Does Converting from a Gastric Sleeve to a Bypass Work in the Long Term?

A 2026 study followed patients who had a second weight loss surgery after their original gastric sleeve stopped working as well as hoped. The researchers found that both types of conversion surgery, one for weight concerns and one for reflux, produced results that held up over many years.

Who Was Studied and How the Research Was Done

The study took place at a single centre and tracked 576 people who had a gastric sleeve, also called a sleeve gastrectomy, between 2007 and 2019. Of those, 87 went on to have their sleeve converted to one of two bypass procedures. The choice of procedure was based on the reason for conversion: one bypass type (OAGB) for weight returning over time, and the other (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, or RYGB) for reflux, also called GORD, which is when stomach acid travels back up the oesophagus.

What the Researchers Found at up to 10 Years

For people converted because of weight returning, the OAGB group showed sustained total weight loss of around 27 percent at 10 years. For people converted because of reflux, RYGB kept rates of reflux with oesophageal inflammation, meaning irritation or damage to the lining of the food pipe, very low throughout the follow up period.

What This Study Does and Does Not Tell Us

This research comes from one centre, patients were not randomly assigned to a procedure, and the 10 year group was small, so the long term figures should be read with care. Results also vary from person to person, so individual outcomes will differ.

About this research: Long Term Outcomes up to 10 Years After Indication Based Conversion to One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass or Roux En Y Gastric Bypass Following Sleeve Gastrectomy, Obesity Surgery, 2026. Read the study summary

More about this type of surgery is on our revisional surgery page. If you are considering your options, call us on (03) 9760 2777 or request an appointment through our website.