Overstitch revision, or endoscopic bariatric revision surgery, is a minimally invasive procedure used at Valley Surgical RGV to correct or modify the stomach. This procedure is often used when the pouch created during a bariatric procedure has stretched.
We often do this surgical intervention if you haven’t achieved the amount of weight loss expected or you’ve started to regain weight after initial success. In other instances, you may have complications from primary bariatric surgery, and this method is used to fix common problems.
The Procedure
The surgery gets its name from the machine used in this procedure. Apollo Endosurgery created the device to help surgeons do sutures through an endoscope. When using a long, flexible tube with a camera and light to reach the stomach area, surgeons don’t have to use invasive methods to produce the same outcome.
One of the many benefits of this surgery is that the procedure is all done endoscopically, so there’s no need for any external incisions. This leads to a quicker recovery and less pain than other surgical procedures. Traditional revision surgery is another option, but it does require cutting and a longer recovery time, and not every patient can handle such a method.
Using the OverStitch, it’s possible to shrink the gastric pouch, as it’s likely stretched out and caused weight gain or complications. Surgeons can suture through the total thickness of the stomach walls, which is much more durable than other superficial methods. The good news is that patients can go home the same day, and you can return to your normal activities right away.
The technique is performed under general anesthesia, so the patient will need someone to accompany them for transportation. After the process is finished, they will need to modify their diet to ensure there’s no irritation as the stomach heals. The patient will likely need the support of a dietician and psychologist as you go through this surgery and learn new eating limitations once again.
Reasons Why the OverStitch Revision is Used
Bariatric surgeries are designed to make the stomach pouch smaller, so you will restrict food intake. The procedure helps you lose weight by reducing the ability to binge. We see many patients at Valley Surgical RGV who test the limits and slowly begin to pick up bad habits and overeat.
Thus, the stomach becomes stretched out and undoes some of the progress made in surgery. Though overeating is the most common reason to need the OverStitch revision, there are a few other reasons. Here’s a list of different reasons why this procedure might be necessary:
Natural Adjustments
The human body has the innate ability to adapt over time, and since the stomach is remarkably flexible, it can naturally stretch. When one eats, even at reduced amounts after surgery, it puts pressure on the stomach, and it can cause the pouch to stretch out slowly.
Eating the Wrong Things
While surgery can correct the amount you can eat initially, it does nothing to change your cravings. Working with a psychologist is imperative for success, as you must change your mindset. Many people try to eat high-calorie foods or large meals like they once enjoyed, and it leads to an overconsumption of calories. Filling the pouch will eventually cause it to enlarge.
Avoiding the Dietary Recommendations
There are some foods that you cannot eat after surgery. These foods are bad for the alterations made to the digestive system. Sadly, some folks can’t resist the temptation and eat these foods anyway, resulting in a stretched stomach. Though it doesn’t happen with one slip-up, it will occur over time.
Anatomical Factors
There are a few different surgical methods utilized to reduce the pouch size. The procedure used can have a significant impact on your success. Those with sleeve gastrectomy are more likely to have stretching problems than those who underwent the Roux-en-Y or traditional gastric bypass.
Risks Associated with an Enlarged Pouch
Though the most common complication with an enlarged pouch is weight gain, there are many other issues that it can cause. Here are a few of the typical problems we see:
•GERD: A stretched pouch is notorious for causing issues with acid reflex. Too much acid production irritates the stomach and the esophagus, and it’s one reason to have a revision.
•Dumping Syndrome: When there are changes in the size of the stomach, it alters the rate at which the food passes into the intestines. If the food travels too fast, it can cause dumping syndrome. This condition is very uncomfortable and can cause issues such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
•Psychological Issues: Any weight gain that occurs after bariatric surgery can have a direct impact on the psychological well-being of a person. It’s normal to feel that the procedure was a failure and become depressed or anxious.
•Nutritional Deficiencies: When the stomach stretches out, it can lead to food absorption issues. These absorption complications can cause nutritional deficiencies if it’s not managed correctly.
•Quality of Life: When patients begin to overeat, it causes a decrease in their quality of life. Regaining weight can cause previous conditions that went into remission to resurface, such as diabetes and hypertension.
It’s imperative that if you’ve been through gastric bypass surgery, you keep your follow-up appointments. Here at Valley Surgical RGV, we monitor your progress and quickly identify any changes occurring within the stomach pouch so we can address them promptly.
In many instances, we can correct the problems by making dietary changes and behavioral therapy. If those methods don’t work, the OverStitch revision is the next best option. Sometimes, we may do a revisional bariatric procedure, though each treatment has risks.
Continued Success by Using Revision Procedures
Our board-certified surgeons typically reserve the OverStitch for those who may not be able to undergo another significant medical procedure. Using an endoscopic method allows us to make adjustments so you can continue your weight loss and improve your overall health without using invasive techniques.
Keep in mind that with any medical procedure, there are risks involved, but the chances are more minimal than with other operations. If you think your stomach pouch has stretched or you’re having complications with previous gastric bypass surgery, contact Valley Surgical RGV today via our contact page.
