What can be done if my gastric bypass is not working?

A consultation with a bariatric surgeon is essential to determine anatomic reasons for lack of weight loss. Strategies can include weight loss medications, nutrition review, or conversion to another surgery such as distalisation of the gastric bypass. An endoscopic procedure to narrow the join between the stomach and small bowel may also be appropriate, which can help with weight loss and dumping symptoms.

How much does revisional bariatric surgery cost?

From $8,000 with private health insurance that covers weight loss surgery. Revision is quoted after your assessment, because the work needed is not known until we have seen you. Discounts apply to those who have had previous procedures performed by LapSurgery surgeons. Costs vary depending on the type of procedure and your health fund.

How do I book a revisional surgery consultation?

If you are already a LapSurgery Australia patient, you only need a current referral from your General Practitioner. If you are not a LapSurgery patient, you will need a GP referral and, if possible, a summary of your previous procedure from the surgeon who performed it.

Are the risks higher for revisional surgery?

Yes. A further procedure carries risks which may be greater than those of the initial operation, particularly because previous abdominal surgery makes laparoscopic (keyhole) techniques more difficult. These risks will be discussed with you in full at your consultation.

Revisional Surgery

Q: What can be done if my gastric stapling operation is not working?

In most cases we can offer an alternative procedure. Our advice, and that of the majority of international experts, is conversion of the stapling procedure into a gastric bypass. This is a major operation in someone who has had previous abdominal surgery and may not be able to be performed by keyhole technique. The majority of patients who have had their gastric stapling converted have had very significant weight loss and a much improved quality of life.

Q: Do I need private health insurance for revisional surgery?

Yes. We will not perform revisional weight loss procedures on patients without suitable private health insurance, as hospital stay can be prolonged, further procedures may be needed, and a period in the intensive care unit may be required. This can involve very significant and unpredictable costs.

Summary:

Revisional surgery helps people whose previous weight loss operation has not worked as hoped or is causing problems, including operations by other surgeons. Our Melbourne surgeons first assess why, then discuss options such as conversion to a sleeve or bypass. You are supported by our multidisciplinary team of surgeons, a Specialist GP, dietitians, a psychologist and an exercise professional, with lifelong follow up. It is from $8,000 with private health insurance covering weight loss surgery. We are based in Dandenong North, with consulting rooms in Berwick, Frankston, Cranbourne and Warragul.

At LapSurgery we have a special interest in helping those who have had a previous operation to manage obesity which hasn't worked as you had hoped or is giving you other problems. We offer our expertise to our own patients and also to those who have had operations with other surgeons.

What we can do depends a lot on what the previous operation has been. You should be aware, at the outset, that a further procedure is not to be entered into without very careful assessment by us and the understanding that such a procedure carries risks which may be greater than those of the initial operation.

The following is provided as a guide to the possibilities only and is not to be taken as individual medical advice.

Revisional surgery is also called revision weight loss surgery, redo surgery or conversion surgery. Whether your previous operation has stopped working, is causing problems, or you are experiencing weight regain after weight loss surgery, our Melbourne surgeons have the experience to assess what is happening and what can be done, including for patients whose original surgery was performed elsewhere or overseas.

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Revisional bariatric surgery illustration

Revisional Surgery Options

I've had a gastric stapling operation which isn't working as I had hoped.

In most cases we can offer you an alternative procedure. The option of a gastric banding procedure has been used in this situation, but in general we have not found this approach to be effective. Our advice, and that of the majority of international experts in the field, is the conversion of your stapling procedure into a gastric bypass. This is a very major operation in someone who has had previous abdominal surgery and may not be able to be performed by keyhole (laparoscopic) technique.

The risks of complications from this procedure are greater than for the same operation done where there has not been previous surgery and this will be discussed with you in full at your consultation.

The majority of patients who have had their gastric stapling converted have had very significant weight loss and a much improved quality of life.

We understand that everyone is different and we advise you to discuss your options with a Surgeon.

I've had a gastric band procedure (LapBand® or similar) which isn't working as I had hoped.

We have performed around 4,000 gastric banding operations and we know that some patients don't achieve a satisfactory long term result. We have significant experience in helping patients in this situation.

As a first step we would always check to see if the Band can be made to work. This involves a consultation with one of our surgeons and assessment by our dietitian and counsellor. Tests including X-Ray and gastroscopy may be required.

If the Band cannot be made to work, then we will discuss alternatives such as newer medications, or in some cases further surgery.

We understand that everyone is different and we advise discussion of your options with one of our Surgeons.

Many patients come to us specifically to have their gastric band removed. Common reasons include band slippage, erosion of the band into the stomach wall, severe reflux or night regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, port or tubing problems, and simple intolerance of the band. Having performed around 4,000 gastric banding operations ourselves, we are very familiar with every band type, and you do not need to have had your band placed with us.

Band removal is performed as keyhole surgery. It is important to understand that if the band is removed and nothing else is done, most patients regain weight over the following one to two years, because the restriction the band provided is gone. For this reason many patients combine removal with conversion to a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass. Whether removal and conversion are done as a single operation or staged several months apart depends on the condition of your stomach, and your surgeon will recommend the safest approach after assessment, which usually includes a gastroscopy or X ray.

I've had a Sleeve Gastrectomy operation which isn't working as I had hoped.

First, don't be embarrassed to seek help! A sleeve gastrectomy is a powerful weight loss tool, but it isn't a magic bullet. A consultation with a bariatric surgeon is essential, to work out if there are anatomic reasons for the lack of weight loss or weight gain. From there, a number of strategies can be advised, including conversion to another surgery if appropriate. The human body has a number of powerful mechanisms to protect against weight loss, and we can provide a multidisciplinary approach to best tackle this problem.

I've had a Gastric Bypass operation which isn't working as I had hoped.

We are always happy to discuss options with you when you've had a surgery that hasn't created the weight loss you were hoping for. A gastric bypass is a powerful weight loss tool, but there are further options if needed. A consultation with a bariatric surgeon is essential, to work out if there are anatomic reasons for the lack of weight loss or weight gain. From there, a number of strategies can be advised, including weight loss medications, nutrition review or conversion to another surgery, like distalisation of gastric bypass, if appropriate. You may also be appropriate for an endoscopic procedure to narrow the join between the stomach and small bowel. This can help with weight loss as well as dumping symptoms.

Weight regain after any bariatric procedure is more common than people think, and it is nothing to be embarrassed about. The human body has powerful mechanisms that protect against weight loss, and an operation is a tool, not a cure. The earlier you seek help, the more options are available.

Not every case of weight regain needs another operation. After assessment by your surgeon, options can include a nutrition review with our dietitian, psychological support, newer weight loss medications, endoscopic procedures, or conversion surgery where appropriate. You can read how modern medications compare with surgery on our GLP 1 medication vs bariatric surgery page, and our multidisciplinary team will build the right plan for your situation.

If you are already one of LapSurgery Australia's patients, you will need only to have a current referral from your General Practitioner. If you are not a LapSurgery patient already, you will need a referral from your General Practitioner and, if at all possible, you should ask the surgeon who performed your previous operation to provide you or us with a summary of the procedure performed.

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As we do not work in the public hospital system you will need to have, or to be prepared to take out, appropriate private health insurance. We will not perform these types of weight loss procedures on patients without suitable private health insurance as your hospital stay can be prolonged, further procedures may be needed and often a period in the intensive care unit may be required. This can involve very significant and unpredictable costs along with considerable stress to you and your family.

Revisional bariatric (weight loss) procedures are complex and time consuming. At LapSurgery we have the experience, expertise and multidisciplinary setup and staffing to perform these types of procedures.

Although some of the hospital costs will be covered with your private health insurance, there will be out of pocket (OOP) costs if your previous weight loss procedure has not been performed by us. Discounts apply to those who have had previous procedures performed by LapSurgery surgeons.

As costs may vary depending on the type of procedure performed and your health fund we can only give guidelines. Contact us for more information. For patients of LapSurgery Australia who have had previous weight loss surgery please speak to our staff regarding your out of pocket costs as these will vary depending on what type of surgery you have had previously.

Revisional Surgery Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about revisional bariatric surgery

Often, yes. The first step is a consultation with a bariatric surgeon to work out whether there are anatomic reasons for the lack of weight loss or regain. From there, strategies can include nutrition review, medications or conversion to another procedure where appropriate.

Yes. We have performed around 4,000 gastric banding operations and regularly remove bands, including bands placed by other surgeons or overseas. Because removal alone commonly leads to weight regain, many patients combine removal with conversion to a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass.

Yes. We offer our expertise to patients who had their operations with other surgeons. If possible, ask your previous surgeon for a summary of the procedure performed, as this helps our assessment.

Yes. Because revisional procedures are complex and hospital stays can be prolonged, we do not perform these procedures on patients without suitable private health insurance. Some hospital costs are covered by your insurance, and out of pocket costs vary, with discounts for patients whose previous procedure was performed by LapSurgery surgeons.

From $8,000 for patients with private health insurance covering weight loss surgery, though costs vary with the type of procedure, your health fund and where your previous surgery was performed. Prices may vary for existing LapSurgery Australia patients. Contact us for a full written quote.

Yes. Existing LapSurgery Australia patients need a current GP referral, and new patients need a GP referral plus, if at all possible, a summary of the previous procedure from the surgeon who performed it.

Generally, yes. Operating where there has been previous surgery carries greater risks than a first procedure, which is why very careful assessment comes first and why two bariatric trained surgeons are present at every operation. Your surgeon will discuss the risks for your specific situation in full at your consultation.

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The team at LapSurgery Australia are recognised for their exceptional and major contribution to the Government sponsored Bariatric Safety Registry (BSR). The BSR tracks surgical complications and provides an unbiased safety record for weight loss surgery.