Some patients may not achieve the results they expect from gastric band surgery, or they may experience side effects. It’s possible to convert the procedure to a gastric sleeve, or ‘sleeve gastrectomy’.
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Although a gastric band (or ‘lap band’) is intended to be a lifelong weight loss solution, it is possible to convert the procedure to a gastric sleeve (also known as a sleeve gastrectomy). This can be a total or partial gastric sleeve, depending on your individual situation.
Some patients may not achieve the results they expect from gastric band surgery. If you have made all the necessary lifestyle changes to accommodate the band but still aren’t achieving the weight loss that was expected, a revision procedure to convert to a sleeve may offer better results.
Other reasons for having a band to sleeve conversion procedure include band slippage or severe heartburn, which may occasionally occur after the procedure.
During this type of conversion surgery, the gastric band is removed from the abdomen and a regular gastric sleeve procedure is then carried out.
A conversion to a gastric sleeve can bring benefits to a patient who has a gastric band. These include:
Gastric band to gastric sleeve conversion surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep for the duration of the procedure. This type of revision surgery can be complex, as scar tissue which formed after the original surgery can make surgery more difficult.
Converting a gastric band to a gastric sleeve involves your surgeon making incisions in order to remove the lap band and its port before they begin the sleeve gastrectomy procedure.
During the gastric sleeve procedure, most of your stomach will be removed to significantly reduce its capacity and the remainder will be stapled into a sleeve shape. As the surgery removes the part that produces the appetite-producing hormone, ghrelin, your appetite will be reduced as well as the amount of food you can eat.
This type of procedure could help if you’re not achieving the weight loss results you expected from your gastric band surgery. If you are experiencing pain in the port site for your gastric band, are suffering from acid reflux (heartburn) and/or nausea, a revision surgery could be the answer. In addition, it can provide a solution in instances where a gastric band has slipped or eroded.
If you would like to avoid the requirement to visit a clinic to have your gastric band filled or have an aspiration, then conversion to a gastric sleeve could work for you.
All types of surgical procedure carry some element of risk and complications, and conversion surgery from a gastric band to a sleeve is no different. This type of revision surgery does have a slightly higher risk due to existing scar tissue from the original procedure. Some of the risks and side effects include:
Failure to complete the sleeve and instead convert to bypass instead
I’m in a great place to help you with your weight management journey because I’ve been through weight loss surgery myself.
It was a year after the first lockdown and my weight was getting me down. I was starting to avoid social events, and my confidence was at an all-time low. Having tried many diets unsuccessfully, I started to look into weight loss surgery. Shortly after, I had my gastric bypass surgery. That’s why I’ve joined the team here at Klinikal, as I know exactly how it feels to go through this journey and how I can best support you.
I’m almost 2 years on, and my life has never been better. I’m happy, feeling great and I’ve met the love of my life – all things that didn’t seem possible before my surgery. In total, I’ve lost 7.5 stone, but I’ve gained confidence, peace of mind and find myself just really loving life now.
Our highly experienced team have helped 1000’s of patients achieve their weight loss goals.
Dietetic support programme tailored to your needs
Localised care – clinics and hospitals near you
World-class General Medical Council Registered Bariatric Surgeons
Unparalleled aftercare – here when you need us
We’re affordable – ask about our finance options
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Deciding to have weight loss surgery can be really empowering. But to help you make an informed decision, you need to understand the surgical process and what your journey will involve. At Klinikal, we know that this is important.
We’ve summarised each stage of the journey to give you an idea, but of course your experience will be tailored to your own needs.
Nice to meet you!
Your journey with us begins with a call from a weight management surgeon assistant. One of our highly experienced, friendly surgeon assistants will talk you through our weight loss procedures, pricing and finance options, and answer any questions that you might have.
Meet your surgeon
After speaking to your surgeon assistant, they’ll match you with the right bariatric surgeon for your procedure. You’ll meet them via video call, where they’ll take you through your surgery in more detail. If required, you’ll meet your surgeon in person.
Meet your dietitian
Your dietitian will be an important part of your weight loss journey. Before your surgery day, you’ll meet them to go through the dietary changes that you’ll need to make pre and post-surgery. They’ll give you plenty of advice and will be able to answer any dietary questions that you might have.
Pre-op nurse appointment
It’s important that you’re fit to go ahead with your surgery. That’s why we’ll schedule in an appointment with one of our lovely nurses, who’ll make sure that you’re well enough to proceed.
Surgery day
It’s the day you’ve been waiting for! We’ll welcome you into one of our Klinikal locations where you’ll settle into your private room. You’ll then head down to theatre to have your procedure. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your luxurious suite to recuperate.
Post-op and beyond
Once you return home to recover, you’ll have our full support. You’ll have post-op appointments with a nurse and you’ll see your surgeon again to make sure that you’re recovering nicely. Your surgeon assistant and dietitian will also be in touch regularly, and you can call our helpline if you have any issues.
Nice to meet you!
Your journey with us begins with a call from a weight management surgeon assistant. One of our highly experienced, friendly surgeon assistants will talk you through our weight loss procedures, pricing and finance options, and answer any questions that you might have.
Meet your surgeon
After speaking to your surgeon assistant, they’ll match you with the right bariatric surgeon for your procedure. You’ll meet them via video call, where they’ll take you through your surgery in more detail. If required, you’ll meet your surgeon in person.
Meet your dietitian
Your dietitian will be an important part of your weight loss journey. Before your surgery day, you’ll meet them to go through the dietary changes that you’ll need to make pre and post-surgery. They’ll give you plenty of advice and will be able to answer any dietary questions that you might have.
Pre-op nurse appointment
It’s important that you’re fit to go ahead with your surgery. That’s why we’ll schedule in an appointment with one of our lovely nurses, who’ll make sure that you’re well enough to proceed.
Surgery day
It’s the day you’ve been waiting for! We’ll welcome you into one of our Klinikal locations where you’ll settle into your private room. You’ll then head down to theatre to have your procedure. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your luxurious suite to recuperate.
Post-op and beyond
Once you return home to recover, you’ll have our full support. You’ll have post-op appointments with a nurse and you’ll see your surgeon again to make sure that you’re recovering nicely. Your surgeon assistant and dietitian will also be in touch regularly, and you can call our helpline if you have any issues.
A large portion of your stomach is removed during the gastric sleeve procedure, and so you are making a permanent change – once you’ve had the surgery, it can’t be reversed. It’s a lifelong commitment which will allow you to reach your goal weight and maintain it, but you’ll need to work with the sleeve to succeed.
The gastric sleeve procedure can either be total or partial, and which you have will depend on your specific situation. In a total gastrectomy, the whole stomach is removed, apart from the remaining sleeve section. The alternative procedure, partial gastrectomy, involves only part of the stomach being removed. A total gastrectomy is typically the type of surgery used for weight loss.
It’s important that you follow the diet that is provided to you to avoid complications and discomfort as you heal after your conversion surgery. As a substantial part of your stomach will have been removed, as well as the part which produces the hormone which creates your appetite, you will want to, and be able to, eat less than before and still feel satisfied.
You will be given in-depth information regarding your diet following surgery, including food and drink that you should avoid. This will help to ensure that you are on the right track after your revision procedure.
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