Perhaps those people should start going to a more qualified revision surgeon.  Most revision surgeons do not have anywhere near a 5.5% leak stat but I am quite sure it took a lot of time to find THE study that would put the sleeve in the worst light.

You have done sleeves and revsions. Is your leak stat 5.5%?

Do you have a reference for this study?  

 

Obes Surg. 2013 Mar;23(3):300-5. doi: 10.1007/s11695-012-0825-7.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG)-a good bariatric option for failed laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB): a review of 90 patients.

Yazbek T, Safa N, Denis R, Atlas H, Garneau PY.

Source

Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400 boul. Gouin ouest, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H4J 1C5.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is one of the most frequently performed bariatric surgeries. Even with a high failure rate, revisional procedures such as re-banding or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) were commonly performed. Recently, conversions of LAGB to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) were reported. We will review our experience on this conversion.

METHODS:

Between February 2007 and January 2012, 800 patients underwent LSG, with 90 as a revisional procedure for failed LAGB. A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was performed. Data were collected through routine follow-up and weight loss data were also obtained through self-reporting via the Internet. Demographics, complications, and percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) were determined.

RESULTS:

A total of 90 patients underwent LSG as a revisional procedure, comprising of 77 women and 13 men with a mean age of 41 years (22 to 67), a mean body mass index of 42 kg/m(2) (26 to 58). Among them, 15.5 % had diabetes mellitus, 35.5 % had hypertension, 20.0 % had hyperlipidemia, and 18.8 % had obstructive sleep apnea. The mean operative time was 112 min (50 to 220) and mean hospital stay was 4.2 days (1 to 180). Operative complications included 5.5 % leak and 4.4 % hemorrhage or gastric hematoma. There was no postoperative mortality. The mean postoperative %EWL was 51.8 % (n = 82), 61.3 % (n = 60), 61.6 % (n = 45), 53.0 % (n = 30), 55.3 % (n = 20), and 54.1 % (n = 10) at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

LSG after LAGB yields a positive outcome with higher complication rates than for primary LSG. We advocate this procedure as a good bariatric option for failed LAGB.

 

I can't tell from this study but it looks to be that the 90 people had a band to sleeve revision in one surgery.  I know our center along with many others do the revision from band to sleeve as a two part surgery.  They let the stomach heal from usually 2-6 months from the damage cause from the band.  My surgeon showed me the study that showed a 1.5% leak rate with this process.

Bottom line they advocate the VSG as a good bariatric option for failed LAGB.  That is good to know for those losing their bands and coming here for advise on what to revise too.

Leaks are not simple. They can be devastating. And the cost is huge. Long term data with the sleeve is fair. It's an option and some do well with it.
We don't have the perfect operation yet- maybe one day

Could you tell from the study if the revisions were one part or two?