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Revision Surgery for Failed LAP-BAND Procedures

The founder and director of the Khalili Center, Theodore Khalili, MD, FACS, is a pioneer in minimally invasive bariatric procedures. He is one of the leading authorities on revisional bariatric surgery in the United States and has performed more of these procedures than any other doctor in Southern California.

The Khalili Center specializes in both bariatric surgeries and revision surgeries. Our surgeons will help you through revision surgery so that you can achieve your desired results and improve your health.

The Best Bariatric Revision Surgeons at the Khalili Center

When choosing a surgeon to perform your revision surgery, consider the surgeon’s experience, credentials, and specialties. At the helm of the Khalili group of specialists is Dr. Theodore Khalili who performed the nation’s first robotic-assisted gastric bypass in 2002. 

Dr. Khalili is board-certified in both general surgery and surgical critical care. He has led more than 5,000 bariatric and advanced laparoscopic surgeries in the past ten years. We also have other surgeons who are authorities on various surgical techniques.

Read more about the Khalili Center’s doctors here and discover why they are the best choice for revision surgery.

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My name is Dr. Theodore Khalili, surgeon and founder of Weight Loss Surgery of Southern California. I founded the Center because I have dedicated my life-long professional work to patient care. My approach to patient-centric partnerships and service-oriented facilities offer a comprehensive and holistic approach to bariatric treatment – all in one place.

I believe that patient care does not end right after surgery – it’s only the beginning. I founded the Center to give patients access to a supportive community that guides them through each step of the weight loss journey. We work with a team of registered dieticians, psychologists and general doctors to create tailored, best-in-class care available.

I have performed over 8,000 bariatric surgeries…

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Dr. Theodore M. Khalili,
Founder and Director
Khalili Center for Bariatric Care


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LAP-BAND Revision to Sleeve Gastrectomy

LAP-BAND revision to sleeve gastrectomy is a common type of procedure for patients who experienced undesired effects after a LAP-BAND surgery. During a lap band surgery, your gastric band is removed. The bariatric surgeon creates a sleeve or a tube-like structure in the stomach to induce weight loss. 


When to Consider LAP-BAND Conversion

Surgeons prescribe the gastric banding surgery to adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. You can also undergo surgery if you are at least twice your ideal weight, 100 pounds overweight, or experiencing serious health problems caused by morbid obesity(2). Gastric banding is a reversible surgery, and the LAP-BAND® can be removed laparoscopically. Surgeons prescribe the lap band conversion or lap band removal  if you experience any of the following after a LAP-BAND® surgery:

  • Inadequate weight loss
  • Weight regain 
  • Band intolerance or band infection
  • Severe heartburn
  • Band slippage
  • Band erosion (migration of the band through the stomach wall)
  • Esophageal dysmotility (contractions in the esophagus)
  • Esophageal dilation (expansion of tissues in the esophagus)
  • Esophagitis or inflammation in the esopohagus(3)

Generally, many patients experience weight gain five years after the initial surgery. Weight gain can be attributed to surgery-related factors and the patient’s failure to follow proper diet and exercise regiment(4). It is well-documented that less than 20% of people who try to lose weight are able to maintain a 10% reduction over a year, with the most gaining it back three to five years after bariatric surgery (5).

With weight regain, individuals may experience a relapse of weight-related medical issues and comorbidities. Gastric banding slippage can cause abdominal pain, food intolerance, regurgitation, dysphagia, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, early satiety, and nocturnal vomiting. A gastric band has to be removed before it can deteriorate inside the body. The removal of the band is crucial because a deteriorating gastric band can kill or seriously harm a patient if not removed(6).


LAP-BAND Surgery vs. Sleeve Gastrectomy

LAP-BAND surgery uses an adjustable gastric band, usually an inflatable silicone band, to separate the stomach in two for weight loss results. Lap-band revision is the removal of a gastric banding because the patient regained weight or suffered from complications, such as nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, slippage, or erosion. 

Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a bariatric procedure that removes 75% to 80% of the stomach. It is considered as the most common bariatric procedure in the United States and worldwide(7). Because a considerable part of the stomach is removed, the stomach pouch can hold less food. The procedure is also known as biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) or duodenal switch.

Surgeons prescribe sleeve gastrectomy if you have obesity-related conditions, including type II diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The procedure is also recommended if you have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), gastrointestinal disorders, osteoarthritis, lipid abnormalities, or heart disease(8).



Advantages of LAP-BAND® Conversion to Sleeve Gastrectomy

To induce excess weight loss even after gastric band removal, most patients convert to other bariatric procedures, including minimally invasive gastric bypass surgery and sleeve gastrectomy. Gastric band to sleeve conversion rarely causes nausea and vomiting, allowing you to enjoy a healthier and better quality of life. You will also lose the hunger sensation because the procedure removes ghrelin, a hunger hormone in the stomach.

In the long term, you can lose more weight with a gastric sleeve than with a gastric band. Also, sleeve gastrectomy has a low long-term complication rate compared to gastric band surgery(9). Because the gastric sleeve surgery helps you avoid overeating, you can have a significant weight loss of 60% to 70% one year after the surgery(10).


Revision Surgery Results and Recovery

Our surgeons allow lap band patients to go home one to two days after the weight loss procedure. You will also have to take medications for pain and acid reflux after the lap band procedure. After the revisional procedure, you may experience side effects, including regurgitation, diarrhea, nausea, acid reflux, or constipation. While these are normal, you must inform your physician if they occur.

You will have to follow a liquid diet for the first or second week before moving on to soft foods. After bariatric surgery, you should avoid carbonated or fizzy drinks because they can cause gas and bloating, which can stretch your stomach(11). Since the surgery restricts the amount of food the patient can eat, you will also absorb fewer calories. Weight-related health problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, can also be partially or completely relieved. You can go back to work and perform non-strenuous physical activity a week after the gastric sleeve procedure.

The Khalili Center’s Unique Care Support Program

We believe that aftercare is as important as the surgery itself. We have a unique care support program that aims to help you through your weight loss journey

The program includes post-op events that aim to keep you healthy and active. You can take walks with your doctors, play softball, or go swimming. 

You can also join a support group before and after your surgery. During support group sessions, you can talk to other weight loss surgery patients and inspire others like you. 

FAQs

What are the risks of revision surgeries?

Much like other types of surgeries, all bariatric surgeries come with risks and potential complications. Proper diagnosis and proper delivery treatment reduce the risks of the procedures.

Revisional bariatric surgery procedure carries with it a higher risk of complications than primary bariatric surgery. However, it is documented that out of 13 patients, only one experienced severe heartburn necessitating re-hospitalization(12).

Other potential complications from the procedure include liver injuries, spleen injuries, and blood loss.

Will my insurance cover the cost of revision surgery?

The Khalili Center provides free insurance verification to help you know if your insurance will cover our revision procedures. You can also contact your insurance company to know the specific surgeries your insurance plan covers.

How do I book an appointment with the Khalili Center?

You can book an appointment by calling us or visiting us at 9033 Wilshire Blvd. #200 Beverly Hills, California. You can also pay us a virtual visit online through our website for a consultation.

References

  1. University of California, Los Angeles. Lap Band Revision. Retrieved from http://surgery.ucla.edu/bariatrics-lap-band-removal
  2. LifeBridge Health. Who Are Adjustable Gastric Band Candidates? Retrieved from http://www.lifebridgehealth.org/WeightLoss/WhoAreAdjustableGastricBandCandidates.aspx
  3. UCLA. Lap Band Revision. Op. cit.
  4. Saliba C., El Rayes, J., Diab, S., Nicolas, G., & Wakim, R. (2018). Weight Regain After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Look at the Benefits of Re-sleeve. The Cureus Journal of Medical Science. V. 10 (10).
  5. Mayo Clinic. Weight regain after bariatric surgery. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/endocrinology/news/weight-regain-after-bariatric-surgery/mac-20431467
  6. National Center for Health Research. Gastric Lap-Bands: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.center4research.org/gastric-lap-bands-need-know/#:~:text=A%3A%20Gastric%20bands%20do%20not,banding%20devices%20for%2012%20years
  7. UCLA. Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve). Retrieved from http://surgery.ucla.edu/bariatrics-gastric-sleeve#:~:text=The%20Gastric%20Sleeve%20Surgery%20
  8. Ibid
  9. UCLA. Lap Band Revision. Op. cit.
  10. UCLA. Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve). Retrieved from http://surgery.ucla.edu/bariatrics-gastric-sleeve#:~:text=The%20Gastric%20Sleeve%20Surgery%20
  11. University of Minnesota Health. Diet Guidelines after Bariatric Surgery. Retrieved from https://www.mhealth.org/~/media/M-Health/PDFs/MH-Diet-Guidelines-after-Bariatric-Surgery.ashx?la=en
  12. Bariatric Surgery Source. Risks of Gastric Sleeve After Failed Lap Band. Retrieved from https://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/risks-of-gastric-sleeve-after-failed-lap-band.html

Your Journey to Overcoming Obesity Starts Here.

Weight loss surgery is a tool to reset your life.

Our comprehensive program is everything you need to set you up for your new life and to keep the weight off. All you have to to find out if we’re right for you is to book an appointment.