Revision Weight Loss Surgery: Everything You Need to Know
When a weight loss surgery doesn’t result in long-term or expected weight loss, some patients can get a second opportunity via revision weight loss surgery. For many morbidly obese patients, bariatric surgery can be a dream come true. As extra pounds come off effortlessly and their health improves drastically, a bariatric procedure offers these patients a lifestyle that was just a fantasy before.
Unfortunately, some patients don’t get the lasting results they were expecting after undergoing a weight loss surgery. After a few years, their old eating patterns may emerge again or they may suffer from acid reflux, leading them to undergo a revision weight loss surgery.
Many studies show that 10-20% of patients that choose to receive a bariatric surgery open the door for a revision procedure at some point. Regardless of the reason, a revision bariatric procedure may be the key to long-term success.
What is revision weight loss surgery?
Revision weight loss surgery is a procedure that helps correct issues associated with the initial/first bariatric surgery. In most cases, the reason for a revision surgery is insufficient weight loss after the first surgery. But sometimes, a patient can also need the revision surgery because they have developed complications from their first bariatric surgery or they have gained weight over time.
If a patient received a gastric band surgery, it’s possible that their lap-band may have slipped. Likewise, in the case of a sleeve gastrectomy, maybe the sleeve created to replace part of the stomach turned out to be too big.
- Over time, some bariatric surgery patients return to their previous unhealthy dietary habits and stop exercising, resulting in a significant weight gain. The reasons initial weight loss surgeries fail to produce lasting results vary.
- Today, obesity is being recognized as a chronic disease, and scientists agree that it’s as much a disease of the body as it is of the mind. A weight loss surgery can seem like a quick fix, but in order for the patient to experience long-term success, they must make permanent changes to your lifestyle.
- However, if for some reason, your initial bariatric surgery didn’t work, a revision weight loss surgery might be a salient option for you.
- If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is 35-40, i.e., you are eligible for a primary bariatric procedure, then you may be able to get a revision surgery.
Also, keep in mind that a revision weight loss surgery takes 1-2 days longer than the initial surgery because it involves changed blood supply and dealing with scar tissue. You may be required to stay in the hospital for 2-3 days for strict monitoring. However, the recovery period will be the same as the original procedure.
Types of revision weight loss surgery
Revision surgeries vary, depending on the patient. Gastric bypass connection sizes can be altered; sleeve gastrectomy can be converted or changed to a gastric bypass. Some procedures require traditional surgical approaches while some involve transoral stomal endoscopies performed via a tube placed down the patient’s throat.
Here are some common types of revision weight loss surgery options:
1) Lap band revision
If your lap-band has failed, eroded, or slipped for any reason, you might be eligible for a lap-band revision surgery. In patients whose lap bands have been removed, a revision weight loss surgery can help promote weight loss.
Related: Lap band slippage: causes, symptoms, and treatment
2) Gastric bypass revision
If you’ve received a gastric bypass surgery, and you’re having medical complications, or you’re not losing weight, or worse, you’re gaining weight, your weight loss surgeon may suggest a revision procedure.
Also, if you have developed an enlarged stomach pouch that is causing you to overeat, or you are suffering from complications like dumping syndrome, ulcer, fistula, or a stricture, you may qualify for a gastric bypass revision.
Related: Gastric bypass revision success rate
3) Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) revision
If you’ve had VBG and are not losing the weight you should, or you’re gaining weight, the surgery may need to be revised with new banding or staples. However, in most VBG revision cases, a new type of surgery is performed to promote better weight loss.
Depending on your unique needs, your weight loss surgeon will evaluate you and suggest the best revision bariatric surgery option to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
4) Gastric sleeve revision
If the stomach pouch or sleeve has been stretched or the initial procedure is causing medical complications, a gastric sleeve revision surgery can be performed. A second sleeve procedure can be done to revise a gastric sleeve, and to re-shrink the gastric pouch. This surgery will eliminate the extra volume in pretty much the same way as the initial gastric sleeve surgery.
Also known as re-sleeve surgery, this procedure can be used to revise a duodenal switch surgery or a gastric bypass surgery. You should consult with a bariatric surgeon to determine whether this is the right option for you.
Related: Gastric sleeve pouch reset 10 day diet
5) RNY revision
The roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RNY) is one of the most modern and efficient weight loss surgeries today, but in some rare cases, the patient may not see the results they were expecting after their procedure. Studies show that nearly 15-35% of patients either fail to lose sufficient amount of weight or regain a considerable amount of weight back after surgery.
An RNY revision surgery is done laparoscopically, and it can help you lose more weight by reducing your stomach’s ability to absorb calories. Since this is a minimally invasive surgery, most patients return to normal activities within a week.
6) Lap band to sleeve revision
If you’ve had a gastric lap-band surgery in the past, but are not happy with the results, you can get a procedure that converts your lap-band to a gastric sleeve.
The banding surgery in which a large part of the stomach is tied off with a plastic band, is reversible. Lap-band patients have to visit the bariatric surgeon several times after the initial surgery to get the band readjusted over time. If you find this inconvenient or you have not lost the desirable amount of weight after your lap-band, a revision surgery to convert to gastric sleeve might be a suitable option.
Related: Should you consider lap band to gastric sleeve conversion surgery?
7) Duodenal switch revision
A duodenal switch surgery can also require a revision or reversal in some cases. The reasons for a duodenal switch revision surgery are the same as for all bariatric surgery procedures, and include several reasons – weight regain, medical complications, or insufficient weight loss.
The revision of a duodenal switch surgery is comparatively simple as it requires creating a new connection between the alimentary limb (a stomach tube through which the food passes) and a new anastomosis. This revision procedure includes two elements:
- A sleeve gastrectomy surgery
- Limiting the food absorption by separating the biliopancreatic secretions from the food
Related: Gastric sleeve vs. duodenal switch
8) VSG/Gastric Sleeve to RNY revision
A number of morbidly obese patients choose to undergo the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) procedure over other methods due to its success rates. But if you are among the rare few who are unhappy with your VSG procedure, you can choose to get it converted to a Roux-en-Y (RNY) Gastric Bypass surgery.
Acid reflux is one of the most common causes why a VSG patient may request a revision. Around 27-40% of patients complain of inadequate weight loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some patients who undergo VSG also experience leakage among other complications.
Related: Signs and symptoms of gastric sleeve leak
- The vertical sleeve revision to RNY may be done laparoscopically but it really depends on your unique situation. If you have developed some serious medical complications, you surgeon may have to perform a tradition operation. We recommend consulting your bariatric surgeon to understand if a revision to RNY will be suitable for you.
- Generally speaking, your surgeon will first assess whether your VSG procedure has failed you, or you have failed the surgery. In other words, whether it was overeating and bingeing that caused the initial VSG to fail, or was it some other complication.
Many patients fail to realize that most of the foods we consume, even the soft-mushy ones and the liquids, bypass the pylorus (the opening from the stomach into the small intestine). So, if you are not adhering to healthy eating standards, and your main diet is full of, say, soda, alcohol, and other junk foods, you are bound to regain weight.
A thorough evaluation of your current health and dietary habits will be needed to determine whether a revision to an RNY is an option for you.
Revision weight loss surgery cost in Mexico vs USA
| Type of Revision Weight Loss Surgery | Cost in the US | Cost in Mexico | Savings |
| Gastric Sleeve Revision | $29,000 | $5,499 | $23,501 |
| RNY Revision | $31,000 | $6,299 | $24,701 |
| Lap Band Revision | $25,000 | $6,500 | $18,500 |
| Duodenal Switch Rev. | $35,000 | $11,000 | $24,000 |
| VSG/Sleeve to RNY Revision | $28,000 | $6,299 | $19,000 |
Final words on revision weight loss surgery
At Jet Medical Tourism®, we have seen excellent outcomes with revision weight loss surgeries. Our revision patients not only experience more weight loss, but their acid reflux goes away in most cases. Like them, you can also use a revision surgery to get a second start in your weight loss journey.
The experienced bariatric surgeons and well-trained nurses at Jet Medical Tourism® look at the whole picture when it comes to why a patient’s initial bariatric surgery failed. If you relapsed into your old lifestyle patterns, it could be a result of your environment, genetics, behavioral patterns, food choices, or life stresses in general.
We address these factors first because we know a revision surgery has a better chance of succeeding if you are truly mentally prepared – and we help patients do that. The physicians in our network can help you change your diet behavior both before and after a revision weight loss surgery to ensure lasting results this time.
Are you ready to start your weight loss journey?
Jet Medical Tourism® is here to help you. Since 2017, we have helped patients from all around the world achieve their weight loss goals successfully. Apply Now or get in touch with us today by calling (855) 506-6188 or the contact form.
