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Bariatric Revision Surgery

Bariatric revision surgery may be right for you if you haven’t achieved the results you want from a past weight loss surgery. At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, our bariatric surgeons specialize in gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and gastric band revision procedures. With our expertise and support, you can fully embrace the new you.

Bariatric revision surgery: Why choose us?

Our comprehensive Center for Weight Management in the Puget Sound area offers: 

  • Surgical expertise: Bariatric revision surgery is more complex than primary (your first) weight loss surgery. And it’s important to choose a surgeon that specializes in revisions. A number of our bariatric surgeons completed additional fellowship training in this area, with a focus on minimally invasive techniques. You can rest assured you’re in the hands of a skilled team.

  • National recognition: All of our bariatric hospitals have accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This means we adhere to rigorous quality and safety standards before, during, and after your weight loss revision surgery. 

  • Personalized care: Our doctors take the time to discover why your first bariatric surgery wasn’t successful. Then they design a treatment plan around your unique medical needs and weight loss goals. You can rely on support, guidance, and patient-centered care at every step. 

  • Tradition of excellence: Our Center for Weight Management is backed by the resources and capabilities of one of the leading health systems in the Pacific Northwest. This sets us apart from many standalone weight loss surgery centers. Our trusted, award-winning hospitals have a tradition of providing exceptional care.

Reasons for bariatric revision or conversion surgery

Bariatric revision surgery fixes or enhances a previous weight loss surgery. Some of the most common reasons for revision include: 

  • Gastric band complications
  • Gastric strictures 
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Insufficient weight loss
  • Regained weight
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes

Types of bariatric revisions

Our surgeons consider many factors before recommending the best revision surgery for your needs, including:

  • Amount of excess weight loss achieved 
  • Complications from past surgery
  • Current overall health 
  • Length of time since initial surgery
  • Type of surgery originally performed
  • Some people have complications such as slipped or eroded gastric bands. These problems can lead to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Our surgeons can reposition, replace or remove the band to relieve symptoms. Many people choose to have gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery after gastric band removal.

  • Some common reasons for gastric sleeve revision are uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes, inadequate weight loss and severe acid reflux. We specialize in gastric sleeve revisions that convert your initial operation to a gastric bypass or duodenal switch/SADI, which can help you achieve more weight loss.

  • Regained weight is the most common reason people have gastric bypass revision. Sometimes the first bypass surgery results in too large a stomach pouch. In other cases, the opening between the pouch and the small bowel connection (anastomosis) stretches out.

Are you a candidate?

We invite you to take the next step to find out more about your weight loss options.