3 Ways Bariatric Revision Surgery Helps Those Who Have Regained Weight

Weight gain can happen even after bariatric (weight-loss) surgery, and it’s very common. According to some studies, around 76% of patients experience weight gain within six years after their surgery. In addition, about 7% to 15% of patients who have had weight-loss surgery have bariatric revision surgery. 

We understand that weight can be an emotionally sensitive issue, and those who have regained weight after bariatric surgery may feel like they’ve “failed.” 

But this is not the case. 

There are several potential reasons for weight gain, and our experienced, compassionate weight loss surgeon, Dr. Nuwayhid, can help you get back on track and restore your confidence. Need more information? Simply contact us at 843-347-3900.

In this article, we’ll outline the three ways bariatric revision surgery can help those who have regained weight after their initial procedure.

3 Ways Bariatric Revision Surgery Helps Those Who Have Regained Weight

1. It Enables You to Reach a Healthy Weight Again

If you’ve had bariatric surgery, you’re already aware of the health benefits and how it reduces (or resolves) issues related to high blood sugar, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Having bariatric revision surgery helps restore that progress by enabling you to reach a healthy weight. 

2. It Can Help Reduce Unwanted Side Effects

Sometimes, an initial bariatric surgery may cause unpleasant side effects, and a revision can help minimize them, depending on the initial procedure. The side effects that can occur include:  

• Swallowing problems
• GERD
• Blood sugar problems
• Dumping syndrome, when food moves into your small bowel too quickly. This typically occurs after eating food high in sugar
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Ulcers

3. To Correct a Problem From the Original Surgery

Sometimes, gastric bands may slip or erode. In other cases, stomach pouches may become enlarged or the patient may have ulcers.

Bariatric revision surgery can help correct these conditions. 

Why Might Someone Need a Bariatric Revision Surgery?

Your body is highly adaptable. Even though your stomach is much smaller after bariatric surgery, this does not mean that permanent weight loss is guaranteed. 

Sometimes, your stomach pouch can stretch or you may have troublesome symptoms like the ones we mentioned above. 

Overeating can also cause your stomach pouch to stretch.

All of these are reasons that someone may seek revisional bariatric surgery. 

What Types of Weight Loss Surgery Can Be Revised?

There are several different kinds of bariatric surgery. At Conway Medical Center, our revisional procedures include:

• Laparoscopic gastric bypass revision
• Open gastric bypass revision
• Removal of adjustable gastric banding and conversion to sleep gastrectomy
• Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy to gastric bypass

Are There Any Risks With Bariatric Revision Surgery?

Every surgery carries risk, and we will work closely with you to be sure you understand them.

Some of these risks with bariatric revision surgery include: 

• Bleeding
• Longer procedure time
• More pain at the incision site
• Longer recovery time

What Can I Expect After a Bariatric Revision Surgery?

Revisional bariatric surgery recovery will have several things in common with the initial weight loss surgery. This includes restrictions on what and how much you can eat. 

In addition, your recovery may be longer because the revision surgery most likely had to involve working around scar tissue. You may have a longer hospital stay so we can carefully monitor you.

Conway Medical Center’s State-of-the-Art Technology Aids Bariatric Revision Surgery

Our advanced weight loss center has earned several accolades for excellence, including:

• Recognition from The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program
• Designation as an Institute of Quality by Aetna Institutes of Quality®(IOQ) Bariatric Program
• Named a Blue Distinction Center 
• We’ve also been named a leader in the state and country by CareChex.

If you’re interested in bariatric surgery or you have concerns that you may need revision surgery, we’re here to serve you. Simply sign up for one of our seminars to get started.