Question:
what is a revision

what exactly is a the revision? Is this helpful in reaching ones goal. Jennie    — zydeko47 (posted on February 4, 2009)

February 4, 2009
A revision is what one has when one's Weight Loss Surgery FAILS for one reason or another. Often the failure is because the person who had the surgery neglected to use the tool that was provided PROPERLY, sometimes the failure is due to a poor metabolism, but occasionally, the reason for the revision is because the procedure ITSELF failed. This frequently happens most often with the LAP-BAND because of the MECHANICAL NATURE of he device, but can also happen with the OTHER surgical methods of weight loss. What can happen in about 1 percent of the LAP-BAND procedures is that the MECHANICAL device fails in such a way that it actually INJURES the stomach, and thus requires a REVISION to a DIFFERENT surgical procedure. Sometimes the RNY (Gastric Bypass) is used, but FREQUENTLY, the only option that can be used is the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (or the Duodenal Switch) because there is so much damage to the stomach lining that there is not enough GOOD lining LEFT on the stomach for the surgeon to USE for the Gastric Bypass. The surgeons often opt for the VSG in the case because all that is required is a small "Sleeve" to make the procedure work. The Duodenal Switch is another option that can be used, because like the VSG, it uses the "Sleeve," but it takes the procedure one step FARTHER, and does a "Bypass" similar to the RNY, or "Gastric Bypass." UNLIKE the RNY, the output of the gastric "Pouch" is not taken from the SIDE of the "pouch," but from the bottom of the "Sleeve." An ADDED part of the surgery is the removal of the GALL BLADDER. The bypassed part of the intestine is then attached to the pancreas, and the surgery is completed. ALMOST any surgery can be revised to a different surgery, but NOT every surgery can be revised to just ANY surgery. You CANNOT have a VSG turned into a Gastric Bypass. The reason for this is that part of the surgical process with the VSG is the REMOVAL of about 85% of the stomach! To have a Gastric Bypass, you need to have a COMPLETE STOMACH. After the VSG, you do NOT. You CAN have the VSG revised to the Duodenal Switch, however. THAT is a better procedure, as far as I am concerned. With the LAP-BAND, you can have a revision to ANY other procedure. The same can be said of the Gastric Bypass, but it is not as EASY as it is with the Lap-Band. All that is required for a revision with the Lap-Band, should there be no medical complications other than the failure of the device to provide the desired results, is the removal of the device, and the actual operation to convert to the desired procedure. A revision from the Duodenal Switch would essentially entail converting the Switch to a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, since there would be no way to insert the part of the stomach that had been removed. There are also BANDED versions of some of these procedures, such as the BANDED RNY, the BANDED VSG, and I suppose you could probably get a BANDED Duodenal Switch, but I can't for the life of me think of who would get one. There is also the Banded Gastroplasty, but that has pretty much fallen out of favor with most surgeons. It is essentially the old fashioned "Stomach Stapling." I hope that this helps answer your questions. Hugh
   — hubarlow

February 4, 2009
Hugh - while you gave a thorough explanation, I think your tone was extremely NEGATIVE.
   — NJOY

February 5, 2009
For example- I have the Lap-Band, and I am having a revision to gastric bypass. My esophogas cannot handle the tightening of the band which has caused me severe SEVERE abdominal pain (even had exploratory surgery) and frequent vomiting no matter how much or how little is in my band. Consequently, I have not lost any weight with this procedure. But everybody is different!
   — jtaormina

February 7, 2009
I also wondered what the revision was. Great explaination Hugh and I did not think the tone was negative. You just expained the procedure.
   — redlilies

February 7, 2009
Hugh you are a wealth of great information & I really appreciate your answers. I think for everyone it is important that we remember you cannot "hear" the tone in written words - we cannot presume that things are meant negatively - we must give the poster the benefit of the doubt. We do not have the pleasure of hearing the tone of voice or seeing a smile on someone's face. This is a very tough way to attempt to judge how someone meant something so we need to give them the benefit of the doubt. Blessings to all!! :~)
   — Fluffee