Reoperative bariatric weight loss surgery is any kind of surgery designed to revise the results of other procedures that resulted in complications or insufficient weight loss. Open procedures refer to any procedure where the body is opened up with a large incision as you may have seen in TV or movie depictions of surgery.

Dr. Rao’s expertise allows him to operate laparoscopically (minimally invasive) with just a 4-5 (0.5 to 1 cm) incisions. Minimal invasive techniques offer shorter operative time, length of stay, and fewer complications. The small incision also means less scarring post-surgery and lower likelihood of infection. However, laparoscopic surgery is not appropriate for every patient and in some cases, surgeons will not know if they can perform the procedure laparoscopically until the surgery is underway. Various medical conditions may make laparoscopic surgery unsafe for certain patients.

The adjustable gastric band, gastric sleeve, and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass are the most common procedures in Australia. However, gastric bypass (including Roux-en-Y, SIPS) and sleeve gastrectomy usually result in the most weight loss and lowest rates of reoperation. Nevertheless, no one procedure is strictly better than the others.

Each procedure offers different options, rates of weight-loss, risks, lengths of stay in the clinic, recovery instructions, exercise considerations and nutritional considerations (See this issue of Australian Family Physicians for suggestions on monitoring blood nutrient levels, supplements and puree food).