Expert: Julia K - 3/1/2011

Question
I had gastric bypass and have gained back weight.  I remember hearing about a procedure that can be done after gastric bypass.  
Could you tell me what it is and how it works?

Answer
Hi Joyce,

Your consideration of re-operation after gastric bypass seems serious. Please learn about it as much as you can and get the help of others if you make the decision to consult with a surgeon about it.

There are a few surgical options that I know of offered to only select post-gastric bypass patients by few surgeons.  This of course, is the last option after all other non-surgical methods have been exhausted and if you qualify for re-operation.

Revision of gastric bypass is the first procedure.  There are variations of this, but it involves more permanent changes to the stomach and/or digestive tract.  I have heard that the Cleveland Clinic is well-known for its success with revision surgery.

Some surgeons offer gastric band placement over the stomach pouch.  This is less invasive and still in its early stages of practice.

There may be other procedures, but hopefully this gives you a good start.  Obviously, you will have to do more research, visit your bariatric surgeon and get your primary care doctor involved to go further.

Good luck and best of health!

Julia Kabakov