Gastric Revision surgery is an option for previous surgical weight loss patients who, for a variety of reasons, may not have achieved adequate weight loss and/or improvement in their health from their initial procedure.
Complications with adjustable gastric bands (REALIZE ®, LAP-BAND®) are one of the most common reasons for revision bariatric surgery being performed. Revision surgery may be an option for patients who have any of the following:
- Heartburn – a form of indigestion felt as a burning sensation in the chest, caused by acid regurgitation into the esophagus.
- GERD – Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disease. GERD occurs when stomach acid or, occasionally, stomach content, flows back into your food pipe (esophagus). The backwash (reflux) irritates the lining of your esophagus and causes GERD.
- Dysphagia – difficulty or discomfort in swallowing.
- LAP-BAND® Slip – a “slip” occurs when the portion of the stomach below the band “slips” up through the band. This “slip” causes the opening between the pouch and the lower stomach to become even more narrowed or completely blocked. This narrowing is what leads to the symptoms associated with a band slip where liquids and solids get stuck in the pouch
Symptoms of a Band Slip
- Severe heartburn or reflux (GERD)
- Pain when eating solid or soft food (dysphagia)
- Vomiting with solid foods and/or fluids
- Night cough
- Chest pain or pressure
- Mechanical Failure – occurs when there is an apparent hole in the LAP-BAND®, either in the port, tubing, or band itself. Instead of choosing to undergo another gastric banding procedure, or risk the continuous and uncomfortable task of having to access the port, patients will often consider other options, including the gastric sleeve.
- LAP-BAND® Erosion – occurs in less than 2% of patients but is an extremely serious and potentially life-threatening problem. This occurs when the gastric band migrates through the stomach wall resulting with the band on the inside of the stomach vs. its correct placement on the outside of the stomach wall.
- Vomiting – often easily resolved with a few adjustments to dietary behaviors (portion sizes, chewing food well, appropriate food choices and hydration). However, if vomiting is occurring daily or several times a week please schedule an appointment with Dr. Suh or your PCP to be evaluated.
Dr. Suh will listen to your concerns and carefully evaluate your symptoms, and unique circumstances to coordinate a plan of care that will help you succeed in improving your health and achieving your weight loss goals.
Your personal care plan may include the following:
- Upper gastrointestinal study (UGI)
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
- CT scan
- Nutritional counseling
- Weight management
Helping to provide you with a second chance for an optimal result is important to us. We encourage you to take advantage of our monthly support groups, our medically supervised weight management, and an informative personal consultation with Dr. Suh to evaluate your bariatric needs and personalize your road to success.
