Weight Regain
Bariatric surgery is a highly effective tool for weight loss, but some patients experience weight regain after their initial success. Research indicates that approximately 20-30% of patients regain a significant amount of weight within 5-10 years after surgery. This regain can vary, with patients typically regaining between 10-20% of their lost weight.
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Why Does Weight Regain Happen?
Weight regain after bariatric surgery can result from many factors, including lifestyle changes, anatomical adaptations in the stomach or intestines, and metabolic changes. It’s essential for patients to understand that weight regain is not unusual and that there are several effective options available for managing it.
Weight Gain after Sleeve Gastrectomy
For patients who have undergone a Sleeve Gastrectomy, converting to a Gastric Bypass ​may be an option. This procedure involves creating an even smaller stomach pouch and rerouting the digestive tract to reduce calorie absorption, promoting renewed weight loss. Converting to a bypass can be effective in helping individuals who experience significant weight regain and extremely effective in treating unresolved acid reflux after a sleeve procedure.
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Alternatively, sometimes a sleeve stomach can be quite larger than normal whether it was created larger than normal to begin with, it became dilated over time, or there is a large redundant gastric fundus (top part of the stomach). Endoscopic ReSleeve is a non-surgical option (using endoscopy through the mouth without incisions) whereby Dr. Siegal can suture the stomach smaller creating a much smaller sleeve to help promote ongoing weight loss.
Weight Gain after Gastric Bypass
The TORe (Transoral Outlet Reduction) procedure is specifically designed for patients who have undergone a Gastric Bypass and are experiencing weight regain. Over time, the opening between the stomach pouch and small intestine can enlarge, allowing more food to pass through quickly, which can impact weight control. When the food doesn't stay in the stomach patients never experience feeling full and often report increased hunger and larger portions leading to weight regain. This can also lead to Dumping Syndrome.
TORe is an incisionless, non-surgical endoscopic procedure that sutures the connection from stomach pouch to small intestines to make it smaller, thus restoring the proper anatomy. In this procedure, the stomach pouch itself can also be reduced in size, helping patients feel full sooner and regain control over their weight.
Medical Weight Loss
Medical weight loss can be a valuable adjunct or standalone option for patients with weight regain after bariatric surgery. Medications like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, which work by regulating appetite and improving blood sugar control, have shown promising results for supporting sustained weight management. In addition to medication, a structured program involving nutritional guidance, behavioral support, and exercise recommendations can help address the challenges of weight regain comprehensively.