The international team of surgeons and physicians at OCC are among the leading authorities on the gastric bypass procedure in Tijuana, Mexico, having performed this surgery over many years. Many who have undergone gastric bypass tout its life-changing results.
However, there are some instances in which you may want or need to reverse your gastric bypass surgery. The following is information on whether gastric bypass is reversible, why you would reverse a gastric bypass surgery, and how OCC can help.
What is gastric bypass?
Gastric bypass surgery is performed laparoscopically at the Obesity Control Center for smaller incisions and faster recovery. During the procedure, a small stomach pouch is created and attached to a section of the small intestine, allowing food to bypass the portion where calories and nutrients are absorbed. The smaller stomach creates a feeling of fullness more quickly, resulting in less food consumed.
Gastric bypass surgery can resolve:
- - Obesity
- - Metabolic disease
- - Sleep apnea
- - Obesity-related diabetes
Bariatric surgery can also reduce:
- - High blood pressure
- - High cholesterol
- - Increased risk of heart disease and heart failure
Is gastric bypass reversible?
Yes, gastric bypass is reversible; however, it’s considered dangerous and impractical. Returning to reoperate on tissue already exposed to surgery increases bleeding risks and damage to the repaired structures. Scar tissue from previous work makes it difficult for surgeons to locate and access normal tissue. Additionally, healing suture or staple lines properly after a repeated operation becomes increasingly challenging.
Some other reasons why reversing gastric bypass isn’t recommended include:
- - Reversing gastric bypass means you may never regain a fully functional digestive tract. Remember, surgeons divide the stomach with staples or a plastic band in the original operation and reroute it. To reverse all this, surgeons must divide the stomach and intestine where they had been sewn together and rejoin them in the original spot with a surgical stapling device. The resulting restored configuration won’t be the same as before the bypass.
- - It’s impossible to mend several nerves that help with normal gastric function, so choosing to undo a bypass could cause post-op gastroesophageal reflux disease.
- - Surgeons strongly caution patients against ever reversing their bariatric surgeries because almost all who do gain back most of their lost weight. Weight regain is possible even if bariatric surgeries aren’t reversed, and reversing gastric bypass increases the risk.
Why would gastric bypass be reversed?
Most surgeons will only reverse a bariatric surgery if the patient experiences significant complications that would necessitate a secondary operation. These might include:
- - Infection
- - A hernia along the original incision
- - A leaky stomach that, having been punctured during surgery, spills digestive acid into the abdomen or the intestine
- - Malnutrition
- - Band erosion or infection
Obesity Control Center can help
OCC holds U.S. medical certifications, receives international recognition, and has an impressive track record of successful obesity treatments, including gastric bypass. Our goal is for a happy, successful, healthier patient. We can achieve this goal by providing the most advanced surgeries with improved outcomes and a shorter recovery time.
Schedule a consultation with us if you have questions about your gastric bypass or want to learn more about reversing it. OCC’s exceptional surgeons and medical team will listen to your concerns and help you understand your options.
