What is Revision Weight Loss Surgery?
Although bariatric surgery is highly effective for weight loss, some patients may experience inadequate weight loss or weight regain, requiring a revision procedure to further reduce their weight. In certain cases, issues may arise from the initial bariatric surgery over time, necessitating revisional surgery to address these problems.
Indications for Revision Weight Loss Surgery
Several factors may indicate the need for revision surgery, including:
Inadequate weight loss Weight regain
Persistent obesity-related illnesses
Complications following weight loss surgery
Your surgeon will carefully review your case to identify any factors contributing to an unsatisfactory outcome. It's important to note that successful weight loss relies on adherence to dietary and lifestyle commitments, as bariatric surgery is only an adjunct to these changes. After gathering more information from relevant investigations, your surgeon will discuss the treatment options best suited to your specific situation.
Pre-procedural Instructions for Revision Weight Loss Surgery
You should refrain from eating or drinking anything after midnight before the surgery. It's advisable to have a family member or friend accompany you to the hospital for support and comfort. Specific instructions will be provided based on the specific surgery being performed, and a pre-operative Optifast diet may be required.
Revision Weight Loss Procedure Revision surgery may be necessary due to various complications related to the primary procedure, such as a slipped gastric band, band erosion, narrowing/stricture in the sleeved stomach, staple line leak, reflux, internal hernia, or persistent ulcer.
The revisional surgery may involve repositioning the gastric band, replacing or fixing the access port, re-sleeving a stretched stomach tube, trimming a gastric pouch, converting a gastric band to gastric bypass, or converting a gastric sleeve to gastric bypass.
Post-Operative Care for Revision Weight Loss Surgery
Postoperative procedures and instructions will differ depending on the type of surgery performed. Patients will need to take time off work and rest for several weeks to allow for proper recovery. Typically, a post-bariatric surgery diet consisting of liquid and pureed foods will need to be followed for a few weeks.
Risks and Complications of Revision Weight Loss Surgery
Revisional weight loss surgery can be complex and challenging, which may increase the risk of complications such as blood loss, infection, staple line leak, and the need for conversion to open surgery compared to the primary bariatric procedure.
