Gastric Revisions

Overview – Gastric Revision Surgery

Gastric revision surgery is a procedure performed to correct issues or improve outcomes for patients who underwent prior weight loss surgery and have unexpected complications, side effects, or did not achieve their anticipated weight loss goals.

Why do a Gastric Revision?

Although initial weight loss surgeries generally have a high success rate, in some instances patients experience unforeseen complications, the procedure deteriorates over time and/or they do not reach their weight loss goals.  In these instances, a second weight loss surgery or a gastric revision procedure may be considered to address concerns such as:

• Ruptured or displaced gastric bands or ports, or band slippage
• New or worsened acid reflux (ie. GERD)
• Problems swallowing
• Issues with surgical staple line (ie. disrupted staples)
• Enlarged gastric pouch or sleeve
• Persistent nausea or vomiting after sleeve
• Persistent ulcers despite medical treatment
• Abnormal stomach fistula
• Short gastric bypass limb lengths
• Weight regain (not always a reason for revision, but may be considered on a case by case basis)

Revision Surgery Types offered at Hoag

Your surgeon will assess your individual circumstance and develop a care plan recommendation customized to your specific medical situation and weight loss goals:

• Removing a Gastric band
• Converting a lap band to gastric sleeve or gastric bypass
• Converting a gastric sleeve to gastric bypass or SADI (Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal)
• Altering gastric bypass limb lengths
• Resizing of the stomach pouch/sleeve
• Others, as determined by clinical team

What to Expect

Before you have revision surgery it is important to identify any causes of weight regain, inadequate weight loss and/or complications you are experiencing.  Even though most weight loss surgeries are low risk, gastric revision procedures are considered more complex and carry a higher risk of infection or additional complications.  Your surgeon will review these with you based on the revision procedure recommended and work with a multi-disciplinary team of experts to assess your medical history, lifestyle and behavioral health and develop a customized weight loss plan to reverse any negative effects from your previous weight loss procedure.