Wow - Revision Complication Rate

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

My doctor told me the rate of complications is higher then a virgin sleeve, but he really didn't have a specific percentage. He thought it was probably in the general range of 5% but it sounded like there wasn't much published on it.

This recent, but small study of revisions had a 25% complication rate - yikes! Complications were either leak or excessive bleeding.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21866377

If anyone wants a reason to bother with finding an experienced surgeon with a good track record - well, I guess those numbers might convince! I am curious how much variation there is between various centers or practices because I sure haven't felt that 25% of the people that post on this board had complications.

[SylviaMom 83]

Thanks for sharing Jane. The stastics are scary but glad to see that folks are looking at them so that patients have better information going into it. I am waitin 6 months after an eroded band removal for my sleeve...hopefully the time in between will Help minimize risk.

[PEvette 297]

I am a revision patient....and I took a good long time researching doctors to do my revision just for that reason, the high complication rate....I finally decided on my doctor and when I told him how I vetted him, he was impressed, he said I knew more about him than most of his patients....after our first meeting, I prayed prayed prayed for God to guide his hands during the procedure....I also was very strict on myself during the liquid diet he had me on (did it for 3 weeks instead of the 2 he wanted me to do it)

I am determined to be a success...I am very happy with my progress so far...

[cmfapple 0]

I waited 2 years to do sleeve after the removal of my band. I didn't know there was a higher rate of complications until I had one. It took over 1 month to be able to even have a sip of Water. I am 5 months out and glad I went through it.

[Izuri 428]

I can imagine the scar tissue, as well as the complications the patients getting revisions have had with the band make it a much more complex procedure. Definitely a good reason to make sure your doctor has a lot of experience as well as experience with revisions.