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Announcement:
Special REVISIONAL SEMINAR
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 6:00PM, Fairfield County Bariatrics
148 East Avenue, Suite 3A, Norwalk CT 06851

Bariatric surgery is the most effective means for patients to achieve significant weight loss, minimizing complications and helping cure health issues. There are, however, circumstances where patients regain weight or do not lose the expected amount of excess weight. Various factors can cause this situation. Our surgeons perform a thorough analysis including a study of the previous surgery and all factors that entered into its ultimate result. A follow-up bariatric procedure referred to as a bariatric surgery revision, may be required to alter or repair the initial bariatric surgery. Fairfield County Bariatrics offers many Laparoscopic revisional bariatric and weight loss surgeries in Connecticut.

When bariatric surgery does not lead to the amount of expected excess weight loss, hope is not lost. Obesity is a chronic disease and is not easily treated. As with most serious illnesses, if the first treatment doesn’t succeed the doctor will recommend additional options.

Our expert surgeons are leaders in all forms of open and laparoscopic revisional bariatric surgery. Fairfield County Bariatrics and Surgical Specialists is Connecticut’s premier weight loss surgery practice, offering the highest standard in surgical care in laparoscopic weight loss surgery. Our practice has performed over 2700 weight loss procedures and is recognized as a Center of Excellence^® since 2006. The programs in the hospitals in which they operate: Norwalk Hospital Weight Loss Surgery Program and St. Vincent’s Bariatric Surgery Program are equally recognized as Centers of Excellence^®.

Revisions After Gastric Banding Surgery
Although 90% of patients are successful, the revision rate for the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure is approximately 10% during the first two years following the surgery. This is due to device related problems or unsatisfactory weight loss. The gastric band can slip which would require a follow-up procedure to correct the problem. Some patients will choose to have the band replaced and others will select a different procedure. Occasionally the port may have to be replaced because of wear and tear. This can be performed with a very small incision under mild anesthesia. Bands that erode into the stomach may need to be removed.

Revisions After Gastric Bypass Surgery
Revisions in gastric bypass patients happen in approximately 5 to 10% of the patients over a 5 year period. This would be due to complications, unsatisfactory weight loss or regaining weight. After gastric bypass surgery complications that may occur include ulcers, chronic vomiting, hernia and staple line failure. They are usually improved through laparoscopic revisional bariatric surgery. There are several options available to the patient:

If the problem is the lack of the desired excess weight or regaining weight, a non-surgical approach can be taken. This includes regulating eating habits, exercise, nutritional counseling, behavior modification therapy, psychological counseling and support groups.

If the problem is the lack of the desired excess weight or regaining weight, there are surgical options available that include the placement of an adjustable gastric band on the stomach pouch decreasing the size of the stomach or a conversion to distal gastric bypass.

If the stomach pouch or stomach opening has become enlarged we can add a laparoscopic band to reduce the amount of food intake and slow the movement of the food from the stomach to the small intestine. An alternate approach would be to remove more of the stomach or tighten up the stomach to make it smaller.

If the two parts of the stomach reconnect, they can be separated with the use of a stapling device in a revisional procedure.

There can be situations where the gastric bypass will not lead to optimal weight loss. After surgery we make every attempt to maximize the weight loss with follow-up visits, nutrition and diet and exercise. If this doesn’t work and the patient still wants a greater weight loss, the patient has the option of having a laparoscopic adjustable band placed on top of a gastric bypass. The gastric bypass remains intact. These patients derive the benefits of both procedures

A laparoscopic adjustable silicone band (Realize Band™ or LAP-BAND® system) is placed laparoscopically around the top portion of the stomach. This results in a loss of weight because of the restriction it creates in the amount of food the patient can eat and the decrease in hunger that the patient senses. Unlike other procedures, gastric banding does not require any cutting or removal of any part of the digestive system and is a reversible procedure.

Advantages:
Less invasive; less pain • No stapling, cutting, or intestinal rerouting • Adjustable • Reversible • Low complication rate • Lower morbidity and mortality rate of all revision procedures

Disadvantages:
Slower initial weight loss than gastric bypass • Reflux • Regular follow-up critical for optimal results • Nausea and vomiting • Gas and bloating • Depression and psychological distress

Complications:
Pulmonary embolism is rare • Rare band Erosion • Band slippage less than 5% • Leakage • Hemorrhage • Pneumonia • Wound and port problems • Infection • Urinary Tract Infection • Lower mortality risk

There can be situations where the gastric band will not lead to optimal weight loss. After surgery we make every attempt to maximize the weight loss with follow-up visits, nutrition and diet and exercise. If this doesn’t work and the patient still wants a greater weight loss, the patient has the option of having the band removed and having a gastric bypass performed.

Advantages:
Weight loss is quicker than the other procedures • Nothing is left internally that can slip, break or disintegrate • Longevity of this operation having been done for over 30 years • Patients have had better results with total weight loss, long-term weight maintenance and improved health than those who chose other procedures

Disadvantages:
Slightly higher complication rate than the other procedures • Longer recovery period • Dumping syndrome can occur if foods with a sugary content are eaten. This could result in diarrhea, nausea, cramps, cold sweats and chest pain. • Necessity to take vitamin and mineral supplementation for life

Complications:
Pulmonary embolism • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) • Leakage from bowel • Abscess • Hemorrhage • Bowel Obstruction • Obstruction of the Stomach Outlet • Pneumonia • Wound Infection • Urinary Tract Infection • Chronic Nutritional Problems • Protein Deficiency • Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency • Mortality risk is slightly higher than original bypass depending upon BMI and medical problems

In some cases a patient’s stomach pouch and outlet over time will significantly stretch. A new smaller pouch and outlet is created by resecting the existing stomach pouch, or revising the stomach outlet to make it smaller. This procedure contributes to weight loss because the patient will once again get the feeling of being full after only a few bites of food.

Advantages:
Weight loss is quicker than the other procedures • Nothing is left internally that can slip, break or disintegrate • Longevity of this operation having been done for over 30 years • Patients have had better results with total weight loss, long-term weight maintenance and improved health than those who chose other procedures

Disadvantages:
Slightly higher complication rate than the other procedures • Longer recovery period • Dumping syndrome can occur if foods with a sugary content are eaten. This could result in diarrhea, nausea, cramps, cold sweats and chest pain • Necessity to take vitamin and mineral supplementation for life.

Complications:
Pulmonary embolism • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) • Leakage from bowel • Abscess • Hemorrhage • Bowel Obstruction • Obstruction of the Stomach Outlet • Pneumonia • Wound Infection • Urinary Tract Infection • Chronic Nutritional Problems • Protein Deficiency • Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency • Mortality risk is 1 in 1000 depending upon BMI and medical problems

In some cases a patient's stomach pouch and outlet are the optimal size and the only alternative is to create a larger amount of small bowel that is bypassed. This will result in more significant malabsorption and weight loss.

Advantages:
Weight loss is quicker than the other procedures • Nothing is left internally that can slip, break or disintegrate • Longevity of this operation having been done for over 30 years • Patients have had better results with total weight loss, long-term weight maintenance and improved health than those who chose other procedures

Disadvantages: Slightly higher complication rate than the other procedures • Longer recovery period • Dumping syndrome can occur if foods with a sugary content are eaten. This could result in diarrhea, nausea, cramps, cold sweats and chest pain • Higher risk of malnutrition and need for dietary vitamins and supplements • Necessity to take vitamin and mineral supplementation for life.

Complications: Pulmonary embolism • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) • Leakage from bowel • Abscess • Hemorrhage • Bowel Obstruction • Obstruction of the Stomach Outlet • Pneumonia • Wound Infection • Urinary Tract Infection • Chronic Nutritional Problems • Protein Deficiency • Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency • Mortality risk is 1 in 1000 depending upon BMI and medical problems

Over several years a reconnection can develop between the new stomach and the existing stomach remnant. As a result the patient would again have a full size stomach which eventually leads to weight gain over the years. The patient will again feel the restrictions the stomach pouch and will lose a significant amount of weight.

Advantages:
Weight loss is quicker than the other procedures • Nothing is left internally that can slip, break or disintegrate • Longevity of this operation having been done for over 30 years • Patients have had better results with total weight loss, long-term weight maintenance and improved health than those who chose other procedures

Disadvantages:
Slightly higher complication rate than the other procedures • Longer recovery period • Necessity to take vitamin and mineral supplementation for life. • Dumping syndrome can occur if foods with a sugary content are eaten. This could result in diarrhea, nausea, cramps, cold sweats and chest pain

Complications:
Pulmonary embolism • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) • Leakage from bowel • Abscess • Hemorrhage • Bowel Obstruction • Obstruction of the Stomach Outlet • Pneumonia • Wound Infection • Urinary Tract Infection • Chronic Nutritional Problems • Protein Deficiency • Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency • Mortality risk is 1 in 1000 depending upon BMI and medical problems

After having gastric bypass surgery some patients may find themselves developing recurrent ulcers that appear at the gastric outlet. We will prescribe medication and advise the patient to refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol and caffeine. It is infrequent that this method of treatment doesn’t work. However, in the event it doesn’t, the patient can have the ulcer removed laparoscopically and a new stomach outlet created. Occasionally the nerves that produce acid may also need to be ligated.

Advantages:
Decreased acid production • Resolution of pain • Healing of ulcers • Weight loss is quicker than the other procedures • Nothing is left internally that can slip, break or disintegrate

Disadvantages:
Slightly higher complication rate than the other procedures • Longer recovery period • Necessity to take vitamin and mineral supplementation for life. • Dumping syndrome can occur if foods with a sugary content are eaten. This could result in diarrhea, nausea, cramps, cold sweats and chest pain.

Complications:
Pulmonary embolism • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) • Leakage from bowel • Abscess • Hemorrhage • Bowel Obstruction • Obstruction of the Stomach Outlet • Pneumonia • Wound Infection • Urinary Tract Infection • Chronic Nutritional Problems • Protein Deficiency • Vitamin and Mineral

The Stomaphyx procedure is a new and innovative endoscopic procedure designed for individuals who are regaining weight or who have never achieved adequate weight loss after having had gastric bypass surgery.

This can happen because of a stretched stomach pouch or enlarged stomach outlet as the body’s digestive system becomes adjusted to the changes of bypass surgery and the patient returns to unhealthy eating habits.

An endoscope is placed through the mouth into the stomach pouch. A device is placed over the endoscope, which pulls tissue into a channel and places a stitch. This procedure is performed multiple times until a desired result is achieved where the size of the stomach pouch and opening to the bowel is decreased. Food intake is limited and the emptying of the stomach into the small intestine is slowed. This results in earlier satiety (feeling of fullness), and additional weight loss. There are no abdominal or internal surgical incisions. Stomaphyx is not performed as a primary method of weight loss surgery. It is a type of revisional surgery for gastric bypass patients.

Advantages:
Overall risks are much lower than traditional surgery • No abdominal or internal surgical incisions • Reduces risk of infection from surgical incisions • Reduction of stomach pouch limits food intake • Allows for future treatment options • Decreased pain • Recovery is faster than laparoscopic or open procedures • Can be adjusted and allows for future revisions • Can usually be performed as an outpatient • Adaptable to different anatomies

Disadvantages:
No long term studies since the procedure is relatively new • Bleeding and perforation • Average weight loss of 20-30 lbs. • Temporary throat pain

Fairfield County Bariatrics will try to make your decision to have this surgery come true. Please visit with us at one of our free seminars. You can view the seminar schedule and register for the seminar on this website: www.endtheweight.com. You are also welcome to call our office to schedule and appointment; toll free at 877-659-0011. Many weight loss surgical procedures are covered by health insurance. Every plan is different and benefits are constantly changing. Our insurance experts will acquire the necessary information and help you through the process of getting approved for your procedure. If it is determined that you do not have the coverage, please don’t be discouraged. Our office can provide you with various financing options. We can direct you to financing companies who specialize in funding surgical procedures. The procedure can also be paid in full or on a payment plan that is right for your personal situation.

You are welcome to call our office and we will supply you with a free insurance evaluation. We are here to assist and support you from your initial decision, to the actual surgery and the after care for your long-term weight loss. Our staff will carry you through the process and minimize your fears, pressures and help you overcome your concerns.

Our weight loss surgery team makes the long term care of your weight easy and guides you on a lifelong path to freedom form obesity that is safe, enjoyable and satisfying.