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Weight Loss Surgery Revision (Regain Sleeve)

Home Weight Loss Options Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Surgery Revision (Regain Sleeve)

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For some people who suffer from obesity, weight loss surgery does not deliver the results they had hoped for. Whether the source of their dissatisfaction is insufficient weight loss, weight regain, or side effects from bariatric surgery, the result can be incredibly discouraging. 

Fortunately, at Panhandle Weight Loss Center in Amarillo, TX, our bariatric surgeons can help these patients through revisional weight loss surgery. If you are unhappy with the progress you’ve made after weight loss surgery, don’t lose hope. Read on to learn more about weight loss surgery revision, then contact our team to schedule a personal consultation with one of our experts.

Who is a Candidate for Revision Weight Loss Surgery?

There are a number of reasons a patient may wish to consider revisional bariatric surgery, such as:

Many patients who undergo revisional bariatric surgery enjoy an increase in quality of life, as well as a decrease in co-morbidities associated with obesity. However, weight loss surgery revision is not appropriate for every patient.1

When patients achieve less-than-favorable outcomes from a primary weight loss surgery, it is necessary to determine the cause of those results. It is possible that there is a physical cause for the patient’s inadequate weight loss or weight regain that requires additional medical treatment. It is also possible that a lack of success following bariatric surgery can be traced to patient behavior (such as excessive portion sizes, poor eating habits, or a lack of physical activity).2 

Before you are pronounced a candidate for revision weight loss surgery, your doctor will thoroughly evaluate both your physical health and your lifestyle so that we may provide you with the treatment plan most beneficial to your unique situation.

Weight Loss Surgery Revision Procedures

At Panhandle Weight Loss Center, the majority of our patients who wish to improve upon outcomes of previous bariatric surgical procedures seek to convert from one weight loss surgery procedure to another.

Gastric Sleeve Conversion to Duodenal Switch

By far, the most common weight loss surgery revision procedure we perform is conversion from a Gastric Sleeve to a Duodenal Switch

Gastric Sleeve weight loss surgery, formally referred to as Sleeve Gastrectomy, is designed to help patients achieve and permanently maintain weight loss. However, some patients struggle to make the necessary diet and lifestyle adjustments to ensure their success after Gastric Sleeve surgery. When a patient overeats after gastric sleeve weight loss surgery, the gastric pouch can be stretched. 

Sometimes, patients who experience stretching of the gastric pouch after a Sleeve Gastrectomy choose to undergo a revision procedure to have the size of the pouch reduced. More often, our patients experience more successful outcomes by converting to a Duodenal Switch procedure after Sleeve Gastrectomy.

How is the Procedure Performed?

The creation of a gastric sleeve is actually the first stage of a Duodenal Switch procedure, so when a patient already has a gastric sleeve the surgeon can move on to the second stage to complete the Duodenal Switch. This involves rerouting food from the upper portion of the small intestine. To do this, the surgeon makes a small incision in the small intestine just below the duodenum and another incision towards the lower end of the small intestine. The lower cut end is then connected to the higher cut end, essentially bypassing much of the small intestine. This reduces the number of calories a patient is able to absorb from food.

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Lap Band Conversion Surgery

The placement of a Lap Band (Adjustable Gastric Band) was once the most popular bariatric surgery procedure in the United States. However, use of this procedure has sharply decreased, and now Lap Band placement accounts for only about 1% of weight loss surgeries in the United States. Much of the decline in popularity of the Lap Band procedure can be attributed to poor patient outcomes such as inadequate weight loss, weight regain, and a high rate of long-term complications such as band intolerance, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and band slippage.

At Panhandle Weight Loss Center in Amarillo, our bariatric surgeons can help patients resolve symptoms of Lap Band intolerance and improve their ability to lose weight by converting their Lap Band to a more effective procedure. We have helped many patients experience improved outcomes via Lap Band Conversion to Gastric Sleeve and Lap Band Conversion to Duodenal Switch procedures.

How is the Procedure Performed?

The first step in Lap Band Conversion surgery is the removal of the gastric band from the top part of the stomach. In most patients, this is accomplished laparoscopically through a few small incisions. During gastric band removal, the surgeon not only removes the gastric band, but also cuts away any surrounding scar tissue, removes the sutures that secured the band to the upper part of the stomach, and removes the subcutaneous port that was used to fill the gastric band. Once this is accomplished, the surgeon moves on to a laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve or Duodenal Switch procedure.

Recovery After Weight Loss Revision Surgery

Patients can expect to be up and walking shortly after their weight loss revision surgery. Most patients report that their postsurgical pain is tolerable and easily controlled with medications.

It is important that patients give their bodies proper time to heal after weight loss revision surgery. We encourage patients to refrain from heavy lifting (no more than 10 pounds) for at least 3 weeks after surgery, and that they hold off on strenuous exercise for at least 4 weeks. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work 1 week after weight loss revision surgery.

Weight Loss Revision Surgery Follow-Up and Aftercare

At Panhandle Weight Loss Center, we continue to work with our patients long after surgery so that we can guide them through a successful weight loss journey. Patients attend their first follow-up visit with a Physician Extender 2 weeks after their procedure. During this visit, the patient’s healing is monitored, possible surgical complications are identified, and changes may be made to the patient’s medications. Patients will continue to follow up with a health coach, dietitian, and psychologist as needed.

To learn more about what can be expected before, during, and after weight loss revision surgery, please view our Bariatric Surgery Manual.

Weight Loss Revision Surgery FAQs

Is weight loss surgery revision eligible for the ACCELERATE program?

Yes! Each of the revisional bariatric surgery procedures described here qualifies for our ACCELERATE program, which allows patients to condense the presurgical time frame. With ACCELERATE, even patients who travel to Panhandle Weight Loss Center from out-of-town are able to complete the entire process (including surgery and recovery) in as little as 5 days.

Is weight loss surgery revision covered by insurance?

For many of our patients, weight loss surgery revision is medically necessary. This makes the procedure eligible for at least partial coverage by medical insurance plans. 
Our friendly staff can help you determine whether your procedure will be covered by your insurance. If surgery is not covered, don’t worry! We will be happy to connect you with one of the many medical financing sources and lenders we work with.

How much does weight loss surgery revision cost?

The cost of your revision weight loss surgery will depend on a number of factors, including your insurance coverage. General costs for revisional bariatric surgery at PWLC are as follows:

Gastric Sleeve Conversion to Duodenal Switch
Pre-Surgical Clearances – $1,280.00
Sleeve Gastrectomy to Duodenal Switch Conversion Procedure – $9,800.00
Total Cost – $11,080

Lap Band Conversion to Gastric Sleeve
Pre-Surgical Clearances – $1,280.00
Sleeve Gastrectomy with Lap Band Removal Procedure – $13,000.00
Total Cost – $15,800.00

Lap Band Conversion to Duodenal Switch
Pre-Surgical Clearances – $1,280.00
Duodenal Switch with Lap Band Removal Procedure – $19,400.00
Total Cost – $20,680.00

Contact us for Revision Bariatric Surgery

If your hopes for a decreased BMI and healthier life weren’t realized after weight loss surgery, you may be a good candidate for revision weight loss surgery. At Panhandle Weight Loss Center in Amarillo, TX, our highly skilled bariatric surgeons can evaluate you to determine whether you may experience better results by converting to a different weight loss surgery procedure. Our team can also help you better understand obesity and embrace lifestyle changes that will bring your goal healthy weight within reach. Please contact us today to schedule your personal consultation.

The surgeons at Panhandle Weight Loss Center have either authored or reviewed and approved this content. Page Updated: