Having weight loss surgery is a life-changing decision. Undergoing it a second time (revisional bariatric surgery) is an even more challenging choice to make.
Nevertheless, for some patients who experienced weight regain or chronic post-op complications, revision surgery can be an ideal opportunity to reignite weight loss in order to ultimately achieve goal weight.
The outcomes for most of our patients who have bariatric surgery here in New Jersey are generally quite good. However, in a small number of cases, not all surgeries produce the results that a patient originally anticipated. This experience is common with the more outdated operations, such as “stomach stapling” (VBG), which is no longer widely used by surgeons.
Could revisional bariatric surgery be right for you?
Revisional bariatric surgery alters or repairs a previous operation. Most of the revisions we perform here at Prime Surgicare are for patients who had medical issues after the operation or who did not have the time to devote to the ongoing maintenance necessary for the lap-band. These patients often prefer to change to the sleeve or gastric bypass.
Revision surgery patient criteria:
You may be a prime candidate for revisional bariatric surgery if you’ve experienced any of the following:
- Significant weight regain
- Original bariatric procedure is more than 10 years old and no longer performed
- Poor overall weight loss volume in general
In addition, you may be a candidate if you’ve had complications from the original operation, such as:
- Staple line compromised (VBG or Roux-en-Y)
- Stomach band has dilated over time or has broken (VBG)
- Persistent vomiting or dumping
- Ulcers
- Slipped lap bands
Learn more about your weight loss surgery options
Because revision surgery is a complex operation, it is imperative to choose a revision bariatric surgeon who has performed many of these procedures (recently) and is experienced changing both from/to the new procedure of choice.
In contrast to the health risks of morbid obesity, revision surgery can still be a beneficial operation for many patients.
Two of Dr. Sowemimo’s patients, Alaina and Courtney, achieved goal weight after their revision weight loss surgery operations, performed at CentraState Medical Center.
We recommend that you check with your medical insurer to ascertain your coverage for this surgery if you are seriously considering it. Contact Prime Surgicare’s bariatric team here in Freehold to make an appointment to discuss your bariatric weight loss status and what options might be right for you.
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.