Lap Band Revision to Sleeve

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Houston and Katy

The lap band is a device that gained popularity in the early 2010s in the U.S., but over the years, it has been proven to cause numerous problems and complications in patients. With the lap band, also called the gastric band, the surgeon places a silicone band around the uppermost portion of the stomach, which is designed to reduce food intake and appetite. Though this band is adjustable from a port that underlies the skin, the band can slip, break, or cause other bothersome issues such as nausea and vomiting.

If you have undergone lap band surgery and underwent a revision surgery to correct the issues present, you may need a more effective bariatric surgery. With the sleeve gastrectomy, you can recover feeling confident that the surgery will create comprehensive anatomical changes conducive to your weight loss goals.

To get in touch with a leading expert in the field of bariatric surgery, consider speaking about your concerns with Ricardo Bonnor, M.D., FACS, FASMBS. During your first visit to Texas Endosurgery Associates, Dr. Bonnor will evaluate your health and give you the details to help you decide if the gastric sleeve is right for you.

Call (281) 579-5638, and we will help set up an appointment that works well with your schedule.

Problems with Lap Band Revision

After the invention of the lap band in 1993, the device took off as one of the most sought-after weight loss procedures in the 2000s. For this procedure, surgeons attach the silicone device over the upper portion of the stomach using a laparoscopic technique. This method of surgery only requires tiny incisions in the abdomen and the use of a surgical camera and minimally invasive tools. Surgeons can adjust the tightness by adding saline through its port, inflating the band, and providing more pressure around the stomach. The band not only physically slows down digestion, but it helps the patient feel fuller for longer, making it much easier for them to plan and manage a healthier diet.

This seemingly straightforward approach to weight loss appealed to patients and surgeons alike, but more reports of negative side effects began to arise. If you experienced any of the following issues, you are not alone. Revision rates for this procedure are quite high and unpredictable; research finds that 10.5% to 60% of patients with the lap band require a follow-up procedure to make corrections. (1) Even if you have undergone a lap band revision, the likelihood of complication remains the same. Here are the main issues surgeons and patients encounter:

Band Slippage and Twisting

Sometimes, the cord attached to the access port twists and prevents the surgeon from adding saline to the inflatable band. With this type of failure, the device can no longer work properly and restrict food consumption the way it is designed to do. Other times, the band itself may slip, a complication that occurs in about 8% of all lap band patients. (2) Displacement of the device causes a myriad of other issues, ranging from mild to severe. This displacement can make it difficult to eat and/or cause pain.

Access Port and Band Infection

The lap band is a foreign object within the body, and infection can develop long after the initial or revision surgery. Sometimes, the band can physically erode into the stomach, which is a medical emergency. Other times, an infection develops at or near the port of the band. This complication does not just require antibiotics but also full removal of the device.

Digestive Issues

Though consistent digestive discomfort may be a problem related to infection, slippage, or erosion, sometimes, patients simply cannot deal with the negative side effects. The band wraps around the stoma, which is the entrance of the stomach. If the band becomes too tight, many patients experience heartburn and may even vomit from this feeling of indigestion. Others may experience chronic nausea that will still require an adjustment.

Dilation of the Stomach Pouch

Sometimes, a skilled surgeon and a vigilant patient do everything correctly as planned, but the band still fails to help the patient lose weight. This is typically caused by dilation of the stomach’s pouch, the small section above the band. This enlargement allows more food to enter into the stomach. Since the lap band does not physically revise the structure of the stomach, the organ also continues to produce ghrelin, a hormone that governs feelings of hunger.

What is the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy?

The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG), also called gastric sleeve surgery, is now one of the most popular bariatric surgeries and has a much better safety profile than the lap band. With this surgery, Dr. Bonnor will make several tiny incisions on the abdomen and place a trochar within each, a tool that will allow him to use surgical instruments. . He will strategically remove a large portion, leaving behind a slimmer stomach that produces less of the ghrelin hormone and holds a smaller volume of food.

One study revealed that within a group of 5,218 patients undergoing VSG, subjects demonstrated an average loss of 67.3% of total excess weight. The procedure significantly influenced comorbidities, the conditions that coexist with a high BMI. Within one year of the procedure, 81.9% with diabetes, 64.1% with high cholesterol, and 66.5% with high blood pressure experienced remission of their condition. (3)

Benefits of Revision with the Sleeve

If you have undergone a lap band revision procedure and are still experiencing symptoms or are concerned about the recurrence of health issues, you can speak about your options with Dr. Bonnor. While you may want to solely remove the lap band device, this does not set you up for long-term success. After all, bariatric surgery is meant to help you maintain a healthy weight and treat conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and more. Bariatric surgery should give you an advantage in your weight-loss journey. You can enjoy various benefits by removing the lap band and opting for the sleeve gastrectomy. Keep these in mind as you continue to consider your next step in regards to your health:

  • Dr. Bonnor can perform ambulatory sleeve gastrectomies, allowing you to go home on the same day of your procedure.
  • You can feel fuller with smaller portions of food, helping you regain control over unhealthy cravings. .
  • It results in changes to your stomach without using a foreign device that could malfunction.
  • Dr. Bonnor will perform the procedure laparoscopically or robotically, so you will only have a few tiny scars on the abdomen that will fade significantly with time.

Weight Loss Success After Sleeve Gastrectomy

Weight Loss Success After Sleeve Gastrectomy

Aside from choosing a more effective procedure to assist in helping you attain your weight loss goals, much of your success from this bariatric surgery will come from your efforts to sustain a healthier lifestyle and lose weight in a steady, safe manner. After the lap band procedure, it can be easy to feel defeated and ill-equipped to face the weight loss challenges that may come your way. Luckily, Dr. Bonnor is here to help you find lasting success, not just immediate, fast results. Here is what you should keep in mind during and after your recovery:

  • Consider booking an appointment with a licensed therapist or another mental health professional. Sometimes, eating disorders are triggered by emotional trauma and clinical anxiety or depression.
  • Find an exercise plan that is both effective and optimal for your body’s needs and capabilities. If you are concerned about your pain and lack of mobility, consult a physical therapist about how you can move your body to keep it strong and active.
  • Speak with a professional who specializes in nutrition. Doing so will help make sure you attain the weight loss you are looking to achieve and maintain it. They will also give you more insightful guidance on keeping up with your nutritional needs.

Cost of a Lap Band Revision to Sleeve in Houston

Texas Endosurgery Associates accepts and offers a variety of financing options, including payment plans, out-of-pocket payments, health insurance coverage, and more.

To learn more about the incredible benefits this procedure can offer you, book your consultation online today, or call our Houston office at (281) 579-5638.

Commonly Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long is the recovery period after a sleeve gastrectomy?

The recovery period after the sleeve surgery is a process. Within one week, you should feel well enough to return to sedentary work. After three weeks, you should be able to resume physically strenuous activities, but adjusting to your diet will take longer. For the first two weeks of recovery, you should only consume liquid nutrition. From weeks two to four, you will be able to safely eat pureed food. From weeks four to twelve, softer foods will be safe to eat. You should always consult your surgeon about when you can resume normal foods and guidance on vitamins and supplements, which are essential after any bariatric surgery.

Is the sleeve gastrectomy safer than the lap band?

Yes, the sleeve is now the most popular form of bariatric surgery. If you have already undergone a lap band or a lap band revision, you are at a higher risk of experiencing complications. Band slippage, erosion, failure, and gastrointestinal distress are common after a lap band procedure. The sleeve gastrectomy has a much better safety profile and offers long-term remission from weight-related diseases.

Will I have scarring after a sleeve gastrectomy?

Surgeons perform the sleeve surgery robotically or laparoscopically, which only requires a few tiny incisions within the abdomen.

References

  1. Frantzides CT, Alexander B, Frantzides AT. Laparoscopic Revision of Failed Bariatric Procedures. JSLS : Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. 2019;23(1):e2018.00074. doi:https://doi.org/10.4293/jsls.2018.00074
  2. Abdelbaki TN, Abdelsalam WN, ElKayal S. Management modalities in slipped gastric band. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. 2016;12(3):714-716. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2015.10.058
  3. Khaitan L, Shea BJ. Laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy, long and short-term impact on weight loss and associated co-morbidities. Annals of Translational Medicine. 2020;8(S1):S5-S5. doi:https://doi.org/10.21037/atm.2020.01.89
  4. L Ulas Biter, WH J, Noordman BJ, et al. Long-term effect of sleeve gastrectomy vs Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in people living with severe obesity: a phase III multicentre randomised controlled trial (SleeveBypass). The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. 2024;38:100836-100836. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.100836