Revisional Weight Loss Surgery in Connecticut

What if you are not happy with the results from your bariatric Surgery?

Most patients who undergo weight loss surgery are satisfied with their long-lasting weight loss results. However, in some cases LAP-BAND®, Realize® Band or gastric bypass patients don’t see the results they were hoping for. Luckily, there can be many ways to overcome such setbacks. One of the best solutions may be a revision surgery. This option is usually offered to patients with one of the following conditions:

• Insufficient weight loss result
• Presence of additional medical disorders, related to obesity
• Complications after the original weight-loss surgery

So, what revisional bariatric surgery options are available to such patients?                 

Gastric Bypass converted to LAP-BAND®

Gastric bypass works by preventing the patient’s body from using all the calories ingested with food.

Usually gastric bypass patients see dramatic weight loss results within about a year after surgery. They are able to keep their weight off for many years afterwards. In some cases, however, the results are not satisfactory. Some of the reasons for that may be:

• The bypass pouch formed during the original surgery was too large
• The pouch became stretched out after the surgery, due to excessive overeating

A clever solution to this problem is a LAP-BAND® placed over the existing stomach pouch. This procedure helps to reduce the size of both the stomach opening and the pouch. After that, the size of the pouch can be controlled simply by changing the amount of saline filling in the gastric band.

Laparoscopic conversion from Band to Gastric Bypass

LAP-BAND® and Realize band do not restrict the absorption of calories. Instead, they work by physically reducing the size of stomach, which helps control the feeling of hunger. With the proper maintenance, a band can bring excellent weight-loss results. Nevertheless, some patients fail to benefit from these procedures. The reason is usually the same: binge overeating as well as excessive consumption of liquid calories.

Another common problem is the stretching of the pouch above the band, which can result in serious side effects, from chronic cough, to severe heartburn, to nausea.

The optimal solution for such complications is to remove the band and to perform a gastric sleeve procedure or a gastric bypass. This surgery can be done laparascopically.

It is very important that such a complex procedure is performed by a qualified surgeon. Dr. Ehrlich has an extensive experience in performing many successful surgeries of this type.

The On Track Program

As a supplement to all of the above solutions, we suggest our unique On Track Program specifically designed to help bariatric surgery patients. This program is offered through Griffin Hospital and provides a comprehensive support, helping patients achieve great results.

Connecticut patients who underwent any type of bariatric surgery are welcome to take advantage of the On Track Program. The On Track Program provides valuable weight-loss tools like support groups, monthly workshops, specialized exercise programs, and supermarket tours.

Revsional bariatric surgery in Connecticut

Over the years Griffin Bariatric’s surgeon, Dr. Tim Ehrlich, has successfully helped many revisional patients. If you feel that you may be a candidate for a revisional surgery, contact our office in Derby by calling (203) 735-7421. We will thoroughly evaluate your case and help you find a solution that will bring optimal weight-loss results.