Many obese patients have struggled with their weight for too long, and have made the decision to undergo a bariatric surgery procedure. Michael Feiz, M.D., F.A.C.S. and his team at Dr. Feiz & Associates know that educated patients make the best decisions about their health long-term, so they regularly offer free seminars at their offices regarding the best choices – typically Lap Band vs. sleeve gastrectomy. Both are minimally invasive, but the gastric sleeve procedure permanently removes part of the stomach, while the Lap Band does not change the order of the gastrointestinal tract.

However, there are some very rare cases in which the Lap Band does not work as hoped for. Dr. Feiz has seen patients who do not lose weight fast enough, or cannot reduce their eating sufficiently, after their Lap Band procedures. This problem could have many causes, but he has found one of the most common is ghrelin. This is the “hungry hormone” that, in most people, signals to the brain that the stomach is empty. When the stomach is full, it should stop producing ghrelin, which eventually tells the brain that the body can stop eating. In many obese patients, however, the stomach overproduces ghrelin, or does not stop producing it quickly enough to prevent intense hunger pangs and strong cravings for high calorie foods. With the Lap Band revision surgery, the band is removed and the stomach permanently reduced in size, which removes the portion that produces ghrelin. Not only will the patient feel full after eating less, they will feel emotionally satisfied by healthier foods, as well.

Whether you need band to sleeve revision for medical reasons, or you are simply exploring your bariatric surgery options, contact Dr. Feiz & Associates today.