Gastric Sleeve Surgery After Failed Lap Band Surgery

by Debi
(Monterey, CA)

I had lap band surgery which worked great... I lost over 100 pounds (45 kg). But my band slipped (probably my over-stuffing) and it stopped working.

I then had a 2nd lap band surgery. This time nothing worked, no sensations, no warnings of full feeling, no signals felt at all. My doctor warned that a second surgery is not always as helpful or may not work at all.

Now after a 45+ pound (20+ kg) gain, my surgeon suggested gastric sleeve surgery. Now I am considering it, but I am concerned about the fact it is not reversible. Also, what if I stretch out the small stomach, then what?

I also have nutrient absorption concerns and am worried that my long-term health issues will come back (i.e.: acid reflux, sleep apnea, back problems. knee problems, etc.).

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Gastric Sleeve Surgery After Failed Lap Band Surgery

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Thoughts about your concerns NEW
by: Jeff

Hi Debi,

I'm sorry to hear about all you're going through, but it's good to see that you're resolved to fix the problems.

1) "I am concerned about the fact [gastric sleeve surgery] is not reversible."

Unfortunately, lap band surgery is the only relatively easy procedure to reverse.

But if you're committed to using bariatric surgery as a tool for long-term weight loss and health improvement, your mentality should shift to "what other procedures are out there and which is the best for me, taking into account my concerns."

Other than lap band surgery, the 3 most widely accepted procedures are Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery, gastric sleeve surgery and duodenal switch surgery (click the links for a thorough review of each).

On the positive side, gastric sleeve surgery does not "rearrange" your digestive system like gastric bypass or duodenal switch surgery. Instead, it only reduces the size of your stomach.

It also doesn't include placing a foreign object in your body as does the lap band.

Therefore, it's a nice "in between" in terms of what it does to your digestive system.

2) "What if I stretch out the small stomach, then what?"

This is one of the long-term "unknowns" of gastric sleeve surgery, and it is a possibility. Fortunately, there are a few promising non-invasive procedures (no incisions required) for reducing the size of the stomach or stoma (opening between stomach and small intestines).

Click here for the 5 procedures that address weight gain after bariatric surgery.

3) "I also have nutrient absorption concerns and am worried that my long-term health issues will come back."

Since gastric sleeve surgery doesn't bypass/remove any of your small intestines, it does not result in as much malabsorption as gastric bypass or duodenal switch. As a result, it doesn't come with some more problematic malabsorptive side effects like dumping syndrome.

Regarding health issues, the research so far indicates that gastric sleeve surgery has a comparable impact to the other procedures. It may even result in a reduced risk of GERD vs the other procedures.

I hope this helps, and I encourage you to read the Gastric Sleeve Surgery page in its entirety to learn more.

Take care,

Jeff

Bariatric Surgery Source

DISCLAIMER: The above is provided for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. It should support, not replace, the relationship between the patient and his/her physician(s).

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