Category: Bariatric Surgery Mexico

Gastric Balloon vs. Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric Balloon vs. Gastric Sleeve Surgery

In addition to the obvious benefits that come with losing a significant amount of weight such as alleviating many obesity-related conditions including diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, joint pain issues, etc., Bariatric surgery benefits go a step further to include many definite psychological improvements.

This is why undergoing a psychological and physical assessment before any weight loss surgery is important to determine an individual’s mental and emotional preparedness for the procedure to prepare them in setting realistic expectations as well as keeping their weight loss goals in perspective. Minimally invasive surgical techniques have revolutionized many procedures that reduce Bariatric surgery risks as well as the emotional trauma that some patients go through after surgery.

Gastric Balloon

The gastric balloon is a life-changing weight loss procedure that is carried out without the need for surgery. This procedure does not alter the stomach’s anatomy. Instead, it is a reversible procedure where a deflated silicone balloon is inserted through a patient’s throat to the stomach using an endoscope under sedation. Once the balloon reaches the stomach, it is filled with salt water not only to provide a feeling of fullness but also to limit the amount of food one can eat at a time. The balloon or capsule is designed with a valve that opens up after three months to release the water or saline solution, while the balloon is disposed of by the body as waste.

There are two types of FDA approved gastric balloons. The ORBERA Intragastric Balloon System, which is filled with saline water and then deflated and removed under mild sedation after six months. The reshape dual balloon system includes an anti-migration safety feature that prevents one of the balloons from passing into the intestines in the event of deflation. You are required to be on a liquid diet after the balloon is fitted, once your body has gotten used to the capsule you can proceed to a pureed diet and gradually to solid foods. To qualify for this procedure:

• You must be over 18 with a body mass index (BMI) of 30-40
• You must show that you have been unsuccessful in losing weight through dieting and exercise
• You must undergo psychological, health and physical examination before your surgery
• Because insurance companies do not cover this weight loss procedure, you must be financially ready to cover a 12month self-pay costs, which may include the cost of the capsule, endoscopies, medications, appointments with the physician, dietitian, psychotherapist, and fitness specialist

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Unlike the revisable gastric balloon procedure, this surgery is permanent where a surgeon uses a stapling device to remove about 60 – 80 % of the stomach. The goal of this procedure is to reduce the stomach’s ability to hold large amounts of food, and because it doesn’t alter the order or function of the digestive system completely, the proper absorption of nutrients takes place, and patients have a reduced risk of malnutrition or dumping syndrome.

By reducing the size of the stomach, Bariatric patients feel fuller for longer even after eating baby-sized meals and in the process the body stores less excess calories and begins to burn excess fat. You are likely to be considered a good candidate for gastric sleeve surgery if you meet the following pre-operative requirements:

• You are between the age of 18 – 65 with a BMI of 40+ or if you have a BMI of 35 with one obesity-related comorbidity health problem such as sleep apnea, hypertension, type II diabetes, joint pain, or asthma
• You must prove that you are physically and psychologically equipped to handle the stress of surgery through passing a psychological and physical assessment
• You must also provide documentation to show that you have been unsuccessful in losing weight through traditional weight loss method
• You must adhere to a dietitian-approved pre-operative diet and exercise regimen
• You must not drink or smoke

Gastric Sleeve Surgery vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric Sleeve Surgery vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery

There are the lucky few who can afford to walk into a surgeon’s office and have a few tweaks here and there to improve their physical appearance. The goal of cosmetic procedures such as liposuction is to restore attractive proportions by removing fat or the sagging skin around some regions of the body, such as the abdomen, upper arms, thighs, buttocks, breasts, face, etc. that create a misshapen contour. Unlike Bariatric surgery, plastic surgery after dramatic weight loss reduces excess skin and fat left behind after significant weight loss.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

A Bariatric procedure such as gastric sleeve surgery is for weight loss and in very many cases, for life-saving purposes. Also known as the sleeve gastrectomy, gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most popular if not the most recommended procedure for weight loss, especially for extremely obese individuals. During the procedure, the surgeon removes about 80% of the stomach to leave a new small sleeve-like stomach. As a result, patients can expect to lose up ¾ of their excess body weight because they feel less hungry or they feel full even after eating minimal amounts of food, the procedure is known to alleviate or remedy some obesity-related health issues such as diabetes.

Gastric sleeve surgery is not for everyone and to be considered a good candidate, Bariatric surgery hopefuls must meet a few pre-operative prerequisites:

• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 and higher or a BMI between 30 and 35 with severe comorbidities such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, joint problems
• You must be above 18 years
• You must be ready to undergo various health assessments from your doctor, dietician including passing a psychological examination
• You must establish a pre-surgery diet and exercise regimen including quitting smoking and drinking alcohol

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Also known as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, gastric bypass surgery is similar to gastric sleeve surgery. They both make the stomach smaller the only difference is during the procedure the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch about the size of an egg by dividing the top of the stomach from the rest of the stomach, thus changing your gut hormones. The divided small intestine is then brought up and connected to the newly created small stomach pouch that limits the amount of food your stomach can hold as well as the number of calories and nutrients your body absorbs.

Gastric bypass surgery is considered as the “Gold Standard of Weight Loss Surgery” for good reasons. Not only does the procedure contribute to appetite suppression and the reversal of obesity-caused metabolic syndrome, but the surgery also changes your gut hormones and helps you feel fuller longer. You can expect to lose between 60-80% of your excess weight with a proper diet and exercise regimen, which is by far, an excellent resolution of many obesity-related health problems. To qualify for gastric bypass surgery, you should meet the following pre-operative qualifications:

• Have a 35+ BMI with any obesity-related medical condition or have a BMI of 40+, with or without obesity-related comorbidity such as sleep apnea, type II diabetes, high cholesterol or blood pressure, venous stasis disease, soft tissue infections, etc.
• You must be above 18 years
• You must be willing to undergo a thorough pre-operative evaluation from your doctor, dietician, and pass a psychological assessment
• You must prove that you have tried and failed losing weight through traditional methods of dieting and exercise routines

Along with a successful weight loss after Bariatric surgery, you will also notice a significant improvement in your obesity-related illnesses such as a decrease in lower back and joint pain as well as swelling in the legs and ankles. You can also say goodbye to health problems such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea and speak hello to improved morbidity and better quality of life.

Weight Loss Surgery vs. Body Contouring Surgery

Weight Loss Surgery vs. Body Contouring Surgery

Weight loss surgery has been proven to be the most effective way to help overweight individuals safely lose weight and successfully keep it off through maintaining a healthy diet and physical activity. Weight loss surgery is not automatically for anyone who is overweight, in fact, there is a whole criterion for eligibility and a host of pre-operative requirements that must be met before someone is considered a likely weight loss surgery candidate.

You are considered as having a “normal” weight or being overweight based on your body mass index (BMI), which calculates your height and weight to determine your level of body fat, overall fitness, and your risk of developing chronic diseases. A healthy body mass index should fall between 18.5 and 24.9, while scores between 25-30 are considered overweight or obese respectfully.

While your BMI could be high even if you are not overweight, a wider than average waistline can be a good indicator of obesity and the risk of related diseases. One commonality that almost all weight loss candidates have is a BMI of 35+ with at least one or more obesity-related comorbidities such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint diseases, sleep apnea, and diabetes. Obesity has been shown to be a predictive indicator of type 2 diabetes and other severe comorbidities that affect an overweight person’s overall life.

Weight loss surgery is especially recommended for sever obese individuals with a BMI of 40 and above and for the success of the operation, patients are required to meet with a multidisciplinary team of experts, including a dietitian, mental health counselor, and a Bariatric surgeon who specializes in the care of obese people. Patients require significant counseling both before and after surgery as well as information about how to start an exercise routine and prepare foods to keep track of their caloric intake. The role of the surgeon is to develop and advise patients on all the possible weight loss surgeries including their risks and the expected results.

Lap banding, gastric balloon, gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve are the most common types of weight loss surgeries. They contribute to weight loss through restricting the amount of food the stomach can hold and by reducing the number of calories and nutrients the body absorbs through a process known as malabsorption.

• In Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgeon or gastric bypass is a two-part operation. The first part creates a small pouch in the upper section of the stomach, then the lower part of the small intestine is then attached directly to the small stomach pouch so that food bypasses most of the stomach and the upper part of your small intestine. Consequently, the body absorbs fewer calories, and the small stomach limits the amount of food that you can eat and drink
• Lap-banding or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is less invasive and involves placing an inflatable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach that divides the stomach in two to restrict the amount of food that your stomach can hold
• Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive weight loss surgery where a surgeon removes about 80% of the stomach to leave a small banana-shaped pouch that limits the amount of food the stomach can hold
• The gastric balloon is an incision-less procedure where a deflated silicon capsule is inserted in the stomach, then filled with a saline solution to reduce the amount of food your stomach can hold significantly

If any of the above procedures seem like a good option for you, talk to your doctor or dietician who can help you get picked for these life-saving surgeries.

Body Contouring Surgeries

These types of procedures are recommended for individuals, who after losing weight through surgery, dieting or exercising, are left with loose skin around the stomach, underarms, thighs, or face areas. Body contouring surgeries are considered a form of elective surgery because they are non-emergency surgical procedures that are solely for cosmetic purposes and carried out to improve an individual’s physical shape and appearance.

During body contouring surgeries, cosmetic surgeons use somebody sculpting techniques to get rid of excess skin and fat (after a dramatic weight loss) that are unresponsive to diet and exercise. Such methods include liposuction, body lift surgery, abdominoplasty, augmentation to mention a few

• There are different types of liposuction or lypoplasty procedures, and while they don’t involve the removal of excess skin, the procedure permanently removes undesirable deposits of body fat in specific parts of the body through incisions made under the skin
• Body lift surgery is for individuals with excess skin, fat, and other tissues that “hang around” in various parts of the body after substantial weight loss. Such surgeries include, but are not limited to the surgical removal of excess skin, belt lipectomy, tummy tuck, arm and thigh lifts or reduction procedures.
• Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck procedures are arguably the most common body contouring surgeries because the abdomen is the first place that suffers from too much flab or excess skin after significant weight loss that does not diminish with diet or exercise. Abdominoplasty procedure takes between 1-5 hours depending on the desired results to flatten the abdomen, remove excess skin as well as fat and above all else, to help in tightening muscles in the abdominal wall.
• Augmentation involves the insertion of implants to enhance the shape, size, and appearance of different areas of the body, such as the rear end, leg calf, pecs, breasts, chin, etc. Breast augmentation is probably the most common in this category for men and women who have lost breast or chest volume due to weight loss, pregnancy or aging.

Therefore, if your goal is to lose weight, your best option would be to consider one of the listed weight loss procedures. Body contouring surgery will be the next step to help you improve your physical shape after you have achieved a healthy weight loss and exhausted other methods of taming excess fat and skin.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery vs. Lap-Band Surgery

Gastric Sleeve Surgery vs. Lap-Band Surgery

Obesity is a very serious chronic disease that has reached epidemic proportions whereby, in addition to about 35% of women and 31% of men being seriously overweight, did you know that 15% of children between the ages of six and 19 in the United States are also considered overweight for their age? People who are overweight have a much higher risk of developing serious psychological and health conditions, including type II diabetes, cancer, heart disease, sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome, bone and joint diseases, as well as depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, to mention a few.

The causes of obesity are diverse but so are the solutions. Individuals who are morbidly obese can now benefit from preventative measures such as Bariatric surgery, where not only are the risks are low, the rewards are high, and surgical techniques are being improved all the time.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Also known as sleeve gastrectomy, gastric sleeve surgery is a restrictive and irreversible procedure where a surgeon removes about 80% of the stomach along the greater curvature. The stomach is minimized to about 15% of its original size to leave a tube or sleeve-like structure that not only restricts the amount of food that can be consumed after the surgery, but it also promotes weight loss by changing the hormonal signals between your stomach, brain, and liver.

This surgery is also used as a weight loss intervention for the morbidly obese individuals as a way to get them to a suitable weight for other weight loss surgeries. Therefore, to qualify you must meet the following pre-operative requirements:

• You must be between the age of 18 and 60, be classified as morbidly obese with a BMI of 40+
• Have a BMI of 35+ with one or more comorbidities such as diabetes, sleep apnea, asthma, etc.
• You must be physically and psychologically steady for surgery
• Prove that you have unsuccessfully tried other weight loss methods

Lap-Band Surgery

Unlike gastric sleeve surgery, which is a permanent and irreversible procedure, lap band surgery is a reversible weight loss operation that involves placing an inflatable or an adjustable silicone band around the upper portion of the stomach just below the end of the esophagus. This band creates a new small stomach pouch that limits the amount of food you can take and it also slows down the emptying of food into the stomach and intestine, thus making you feel full quickly.

The surgery is done laparoscopically (a minimally invasive technique) and it takes less than two hours where patients can expect to resume work or normal activities within 2-4 weeks after the procedure. Even though it is a restrictive procedure, there is no bypass of the intestine, therefore, nutritional deficiencies are less likely to occur also the band around the stomach can be adjusted as needed to give patients the best possible weight loss outcome. A lap band fill must be performed around 6 to 8 weeks after the initial procedure. Lap band surgery is sometimes recommended for people with a BMI as low as 30, however, to qualify for this surgery you must:

• Be over 18 years old with a BMI of 40+ or a 35-40+ BMI with obesity-related medical conditions such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, etc.
• You a required to provide a history of failed weight loss attempts in the past using various conventional approaches
• You must be willing to have a psychological assessment to assure that you are mentally and emotionally stable for the procedure
• You must also demonstrate an understanding of the procedure and be prepared to adhere to the lifestyle changes needed to make this procedure successful
• You must not be dependent on drugs or alcohol as each affects recovery
• If you have a BMI higher than 50, you must adhere to a strict pre-operative diet and exercise regime to decrease your weight significantly before the procedure

Bariatric History: Fobi Pouch Gastric Bypass Treatment

This treatment gets its name from its inventor Doctor Mal Fobi. A weight reduction operation combines gastric bypass and stomach reduction. If you know or have heard of the Roux-en-Y stomach bypass, then you already have an idea of how the procedure is executed. On the other hand, instead of this procedure using staples, it makes use of a silastic ring. The ring helps prevent stretching between the small bowel and the pouch by stimulating the pyloric valve. The procedure completes with the aid of a gastroenterostomy that takes place to the jejunum Roux-en-y type limb.

Facts about the Procedure

• Success rate- The founder of the procedure, Doctor Fobi, guarantees a ninety-five percent rate of success. In addition to this, the specialist guarantees that the patient maintains about forty percent of the excess weight loss for a minimum of five preceding years. The surgical complications rate is lower in comparison to other procedures. However, side effects resemble those of the other weight loss procedures.
• A lower rate of failure- The rate of surgical failure is lower concerning this surgery because of the reduced common causes of the failure. The operation itself eliminates some of the causes of surgical failure such as leakage and the stretching of the stomach pouch.
• Side effects- Just as the other weight reduction procedures, this one has similar problems including intolerance to meat, diarrhea, and frequent vomiting, among others. Other patients experience a long-term side effect of constipation.
• Nutritional issues- This is one of the side effects of this procedure. Most patients experience a detriment in metabolism and nutrient absorption function of the small intestine. Without the right nutritional care, a patient could easily experience nutrient deficiencies such as lack of sufficient Folic Acid, vitamin B12, Iron, and even Calcium. This could either be solved or prevented with the aid of nutritional supplements and periodic doctor checkups.
• It takes longer- If you have encountered a vertical banded gastroplasty operation then, this one takes double that time. In addition to this, the surgical team comprises of two surgeons, pulmonary specialist, cardiologist, patient counselor, circulating nurse, scrub nurse, and an anesthesiologist.
• Recovery hospitalization- It takes up to four days in the hospital to recover after the operation. The follow-up checkup is periodical in periods of seven to ten days, three months, six weeks, half a year, and even annually.

Benefits of Undergoing the Procedure

• Efficient- Unlike the other weight loss procedures, this one eliminates the use of staples, which reduces mobilization. Apart from this, it also reduces and eliminates marginal ulcers risk and staple line breakdown.
• Reduced risk of subphrenic abscess and leaks- This is done by the overlap of the arm of the jejunum that forms the gastroenterostomy. It overlaps with the stomach pouch transected edge.
• Decompression of the stomach pouch- The risk of developing acute gastric distension and atelectasis reduces. In addition to this, it offers medication administration and temporary feeding.

Benefits of Paying Cash for Bariatric Surgery in Mexico

Not only is obesity an escalating global epidemic, but it is also the leading cause of disabilities around the world and one of the most neglected public health problem. So what does someone do when he or she has exhausted all other reasonable methods of weight loss, fully understands the risks and requirements of surgery but do not have health insurance to pay for their surgery and medical care for bariatric surgery?

While some insurance companies are starting to cover weight loss surgery, some procedures may not be covered by your insurance plan and depending on where you have your procedure, whether at home or abroad, patients have an option of paying cash for their weight loss surgery. However, the thing to keep in mind is that most quoted prices of under $10,000 for bariatric surgery have additional costs.

The average cost of gastric sleeve surgery is $23,000 and not everyone considering weight loss surgery can afford to pay that much money to lose weight. There are other financing options available for people without coverage. Consider the following:

Doctor Payment Plan

Your bariatric surgeon should be able to tell you if he or she works with a financial institution that that offer loans for patients who want to undergo bariatric surgery but do not have insurance coverage. These types of medical loans are known as unsecured loans because you do not put up collateral to back up the loan in case of default and can be obtained through brokers, direct lenders or through unsecured credit card.

However, getting a payment plan set up directly through your doctor is better because doctors charge little or no interest and often do not charge any additional fees and being late on a payment may not affect your credit score. Depending on who your lender is, you can get an immediate decision for loans under $35,000. Once you have been approved for the loan, the entire amount of the surgery and aftercare payment is sent to your doctor’s office directly.

Medicaid

Medicaid does cover weight loss surgery, but pre-approval is sometimes required for bariatric surgery. Your surgeon may help you submit the required information to your insurance provider to gain pre-approval and if denied he or she may assist you the appeal process if you choose to do so.

Other financing options are:

Unsecured personal loans that do not require any collateral to secure the loan, instead, you are given the loan with fees and interest rates attached

Online lenders that base your application on your credit score, income, and expenditure
Marketplace lenders who match you up with a lender who will provide you the money for your weight loss surgery. The amount can be anything between $1,000 to $40,000 and can be repaid within one to five years

Secured loans that need some form of collateral

A 401k loan where you can borrow up to half of your conferred balance. There are no credit checks required, and the interest and payments are relatively low
Loans from family and friends

It is not uncommon for an insurance company to deny your request for coverage of bariatric surgery even after an appeal but with the above payment options, there is no reason not to enjoy the benefits of this life-changing surgery. Paying cash for your bariatric procedure has its benefits such as:

• You can schedule surgery sooner since there is no third party involvement in the approval process
• There are no insurance hurdles or issues with finding in-network carriers
• You get to choose the doctor you want
• You get to choose the facility you wish to rather than an insurance approved one
• There are no risks of being turned down the last minute because of a coverage issue
• You are not required to go through various tests or counseling unless you choose to
• You do not need to prove that you have tried all other methods of weight loss
• You will get the same care no matter how you pay for your bariatric surgery: cash or insurance

While the current health care system that is a third party covers most of the costs of some operations, it incentivizes patients to overconsume when it comes to medical care but paying cash ensures that patients can see how much each particular treatment costs and can decide from various options what service is best for them. Bypassing the third party means that it can also be cheaper for a patient in a cash-based system to obtain multiple tests or procedures. The only criticism of cash only medical care is that it adversely affects the poor.

That said, weight loss surgery in Mexico can save your life as well as money regarding insurance and health-related costs. Overweight individuals and dealing with diabetes spend more money per year on direct and indirect medical expenses to treat the disease and its complications over their lifetimes.

If you or someone you know are ready to experience an extraordinary quality of life, then shedding the pounds can make a difference and research shows bariatric surgery may provide more significant long-term results for those considered severely obese. This surgery can significantly reduce a person’s risks of developing potentially fatal diseases such as some types of cancer to type 2 diabetes and heart disease that has been long connected to obesity.

Bariatric surgery is more effective overall than other forms of weight loss intervention and has proven beneficial in helping people combat sleep apnea, improve osteoarthritis-related discomfort as well as gain better cholesterol control and other risk factors for heart disease. A seemingly never-ending cycle about obesity is depression, which can be alleviated within the first year of bariatric surgery.

If you are at the point where bariatric surgery is an option, then you how draining it can be just to get through the day. This operation might just be what you need.