Is Bariatric Revision Surgery Right for You?

People with a BMI (body mass index) of over 35 often have a difficult time losing weight through diet and exercise alone. One effective method that helps people in this category lose weight is bariatric surgery.

There are several types of bariatric surgery, but the basic idea is to reduce the capacity of your stomach so you can no longer eat large meals. The number of people choosing this option has increased over the years until in 2019, 256,000 bariatric surgeries were performed in the United States. 

As this number has increased, the number of bariatric revision surgical procedures has also increased. In 2019, almost 43,000 of those bariatric surgeries were revisions. At Michael Sutker, MD, PA, the experienced team performs these revisions. Here’s their best information on whether a revision might be right for you.

What exactly is bariatric revision surgery?

Bariatric revision surgery is a second procedure performed on patients who have already had one bariatric surgery. The revision may be necessary to correct a failed bariatric surgery, deal with a complication from the first procedure, or to improve a bariatric surgery procedure that is no longer working. 

For example, if you had Lap-Band® surgery, the band placed around your stomach to create a smaller pouch may need to be adjusted if it has loosened. Another option instead of adjusting the band may be a different type of bariatric surgery, such as a gastric bypass. 

Why do people undergo bariatric revision surgery?

Fighting obesity is a battle that lasts your entire life. There are no quick fixes. Bariatric surgery is one method to help people lose weight - it either restricts the amount of food their stomach can hold or interferes with how they digest food and absorb nutrients. 

It’s not uncommon for people to lose weight only to later gain some of it back. This can happen because of stress in your life, an injury that keeps you from exercising, having a baby, or any number of other reasons. If this is the case for you, know that this is the most common reason people get bariatric revision surgery. Your first step with a weight gain issue like this is to commit to a diet and exercise plan, but if that fails, a revision may be the best option for you to lose the weight you want.

People may need a revisional surgery due to a change in their anatomy. Sometimes, the connection between the stomach and small intestine is too large. Many times, there is a change in your metabolism and hormone receptors where your appetite returns and you do not feel full very quickly any more. Surgery is just one tool in managing the problem of obesity. Sometimes, more than one tool is needed to fix this complex problem. Do not consider this a failure!

Should I get bariatric revision surgery?

You should consider having bariatric revision surgery if:

• Diet and exercise aren’t enough to help you lose the weight you’ve regained
• You’re having trouble losing a significant amount of weight after the first surgery
• Complications from your first bariatric surgery are bothering you
• Your stomach has stretched out 

If you’re debating whether this surgery is necessary for you, a consultation with Dr. Michael Sutker can help you determine the cause of your weight gain and if bariatric revision surgery may be the best option for you. Call one of our offices in Dallas or McKinney, Texas or make an appointment online today.