Revision Bariatric Surgery

Following bariatric surgery, you may not have achieved the dramatic weight loss you expected. Like many patients, you may have seen satisfactory results at first, but after some time, your weight began to plateau. Dr. Daniel Huacuz offers revision bariatric surgery at his clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. Depending on your needs, your doctor can convert the results from your previous LAP-BAND®, gastric sleeve, or gastric bypass surgery to improve your weight loss. Revision surgery can also improve complications from a past procedure.

Insufficient weight loss and weight regain are the most common reasons for revision bariatric surgery. For example, if you received the LAP-BAND® System, or if your original doctor made the pouch too large during gastric bypass surgery, you may constantly feel hungry. As a result, you eat to satiate your hunger, and the weight does not come off as you expected. In other cases, you may experience complications from your original bariatric surgery, such as chronic heartburn. For other patients, the LAP-BAND® System could slip, erode, or malfunction. Dr. Huacuz may suggest an alternative procedure, instead of revisions to your LAP-BAND®.

Most commonly, Drs. Huacuz and Montalvo will convert gastric sleeve to gastric bypass since there are more conversion options available.

Our team is completely committed to patient safety. For this reason, we perform 100% laparoscopic surgeries. Using a small, lighted camera, Dr. Huacuz can revise your past bariatric surgery through tiny incisions. With this technology, your doctor can reduce scarring, post-surgical discomfort, and recovery time. To ensure your comfort and well-being, you will also receive general anesthesia before your procedure. Finally, all procedures will take place in the hospital with a minimum of a two-night hospital stay afterwards. Out-of-town patients will also spend several nights in a nearby hotel. That way, we can monitor your safety and initial recovery.

Most of our patients travel to visit us, and we are especially sensitive to the needs of our patients who travel to Tijuana from the U.S. and Canada. Follow-up appointments will usually take place over the phone. We will schedule the first follow-up about three days after you return home. Additional follow-ups will take place at one week, two weeks, a month, six weeks, and eight weeks afterwards. Although will not have any scheduled calls after this time, you are always welcome to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Similar to primary bariatric surgeries, it will take months or even years to see the full results of your procedure. Due to metabolic changes after your first surgery, your initial results may not be as dramatic as they were before. Nevertheless, you may find that it is easier to maintain your weight loss after revision. You may be able to eat a more balanced diet and heartburn and other complications typically subside. Dr. Huacuz will explain possible results before your surgery to make sure that you have reasonable expectations.

If you are disappointed with the results of your past bariatric procedure, a revision surgery may be the answer. Contact our office for more information and to find out how our experienced surgeon can help.