Bariatric Revision

Revisional bariatric surgery is performed to repair or change a previous weight loss surgery. It might be appropriate for you if you’ve had less-than-optimal weight loss or weight regain, or if you experienced complications from your original procedure.

Why is needed:

• Insufficient weight loss or weight regain: Some patients may not achieve the desired weight loss with their initial bariatric surgery, or they may regain a significant amount of weight.
• Complications: Post-operative complications, such as ulcers, strictures, or displaced gastric bands, can also necessitate revisional surgery.
• Deterioration of the initial procedure: In some cases, the initial bariatric procedure may deteriorate over time or become less effective.
• Malnutrition: Occasionally, an initial bariatric procedure prevents too many nutrients from being absorbed from food, leading to malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, or too little calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia). Sometimes, the initial bariatric procedure can be slightly modified during revisional surgery. In rare cases, the entire procedure is reversed, especially if the patient experiences liver failure along with malnutrition.

Common reasons for bariatric revision:

• Weight gain after surgery.
• Ruptured or displaced gastric bands.
• Displaced gastric band ports.
• Disrupted staples.
• Enlarged gastric pouch.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
• Problems swallowing.

Types of revision procedures:

• Conversion to a different procedure: For example, converting a gastric band to a gastric sleeve or bypass.
• Reversal of the initial procedure: Reversing a gastric bypass or other procedure.
• Repair of complications: Addressing complications like ulcers or strictures.