At The Center for Bariatrics, in Tijuana, Mexico bariatric revision surgery refers to a second weight loss surgery. Revisional options include: 1) lap band to gastric sleeve, 2) lap band to gastric bypass, 3) gastric sleeve to gastric bypass, and 4) gastric sleeve to duodenal switch.

On this page, you will learn about this procedure, as well as what you can expect from Ismael V. Bailon MD, FACS and his staff. We have performed numerous successful revisional surgeries using the most advanced techniques in the field.

Dr. Ismael V. Bailon has many years of experience working with patients who wish to lose weight and get rid of diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. To date, he has performed more than 2,500 weight loss procedures.

What is Revision Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric revision surgery can be done after most any bariatric surgery technique depending upon the patient’s condition. Dr. Ismael V. Bailon will examine you and discuss what technique he recommends for your revisional procedure. He will discuss your goals and options with you in detail to make sure you feel comfortable and know exactly what to expect.

Because we use state-of-the-art operating rooms with the capability to perform intra-op endoscopy, we are able to examine the stomach laparoscopically using a tiny camera. This allows Dr. Bailon to resolve any scar tissue left from the prior surgery, which will help you get back on the right track and be able to stick to portion control without hunger pains or food absorption problems.

To lift the stomach slightly away from the small intestine, the abdomen is temporarily filled with carbon dioxide gas. Dr. Bailon then uses the laparoscope to remove a portion of the upper curved area of the stomach called the fundus. This makes the stomach smaller and into a more tubular shape. The fundus produces the hormone Ghrelin, which causes hunger.

Removal of this portion of the stomach doesn’t mean you will never feel hungry, but hunger pangs are significantly reduced, while the stomach is also made smaller to accommodate less food intake and help you feel full faster.

Candidates for Bariatric Revision Surgery

If you are dissatisfied with the results of your first bariatric surgery or are experiencing subsequent weight gain post-surgery, you are probably a good candidate for revisional surgery. However, you must be willing to follow the dietary protocol after the surgery.

If you are not willing to follow the dietary protocol, even a revisional surgery will not be successful. It’s important to remember that your weight loss journey only begins with surgery. The journey continues after that for the rest of your life.

Dr. Ismael V. Bailon will examine you carefully and evaluate your history before making a recommendation as to whether revisional surgery is a good idea for you. He will also recommend which technique he believes would work best for your revisional procedure.

After you have had a thorough conversation with Dr. Bailon during your online consultation, some thorough testing that often includes an endoscopy, the final decision is always yours.

Bariatric Revision Surgery Recovery

The recovery time from all of our bariatric surgery procedures is faster than you might think. The surgery requires just one night in the hospital in most cases, and you can go home the next day. Most patients can even exercise the very next day!

Of course, surgery generally results in some bruising and soreness. All of these symptoms are usually minimal and gradually subside within a few days due to the tiny incisions used to perform the operation.

Dr. Ismael V. Bailon will prescribe pain medication for you so that you can recover with minimal discomfort.

Since your body won’t absorb all the foods you eat, Dr. Bailon will prescribe nutritional supplements to make sure you maintain good health after your surgery. You will need to take these for the rest of your life. They will include vitamins, iron, calcium, and more.

Our dietitian will make sure you understand everything about the supplements, will give you all the information you need, and will then follow up with you to make sure your nutritional status is optimized.