Bariatric Revision Surgery

A bariatric revisional surgery can enhance a previous surgery to boost weight loss, correct problems or associated side effects, and improve health.

Most patients who undergo bariatric surgery are able to achieve their weight-loss goals to overcome obesity and improve their health. A small percentage of bariatric patients don’t achieve optimal results or may relapse years later and regain the weight.

Some patients start regaining weight several years after their initial success with bariatric surgery, due to re-stretching of the stomach. This expansion of the stomach is a natural process that can happen over time and doesn’t necessarily mean that the initial surgery failed.

In any of these cases, patients may benefit from a revisional surgery. Dr Lyass will be happy to evaluate you and discuss the possibility of bariatric revision surgery.

Bariatric Revisional Surgery May Be Right for You If:

You had a gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y), but…

  • You didn’t lose enough weight to achieve optimal health & lifestyle goals
  • You regained a significant amount of weight
  • You encountered medical complications (i.e., excess scar tissue)

You had a gastric sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy), but…

  • You need a sleeve re-sizing because the size of your sleeve stretched out
  • You need a sleeve re-shaping because your prior sleeve shape caused complications
  • You wish to convert to a gastric bypass for more dramatic weight loss

You had a gastric band (lap band), but…

  • You want the more dramatic weight loss associated with gastric sleeve or bypass
  • You have experienced complications (i.e., vomiting, food intolerance, heartburn or acid reflux, band slippage or erosion)

Determining Candidacy for Revisional Surgery

Dr Sergey Lyass can revise a prior surgery to correct complications, address specific symptoms or related anatomical changes, and improve your weight-loss results and health.

Your visit with our bariatric specialist will cover your medical history and an evaluation that includes:

  • Reviewing your eating habits and lifestyle, including recent stressors or changes
  • Assessing the condition of your stomach and intestines via GI testing
  • Determining any complications or issues from the prior surgery

Determining Which Revisional Surgery Is Best for You

The revision surgery recommended for you will depend on the factors and assessments listed above, including the success of your initial bariatric surgery.

  • Revisional options for the gastric band include converting to a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass. Band removal and conversion to sleeve or bypass can often be done in a single operation. In cases where there is scar tissue, the patient may need to heal for a few months after band removal surgery before proceeding with revisional surgery.
  • Revisional options for a gastric sleeve include re-sleeving or converting to a bypass or duodenal switch (a combination of the gastric sleeve and a bypass of the intestines). Re-sleeving requires the expertise of our experienced surgeons to minimize the risk of acid reflux (heartburn). Bypass is also recommended for patients who have reflux, as the bypass procedure redirects acid and bile flow away from the esophagus.
  • Revision options for gastric bypass include a repair or adjustment to the prior bypass or converting to a duodenal switch. Surgeons performing a bypass can usually work around scar tissue, so this option is recommended for patients who had scarring from a prior gastric band or sleeve procedure.

What to Expect After Your Bariatric Revision Procedure

If you have converted to a gastric sleeve or bypass, you can expect to lose a significant amount of weight, but you also must make significant lifestyle changes. These surgeries require you to strictly manage your diet. The reduced size of your stomach diminishes your absorption of vitamins and minerals, so you will have to take supplements for the rest of your life. Over the long-term, you must maintain small portion sizes or your stomach will stretch out again, causing you to regain the weight. You also must avoid high-calorie beverages as these will hinder weight loss.