QuestionHello, what are the requirements to be approved for revision surgery? I had a VBG in March, 1998, and have regained the 80 lbs I lost, putting me back at 280. I am 5'3",with a BMI of 49. I would like to know if there are specific locations (ie: centers of excellence) that are preferred for revisions. I would prefer Washington, if so, because I'm coming from western Canada.
Thanks you in advance,
Stephanie.
AnswerStephanie,
I can't give you an "ironclad" answer about whether you are a candidate for revision surgery, but I can say that the VBG often fails over time and the information you've provided about your height and weight certainly suggests it is reasonable to consider revision. The most common revision procedure after VBG is conversion to a gastric bypass.
I believe you have the correct idea about seeking an experienced surgeon for this procedure, and the easiest way to find experienced bariatric surgeons is through the Center of Excellence program. You can use the surgeon locator from the website:
http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate.aspx
