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Maybe the original procedure didn’t produce the expected results, or there have been complications like stomach stretching, persistent reflux, or weight regain. Whatever the case, revision surgery is a solution for people looking for another chance at weight loss success.
This surgery is not about starting from scratch but tweaking or completely revising the initial procedure.
The goal? To help the patient continue or restart their weight loss journey in a way that aligns with their body’s needs.
Bariatric revision surgery is a second chance to reset, refocus, and achieve the weight loss goals you’ve been dreaming of.
Some revisions may involve converting one type of bariatric surgery to another, for example, turning a gastric band surgery into a gastric bypass.
Other procedures might involve repairing or adjusting the original surgery site, such as fixing a stretched-out stomach pouch or adjusting the size of a bypass.
In many cases, revision surgeries are done laparoscopically, meaning they’re minimally invasive, using small incisions and specialized instruments.
The goal is to ensure the revision provides better, long-lasting results with as few complications as possible.
Sometimes, after an initial bariatric procedure, patients may not experience the results they had hoped for. Weight can creep back, or complications may arise that affect their overall health and quality of life.
You underwent bariatric surgery with hopes of transformation, shedding weight, reclaiming vitality, and stepping into a version of yourself that felt freer, and lighter. Yet, something is off, isn’t it? You wonder if this is how things should be. Maybe you’re gaining weight again or feel intense discomfort. Maybe that burst of energy you once had has fizzled out, and the results you were promised feel… distant.
When you first underwent bariatric surgery, you felt the world shift beneath your feet, didn’t you? The physical and emotional weight lifted, or at least began to. But what happens when, after months or even years, the scale starts creeping up again? Or worse, the scale never moved much at all?
One of the clearest signs that you may need revision surgery is weight regain. It feels like a betrayal. After all that hard work, both the surgery and the emotional journey, watching the numbers climb again can feel crushing. But weight regain doesn’t just happen on its own, there’s a reason.
You’ve been working hard, following the diet and exercise plan that was laid out for you, but the scale keeps creeping upward. It’s frustrating and disheartening, but it might not be your fault. Sometimes, the body adjusts in ways we can’t predict, and that’s where a revision surgery can come in.
If you’ve regained a considerable amount of weight despite following the prescribed post-surgery lifestyle, it’s time to take a step back and assess the situation. Is the weight gain due to lifestyle changes, or is your body resisting the surgery’s effects?
There are several types of bariatric revision surgeries Dr. Choi, whose clinic is located in Florida, can perform with success, depending on the original procedure and the reason for revision. Let’s break them down.
Patients who initially opted for a gastric band may experience problems such as band slippage, erosion, or inadequate weight loss. In these cases, a revision to gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy is often recommended.
Here’s how it works:
Gastric Bypass: Involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and rerouting the intestines to this new pouch. Eating slower means you’ll eat less and absorb fewer calories. It’s a win-win!
Sleeve Gastrectomy: It removes a portion of the stomach, leaving a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach. This not only restricts food intake but also reduces hunger by removing the part of the stomach that produces the hunger hormone ghrelin.
Even gastric bypass, which is considered the gold standard of bariatric surgeries, can sometimes require revision. Weight regain after gastric bypass is possible, as the stomach pouch and the connection to the intestines can stretch over time, allowing for increased food intake.
Once you’ve identified that revision surgery might be the best option, the next step is preparation. think of it as getting ready for a new chapter in your life, a chapter where you take back control and rewrite the narrative.
Your first step, always, is a consultation with Dr. Choi. If you’re in Florida, do it in person, or schedule an online appointment if you live further away.
This is the moment where you can discuss your concerns, ask questions, and get the clarity you need. It’s a time to be honest, not just about your physical symptoms, but also about your mental and emotional state. Are you feeling discouraged? Have you lost motivation? These factors play a huge role in the success of revision surgery, and your surgeon will consider them when determining if you’re a good candidate.
Before surgery, you’ll undergo a series of tests and evaluations. This might include blood tests, imaging studies, and a nutritional assessment. Dr. Choi might also want you to meet with his domestic dietitian to review your eating habits and create a post-revision plan to ensure success.
The recovery process following revision surgery is very similar to the first surgery, though it may take slightly longer depending on the complexity of the procedure. Recovery can feel slow, but each step brings you closer to the health and well-being you deserve.
After the surgery, you’ll get some rest in the hospital. It’s like a little vacation. Your medical team will monitor your recovery and watch for any complications. It’s during this time that they’ll make sure your pain is managed, that you’re able to get up and move around, and that you’re tolerating the first stages of your post-op diet.
As with your original surgery, the post-op diet will start with clear liquids, then gradually progress to full liquids, pureed foods, and eventually soft foods. This gradual food reintroduction is important for healing and adjusting your body.
Dr. Choi will monitor your progress, check for any complications, and make sure that the revision surgery was successful. These visits are also an opportunity for you to ask questions and address any concerns you may have as you continue on your recovery journey.
While you won’t be jumping back into your routine immediately, light physical activity like walking is encouraged soon after surgery. Gradually, as you heal, you can increase your activity levels. Exercise is an important part of your recovery, as it helps boost your mood, increase your energy levels, and promote healing.
Dr. Choi has over 23 years of healthcare experience.
As you lose weight, you may be able to reduce or eliminate the need for many of the medications you take for high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, cholesterol, and diabetes. If you have a gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy or a duodenal switch, you may even be able to reduce the dosage or discontinue the use of your diabetes medications soon after your procedure.
After surgery, most patients return to work in one or two weeks. You will have low energy for a while after surgery and may need to have some half days, or work every other day for your first week back. Your surgeon will give you clear instructions. Most jobs want you back in the workplace as soon as possible, even if you can’t perform ALL duties right away. Your safety and the safety of others are extremely important – low energy can be dangerous in some jobs.
Many patients are worried about getting hernias at incisions. That is almost never a problem from work or lifting. Hernias are more often the result of infection. You will not feel well if you do too much.
Right away! You will take gentle, short walks even while you are in the hospital. The key is to start slow. Listen to your body and your surgeon. If you lift weights or do sports, stay “low impact” for the first month (avoid competition, think participation). Build slowly over several weeks. If you swim, your wounds need to be healed over before you get back in the water.
The general answer to this is yes. Make sure to tell your surgeon and anesthesiologist about all prior operations, especially those on your abdomen and pelvis. Many of us forget childhood operations. It is best to avoid surprises!
Sometimes your surgeon may ask to see the operative report from complicated or unusual procedures, especially those on the esophagus, stomach, or bowels.
Yes and no.
Most people think of a “diet” as a plan that leaves you hungry. That is not the way people feel after surgery. Eventually, most patients get some form of appetite back 6-18 months after surgery. Your appetite is much weaker, and easier to satisfy than before.
This does not mean that you can eat whatever and whenever you want. Healthier food choices are important to best results, but most patients still enjoy tasty food, and even “treats.”
Most patients also think of exercise as something that must be intense and painful (like “boot camp”). Regular, modest activity is far more useful in the long term. Even elite athletes can’t stay at a “peak” every week of the year. Sometimes exercise is work, but if it becomes a punishing, never-ending battle, you will not keep going. Instead, work with your surgeon’s program to find a variety of activities that can work for you. There is no “one-size-fits-all” plan. Expect to learn and change as you go!
For many patients (and normal weight people, too) exercise is more important for regular stress control, and for appetite control, than simply burning off calories. As we age, inactivity can lead to being frail or fragile, which is quite dangerous to overall health. Healthy bones and avoiding muscle loss partly depends on doing weekly weight bearing (including walking) or muscle resistance (weights or similar) exercise.
Dr. Michael Choi, D.O. is affiliated with Broward Health Imperial Point and Memorial Hospital Miramar in Florida.
Yes, Dr. Choi accepts patients from all over the world. He takes patients from EU countries, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, South America, Canada, and all other parts of the world.
Always consult your doctor for treatment of any medical conditions or before deciding on surgery.
Do not treat the content on this website as medical advice.
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Fort Lauderdale, 33308
Broward County, Florida
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