Gastric bypass surgery: Can it be redone if you regain weight?

What happens if you regain weight after gastric bypass surgery? Can it be redone?

- Kate / Texas

Mayo Clinic dietitian Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

Gastric bypass surgery usually isn't redone — unless there is a medical complication resulting from the procedure. If you regain the weight that you initially lost after gastric bypass surgery, you typically have to lose the weight the old-fashioned way — by reducing your calorie intake and increasing your physical activity.

The goal of gastric bypass surgery is to promote significant and lasting weight loss in severely overweight individuals who have been unable to achieve or maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise. However, gastric bypass is not a miracle procedure. It doesn't guarantee that you'll lose all of your excess weight or that you'll keep it off long term. The success of this surgery depends in big part on your commitment to follow a healthy diet and a regular exercise program after gastric bypass.