Erosion of Adjustable Gastric Band
February 17, 2015 8:22 pm
Adjustable gastric band has been promoted as a minimally invasive procedure. The long term data has proven this not to be the case. One of the complications is erosion of Adjustable Gastric Band. The adjustable gastric band results in the least amount of weight loss, as well as the lowest rate of resolution of the co-morbidities of all weight loss surgical procedures. As for the minimally invasive claim of the AGB, one has to also consider all the adjustments, the radiation exposure related to the upper GI and X-rays, as well as the upper endoscopies that are necessary to maintain a band. I would argue that an average band is much more invasive when one accounts for the total number of procedure that are done on a band patient.
Other complications arise, when, not if, a band needs to be surgical revised or removed. Band removal requires an extensive amount of scar tissue dissection to expose the band before it can be removed. This is an example of a patient with erosion of the band.
Note the very thick scar tissue that is formed around the band (the white tissue on the left lower corner)
Gall Bladder- Should the Gall Bladder Be Removed During Duodenal Switch?
February 16, 2015 1:17 pm
The indication for concurrent cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) with weight loss surgery is not clear. There is some scientific literature that recommends against cholecystectomy at the time of the Gastric Bypass RNY operation. To the best of my knowledge, there is no such studies looking specifically at the indication of cholecystectomy with duodenal switch operation.
My rationale for doing a cholecystectomy with every Duodenal Switch patient is that there is not only higher incidence of asymptomatic cholecystitis present but also due to limited access to the biliary tree. The transection of the duodenum and removal of the greater curvature of the stomach both limit access to the biliary tree. Additionally, the patient recovering from weight loss surgery, may not be in the best nutritional status to undergo a subsequent operation for gallbladder removal. A second surgery could add to nutritional issues due to protein needs for healing, risk of infection, hernia formation, etc.
From a technical aspects, in Duodenal Switch operation, the liver and the gall bladder need to be elevated in order to expose the anterior surface of the duodenum where the transection of the duodenum is performed. Doing a cholecystectomy at the time of the duodenal switch operation, more often than not only add a few minutes to the operation. In the majority of patients, long-term this saves them the potential need for a subsequent operation at a later date should they develop gallstones or gall bladder attack.
When I perform a Sleeve Gastrectomy the duodenum is not transected or dissected, and thus I do not remove the gall bladder when doing sleeve gastrectomy. I do, however, remove the gall bladder when doing primary Duodenal Switch for revision from a Gastric Bypass RNY to the Duodenal Switch operation.
Shared Success Story- Brad P.
January 29, 2015 9:53 pm
Congratulations Brad on all your success and weight loss! You have accomplished a remarkable transformation!
Nearly 16 years Post DS
January 29, 2015 3:24 am
Surgical Treatment of Esophageal Achalasia (Esophageal Motility Issue)
January 23, 2015 6:50 pm
Weight loss Surgery Coverage Changes
January 20, 2015 10:30 pm
Weight loss surgical procedures have been proven to be the only viable option for sustained weight loss when compared to all other modalities, including diet, exercise, behaviors modifications, appetite suppressant, and other less scientific approaches. Different weight loss procedures have had varying degree of success as measured with resolution of the co-morbidities and long term weight loss.
One such specific modification in policy involves primary and revision weight loss surgery.
These policy changes have significant practical implications for those seeking surgical treatment for morbid obesity and associated co-morbidities.
First of all, they create a road block for those patients who are not able to provide documentation for the “…6 continuous months, in the 2 years prior to surgery, to enable both behavioral changes and adequate assessment of anticipated postoperative dietary maintenance.” It also places the responsibility on the surgeon by requiring that compliance with these requiremens are “…. fully appraised and documented by the physician requesting authorization for surgery.”
For all those who are not in California, please note that a lot of policies do start here and propagate to the rest of the country. I would propose that everyone take time to contact their state health insurance providers regulatory agency and voice their opposition to the proposed changes.
The state regulatory agencies are located here. (https://www.dsfacts.com/image-files-new/agencies-by-state.pdf)
Hiatal Hernia Repair- Reflux and Adjustable Gastric Band Revision
January 14, 2015 3:47 pm
Hiatal Hernia is an anatomical weakening or enlargement of the opening in the diaphragm where the esophagus meets the stomach. The defect can allow a section of stomach to slide or roll into the chest cavity. This causes the reflux of stomach content back to the esophagus. Esophageal Reflux may also be occur without the presences of a Hiatal hernia. It is reported that approximately 60% of people over 50 have a Hiatal hernia with about 9% being symptomatic.
However, over the years we have also noticed a significant increase in reflux disease in patients who have had adjustable gastric band placed. Quite frequently the reflux symptoms after the band is ” blamed” on the patient’s eating habit. Most of the time all studies are reported as “normal” and the complaints are discounted. Other symptoms of Hiatal hernia may or may not include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or a feeling of food being stuck.
It is important to confirm the presence or absence of a hiatal hernia when considering revision from an adjustable gastric band procedure. Any hiatal hernia identified either before surgery or at the time of the operation will need to be repaired surgically.
With a hiatal hernia repair, the opening is made smaller, and the esophagus, stomach and the junction between them is returned to the proper location to minimize-eliminate reflux.
2015 Back on Track or A New Start after Weight Loss SurgeryExclusive Member Content
January 08, 2015 8:37 pm
Hernia Repair And Weight loss surgery
December 22, 2014 3:35 pm
Patients having weight loss surgery (WLS) either primary or revision are sometimes also diagnosed with having a hernia. Whether a hernia can be repaired concurrently with WLS or not, depends on the type of the hernia and also type of weight loss surgery.
The 2 most common hernias encountered in weight loss surgical patient’s are 1.Ventral (incisional), or 2. Hiatal hernias. Ventral hernia refers to defects or weaknesses of the abdominal wall. If this involves a previous midline incision then an incisional hernia is diagnosed. These hernias may present with any or all of the following findings; protrusions or bulging of the anterior abdominal wall tissue through the abdominal muscle cavity, abdominal pain, and nausea and/or vomiting.
Hiatal hernias are located inside the abdominal cavity at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach at the level of the diaphragm. This condition is where the upper portion of the stomach this is usually located in the abdominal cavity has migrated through the esophageal hiatus into the chest cavity. These hernia’s usually present with reflux, episodes of nausea and are quite frequently seen in patients with experienced complications of the LAP-BAND.
The surgical treatment of these hernias are very different:
Ventral hernia repairs may require mesh placement. There are different mesh products that are available. Some are made with non absorbable material and other are absorbable- biologic material that last long enough to allow incorporation by the patients own tissue. In general, when a mesh is used, the incidence of hernia recurrence goes down significantly. However, there is an increase in complications associated with the use of mesh. These may include infection of the mesh, indications of synthetic material, and serum and rejection indications of non synthetic material. To add another layer of complexity, when the hernia is encountered at the time of weight loss surgery, especially when the GI track has to be opened ( in the case of duodenal switch, revision from a failed gastric bypass with a duodenal switch) then it is recommended that no mesh be placed because of the high incidence of mesh infection or the associated complications. In extreme cases where the abdominal wall cannot be closed, biologic meshes may be used with the understanding that a repeat hernia repair may be required at a later date.
In my practice, Hiatal hernias are always repaired at the time of the weight loss surgical procedures. Depending on the type of the weight loss surgery the patient has had previously, the type of the hernia repair, and whether or not a mesh needs to be utilized, and the amount of stomach and fundus remains for the repair, will dictate how the Hiatal hernia is repaired.
Additional information regarding hernias in a newsletter.
Erosion of Gastric Band
November 30, 2014 5:03 pm
Gastric bands are restrictive rings placed around the top part of the stomach, close to the junction of the esophagus. Their mechanism of action is to create a small tight band to restrict the flow of the food into the stomach. The theory has been that the band will decrease the time food travels down past the narrowing thereby eating less with the end result of weight loss. One of the many complications from the band is erosion of the band into the lumen of the stomach. This results in the patient presenting with nausea, vomiting and some patients develop abdominal accesses. This may present itself with symptoms of abdominal pain, fever, and redness at the port site under the skin.
The treatment for this is urgent removal of the band and repair of the erosion/ulceration. Patients who are contemplating a revision to another weight loss surgical procedure are best advised to stage the procedure because of the potential for leak from the repair site. Almost all of these procedures can be done laparoscopically.