After recovering from weight loss surgery and adjusting to your new lifestyle, the last thing you want to hear is that you need a second surgery. However, in certain cases, a second procedure, or “revision,” can help you achieve the results you’re looking for from your weight loss surgery.
What to Expect with Revision Bariatric Surgery
There are several reasons why you may need revision bariatric surgery.
Your doctor may recommend a second procedure if you haven’t reached your weight loss goals after the first surgery and are still obese, or if you’ve regained a significant amount of weight.
Complications or medical conditions can also lead to the need for bariatric revision:
- If you had gastric band surgery: the band may slip or fail to inflate properly, limiting food intake. In this case, surgery can adjust or replace the band.
- If you had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: the small stomach pouch created during the original procedure can stretch and become too large. A second surgery can reduce the stomach size to limit food intake or shorten the small intestine segment that absorbs calories, making the procedure more malabsorptive.
- If you had a sleeve gastrectomy: the banana-shaped stomach created during the initial surgery may also stretch, and you might need a second bariatric procedure to lose more weight.
- If you develop an ulcer or hiatal hernia, revisional surgery may be required.
Preparing for Revision Bariatric Surgery
Before undergoing revision surgery, you’ll go through a comprehensive evaluation by our bariatric team to identify the underlying causes of the issues you’re experiencing.
After Your Surgery
Once you recover from revisional surgery, you’ll need to adjust again to changes in your diet and lifestyle, but help is available.
- Registered dietitians can assist with meal planning and advise on necessary vitamin and mineral supplements.
- Fitness experts can guide you on how to adapt to your body’s changes and stay active, helping to keep the weight off.
- Bariatric support groups connect you with others who are on a similar journey, offering mutual support.
Questions to Ask Your Provider Before Bariatric Revision Surgery:
- What are the potential risks and benefits of revisional bariatric surgery?
- How will my diet and lifestyle change after the procedure?
- Are there any specific post-surgery guidelines or restrictions I need to follow?
- How will this second surgery improve my chances of success compared to the first?
- What can I expect in terms of recovery time and follow-up care?