Patients who have gained back more than fifty percent of their excess weight now have a second chance to get healthy and for weight loss success with revision surgery at the New Jersey Bariatric Center .

Revision surgery, whether through stapling the pouch or gastric banding, is a serious procedure and is not the answer for every gastric bypass patient’s struggle to maintain her weight loss. The reasons for weight gain are often complicated making it important to consult your surgeon at the New Jersey Bariatric Center to learn about the benefits and risks as well as determine if you’re a good candidate for the procedure.

Gastric Band Over Dilated Gastric Bypass Pouch

One of the most common reasons gastric bypass patients regain the weight is through stretching the stomach opening and pouch created to restrict food intake. Traditional revision surgery for these patients involves re-stapling the pouch which increases risk of leaks by 50%. Gastric banding after gastric bypass using the LAP-BAND® or REALIZE® Band can reach the same goal – restricting food intake – with fewer risks when done laparoscopically since it’s less invasive.

When revising a gastric bypass with a LAP-BAND® or REALIZE® Band, the surgeon places an adjustable, hollow band around the previously created stomach pouch. After surgery, the stomach pouch opening is narrowed by injecting saline into the band causing the inner part of the band to expand. As the opening becomes narrower with subsequent adjustments, food stays longer in the stomach pouch and once again you feel satisfied with a small meal. Using a LAP-BAND® or REALIZE® Band over a gastric bypass for a second chance at weight loss will only work if the patient has stretched the gastric pouch opening after surgery.