleeding

  • Infection

  • Comorbidities that do not resolve following the surgery

  • Weight regain or insufficient loss

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

How Does It Work?

There are different follow-up procedures which can be performed. These vary on a case-by-case basis and depend largely on your previous surgery, your current needs and any complications that may have taken place after the last surgery.

Reversal of a Previous Procedure

This includes removing a gastric band or undoing a gastric plication as well as reversing a gastric bypass surgery.

Conversion to a New Type of Procedure

If you have had a gastric band surgery, it could be switched into a gastric bypass or a gastric sleeve surgery by removing the existing band and following the normal procedure for one of the new surgeries:

  • Gastric sleeve surgery requires removal of a part of the stomach, which therefore reduces its volume and leaves behind a sleeve like structure.

  • In gastric bypass surgery, a part of the stomach is stapled together into a small pouch, which is then directly connected to your small intestine. Due to this, the food bypasses the majority of the stomach and restricts its capacity to ingest food. This surgery is particularly effective if you also suffer from reflux.

Revision of an Old Procedure

This could involve changing a faulty gastric band, re-stitching or re-stapling the stomach lining or correcting the position of a gastric bypass pouch.

What Should I Expect From a Bariatric Revision Surgery?

First and foremost, bariatric revision surgery does not involve a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Your treatment plan, the status of your old surgery, existing complications all play a role in deciding the correct plan of action to ensure your satisfaction and happiness. Therefore, individual consultations before making a final decision are essential to the success of your surgery.

The revision surgery also comes with a higher risk for complications, and you as a patient should be aware of these before making a final decision. Please speak to your surgeon beforehand, and fully understand the risks before moving forward with the procedure. It is important to keep in mind that lifestyle changes post-op are essential to the success of your surgery. The surgery is a tool to your recovery, which must be effectively utilized to achieve your goals.

What Lifestyle Changes Are Involved When Undergoing Bariatric Revision Surgery?

Lifestyle changes are an important aspect of recovery, as after any surgery. Your diet should include whole foods, plenty of fluids and processed foods must be avoided. A regular exercise regimen that helps you gain strength and makes you feel your best should be a definite part of your daily routine.

Frieda

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Frieda

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