Can I Have Bariatric Surgery Twice?

Bariatric surgery enables patients to lose weight when changes to diet and exercise haven’t helped them reach their goals. There are various types of bariatric procedures. Baptist Health offers gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and revisional surgeries.

Bariatric surgery can produce excellent outcomes, health improvements, and a better quality of life for patients. However, sometimes, a procedure doesn’t enable the degree of weight loss a patient wants or needs. Complications or unwanted side effects can also happen.

Suboptimal results can occur for various reasons, such as a Lap Band slipping out of place or the pouch created in a gastric bypass or gastric sleeve procedure stretching to accommodate too much food.

In those instances, a patient may ask, “Can I have bariatric surgery twice?” The answer is a qualified yes, as we explain below.

Are You a Candidate for Revisional Bariatric Surgery?

A second bariatric procedure is sometimes called bariatric revision or revisional bariatric surgery. Many patients achieve better results from subsequent surgery. Still, it’s crucial to understand the potential benefits and risks of another procedure.

First, you should know that many bariatric surgery patients experience weight gain within the first few years following their surgery. That’s normal, and it doesn’t mean you’re on your way to regaining all your excess weight.

Second, the feasibility of a subsequent procedure depends on multiple factors, including:

• The type of surgery you had
• The extent of the structural changes your surgeon made
• Your overall health today

It’s also critical to remember that every surgical procedure has potential risks. Less than optimal outcomes, complications, and side effects are still possible.

None of this information is meant to discourage you, of course! If you haven’t achieved or maintained your weight loss goals, and you or your doctor feel that a revisional surgery is warranted, you can move forward confidently.

Questions for Your Doctor Before Bariatric Revision Surgery

If you and your doctor have agreed to proceed with revisional bariatric surgery, you should ask questions to ensure you’re fully informed about the process and expected outcomes. The following questions can be helpful:

• How should I prepare for my surgery?
• How long will it take to recover, and what does the recovery process look like?
• How much weight can I expect to lose after my bariatric revision?
• When will I start achieving weight loss results?
• What lifestyle changes can I make following my surgery to ensure I lose weight?

Understanding your insurance coverage and whether it will pay for your bariatric revision surgery is also crucial. Your insurance company can provide answers about your policy.

Learn About Bariatric Revision Surgery at Baptist Health

Baptist Health provides personalized weight loss solutions with attentive assistance and procedures performed by leading surgeons. We also prioritize complete education to ensure patients and their loved ones know what to expect from bariatric surgery.

Learn more about bariatric care and weight loss support at Baptist Health.