What Does the Research Say About Weight Loss After Converting from a Gastric Band to Another Procedure?

A 2024 study looked at weight loss outcomes five years after people converted from an adjustable gastric band to either a gastric sleeve or a gastric bypass. Those who converted to a gastric bypass lost notably more weight over that period than those who converted to a gastric sleeve.

Who Was Studied and How

Researchers reviewed records for 114 people at two medical centres who had revisional bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery performed after an earlier procedure) between 2012 and 2017. All participants had previously had a gastric band fitted and were converting to either a gastric sleeve or a gastric bypass. Only those with five years of follow up data were included in the analysis.

What the Researchers Found

At the five year mark, people who converted to a gastric bypass had lost roughly 20 percent of their total body weight, compared with roughly 3 percent for those who converted to a gastric sleeve. That is a meaningful difference in weight outcomes between the two revision paths. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the remission of existing health conditions or in the development of new ones.

What This Study Does and Does Not Tell Us

The study was conducted at two centres and only included patients who had a full five years of follow up data available, so the findings may not reflect every person's experience. The researchers note that larger, multicentre studies are needed to draw broader conclusions about revisional bariatric surgery outcomes. Results can vary from person to person.

About this research: Five year outcomes of revisional bariatric surgery: gastric band to sleeve gastrectomy or to Roux en Y gastric bypass. Surgical Endoscopy, 2024. Read the study summary

More about the gastric band and revision options is on our Lap Band page. If you are considering your options, call us on (03) 9760 2777 or request an appointment through our website.