Gastric sleeve is currently the most popular bariatric surgery for helping people lose a significant amount of weight. In fact, almost 150,000 people undergo gastric sleeve surgery every year in the United States. Most individuals lose a substantial amount of weight within the first few months to a year after their surgery, but the results can be different for everyone.
In some cases, they might not lose the amount of weight they were expecting, or they might have developed chronic side effects from the surgery like acid reflux. Another thing that can happen is they lose weight initially and then gain some or even all of it back. Studies have shown that this happens to between 10% and 30% of patients who undergo gastric sleeve surgery, causing them to look for options to stop the weight gain and help them resume weight loss.
So, what can be done to help them? Can someone have gastric sleeve surgery twice? Today, we are going to answer this question and also talk about what options are available to those who experience weight gain after gastric sleeve surgery.
What Is The Difference Between A Gastric Sleeve Conversion And A Revision?
If you have not lost weight after gastric sleeve surgery, have chronic side effects taking their toll on your quality of life, or are experiencing weight gain, you can choose to undergo another surgery and convert your gastric sleeve to a gastric bypass, or you can have a revision that is done endoscopically without incisions or surgery.
Gastric Sleeve Conversion
A conversion would involve undergoing an additional surgery where part of your digestive system will be rerouted so your body is unable to absorb and use all the calories you consume. The end result will be much like a gastric bypass where both restrictive and malabsorptive techniques are used to initiate weight loss.
Gastric Sleeve Revision
A revision would involve a non-surgical procedure that is much less invasive but could reduce the stomach capacity or restore the restrictive nature of the initial surgery and restart the weight loss process.
What Are The Leading Causes Of Weight Gain After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
A review study showed that almost 50% of bariatric surgery patients experience significant weight gain a few years after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery. The most prevalent reason for their dilemma is attributed to failing to change their lifestyle behaviors, including:
- Reverting To Old Unhealthy Eating Patterns
- Eating unhealthy foods, eating too much food during one meal, or failing to follow the guidelines of not consuming liquids within 30 minutes of eating can enlarge the capacity of the stomach and allow the individual to eat more food at each sitting. It will take more food to provide them the feeling of fullness, which will cause a cycle of overeating or eating the wrong foods that leads to weight gain.
- Not Getting Enough Exercise
- After watching calorie intake and portion control, losing weight requires creating a calorie deficit, which can only happen when you burn more calories than you consume. This is done by creating a specific balance of calorie intake vs. physical activity. Gastric sleeve surgery can help make it easier to lose weight but will not do all the hard work. It is up to the individual to actively make and consistently practice lifestyle changes that include an adequate amount of exercise to promote weight loss.
- Lack of Support
- Obesity is a complex disease with many underlying causes, and researchers have identified numerous things like genetics, metabolism, stress, hormonal imbalances, menopause, psychological or neurological issues, etc. that can contribute to its development. Unfortunately, many of these underlying conditions do not go away on their own, and if they trigger unhealthy relationships with food, the individual will be fighting a challenging battle that they can’t win alone.
Studies have shown that after bariatric surgery or any weight loss program, having a strong support system is crucial to maintaining a healthy weight. Whether you choose to undergo a surgical procedure or an endoscopic revision to restart weight loss after gastric sleeve surgery, it is important to utilize the support systems that fit your needs and circumstances.
What Is A Non-Surgical Revision To Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
A non-surgical gastric sleeve revision is a quick procedure that only takes about an hour and is done as an outpatient, meaning there is no hospital stay involved. During the revision, the doctor uses an endoscope that is lowered down your throat to access the stomach to correct its capacity if it has stretched or to further reduce it if it was never sufficiently resized. This restores the restrictive nature of the initial surgery and helps with portion control and satiety.
The procedure involves placing targeted sutures inside the stomach from the inside to shrink the usable capacity and limit the amount of food that can be consumed. The recovery is significantly shorter than the initial gastric sleeve or undergoing a conversion surgery.
Would You Be A Good Candidate For A Non-Surgical Gastric Sleeve Revision?
You may be a good candidate for an endoscopic revision to the gastric sleeve if:
- You are free from medical conditions such as bleeding disorders that would interfere with your healing process or the effectiveness of the procedure.
- You previously had gastric sleeve surgery but have not lost the amount of weight you desired or are experiencing continuous weight gain even though you are maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- You lost weight initially after your gastric sleeve, but you have hit a plateau despite eating healthy and exercising.
- You have experienced ongoing side effects after having gastric sleeve surgery that are affecting your quality of life.
- You are committed to making the permanent lifestyle choices necessary to lose and maintain a healthy weight.
- You have a good understanding of what the procedure can and cannot accomplish and have realistic expectations.
Is Having A Gastric Sleeve Revision Worth It?
If you are wondering whether a gastric sleeve revision is worth it, it is important to consider all the benefits weight loss brings with it. Can you put a price on improvements to your health, such as the elimination of or improvements to metabolic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol issues, as well as mobility issues. In addition, your risks for other serious conditions, including heart attack and stroke decrease, and it can even extend your lifespan.
If you have struggled to lose weight or are experiencing weight regain after gastric sleeve surgery, a non-surgical revision can give you a second chance and help you get your weight loss journey back on track.
Where Can I Learn More About Endoscopic Revision?
If you have undergone gastric sleeve surgery but have not been able to reach your weight loss goals or have regained a significant amount of weight, you have options. While you cannot have gastric sleeve surgery twice, an endoscopic revision can give you a second chance to get back on track. At Simmons Advanced Weight Loss Solutions, we offer non-surgical revision to gastric sleeve and the comprehensive support you need to help you reach your goals and improve your health.
We understand that everyone’s weight loss journey is different, so our team focuses on creating a personalized plan tailored to fit your needs and circumstances. We can work together by combining our expertise with your commitment to a healthier lifestyle to get you the sustainable weight loss results you desire.
Everyone deserves a second chance, so there is no reason to let past challenges hold you back. Get in touch with us today, and one of our knowledgeable experts can set up a personal consultation to get you started on that next right step toward improving your health and your quality of life.
