Revision weight loss surgery is a surgical procedure and is what some patients opt for if they have previously had a form of bariatric surgery but have experienced complications or an insignificant loss of weight.
Revisional surgery is a much more difficult and complex surgery and is considered a high risk. It’s important to remember that regaining a little bit of weight post-surgery is extremely normal, and you can talk to your surgeon to discuss diet and exercise adjustments. However, if you have regained a substantial amount of weight or have failed to lose weight, revisional surgery could be right for you.
What are my choices?
A gastric bypass is the most preferred option for someone wishing to undergo revisional surgery. However, this isn’t always the case, particularly for patients who have already undergone gastric bypass surgery. In this case, patients can have an adjustable gastric band placed on top of their bypass to avoid further weight gain.
Gastric Band on top of Bypass
The average gastric band procedure takes around an hour, unless there are previous adhesions and scarring. In this case, more time will be required for this. The procedure itself involved your surgeon placing a small, silicone band around the top section of your stomach. This band can be loosened or tightened as needed by fluid being injected into or removed via a filling port, of which is based beneath your skin.
Gastric Band to Bypass
Gastric bypass surgery is one of the most invasive weight loss procedures. Prior to surgery being agreed, you will be asked to have a barium swallow, which is a medical imaging procedure. This allows your surgeon to determine if your procedure is able to be completed in one single stage. By completing the procedure in one stage, the removal of your gastric band and the conversion to gastric bypass will all occur in one single operation. If performed in one go, this procedure takes around two and a half hours, but you will need to spend two nights recovering in hospital.
Overstitch
If you have undergone gastric bypass surgery but are finding you are now regaining weight, overstitch is a non-surgical treatment that can help you to overcome these challenges. Overstitch is a relatively new procedure. It is less invasive and carries less risks than other surgeries as it is performed endoscopically with a stitching device. The enlarged bypass pouch is stitched from within, takes less than an hour and is carried out under general anaesthetic. The recovery time is just a few days, too.
If you’ve previously undergone bariatric surgery but are finding your results are less then what you’d of hoped- we can help you. For more information on revisional surgery, get in touch with a member of The Bariatric Group team by visiting our contact page or by giving us a call on 0808 1280 022.
*Disclaimer: Please note that weight loss surgery results and benefits are unique to each individual and in such The Bariatric Group cannot guarantee specific weight loss goals as results for each surgery can vary. If you have any questions or would like to know more about weight loss surgery please contact our expert team.
