Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass as an Effective Bariatric Revisional Surgery after Restrictive Procedures

Revisional surgery must be considered when insufficient weight loss is attained or weight is subsequently regained. This study aimed to investigate the value of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) as a revisional procedure after restrictive surgery.

An observational, retrospective study including patients initially operated on for morbid obesity with restrictive techniques (vertical-banded gastroplasty [VBG], adjustable gastric band [AGB], and sleeve gastrectomy) and reoperated with RYGB in our centre between December 1994 and January 2019. Demographic and anthropometric data, associated comorbidities (diabetes mellitus type II, arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and surgery-related data (approach, complications, and hospital stay) were evaluated at 5 different time points: initial (prior to first intervention), after the first surgical intervention, before the second intervention (gastric bypass), after the gastric bypass, and at present.

A total of 63 patients were included. VBG was the most frequent initial procedure (n = 33). The mean age was 39 ± 9.52 years, and the average initial weight was 143.53 ± 28.6 kg. Weight loss was achieved in all groups, with a median excess weight loss of 58% after the first surgery and 40.3% after gastric bypass. In terms of weight loss, the best results after the second surgery were obtained when the first surgery was AGB, with statistically significant differences.

RYGB is effective as a conversion procedure after a previous restrictive surgery, obtaining a significant reduction in weight and BMI. It has an acceptable morbidity rate and is more effective after an AGB.