Repairing failed bariatric surgeries are operations aimed to modify the failed one or changing it.
Most patients with bariatric surgery have long-term success in their procedure however, some people have problems that need other repair procedures.
Repairing failed bariatric surgeries can help to solve problems that arise after the first surgery, and there are several types of surgical procedures, each of which depends on your method and the type of bariatric surgery you originally had.
Fix adjustable gastric band surgery:
The most common form of failed bariatric surgery is adjustable gastric band surgery. In the past, adjustable gastric band surgery was very common.
In this procedure a strap was placed around the stomach to restrict the amount of food you could eat however, the strip could slip or loosen from a position over time.
If this occurs, Options for repairing previous surgery include Sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass.
Vertical banded gastroplasty (also known as stomach stapling) repair:
Stomach staple repair is a common surgery due to many previous stapling surgeries, because over time the stomach size may increase after the operation, leading to increased food intake and a return to weight gain.
Repair options for failed bariatric surgeries such as stapling fail include:
1/Vertical sleeve gastrectomy.
2/Duodenal Switch surgery.
3/Gastric bypass surgery.
Repairing a failed gastric bypass surgery:
Repairing a failed gastric bypass surgery is a relatively uncommon process, such as gastrectomy, but we need it if the stomach stretches over time.
There are three main options for gastric bypass repair. This includes:
1/ Put a gastric band.
2/ Reducing stomach size by vertical sleeve gastrectomy.
3/ Bypass more of the small intestine.
4/ Some surgeons may also reduce the opening between the stomach and the small intestine.
Why is a failed bariatric surgery repair done?
Your doctor may recommend a failed bariatric surgery repair for the following reasons:
1/ Complications of the original procedure such as leaks.
2/ Insufficient weight loss.
3/ Intolerable gastrointestinal problems such as reflux.
4/ Weight gain despite expected results is weight loss.
The goal behind repairing failed bariatric surgeries depends on the reason you need them, as they may be:
- To regain weight loss.
- Or to treat complications.
- Or side effects.
The goal you need can change your doctor’s choice of repair surgery.
Weight gain is a common reason for repairing failed bariatric surgery, doctors use the same criteria of surgical indication of the treatment of the obesity they use in the original surgery, and this means that you must meet the following criteria:
1/The BMI should be 40 kg / m2 or more.
2/BMI of 35 kg / m2 or more with obesity-related health problems.
In repairing failed Bariatric surgeries; You will need to work with the obesity care team to uncover all the causes of weight regain or the defect in weight loss.
Doctors can correct errors caused by failed surgery by performing repair surgery, but you’ll still need to know possible nutritional and behavioral causes with the health care team.
It is necessary to rebalance your lifestyle and diet that may interfere with your success in Weight before considering a failed bariatric surgery.
How is a failed bariatric surgery repair performed?
The repair of failed bariatric surgeries is performed in the hospital under general anesthesia like the original procedure, and repair surgery can be either traditional open surgery or minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.
In many cases, doctors can perform laparoscopic repair, this generally leads to lower risks in the short term after surgery, less pain, and faster recovery.
However, your doctor may choose to have open surgery with a large incision if you have extensive scars from the original surgery.
As with original bariatric surgery, you will spend a few days in the hospital. In general, the repair of failed obesity surgery usually leads to a slightly longer stay compared to the first surgery, as recovery can take longer as well.
The recovery time when you go home depends on your age, general health, and type of repair surgery, and you’ll likely start to feel better in a few weeks.
Physiotherapy can help recover by increasing strength, stamina, and reducing pain, it can also help when you go to a physiotherapist before surgery to prepare your body for the process, and a full recovery can take about a month.