Surgery Revisions
If you’ve had bariatric surgery in the past and either experienced complications or a lack of sustainable results, surgery revisions can make the changes you need to get back on track with weight loss and general health. At The Bariatric Experts™ in Frisco, Abilene, and Denton, Texas, Scott Stowers, DO, performs surgery revisions like the gastric band to gastric sleeve, gastric band to gastric bypass, gastric sleeve revision, and gastric bypass. To explore your options for surgery revisions, call The Bariatric Experts™ or book your consultation online today.
What are surgery revisions?
Surgery revisions, or revisional surgery, is an option when your original bariatric surgery either develops complications or doesn’t provide you with results despite your adherence to post-surgery lifestyle changes. Dr. Stowers performs a second surgery to make changes after the initial surgery, hopefully leading to better results.
The most common revision surgery is a gastric band or lap-band removal. A gastric band can be a helpful tool for portion control as you’re trying to lose weight, but up to half of all patients experience complications from their gastric bands. If you experience problems, or your gastric band hasn’t helped you lose weight, Scott Stowers, DO, can perform laparoscopic gastric band removal or revision at The Bariatric Experts™ in Denton, Texas.
Some common problems, which might cause you to seek gastric band removal surgery, include:
- Band erosion
- Band slippage
- Food regurgitation
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Trouble swallowing
- Esophageal inflammation or irritation
- Infection around the band
- Little or no weight loss
You may also choose to remove the gastric band if you’ve already reached your goals and find the band to be unnecessary.
If you’re still working toward your weight loss goal, you might choose to undergo gastric band revision surgery instead of gastric band removal. With this option, Dr. Stowers performs gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery after removing your lap band.
At The Bariatric Experts™, Dr. Stowers prefers to perform surgery revisions using minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopy.
Rather than using a single large incision to make revisions to your stomach, he uses several small incisions and an instrument called a laparoscope.
This minimally invasive technique results in less scarring and a shorter recovery time than traditional surgery. Still, you should keep in mind that a second bariatric surgery carries an increased risk for infections.
When should I consider surgery revisions?
You may wish to consider surgery revisions if you experience complications from your original weight loss surgery, if you’ve hit a plateau with your weight loss after the initial surgery, or you have comorbidities (other health issues) that did not get resolved. The effectiveness of the revision procedure will largely be determined by the patient’s commitment and compliance with the program.
When you come to The Bariatric Experts™, Dr. Stowers evaluates you and helps you decide whether or not you’re a good candidate for surgery revisions. Dr. Stowers also supports you in following your aftercare program to improve the procedure’s effectiveness.
What are my options for surgery revisions?
Dr. Stowers offers several types of surgery revisions at The Bariatric Experts™ to improve your weight loss results and general health.
Types of surgery revisions include:
Gastric Band to Sleeve
During this surgery revision, Dr. Stowers removes the gastric band and any scar tissue around it. He then permanently reduces your stomach’s size by trimming away around 80% of it and sewing the remaining portion together to create a smaller banana-shaped organ.
Gastric Sleeve Revision
If you experience complications related to your initial gastric sleeve procedure, you may require a surgical revision to correct them. Complications related to gastric sleeve procedures could include vomiting, persistent nausea, gastroesophageal reflux, and an inability to tolerate solid foods. When possible, Dr. Stowers prefers to perform gastric sleeve revision using laparoscopic techniques.
Gastric Band to Bypass
During this surgery revision, Dr. Stowers starts by removing the gastric band and any tissue that has grown around it, then reduces your stomach’s size by stapling or suturing a small pouch. He routes the pouch past your upper small intestine and directly into the middle section called the jejunum. This helps you eat less and absorb fewer calories from your food.
Gastric Bypass Revision
If you fail to lose enough weight, regain the weight you previously lost, or experience medical complications after your initial gastric bypass procedure, you may require a gastric bypass revision. Dr. Stowers uses minimally invasive techniques to perform gastric bypass revision whenever possible.
Start Your Transformation Today!
Request a consultation to get started!
Book your consultation with Dr. Stowers and the team at The Bariatric Experts™ for surgery revisions by calling the office or using the online booking tool today.
Dr. Scott Stowers has either authored or reviewed the content on this site.
Page Updated: