The most common revision for weight loss surgery failure is reduction in the size of the stomach. If the stomach becomes too large following surgery patients will not lose as much weight as they should. Revising the stomach to a smaller size frequently allows the patient to get off a plateau and begin losing weight again.

Duodenal switch and bilio-pancreatic diversion surgery revisions

The size of the common channel is about 100 cm for most procedures. In the early days, some surgeons made this channel about 75 cm long and some of those patients developed severe protein wasting. This required the patients to undergo a lengthening of the common channel to allow more absorption of protein. It is rare to have a common channel revised to a smaller length for weight loss. The stomach might be revised instead.


There are two reasons for a DS revision. One is if the common channel has been made too short, leading to protein malnutrition. The other is if the stomach en-larges, allowing an unsatisfactory weight loss.

Revisions from Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG) weight loss surgery

Patents who develop severe heartburn and a large upper pouch need revision. Generally the upper pouch becomes so large that it can block the stoma outlet, which only causes the upper pouch to become larger and cause more severe heartburn. Revision to a RNY cures this problem almost immediately. Revision of a VBG to RNY or DS is not difficult, and is often the next revision for those who were unable to lose weight with the VBG.

 This Is Not A Walk In The Park

There are more complications with revision surgery than the first surgery. It takes longer, has more blood loss, and has a higher incidence of leaks, pulmonary embolism, and every other complication. These surgeries are not performed by every bariatric surgeon, and if your bariatric surgeon is uncomfortable with these operations and wishes you to go to another bariatric surgeon, please listen to him.

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