What is Revision Weight Loss Surgery?
Revision weight loss surgery is a surgery performed when an initial weight-loss surgery has not resulted in the desired outcome. This can be due to development of medical complications, stretching of parts of the stomach over time, or regaining of the lost weight because of not following the diet and exercise guidelines as prescribed by your doctor.
Indications for Revision Weight Loss Surgery
Some of the indications for revision weight loss surgery include:
- Improper size of the gastric sleeve
- Slipping of the gastric band
- Leakage of gastric contents
- Blockage of small bowel
- Dumping syndrome
- Development of stomach ulcers
- Medical complications as a result of gaining weight
Assessment for Revision Weight Loss Surgery
Assessment for revision weight loss surgery will include review of symptoms, performing an x-ray, endoscopy, or CT scan to evaluate the anatomy of the initial operation, assessment of eating behaviour and physiology of the gastrointestinal system.
Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery
Specific instructions will be provided by your surgeon. In general, you should:
- Stop smoking as it can slow down the healing process.
- Inform your surgeon about any health conditions, allergies, and regular medications.
- Avoid eating 8-12 hours prior to the surgery.
Revision Weight Loss Surgery Procedure
The surgery will be done under general anaesthesia. Most often, it can be done laparoscopically through keyhole incisions. The type of surgery will be based on your specific condition and will include:
- Managing complications from the initial weight loss surgery
- Fixing or repairing a gastric sleeve, gastric band, or gastric bypass that is not functioning properly
- Changing the type of surgery performed, for example, a gastric sleeve may be converted to a gastric bypass to improve the chances of weight loss
Recovery after Revision Weight Loss Surgery
Following the revision weight loss surgery, you may have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days to ensure there are no complications. In general, your recovery may take slightly longer compared to your initial surgery and it will depend on your overall health, age, and type of surgery. To ensure the success of the surgery, you should continue with the diet and lifestyle changes recommended after the initial surgery.
Risks of Revision Weight Loss Surgery
As with any surgical procedure, there is a minimal risk of complications that include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Breathing problems
- Delayed healing or failure to heal
Benefits of Revision Weight Loss Surgery
With revision weight loss surgery, you have a second chance at getting your health back on track and achieving your weight loss goals.