Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas
| Surgical Revision of a Bariatric ProcedureThere are several reasons that patients who undergo bariatric surgery may not have successfully reached their goal weight. These reasons differ depending on the type of bariatric surgery procedure they had, when it was performed, and who performed it, as well as the patient's ability to make the lifestyle changes necessary to support his/her success. Advances in bariatric surgery techniques have provided bariatric surgery procedures that are both safer and more effective than the procedures performed a few years ago. However, revising a bariatric surgical procedure that resulted in poor post-operative weight loss presents a series of additional challenges that require careful patient screening and a highly experienced bariatric surgeon. One of the main challenges encountered during a bariatric surgical revision is the presence of scar tissue that often forms in the abdomen following the original bariatric surgery. Scar tissue forms between organs close to the area of surgery and the surgical site itself. In the case of stomach surgery, this scar tissue (often called adhesions) forms between the stomach and the liver, spleen and pancreas. During a bariatric surgical revision, the surgeon dissects out the scar tissue to separate the organs and allow the revision to proceed. The additional manipulation and time required to free adhesions increases the risk of surgical complications. Weight loss after a bariatric surgical revision is generally not as great as that seen after a successful first-time bariatric surgery. Following a successful first-time surgery, patients experience dramatic weight loss, which eventually slows as their body adapts to their new lower level of calorie intake. By the time a bariatric surgical revision is performed, the body has already become used to a lower calorie level thus weight loss following a revision is fairly modest. Careful consideration of all of the facts involved in your case is essential in order to determine if a bariatric surgical revision procedure is the right weight loss choice for you. Contact us to schedule your initial consultation and a discussion with Dr. Stewart so that he can assist you with this important decision. |