When to Consider Revision Surgery
St. Luke’s Des Peres Hospital’s MyNewSelf program offers bariatric revision surgery, procedures which revise or enhance a first bariatric (weight loss) surgery. Our surgeons perform all procedures laparoscopically.
Revision surgery may be considered when a problem occurs that is directly related to the first weight loss surgery, such as severe gastric reflux (when medications no longer provide relief), food intolerance, band slippage or band prolapse.
If you have been experiencing gastric band slippage or prolapse, pain, severe re-flux, or vomiting after previous bariatric surgery, contact us to schedule a consultation. If there isn't a problem with your post-surgery diet and lifestyle, the team can talk to you about next steps.
Examples of Revision Surgery
- Gastric band failure – If a patient's band has slipped or there is prolapse, remove the band and revise to a sleeve or duodenal switch depending on BMI.
- Severe gastrointestinal reflux (GERD) — when all medication options have failed, a gastric bypass may be considered to help relieve severe GERD
Revision surgery may also be considered if a patient feels they aren't losing enough weight. The staff at MyNewSelf will first see if there are ways they can help you get back on track. You may need to sit down with the dietitians and discuss your food diary and exercise habits. If weight regain or insufficient weight loss is due to diet and behavioral factors, you will need to make changes to those behaviors first, before considering enhancement surgery. Failure to address the root causes of any weight regain or insufficient weight loss could lead to the surgery not producing the desired results.
Examples of revision surgery to enhance weight loss:
- Gastric band with insufficient weight loss – Remove the band and revise to a sleeve or duodenal switch depending on BMI,
- Sleeve with insufficient weight loss or weight regain - Your surgeon could add a malabsorptive component and convert you to a duodenal switch.
There is no surgical option for gastric bypass with weight regain. However our team can help you get back on track with
- Regular office and dietitian visits
- Medications
- Meal replacements.
Discuss with Our Team and Your Surgeon
Before your surgery, you will need to have some laboratory tests completed including blood work, X-rays and an endoscopy. Your doctor may need to address any vitamin or nutritional deficiencies before the operation. If you smoke, you should quit before the surgery is scheduled to prevent complications. And the team will meet with you to review your diet and exercise habits.
Risks and Complications
- Pneumonia
- Blood clots
- Pulmonary embolism
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Leak
- Internal hernias (depending on the type of surgery)
- Death
Insurance approval will be required for bariatric revision surgery.