It is important to understand your doctor will recommend non-surgical routes whenever possible, such as stricter diet or regular exercise. In fact, diet and exercise alone are often the source of unsatisfying weight loss results. It can be difficult to keep up with the stringent requirements of a post-bariatric surgery diet or exercise regimen in the years following surgery. Patients may be asked to keep a diet journal or undergo various exercise tests to see whether either factor could be the cause of unsatisfying results.
While the LAP-BAND® is one of the least invasive bariatric procedures available, it can still present complications or poor weight loss on some patients. A common complication is band slippage, meaning over time, the band moves further up or down the stomach.
If revision bariatric surgery is necessary, Dr. Garcia will work with you to identify the most suitable treatment. While the same procedure can be performed again to refine your results, your surgeon may recommend a different surgery, instead. For example, a failed LAP-BAND® could be removed and replaced with gastric sleeve surgery. Because of its high rate of success, gastric bypass surgery is often suggested as a revisional procedure.
Dr. Garcia will thoroughly educate patients on the benefits and risks of each procedure and are happy to answer any questions you have. All patients have the right to as much information as possible so that they can make informed decisions about their treatment.
Common Complications and Potential Solutions
While the LAP-BAND® is one of the least invasive bariatric procedures available, it can still present a number of complications or poor weight loss on some patients. A common complication is band slippage, meaning over time, the band moves further up or down the stomach. This often leads to decreased weight loss or weight gain in the months and years following the procedure. Your surgeon may recommend repositioning, replacing, or even removing the device entirely. In some cases, this may be paired with another form of bariatric surgery to maximize results.
Sometimes, a hole can develop in the lining of the stomach, exposing the inner tissue to bacteria and potential infection. In this case, the band is almost always removed and another bariatric surgery is performed to mend the hole, such as gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery.
During gastric sleeve surgery, patients’ stomachs are trimmed to the approximate size and shape of a banana to reduce capacity and hunger. However, over time, inconsistent dieting can stretch this sleeve out, forming an hourglass shape. Patients typically notice reduced weight loss or weight gain as a result. To correct this problem, the patient can undergo a different bariatric treatment entirely, such as the gastric bypass surgery.
Gastric bypass surgery sections off the stomach into two parts: a smaller upper pouch and a larger lower one. The smaller pouch is then connected directly to a lower part of the small intestine, bypassing most of the digestive process. As a result, patients feel fuller faster and absorb fewer calories from what they eat. Like the sleeve, though, the smaller pouch can stretch out over time. Your surgeon may reshape the pouch, lengthen the bypass, or perform another bariatric surgery to boost weight loss again.
While LAP-BAND®, gastric sleeve, and gastric bypass surgeries are the most commonly revised procedures, Dr. Garcia can modify the results of any other bariatric surgery, as well.
