Lap-Band Revision Surgery: When Is It Necessary?
At Tijuana Bariatrics, our dedicated bariatric surgeon helps patients regain their health through life-changing weight loss surgery, like the Lap-Band® procedure. These operations reduce the volume of the stomach, which limits patients’ daily caloric intake. The Lap-Band procedure has an extremely low mortality rate, making it an exceptionally safe and effective weight-loss surgery. However, the procedure is not without its risks.
Here, our Tijuana, Mexico, bariatric surgeon discusses Lap-Band revision surgery. Understanding when and why it’s necessary can help patients safely and successfully continue their weight loss transformation.
What Is Lap-Band Revision Surgery?
Lap-Band revision surgery is a surgical procedure in which our bariatric team can make changes to the existing band or remove it entirely. Because the initial Lap-Band procedure does not remove any stomach tissue or reroute the intestines, patients can safely explore other weight loss surgeries after gastric band removal.
When Should I Pursue Lap-Band Revision?
The main reasons why patients pursue Lap-Band revision surgery include:
- Unsuccessful or slow weight loss
- Excessive weight loss
- Band slippage
- Band erosion
- Band intolerance
Unsuccessful or Slow Weight Loss
The Lap-Band is a silicone ring that wraps around the stomach. Our team can inflate the band with a saline solution to create a small chamber in the upper portion of the stomach. This restricts the amount of food that enters the stomach, which makes patients feel fuller faster and reduces hunger signals.
If patients are not meeting weight loss milestones, then our team can make minor adjustments to the Lap-Band. Inflating the gastric band forces patients to further restrict their caloric intake, which encourages continued weight loss.
Excessive Weight Loss
In some cases, the Lap-Band restricts the volume of the stomach too much, leading to excessive weight loss. Our team can deflate the gastric band, which allows patients to take in more calories without the fear of regaining too much of the weight that they lost.
Band Slippage
The stomach can prolapse through the Lap-Band, leading to complications like:
- Extreme nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Acid reflux
- Food intolerances
Patients with these symptoms should contact our bariatric surgery center immediately, as these symptoms indicate band slippage. A corrective surgery can reposition the band, allowing patients to safely continue their weight loss journey.
Band Erosion
Band erosion occurs when the gastric band begins to grow into the stomach tissue. Prolonged band erosion can create a hole in the stomach, which can lead to a life-threatening infection. Patients experiencing band erosion must have the Lap-Band removed.
Band Intolerance
Some patients experience band intolerance, which may result in:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Frequent vomiting
- General discomfort
These patients may choose to remove their Lap-Band and pursue other weight loss surgeries, like gastric bypass or a gastric sleeve.
Talk to Our Bariatric Surgeon About Lap-Band Revision Surgery
Lap-Band revision surgery allows patients to safely continue losing weight. If you think you might need to revise your gastric band surgery, then contact Tijuana Bariatrics now. Our team will help you make the right choice for you and your weight loss goals. Send our team a message to schedule your appointment.
