If you’ve struggled with excess weight, you’ve most likely tried getting rid of extra pounds with the help of popular diets and workouts but didn’t achieve any significant results. Bariatric surgery isn’t a cure-all solution that will marvelously make your weight evaporate, but rather an effective tool to use while making healthy lifestyle changes. Even the prime candidates may experience complications after bariatric procedures. And if you’ve failed to reach your weight goal, keep gaining weight, or experience bothersome symptoms, it’s time to consult a bariatric doctor about weight loss revision surgery.
Continue reading to discover the 5 signs that you may need a weight loss revision surgery.
1. You haven’t reached your weight loss goal
The amount of weight that you lose depends on the procedure you’ve undergone. However, any patient must lose nearly 40 to 80% of his or her excess weight within two years after the surgery. If you’ve failed to lose the desired amount of weight, consult a bariatric specialist to examine your diet and check the functionality of your new stomach. Based on the examination, a bariatric doctor will determine if you’re a good candidate for a weight loss revision surgery.
2. You’re gaining weight back
Sometimes a bariatric surgery patient may regain a few pounds back. Weight gain can occur due to several reasons including breaking your diet and exercise plan. Avoiding maintaining your bariatric diet may cause your sleeved stomach to stretch out over time. This may allow you to consume larger portions and extra calories. If you’re being cautious with your portion sizes and exercise regularly but continue gaining weight and experiencing frequent food cravings, it’s best to consult a bariatric surgeon about gastric sleeve revision surgery.
3. You’re experiencing heartburn or acid reflux
Before undergoing bariatric surgery, you’ve probably experienced frequent onsets of heartburn and acid reflux. However, if after installing your gastric band, these symptoms have become worse and cannot be controlled with medications, an appointment with a bariatric doctor is a must. Recurring heartburn and acid reflux can signal a slipped gastric band. If slippage is diagnosed, revision surgery is necessary.
4. Nausea and Vomiting
Most likely right after the bariatric surgery, you’ve experienced queasiness and vomiting. These symptoms are called postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and are completely normal. However, if you’re having difficulties eating due to nausea or vomiting long after your bariatric procedure, then you’re a good candidate for a weight loss revision surgery. Such symptoms may indicate an intestinal obstruction. This condition occurs when your stomach is blocked, which keeps food from passing into your bowels or through a Lap-Band. If your symptoms get worse with time, contact your bariatric surgeon ASAP.
5. You’re unable to tolerate solid foods
After bariatric procedures, a dietitian should supervise your food intake. Your diet plan will depend on many things including the type of procedure you underwent, and how well your body is recovering. You should avoid consuming any type of solid foods to ensure that your body gets used to the new size of your stomach. Over time, you will gradually bring back solid foods into your nutrition. However, if after eating anything solid you experience difficulty swallowing, nausea, or throw up frequently, it’s best to consult your bariatric surgeon.
The bottom line
If you’ve undergone any kind of bariatric procedure to reduce your body weight and now experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, consult your bariatric specialist ASAP. Any postoperative complications should be treated immediately as they may potentially lead to numerous health problems. Weight loss revision surgery is a perfect way to fix any postoperative complications that impact your health and cause painful symptoms.
