What is Revisional Surgery?
Revision weight loss surgery is a surgical procedure that is performed on patients who have already undergone a form of bariatric surgery and have either had complications from such surgery or have not successfully achieved significant weight loss results from the initial surgery.
What are indications for Revisional Bariatric Surgery?
Revisions are specific to patient’s previous procedure. They are for corrective treatment of complications such as leak, early bowel obstruction, stricture, fistula, GERD, and ulcer. Each patient is evaluated based on symptomology and a specific surgical plan is formulated.
Common procedures requiring revisions:
Laparoscopic Gastric Band complications: The Lap Band has been associated with many complications, including: erosion, slippage, and esophageal dysfunction. Lap Band removal with later conversion to gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy has helped to treat complications and also allow continued weight loss.
Vertical Banded or Non-Banded Gastroplasty (VBG): Patients require corrective surgery after VBG due to persistent nausea, vomiting, intolerance for solid food, heart burn and reflux into esophagus. Band erosion or staple line disruption are also common complications. Many VBG patients with long term mechanical complications and weight gain do require additional therapy, not only reversal of procedure, but also conversion to Gastric bypass.
Jejunoileal Bypass: This older procedure that is no longer performed, may cause liver cirrhosis, kidney stones and kidney failure, and chronic malnutrition. Conversion to gastric sleeve or gastric bypass vs. reversal are good option when complications arise.