With weight loss surgery, there is no one-size-fits-all. While the gastric band works well for some, other patients ultimately do not achieve their desired weight loss goals or may experience some complications with the implanted device.
If this scenario sounds familiar, there are other bariatric solutions that may be better suited to your situation, referred to as revision bariatric surgery. In this case, your band would be removed and your weight loss surgery procedure would be changed from the band to a sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve) or gastric bypass.
Where do you start?
First, make an appointment with your bariatric surgeon of choice to talk about your ultimate weight loss goals. During this important meeting, you’ll discuss the pros and cons of each type of surgery. With my patients, I carefully study each patient’s medical history and discuss their day-to-day lifestyle to make my recommendations on which procedure — gastric bypass or the sleeve — would help the patient reach their weight loss goals quickly, safely and effectively.
>>Alaina describes her bariatric revision surgery from the lap band to the gastric sleeve.
Revision weight loss surgery criteria
Appropriate candidates for the lap band to gastric sleeve or lap band to gastric bypass conversion procedure are those who didn’t experience sufficient weight loss or had complications with the gastric band, including:
- Chronic anxiety related to the band
- Heart palpitations
- Ongoing nausea and/or vomiting
- Constant pain and/or discomfort at the port site
- Lifestyle not suited to lifelong adjustment appointments required
If the gastric band did not work for you, don’t feel it is your fault. You don’t want to live your life in a constantly anxious or uncomfortable state. The band to bypass conversion procedure should produce the results you want.
Lap band to sleeve gastrectomy revision option
Converting from a band to a gastric sleeve allows you to lose as much as 60 percent of the excess weight you carried prior to the band removal. In a gastric sleeve procedure, a large amount of the stomach is removed, leaving a smaller sleeve-shaped sack, which limits the amount of food you can consume. Although you need to eat much less, your digestive process remains normal.
Gastric band to gastric bypass conversion option
Patients undergoing a Lap Band to bypass conversion typically lose even more excess weight that when changing to the sleeve — up to 70 percent. The surgery divides the stomach and creates a small pouch, significantly reducing your stomach’s size. You need only consume small amounts of food to feel full. The surgery lessens the amount of food you absorb, resulting in additional weight loss.
Revision weight loss surgery considerations
It is important to choose a bariatric surgeon who has experience performing revision bariatric surgery because it is a more complex procedure. As a result of your previous gastric band surgery, scar tissue and adhesions may have formed. As a result, your bariatric surgeon needs specialized expertise to successfully perform your revision weight loss surgery to bypass this challenge. However, the rate of complications is relatively low.
Your road to recovery and renewed weight loss
You’ll be hospitalized for about three days, during which time we’ll monitor you for any complications and ensure you are recovering on schedule. Once you are home, you’ll be on a liquid diet for a minimum of two weeks. About a month after the operation, you can begin light exercise and your bariatric dietitian will have added several soft and regular foods to your diet.
Be sure to join our exclusive Prime Surgicare monthly support group meeting during the process of your recovery to ask questions, share your experience with others and get the motivation you need to achieve your weight loss goal, at last!
Prime Surgicare offers comprehensive bariatric weight loss support services
If you’re frustrated by your weight loss progress after lap band surgery, don’t give up. There are other options available. Every patient’s case is unique and requires a one-on-one consultation with an experienced bariatric surgeon who has performed many of these procedures.
Call us at 732-982-2002 to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Seun or drop by one of his monthly free patient seminars on the CentraState Medical Center campus.
You can learn more about revision surgery patient experiences here, or check out our patient testimonials here.
About Dr. Seun Sowemimo, MD, FACS
Dr. Seun is a top NJ bariatric surgeon and the medical director at Prime Surgicare, with offices in Freehold serving Monmouth and Ocean counties. He is board-certified, Columbia and Yale University fellowship-trained in advanced laparoscopic, bariatric and general surgery.
To learn more, visit his YouTube channel or call Prime Surgicare at (732)-982-2002.