Bariatric Revisionary Procedures Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti
There are many reasons that a revision may be necessary after bariatric surgery.
In most instances, people who are not getting adequate weight loss results from a previous surgery such as the Lap-Band or the Realize Band, may consider a revisionary procedure to convert to a gastric sleeve or a gastric bypass if any of the following occur:
- Gastric Prolapse
- Band erosion
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Additionally, revision may be necessary for gastric bypass for the following reasons:
- Stomach pouch stretches
- Stomach opening expands
- Small intestine starts to work more efficiently
- Complications, such as ulcers, develop
- Patient fails to comply with diet and exercise changes
Revision Bariatric Surgery
Simply put, revision bariatric surgery is an additional weight loss surgery that is performed after an initial procedure.
If the original gastric bypass surgery does not seem to be working, a surgeon may consider revising the original gastric bypass procedure.
What revisions are available?
Dr. Taylor routinely counsels Gastric Band patients who have recurrent issue or experience poor results that revision to a sleeve or bypass is appropriate after removal of the band. While many people have experienced favorable results with the gastric band, compared to other procedures it has a higher rate of failure (currently between 20 to 30%) and requires considerably more follow up for adjustment than other procedures. Favored because it is less invasive than other procedures, one of the benefits of the band is that it can be removed and additional bariatric surgery performed with little more risk than is associated with the new surgery.
