Revisional Surgeries in Connecticut
Did You Achieve Satisfying Results from a Previous Weight Loss Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a very effective weight loss method that typically produces lasting results. Many gastric bypass and LAP-BAND® or Realize® Band patients are able to keep their excess weight off for over ten years. Still, there are times when patients do not achieve their weight loss goals despite surgery. This can be a frustrating situation, but it shouldn’t mean that a healthy weight is out of your reach. Obesity is a complicated disease, so various treatment options must be explored. If you have had surgery but are not satisfied with the results, bariatric revision surgery may be a good option. Most patients will choose revisional weight loss surgery if they experience:
- Inadequate weight loss
- Unresolved co-morbidities
- Medical complications associated with their first surgery
Procedures for Revisional Weight Loss Surgery
If you have had gastric band or gastric bypass in the past without satisfying results you may want to consider a revisional surgical or even an endoscopic procedure. Dr. Ehrlich offers patients conversion from gastric bypass to LAP-BAND or LAP-BAND surgery following gastric bypass.
Converting a Gastric Bypass to a LAP-BAND
Gastric bypass is a malabsorptive procedure. It stops your body from absorbing all of the calories in the food you eat. Patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery lose most of their excess weight within 12 months after surgery and are able to maintain their weight loss for many years. Others find that over time, weight loss becomes more difficult. Dr. Ehrlich believes that one of the most common reasons that this can happen is due to:
- An oversized pouch created during one’s first surgery
- Chronic binge eating disorder, with subsequent stretching of the pouch or the connection between the stomach and intestine (the anastamosis). If this happens to you, you may want to consider a gastric bypass revision surgery.
One of the best ways to counter this problem is to implant a gastric band over the stomach pouch. The gastric band will control the size of the stomach opening and reduce the size of the stomach pouch. Then, the size of the pouch can be adjusted without additional surgery by adding or removing saline within the lap-band.
Converting LAP-BAND to Gastric Bypass
The LAP-BAND System and the Realize band are restrictive procedures only. They limit the amount of food one can eat while controlling hunger. If the system is managed properly, LAP-BAND and Realize band patients may be able to lose as much weight as gastric bypass patients. However, gastric banding procedures do not stop the absorption of calories in the digestive system and are susceptible to maladaptive eating behavior (e.g. consuming liquid calories and binge eating disorder). Despite their best efforts, some patients are not able to lose adequate weight with gastric banding surgery.
Also, over time patients can quite frequently stretch the pouch out above the band resulting in disabling heartburn, a chronic cough or even vomiting! Conversion to a laparoscopic gastric bypass may be the best option for the patient.
In this situation, the patient may elect to have their LAP-BAND/Realize band removed and converted to a gastric bypass or gastric sleeve procedure. This type of surgery is safe when performed by a surgeon with adequate experience. Dr. Ehrlich has performed a multitude of conversions from LAP-BAND to gastric bypass laparoscopically.
The On Track Program
Patients who undergo revisional surgery in Connecticut are given the opportunity to participate in a specially designed program through Griffin Hospital. The On Track program addresses topics that address post-surgical weight loss tactics and is designed to kick start your weight loss.
The On Track program includes monthly workshops, support groups, lunches with a dietitian, low impact exercise programs and more. Patients who have not had revisional surgery and are at least six months post-op are also welcome to attend. This is a one-of-a-kind program that ensures successful weight loss!
Where Can You Get Revisional Surgery in Connecticut?
If you live in Connecticut, whether it be Fairfield, New Haven or New London counties, and are interested in a revisional surgical procedure, contact our office or schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Ehrlich to see if you are a candidate. Ehrlich Bariatrics has experience treating revisional patients and helping them get back on track toward their weight loss goals.
