Bariatric surgery is a permanent solution for weight loss and comorbidity resolution. This procedure is an internal surgery which reduces the size of stomach and intestines leading to weight loss. The effect of the surgery is through caloric restriction as well as decreased absorption of food. This leads to a gradual and sustained weight loss with comorbidity resolution. For people who have had sufficient weight loss and are able to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the surgery is not reversed but rather it stays for life in order to help maintain their weight loss. Reversal of the surgery would lead to increased caloric intake and weight regain and hence is not desirable.
However, in some cases there may be undesirable side effects like vomiting, ulcer formation, excess weight loss and malnutrition. In such cases, conservative treatment in the form of diet modification and nutritional supplements are implemented. If there are serious side effects which donot respond to treatment, the surgery may be reversed or revised.
The surgery may also be revised for cases in which insufficient weight loss or weight regain is there. In these cases, the procedure may be converted into another more effective type to bring about greater weight loss.