Lap Band – Gastric Sleeve Surgery Conversion

Making the Switch:  Lap Band to Gastric Sleeve Surgery Conversion

If your lap band surgery has left you with years of problematic complications with little results, a second chance at achieving your weight loss goals may finally be here.

An increasing number of patients who’ve undergone lap band surgery in the past are now struggling with symptoms such as heartburn "stuck episode" or simply not happy with the weight loss results. The reversible bariatric lap band procedure has been linked to chronic vomiting, weight gain and/or little to no weight loss, stalled weight loss, and a host of other health challenges.  

Banding v. Gastric Sleeve:  What’s the Difference?

Lap banding procedures have posed a myriad of issues, whereas the gastric sleeve procedure has eliminated the common pitfalls of its weight loss procedure predecessor.  The lap band procedure consists of “tying” off a large portion of the patient’s stomach and securing it with a plastic banding device that requires numerous adjustments over time.  The result is that the available area of the stomach is considerably smaller, which makes overeating very unpleasant and drastically reduces appetite.  The updated gastric sleeve procedure, conversely, takes a more direct approach to a patient’s weight loss goals by surgically removing 75-85% of the stomach.  This minimally invasive procedure is performed laparoscopically, while still preserving the vital functions of the organ.  Patients who’ve converted from lap band to gastric sleeve are still able to enjoy all the foods they’ve always loved, but in much smaller portions, leaving them feeling satiated and not deprived. The portion of the stomach removed during gastric sleeve surgery is primarily responsible for the production of ghrelin – a hormone that signals the brain it is “time to eat.”  When this hormone is suppressed, losing weight – and keeping it off long-term – becomes increasingly less difficult for morbidly obese men and women.  It’s one of the most significant reasons patients seek out a conversion surgery from lap band to gastric sleeve.  Gastric sleeve surgery dramatically diminishes a patient’s hunger sensations, setting them up for long-term weight loss success.

Lap Band to Gastric Sleeve Conversion Risks You Need to Know

As with any medical procedure, there is the chance of risk(s) that needs to be assessed with your doctor before considering surgery. The following are rare, but reported, risks of converting from lap band to gastric sleeve surgery:

• Scar tissue from lap band placement
• Irregularity of abdominal anatomy

The importance of surgeon integrity and experience in revision weight loss surgery will be vital in your conversion surgery success.

Am I a Good Candidate for Revision Weight Loss Surgery?

If your lap band procedure has left you with the following chronic symptoms, you may be a good candidate for lap band to gastric sleeve conversion surgery:

• Excessive nausea
• Slipped Lap Band
• Vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing food or beverages
• Pain after meals
• Scar tissue buildup
• Chest pains
• Coughing
• Heartburn
• Acid reflux/GERD
• Other intestinal complications

Benefits of Lap band to Gastric Sleeve Conversion

As you can see, the rewards of revision weight loss surgery far outweigh the aforementioned risks:

• Complete removal of foreign object from the body
• Less difficulty eating or feeling pain afterwards
• More effective weight loss, especially when combined with proper diet and exercise
• Far fewer complications overall and little risk of unwanted side effects
• Patients lost 60-70% of their excess body weight within 12-18 months following their revision
• Laparoscopic/minimally invasive procedure
• Entire procedure can be performed in less than 90 minutes and on an outpatient basis
• Lack of hunger/appetite suppression aids in significant weight loss efforts
• Immediate resumption in weight loss after conversion is complete

Next Steps

If you’re looking to upgrade to gastric sleeve surgery from your previous lap band procedure due to seemingly endless complications and little to no weight loss success, it’s crucial to speak to a board-certified bariatric surgeon to evaluate your specific situation.  Choosing a surgeon highly skilled in revision weight loss surgeries and who has successfully performed lap band, gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve surgeries, respectively, will be exemplary in devising the best course of action for each individual patient.  Having lap band to gastric sleeve conversion is the best choice for salvaging weight loss efforts following a less-than-desirable lap band procedure.  It’s like getting a new lease on life and a second chance at realizing your health goals.  Dr. Feiz and his talented team of bariatric specialists continue to lead the charge in lap band to gastric sleeve surgery conversion.  We invite you to call our office to set-up a personal, one-on-one consultation with Dr. Feiz to discuss how weight loss revision surgery may be the right answer for you.