LAP-BAND® Revision Surgery: What to Expect
Also known as gastric banding, LAP-BAND® surgery is a restrictive form of bariatric surgery, meaning that it limits the amount of calories that can be consumed in a single sitting. A small silicone band is placed around part of the stomach in order to reduce its size. This helps cut calorie consumption, reduce appetite, and facilitate dramatic weight loss in people who are obese or morbidly obese.
The team at Tijuana Bariatrics has helped many patients lose weight with the LAP-BAND® technique, though sometimes a revision of the procedure is required. Let's consider what this means, why it's done, and how it is done.
What Is LAP-BAND® Revision?
LAP-BAND® revision refers to a corrective/secondary surgery. In essence, LAP-BAND® revision is done when the initial surgery does not achieve the desired results. That may be due to weight loss issues or complications related to the initial LAP-BAND® procedure.
Reasons for a LAP-BAND® Revision
Common reasons why LAP-BAND® revision may bee performed include the following:
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Poor/Minimal Weight Loss – Some LAP-BAND® patients do not lose as much weight as they ought to from surgery. A revision can help promote greater weight loss and better health results.
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Weight Regain – Many people who undergo bariatric surgery will regain some weight back. If a patient experiences major weight regain, revision surgery may be recommended to help address the regained weight.
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Esophageal Dilation – Poor placement or excessive tightness of the band around the upper part of the stomach can cause this uncomfortable complication to occur.
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Pouch Dilation – Similar to esophageal dilation, this complication refers to dilation of the upper stomach pouch caused by issues with the band.
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Issues with Post-op Side Effects – Side effects after bariatric surgery such as acid reflux and constipation may be especially severe in some patients. Revision surgery can help address these issues.
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Problems with the Band Itself – If the band slips, comes loose, or harms part of the stomach, a LAP-BAND® revision may be performed to correct these problems.
Options for LAP-BAND® Revision Surgery
There are different ways to revise an initial LAP-BAND® surgery. Some options include the following:
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Adjusting the Band – Sometimes revision surgery simply means adjusting the position or tightness of the band to relieve problems and/or facilitate proper weight loss.
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Replacing the Band – If the initial band harms the stomach or doesn't function properly, simply replacing the band may be recommended.
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Converting LAP-BAND® Into Another Surgery – If LAP-BAND® weight loss plateaus and proves generally ineffective, a bariatric surgeon may decide to convert the LAP-BAND® into another kind of weight loss procedure. This could mean a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass depending on the situation of the patient.
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Removing the Band – If weight loss surgery in general hasn't worked or poses risks to a patient, it may be necessary to remove the band entirely.
Tailoring Bariatric Revision to Your Needs
In order to best serve patients, it's important to visit our practice for a consultation. We can go over your reasons for LAP-BAND® revision, your options for achieving wellness, and cover all the risks and benefits you need to consider. We want to answer questions and put your concerns at ease so you can make the right decisions regarding your health.
Contact Tijuana Bariatrics
To learn more about LAP-BAND® and your many other options for bariatric surgery, we encourage you to contact our team of weight loss surgery experts today. The team at Tijuana Bariatrics will answer all of your questions and address your concerns in much greater detail.