Clinical Lead
Meva Clinic Bariatric Care Team
Bariatric Revision Surgery
A second, carefully planned operation for patients whose gastric sleeve, gastric band or gastric bypass has led to reflux, weight regain, insufficient weight loss or a mechanical problem, decided after a review of the first surgery and current tests.
Meva Clinic Bariatric Care Team
Patient Care Information
Patient Care Information
"Our clinical approach prioritizes patient safety, individualized treatment planning, realistic expectations, and long-term follow-up throughout the international care journey."
About This Procedure
Why Choose Meva Clinic?
A second, carefully planned operation for patients whose gastric sleeve, gastric band or gastric bypass has led to reflux, weight regain, insufficient weight loss or a mechanical problem, decided after a review of the first surgery and current tests.
Bariatric revision surgery in Istanbul is a second operation for people whose first weight-loss procedure no longer works as intended. The most common reasons are severe reflux (GERD) after a sleeve, weight regain or insufficient weight loss, and problems with a gastric band. Four options are offered: a re-sleeve for a dilated gastric sleeve, sleeve to bypass conversion (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass), gastric band removal with conversion to a sleeve or bypass in one or two stages, and revision of an existing bypass (pouch, connection or limb length). The surgeon chooses after reviewing your operative report, endoscopy and contrast study or CT. Revisional surgery carries a higher risk of leak, narrowing and bleeding than a first operation, so it is planned with extra care and includes 4 nights in hospital; you fly home only once the medical team confirms you are fit to travel. The Bariatric Revision Surgery procedure has an estimated cost starting from €4,250, including complications insurance with 6-month coverage provided through Sompo Sigorta. The final cost is confirmed individually, in writing, after a complete medical evaluation.
Medically reviewed by
Op. Dr. Cuma A.
General Surgeon · Obesity & Metabolic Surgery
Graduate of Istanbul University–Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine and specialist in general surgery. For more than 10 years his practice has focused on obesity and metabolic surgery — sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, gastric botox and gastric balloon — with more than 10,000 bariatric procedures performed. Holds the Turkish Ministry of Health–approved obesity surgery certification.
Is This Treatment for Me?
Weight regain after a sleeve or bypass
Severe reflux after a gastric sleeve
A gastric band causing problems
First surgery done at another clinic
Comprehensive International Patient Care Plan
Private airport transfer according to the confirmed care plan
Dedicated patient support throughout the confirmed care pathway
24/7 nursing care during your hospital stay
Monitoring at the partner hospital during the 4-night stay
Aftercare guidance and materials according to the confirmed treatment plan
Online nutrition guidance and follow-up for 12 months
The Clinical Procedure
Correction or conversion of a previous sleeve, gastric band or gastric bypass after a full review of the first operation.
Review of your first operation
The surgeon studies your operative report, endoscopy and contrast study or CT to understand your current anatomy and why the first operation is not working as intended.
Choosing the type of revision
Based on this review, the surgeon recommends a re-sleeve, a conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, band removal with conversion (in one or two stages) or a bypass revision.
General anaesthesia
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia, in most cases laparoscopically (keyhole), with monitoring by the anaesthesia and surgical team at the partner hospital.
Releasing adhesions and reshaping
Scar tissue from the first surgery is carefully released, then the stomach, the band area or the bypass connections are reshaped according to the chosen plan.
Intra-operative safety checks
The team checks for bleeding and tests staple lines and connections for leaks, following the protocols that apply to your case.
Monitoring on the ward
During your 4 hospital nights you are monitored closely; walking, hydration and clear liquids are introduced step by step, according to how you recover.
Recovery & Transformation Journey
Phase 1: Hospital Stay (4 nights)
You stay at the partner hospital for close monitoring, pain control, assisted walking and any checks your surgeon requires, with clear liquids introduced step by step. You travel home only after the medical team confirms you are fit to fly.
Phase 2: Weeks 1–4 at Home
Short daily walks, sip-by-sip hydration, full liquids and then purée as prescribed, plus your medication. Desk work often resumes after about 14–21 days, if your recovery allows.
Phase 3: Weeks 4–8
Your diet moves to soft foods and then regular textures at the pace your nutrition plan sets. Light exercise is added gradually; heavy lifting waits until your surgeon clears it.
Phase 4: First Year and Beyond
Vitamin and mineral supplements and regular blood tests are part of life after revision, especially after conversion to bypass. Online nutrition and follow-up support continues for 12 months, according to your confirmed care plan.
The Meva Advantage
Your previous records are reviewed free of charge before you travel, and one multilingual coordinator on WhatsApp stays with you from the first message through 12 months of online follow-up.
Medical Guidelines & Safety Protocols
Hospital-based procedures are coordinated through accredited partner hospitals, including JCI-accredited institutions where clinically appropriate. Below are the clinical guidelines, safety protocols, and medical reference documentation for this procedure.
Indicated / Suitable For
- Patients with severe or treatment-resistant reflux (GERD) after sleeve gastrectomy, confirmed by endoscopy or other tests.
- Patients with weight regain or insufficient weight loss after a sleeve, band or bypass, once dietary and behavioural factors have been reviewed.
- Patients with a dilated sleeve or enlarged bypass pouch shown on contrast study, CT or endoscopy.
- Patients with gastric band problems such as slippage, erosion, intolerance or persistent vomiting, or a band that no longer controls weight.
- Patients with bypass-specific problems, such as a narrowed or ulcerated connection or limb-length issues, assessed by the surgical team.
Contraindications / Not Suitable
- Pregnancy, or plans to become pregnant within 12 to 18 months after revision surgery.
- Untreated severe psychiatric conditions, active substance abuse or an uncontrolled eating disorder.
- Heart, lung or other medical conditions that make general anaesthesia unsafe.
- Active smoking that cannot be stopped before and after surgery, especially before conversion to bypass, because of the risk of ulcers and poor healing.
- Inability to commit to vitamin supplementation, regular blood tests and structured follow-up after surgery.
Pre-Operative Evaluation & Diagnostic Checks
Review of Previous Surgery: Operative report, discharge notes and weight history from the first operation, reviewed by the bariatric surgeon.
Upper Endoscopy (Gastroscopy): Assessment of reflux, inflammation of the oesophagus, ulcers, hiatal hernia and the shape of the sleeve, pouch or band area.
Contrast Study or CT Scan: Imaging that shows the size and shape of the stomach or pouch, the band position and any narrowing or leak.
Laboratory Tests: Complete blood count, metabolic panel, liver and kidney function, HbA1c and vitamin and mineral levels, since deficiencies are more common after previous surgery.
Anaesthesia and Nutrition Assessment: Heart and lung checks as needed, plus nutritional counselling to prepare for the staged diet after revision.
Potential Risks & Complications
In compliance with transparent clinical reporting, Meva Clinic ensures patients are fully informed of the physiological risks associated with surgical procedures through accredited partner-hospital safety protocols where clinically appropriate.
Leakage at a staple line or new connection; the risk is higher than after primary surgery, and it is managed endoscopically, with drainage or with further surgery.
Narrowing of the sleeve or of a connection that can cause difficulty swallowing or vomiting; often treated with endoscopic dilation.
Bleeding from staple lines or scar tissue during or after surgery, which may require a transfusion or a further procedure.
An ulcer at the new connection after conversion to bypass; smoking and anti-inflammatory painkillers raise the risk, and it is treated with acid-reducing medication.
Reduced absorption of iron, calcium, folate and vitamins B12 and D, especially after conversion to bypass; managed with daily supplements and regular blood tests.
Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism; the risk is reduced by early walking, compression and blood-thinning prophylaxis where indicated.
Realistic Expectations & Outcomes
Outcomes after revision depend on the reason for surgery, the type of revision and long-term follow-up. In a systematic review of sleeve to bypass conversion (Matar et al., 2021), pooled total weight loss one year after conversion was 22.8%, and complications within 30 days were reported in 16.4% of patients. A meta-analysis of comparative studies (Vitiello et al., 2023) reported reflux remission in 80.6% of patients converted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Re-sleeve has been associated with more weight recurrence than other revisional options. These figures are study averages: your own result may differ, and no specific weight loss or reflux outcome can be promised.
Revision & Follow-Up Policy
If a problem appears after your revision, such as persistent reflux, difficulty swallowing or renewed weight gain, the team reviews your symptoms and arranges the appropriate tests, which may include endoscopy or imaging. Any further treatment is decided after a multidisciplinary review. For 12 months after your treatment you can also send photos to the medical team whenever you wish and receive their feedback, and your questions are answered remotely.
Authoritative Medical References & Studies
- [1]Brethauer SA, Kothari S, Sudan R, Williams B, English WJ, Brengman M, et al. Systematic review on reoperative bariatric surgery: American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Revision Task Force. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2014;10(5):952-72.View Source
- [2]Matar R, Monzer N, Jaruvongvanich V, Abusaleh R, Vargas EJ, Maselli DB, et al. Indications and Outcomes of Conversion of Sleeve Gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: a Systematic Review and a Meta-analysis. Obes Surg. 2021;31(9):3936-3946.View Source
- [3]Vitiello A, Berardi G, Peltrini R, Calabrese P, Pilone V. One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) as revisional procedures after failed laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG): systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2023;408(1):440.View Source
- [4]Chierici A, Chevalier N, Iannelli A. Postoperative morbidity and weight loss after revisional bariatric surgery for primary failed restrictive procedure: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Int J Surg. 2022;102:106677.View Source
- [5]Zadeh J, Le C, Ben-David K. Safety of adjustable gastric band conversion surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the leak rate in 1- and 2-stage procedures. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2020;16(3):437-444.View Source
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general education only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Revisional bariatric surgery is complex: the type of revision, its risks and your suitability are decided only after a review of your previous surgery, an in-person consultation and diagnostic tests in Istanbul.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Treatments
Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy)
Gastric sleeve, also known as sleeve gastrectomy or stomach reduction surgery, is a laparoscopic bariatric procedure in which a significant part of the stomach is removed. Whether it is indicated, and the final plan, are decided by the specialist surgeon after a clinical assessment.
Gastric Bypass (Metabolic Surgery)
A bariatric and metabolic surgery option for eligible patients with severe obesity, including some patients with type 2 diabetes, after a multidisciplinary medical assessment.
Gastric Balloon (Allurion)
Non-surgical weight-loss support: a swallowable balloon capsule that creates a feeling of fullness for about 16 weeks, then passes naturally. No anaesthesia or endoscopy.
Gastric Botox Injection
A non-surgical endoscopic procedure that temporarily slows stomach emptying and supports appetite control in eligible patients, as part of a nutrition plan.
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Procedure Details
Hospital Stay
4 Nights
Hotel Package
Not required
Return to Work
14-21 Days
Anaesthesia
General