Laparoscopic Placement of Non-Adjustable Silicone Ring for Weight Regain After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is presently one of the most popular surgical procedures for obesity. One of the possible long-term problems is weight regain, usually after a period of successful weight loss. Weight regain after RYGBP can be due to new eating habits, like sweet-eating or grazing, or volume eating because of impaired restriction. This paper reports our experience in patients who presented weight regain after laparoscopic RYGBP, because of new appearance of volume eating or hyperphagia, treated by the laparoscopic placement of a non-adjustable silicone ring around the gastric pouch.

From July 2004 to November 2007, six patients affected by weight regain due to hyperphagic behavior, benefited from revision of RYGBP consisting of the placement of a non-adjustable silicone ring loosely encircling the stomach part. Mean weight and body mass index (BMI) at the time of RYGBP were 105.0 kg ± 12.3 and 36.3 ± 3.0 kg/m², respectively, and all patients suffered from obesity-related co-morbidities. After a mean time from RYGBP of 26.0 ± 14.2 months, patients presented a weight regain of 4.7 ± 3.4 kg compared with their minimal weight, with a final mean weight, BMI, and percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) at the time of the silicone ring of 86.0 ± 13.1 kg, 29.5 ± 3.9 kg/m², and 47.0 ± 24.7%, respectively. Preoperative evaluation for each patient included history and physical examination, nutritional and psychiatric evaluation, laboratory tests, and barium swallow check. Outcome measures included evaluation of the Roux-en-Y construction, operative time, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and weight loss in terms of absolute weight loss, BMI, and %EWL.

Any modification of the digestive circuit was evidenced. Mean operative time was 82.5 ± 18.3 min. No operative mortality and no conversion to open surgery were achieved. No postoperative complications were achieved. Mean hospital stay was 2.6 ± 1.5 days. After a mean follow-up of 14.0 ± 9.2 months, the six patients presented a mean weight loss of 9.1 ± 2.4 kg, with a final mean weight, BMI, and %EWL of 76.8 ± 13.7 kg, 26.4 ± 4.2 kg/m², and 70.4 ± 30.4%, respectively. Difference in term of %EWL before and after revision (23.4 ± 5.7) is statistically significant (p < 0.05). There have been no erosions or slippage of the ring during this follow-up.

One of the possible causes of weight regain after RYGBP is the new eating behavior of the patient, one of which is hyperphagia. Treatment of this condition can be the placement of a non-adjustable silicone ring loosely fitted around the gastric pouch which contributes to improved weight loss.