The Complexity of Obesity & COVID-19

by with No Comment Health & WellnessWeight Loss Surgery

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, obesity was identified as a risk factor for severe illness for COVID-19 sufferers. As time went on; studies continued to come out citing the disproportionate toll of COVID-19 on people with overweight/obesity vs. those who had a healthy weight. 

People with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 but < 40 kg) or severe obesity (BMI of ≥ 40 kg) were classified as having a higher risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19 and the risk of severe COVID-19 illness increases sharply with an elevated BMI. But why is obesity such a major risk factor for COVID-19, and how has this impacted those suffering from this disease? 

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Obesity, The Immune Response & COVID-19 

Those patients clinically defined with obesity have impaired immune function and are already at an increased risk for severe infectious disease. Obesity already causes a low-grade activation of the immune response  and has been associated with a chronic inflammatory state within the body. So when a patient with obesity is faced with an infection – the body will struggle to react in a positive way because it is already working within the body.  

This same theory proves true when a patient that is overweight or obese who is already immune-compromised comes in contact with COVID-19. The body is often unable to compensate and fight off the infection, and the weakened immune system will give the COVID-19 the room it needs to infiltrate the body and trigger an inordinate inflammatory response. This weakened state creates more serious symptoms in patients with overweight or obesity  than in those who are at a healthier weight.

Obesity, Preexisting Conditions & COVID-19 

Having an impaired immune function from obesity is not the only reason COVID-19 raises the risk rates for people with obesity. Often, pre existing conditions exacerbate the problem and add to additional complications. Type 2 diabetes, which so often accompanies obesity, is a condition that can make COVID-19 symptoms worse. Preliminary studies have shown that about 25% of people who went to the hospital with severe COVID-19 infection had diabetes. Of those who had COVID-19 and diabetes, they were more likely to have serious complications or even die. 

While there is not enough data to suggest that those with diabetes are more likely to get COVID-19 than the general population – the problem that occurs is that COVID-19 in those who have diabetes will have more complications from COVID. That, and many people with obesity are at risk for, or already have, type 2 diabetes which coupled with obesity is a very serious risk factor for COVID-19.  

The COVID-19 and Beyond 

According to the CDC, About 78% of people who have been hospitalized, need a ventilator, or died from COVID-19 were overweight or obesity. This high number begins to highlight the public health implications of higher BMIs and if the problem needs to be addressed on a deeper level, more specifically, why are there so many people with overweight and obesity in the United States. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made us aware of the complex interactions of obesity with infectious diseases, and the gaps in our understanding of how chronic health conditions affect our immune responses to acute infection,” said Durga Singer, M.D., of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. 

While scientists have shown that the chronic inflammatory state associated with  obesity worsen the condition of numerous  diseases – the public health implications are screaming louder. Has the obesity epidemic been a major contributor to some of the leading causes of death in the U.S come under new scrutiny by both the scientific community and the public at large? With COVID-19 shining a light on the disproportionate amount of deaths and illnesses from those with COVID-19 vs. those without, perhaps it is time to look at alternative methods of solving or approaching the obesity epidemic.

Which Weight-Loss Surgery Is Right for Me?

by with No Comment BariatricsWeight Loss Surgery

BARIATRIC SURGEON | Gabriela Rodriguez, MD, FACS

In a recent post, we spoke about weight loss surgery requirements. At the same time, patients who are thinking about bariatric surgery for weight loss have more than one option. From a gastric bypass to a gastric sleeve or lap band, every surgery has its forte for different types of patients. You are probably interested in bariatric surgery in Mexico if you have been dealing with obesity and want to explore options for a lesser cost than other countries like the United States.  Particularly if you haven’t seen results from diet and exercise, the key to finally overcoming your obesity problem may be weight-loss surgery.

What bariatric surgery is better? Which weight-loss procedure will help you lose weight faster? As our bariatric expert, Dr. Gabriela Rodríguez explained, there is not one single procedure that could be declared “the best”. We created this guide to help current and potential VIDA Bariatrics patients understand the different procedures we offer at our Tijuana clinic: Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Banding, Gastric Bypass, and Duodenal Switch.  

Stop dreaming about losing weight! If you are tired of dieting without results or thought you could not afford surgery to help you lose weight, give us a call. At VIDA Bariatrics, we are experts in helping patients not only lose hundreds of pounds but also get the best results, with the fewest risks by helping them choose the bariatric surgery indicated for them without the exorbitant price tag. 

Bariatric Patients Deal With More Than Just Obesity

The day a patient told us he felt so discouraged because being “fat” had been the hardest thing to overcome, we were reminded of the importance of helping our bariatric patients understand one thing: obesity is a disease and like any other disease, you need medical help. Being morbidly obese is more than simply “being fat”, and if fitness plans and new diets do not help, you are not to blame. 

For most of our patients living with obesity, bariatric surgeries are the single most effective tool to (finally) losing excess weight, and with that, reversing illnesses and daunting diagnoses that come with carrying all those extra pounds. If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, or another Cardiovascular disease, you will be glad to know that some bariatric surgeries can help you reverse that diagnosis -in addition to helping you lose up to 80% of your weight. 

Which Bariatric Surgery is right for you? 

There are some key elements your bariatric surgeon will consider before recommending a bariatric surgery over another:

  • A BMI of 40 or +. Your body mass index is a big factor when deciding first if you are a candidate for bariatric surgery. 
  • A BMI of 35 and a diagnosis of fatty liver disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. 
  • Any previous bariatric surgeries. 
  • If you have uncontrolled diabetes. Particularly if a new diet does not help you lose enough weight to control your diabetes. 
  • If you have any other risk factors, such as heart disease, severe metabolic disease, or lung problems. 
  • If the surgeon thinks you would do better with either a reversible or irreversible weight-loss procedure.

Bariatric Surgeries: Restrictive and Malabsorptive 

Essentially, bariatric surgeries can be classified as either restrictive or malabsorptive procedures. A restrictive surgery helps you lose weight by limiting food intake by reducing the size of the stomach. A malabsorptive surgery limits calorie absorption by bypassing portions of the small intestine

Some surgeries combine both methods. 

We’ll go over the bariatric procedures our very own Dr. Rodriguez performs on a regular basis, and explain to who she usually recommends each one. 

Gastric Sleeve could be the best weight-loss surgery for you

 

Gastric Sleeve surgery, also called vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is a restrictive procedure for weight loss where the surgeon removes a significant portion of the stomach, leaving a small “sleeve” shaped stomach pouch. A smaller stomach means the patient can eat less food. 

Dr. Rodriguez could recommend Gastric Sleeve surgery to:

  • Higher-risk patients: Gastric Sleeve is a “simpler” surgery to perform on higher-risk surgical patients because it is shorter and the surgeon does not modify the GI tract. 
  • Patients with a BMI of 40 or more: Particularly for patients who weigh 450 lbs or more, a gastric sleeve is a better option than surgeries that require rerouting of the GI tract, like a gastric bypass.
  • If you have had abdominal surgeries in the past:  Since a gastric sleeve only involves operating in the stomach, a patient with scar tissue from a previous procedure can have this surgery without increased risk for complications. 

Gastric Banding could be the best weight-loss surgery for you 

 

Gastric Banding, popularly referred to as Lap-Band surgery, is a reversible weight-loss procedure where the surgeon places a silicone band around the upper section of the stomach. This creates a smaller stomach pouch, limiting the amount of food the patient can ingest. 

Dr. Rodriguez could recommend Gastric Banding surgery to:

  • Patients with a BMI of 40 or higher or a BMI of 30 or higher and an obesity-related illness.
  • The surgeon believes you would benefit from a reversible procedure.
  •  A patient that is willing to see the surgeon if the Lap-Band needs to be readjusted (which is a very simple procedure, often done laparoscopically). 

Gastric Bypass could be the best weight-loss surgery for you

 

A Gastric Bypass is a restrictive and malabsorptive weight-loss surgery where the surgeon decreases the size of your stomach, down to about the size of an egg, and bypasses a portion of the small intestine. 

Dr. Rodriguez could recommend Gastric Bypass surgery to:

  • Patients with a high BMI where the surgeon still has room to modify the GI tract. This is because Gastric Bypass patients lose more weight. 
  • Patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes. While all bariatric procedures will certainly benefit diabetic patients, gastric bypass is considered the gold standard for patients with obesity-related health problems. 
  • Patients with other types of health problems related to their excess weight like obstructive apnea, high triglycerides, high cholesterol, infertility, heart disease, or high blood pressure among others.  

Duodenal Switch could be the best weight-loss surgery for you

 

Duodenal switch surgery is a restrictive and malabsorptive surgery where the doctor removes 70% of the stomach, most of the duodenum in order to reroute the food pathway to a distal portion of the small intestine. 

Dr. Rodriguez could recommend Duodenal Switch surgery to:

  • Patients who are extremely thorough at following the surgeon’s instructions. Because of the complexity of the surgery, a duodenal switch might not be for everyone, particularly because the patients will need strict vitamin and mineral supplementation for the rest of their lives. 
  • Patients with a BMI of 50 or more. 
  • Patients who understand that a duodenal switch is riskier than other bariatric procedures and can have more complications afterward. 

Decide on a Low-Cost Gastric Surgery For You 

Knowing which bariatric surgery you are a candidate for is ultimately determined by you and your bariatric surgeon. Don’t forget that Dr. Rodriguez is also an expert in Revision Bariatric Surgery, in case you had a previous weight-loss procedure that did not work as expected. To know which bariatric procedure will lead to losing the most weight and a healthier you, contact Dr. Rodriguez and the VIDA Bariatrics team in Tijuana for a FREE consultation. 

Our entire team is bilingual, board-certified and our convenient Tijuana location allows us to offer competitive bariatric surgery pricing in a modern clinic that exceeds international standards set by QUAD A.  Call us at +1(619) 738-2144 and speak to a patient specialist today!

Dr. Gabriela Rodriguez specializes in General and Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery. She brings to VIDA Wellness and Beauty a wealth of experience in bariatrics.

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Start Your Weight Loss Journey with Bariatric Surgery in Tijuana, Mexico

To schedule an appointment with our bariatric surgeon to learn more about the advantages of bariatric surgery in Tijuana, México, contact VIDA Wellness and Beauty by calling 1-619-313-6435 (toll free) and start your weight loss journey!

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How to Prepare for a Bariatric Surgery Procedure

by BlogWeight Loss Surgery

Whether you are checking if bariatric surgery is the right call for you or you have already decided to undergo bariatric surgery, you are taking a great step towards a healthier and more fulfilling life. Weight loss procedure comes with many lifestyle changes that will keep you busy for weeks to come. Before thinking about post-op care, you may be wondering how do I prepare myself for surgery? Well, we are here to help.

Bariatric surgery pre-op preparation checklist

Essentials and comfort items.

A common question among bariatric patients is what to bring to the hospital for bariatric surgery. Sure, you want to be comfy, but you aren’t going to be in our Recovery Boutique forever. So, what to pack for the hospital for a bariatric surgery? Besides the basic items you need for any procedure, such as your medical documents, a pillow, comfy clothes, and your phone; and a mouthwash or breath spray, after all, you have just transformed your digestive system, so you’ll probably have bad breath and will be looking for a quick fix.

Diet changes

Preparing for a bariatric surgery diet may not be easy, you will be asked to cut off calories and increase protein in your diet. But don’t worry, we are here to help in every step of the way. VIDA nutrition specialists will provide you with a personalized eating plan that will cover a preoperative bariatric surgery diet and a postoperative eating plan. However, you may want to prepare your kitchen for your return with nutritious and feel-good food. So, what to buy before bariatric surgery? In terms of pantry-items, go for natural and sugar-free items that will give you the nutrients your body needs for an optimal recovery.

Bye, bye, smoking; hello, exercise!

It is important you are aware that one of the basics of bariatric surgery pre-op preparation is a shift towards a more active lifestyle. Smoking not only slows the body’s natural healing process, it can lead to post-operative complications. So, if you smoke, your doctor will ask you to quit several weeks before the procedure. If you need support to help quitting, our expert staff can help you with life coaching sessions to make the process smoother. Additionally, you may be asked to lose some weight before your surgery. Your doctor will advise you on an exercise regime that fits your needs. Remember, go gentle and listen to your body.

In this video, you can see a few tips about hot to prepare for weight loss surgery:

A Zen state of mind

Bariatric surgeries, whether it is a gastric sleeve or a gastric bypass, will change your life completely! All the physical changes you will experience will go hand in hand with mental discipline and self-control. This is why it is super important to know how to mentally prepare for bariatric surgery. Take time to reflect about your goals and expectations after the procedure. How realistic are they? How much time is going to take you to achieve them? Who is going to be next to you during the process? Bariatric surgery is an internal tool to improve your life and health, but the real game changer is you and you alone! Talk with an expert and get inspiration from other patients that went through the same process; you will surely be more motivated!

Last minute-arrangements

You already know what to buy before bariatric surgery, know what to bring to the hospital for bariatric surgery, knowhow to mentally prepare for bariatric surgery, you have established clear and feasible goals, and are working in a more active lifestyle; the only question that remains is: what should I do the day before surgery? Have a relaxing night, don’t drink alcohol or smoke, take a nice long shower and arrange with someone to drive you to VIDA Bariatrics.

To schedule an appointment and learn more about our bariatric services — from weight loss surgery to psychological support — contact VIDA Bariatrics by calling 1-619-738-2144 (toll-free).

Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Bypass

by BariatricsWeight Loss Surgery

Thanks to bariatric surgery, patients can finally beat obesity and take back their health with a minimally invasive yet effective procedure. When considering bariatric or weight loss surgery, as it’s often called, you’ll be happy to know that you can choose the exact surgery you’re getting. The final decision is dictated by your health and what you and your bariatric surgeon decide is best for you.

Let’s discuss the main differences between two of the most popular procedures available: Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve Surgery.

When a patient has decided to explore bariatric surgery for weight loss, we often get the question: which one is better? Is a gastric bypass better than a gastric sleeve? What are the pros and cons of a gastric sleeve vs those of a gastric bypass? After talking with our talented bariatric surgeons, we learned that there simply isn’t a ‘best’ bariatric surgery, rather a ‘better bariatric surgery for you.’

What is Gastric Bypass?

During a gastric bypass, your bariatric surgeon will reduce the size of the functional area of your stomach, leaving you with a stomach pouch. After doing this, the doctor attaches a middle section of your small intestine to your new small stomach pouch, bypassing a significant part of your small intestine. The bypassed section of the intestine is responsible for absorbing both nutrients and calories. This really differentiates a gastric bypass from a gastric sleeve.

How does a Gastric Bypass help you lose weight?

A gastric bypass will help you lose excess weight on three different levels: a restrictive level, a malabsorptive level, and a metabolic level. In simpler terms, this means that:

  • The restrictive level limits the amount of food you can consume.
  • The malabsorptive level limits the calories and nutrients your body actually absorbs.
  • The metabolic level reduces the level of hunger-inducing hormones and increases the sensation of satiety even after small meals.

What are the main benefits of a Gastric Bypass?

  • The gastric bypass has been performed for decades, making it more of ‘routine’ surgery. This is particularly the case in patients with a BMI of 35-40.
  • By bypassing the intestines, you get a malabsorptive effect, something that cannot be achieved with a Gastric Sleeve.
  • A Gastric Bypass offers the unique benefit of helping in the remission of diabetes type 2. Since a portion of the small intestine is bypassed, the production of GLUT-1, the molecule that optimizes the use of glucose, decreases, basically curing diabetes.
  • Patients lose weight incredibly fast, usually between 60% and 80% of their weight. This is great when it comes to beating not only obesity but obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. However, losing weight so fast can cause saggy skin. (Nothing that couldn’t be fixed with post-weight loss plastic surgery though!)

What is Gastric Sleeve?

During a gastric sleeve surgery, your surgeon will eliminate about 70 to 80% of your stomach. This will leave you with a ‘sleeve’ shaped stomach pouch. Your small intestine will keep on doing the same functions as before and no portion of it is bypassed.

How does a Gastric Sleeve help you lose weight?

A gastric sleeve will help you lose excess weight on two different levels:  a restrictive and a metabolic level. Just as the gastric bypass:

  • A restrictive level limits the amount of food you can ingest because a very large portion of the stomach is removed.
  • The metabolic level, because the portion of your stomach that is removed is responsible for producing ghrelin. The less ghrelin you produce, the less hungry and more satiated you’ll feel throughout the day.

What are the main benefits of a Gastric Sleeve?

  • A Gastric Sleeve is naturally less invasive, making it much safer for patients who have a BMI of 40 or higher.
  • While still losing up to 80% of the weight, causing less saggy skin. Saggy skin is a major concern for most bariatric patients after concluding their weight loss journey.
  • By not having a malabsorptive effect, patients who get a gastric sleeve don’t have such a high chance of developing nutrient or vitamin deficiencies. This, however, can be controlled if you follow your surgeon’s dietary guidelines after the surgery.
  • Has a comparable metabolic effect to bypass, also helping in the remission of chronic health problems related to obesity, such as Diabetes Mellitus type 2, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, obstructive sleep apnea, depression, arthritis, etc.

Gastric Bypass vs Gastric Sleeve…which one is better?

With both surgeries, patients lose up to 80% of their weight in the first year. Another thing that both gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery have in common is the commitment needed from the patient. Patients must follow a healthy diet plan and exercise regularly in order to effectively lose weight and keep it off.

You might be the perfect candidate for a gastric sleeve, or you might be the perfect candidate for a gastric bypass. Both surgeries have important pros and cons. Our advice? Do more research than you think you should. Discuss any doubts you have with your bariatric surgeon and evaluate which surgery, a gastric sleeve or a gastric bypass will help you beat obesity in the safest most effective way possible.


Call us now at 1 (619) 610-1667 to schedule a one-on-one consultation with one of VIDA Bariatrics’ highly skilled bariatric surgeons. Let’s beat obesity once and for all!

Post Weight-Loss Surgery Guide

by BariatricsWeight lossWeight Loss Surgery

Once you’ve decided to get weight loss surgery, you’ve gone through the different type of procedures and enquired about the dietary changes to prepare for your surgery, you might be wondering what happens after. Particularly to your body. How will you look? If you’ve been battling obesity for a long time, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges your physique will face after losing excess pounds.

There’s a lot of information regarding what you can expect immediately following the procedure, the post-surgery recovery time and lifestyle changes needed to make the most out of any bariatric surgery but not enough information on the long-term changes your body is going to experience. At VIDA Bariatrics, we are true believers that bariatric procedures are a priceless tool to help you kickstart your weight loss journey and effectively become healthier.

When it comes to getting the shape of your body back to its best, a bariatric approach might not be enough.

As we talk with patients who are considering weight-loss surgery, we realized that there are a lot of doubts regarding expectations once they’ve lost the weight. Once all of those extra pounds have been shed and their body is at a healthy state, what’s next? Once you feel great, will you look great?

It’s true that if you are trying to lose a tremendous amount of weight, bariatric surgery can do so much more than diet and exercise. However, what bariatric surgery cannot do is tighten your skin, lift your breasts or help rid those stubborn pockets of fat or rolls of skin in your body. Let’s go over some of the most common concerns and challenges patients deal with after weight loss surgery.

Will I have loose skin after weight-loss surgery?

Probably. Loose skin is usually the biggest downside of drastically losing weight, with or without the help from bariatric surgery. But since the benefits of having a healthy weight far outweigh the negatives, we feel it’s better to talk about this topic and mention some measures you can take in order to improve the tightness or amount of extra skin you have.

Why does this happen?

Let’s understand your skin. The largest organ of your body is made up of mostly collagen and elastin. Collagen’s role is to provide firmness while elastin’s is to provide elasticity. When you gain a considerable amount of weight, your skin will begin to expand. If the skin is stretched for a prolonged amount of time, the elastin and collagen will become permanently damaged and your skin will lose its capacity to shrink back. If weight loss surgery has finally helped you beat obesity, after years of struggling, it is highly likely that you’ll be left with excess skin hanging from different areas of your body.

It might be incredibly frustrating to look at the scale and see a number you feel satisfied with, look at your bloodwork numbers and know you’ve restored your body back to health and yet, look at the mirror and see excess skin hanging everywhere!

What can you do?

If you only had a small amount of weight to lose, your skin might shrink back after some time. Other patients report satisfactory enough results after following a healthy diet and exercise routine. When that doesn’t cut it, there are several cosmetic surgery options that can help. Patients report the best results with a combination of liposuction and skin removal surgery. Post weight loss plastic surgeries address these concerns and deliver the best results possible, every single time.  

Will I need a tummy tuck after weight-loss surgery?

One common area is the abdomen since this area in our bodies is a pro at storing unwanted fat. Excess sagging skin in the abdomen can be effectively removed with a post weight loss tummy tuck. During this procedure, your VIDA surgeon will remove excess skin and leave your tummy looking rejuvenated and smooth.

Are my breasts going to sag after weight loss surgery?

Another problem area, the breasts are very sensitive to drastic weight changes. Both men and women might find that their chest area is affected after dramatic weight loss.

Why does this happen?

Breasts are composed primarily of fat tissue. While men and women have a different ratio of fat tissue when you gain a lot of weight, fat cells within the breast tissue expand while weight loss causes fat cells to shrink. Apart from gravity and age, that naturally promote breasts to sag, the firmness on the skin around your breasts loses elasticity after extreme weight loss.  This is particularly inevitable after massive weight loss.

What can you do? 

The best strategy is to talk with your doctor about possible solutions to help you minimize breast sagging and measures to take if it happens.

Breast lift after weight loss.

A Breast lift performed after drastic weight loss is performed specifically to address not only sagginess but also the excess skin that needs to be removed. When planning a breast lift, your doctor will discuss with you the expected results and if the addition of breast implants would also be a good option for you.  This approach is usually the most effective and the best resource to restore a firm, full and attractive cleavage.

Gynecomastia after weight loss.

Some male patients have excess fat in their chest area due to obesity. When they lose the weight, it is possible that the deposit of fat in their chest is resistant to this. This condition is known as pseudo-gynecomastia. If diet and exercise don’t work, male breast reduction surgery can give you a flat, more masculine look in your chest.

Whatever your concerns regarding your post-weight loss life, contact the expert team at VIDA Bariatrics so we can help you make the most out of your new weight. Call us now at 1 (619) 610-1667.

Exercising After Bariatric Surgery: Stay Healthy & Tone Your Muscles

by BlogUncategorizedWeight Loss Surgery

Having Bariatric Surgery is a significant part of  your weight-loss journey. The word journey is something that, as a bariatric patient, you need to remember, because life really changes after weight loss surgery.

Here, at VIDA Bariatrics we have been lucky enough to guide thousands of patients through their bariatric and post-bariatric journeys. One of the things we always remind them of is: your body will change. The way you eat and exercise after bariatric surgery must change as well. Ready for the next chapter? the one that starts the morning after the surgery.

From experience, we know that as a patient, if you are committed to it, life after bariatric surgery definitely changes for the better!

Our VIDA Bariatric surgeons always encourage patients to think of weight loss surgery as a new beginning, a new chance at being healthy and happy. If you’ve been struggling with obesity, surgery alone will not give you the results that you want. Any weight loss procedure you get is just one ingredient for progress.

How to Lose Weight After Bariatric Surgery

Do you want to know how to lose weight after bariatric surgery? The most important thing to keep in mind is that proper nutrition and working out after bariatric surgery is as important as going into the OR!  We also understand it can be intimidating having to keep up with all the things you now have to change and adjust. In reality, with easy-to-follow lifestyle changes and the right support team (Us!), you can expect some amazing results.

Today we want to share with you some valuable information and tips on exercise after bariatric surgery, so you’re better prepared for your new beginning: weight loss, self-love, and wellness.

Exercise and Bariatric Surgery

You probably have a lot of doubts regarding exercise following your weight loss surgery. It is a surgical procedure after all! Some of the questions we get from patients revolve around the right time to start doing physical activity and the best exercise after bariatric surgery.

Incorporating sweat-inducing activities into your post-bariatric routine has tremendous benefits, not only for your weight loss goals but for your health in general. Exercising after bariatric surgery will help you:

  • Boost your metabolism.
  • Strengthen your joints and bones.
  • Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • Lose pounds and keep them off.
  • Reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer.
  • Improve your mood.

Working Out After Bariatric Surgery

What else do our bariatric surgeons want you to know? Be kind and patient with yourself! Your doctor will tell you exactly when you can start working out. High-intensity cardio and weight training after bariatric surgery will be off the table from anywhere to 6 weeks for patients who had laparoscopic surgery to 10 weeks for patients who had open surgery. But there are other things you can do in the meantime. Read more here on what to do after weight loss surgery. 

Exercise for bariatric surgery patients: step by step

Literally, step by step! The first physical activity your surgeon will clear you to do is walking. Walking after your surgery is a simple, yet effective way to kick-start your post-bariatric fitness journey.

Always go with what your body is telling you. While exercising does require effort, you should not feel sick, dizzy, or in pain, particularly in the first few weeks after surgery. So, the first week, stick to walking. You can start to walk around your house, try to resume your daily chores and take a short walk around the block. Slow and steady, nothing too strenuous!

As the amount and type of exercise you can do increases, don’t stop walking. We always encourage patients to aim for 10,000 daily steps.

Post-Bariatric Surgery Exercise Plan

When you exercise after your procedure, start off slow and steady, and as your doctor allows, you can incorporate more exercises such as swimming, dancing, and biking. Try and find something that you enjoy too or ask your loved ones to join you for a quick power walk! A couple of weeks following the procedure, you should start to focus on your flexibility and strengthening your muscles as well. As a post-bariatric patient, you can do yoga, ballet, aerobics, or pilates. A good combination of aerobic exercise and weight resistance training will give you the best post-bariatric results!

Toning exercises and building muscle after bariatric surgery

Adopting a new workout routine should always be done under professional guidance. We believe that joining a gym is great and can be very motivating, but always remember that as a post-bariatric patient, slow and steady is rule #1. Set yourself up for success by trying some of these tips:

  • Don’t lift weights that are too heavy. Start with few reps and light weights, and slowly build up to that muscular guy working out next to you. Do what feels best for you!
  • Body weight exercises can be just as effective. If it’s been a while since you’ve worked out, avoid injuring yourself. Start doing toning exercises such as squats, lunges, and sit-ups with no additional equipment. We cannot stress this enough, be patient and you’ll get stronger.
  • Looking for an additional challenge? Try using resistance bands to perform exercises such as biceps curls, squats, and leg raise. Those stretchy little things are seriously effective.
  • Always dedicate several minutes to warming up before your workout session and make sure to stretch afterward.

And most importantly, enjoy your workout. You are doing something great for your health and body! It is good to remember that saggy skin can only be toned up so much, so you could always consider post-bariatric plastic surgery to help. Ask your surgeon for more advanced exercise program recommendations so you can tone your muscles better.

Contact any of our experienced bariatric surgeons with questions or concerns regarding bariatric surgery, post-bariatric exercise guidelines, diet recommendations, and anything in between. Call VIDA Bariatrics at (619)610-1667.

Bariatric Surgery & Diabetes 101

by BariatricsBlogWeight Loss Surgery

Can bariatric surgery help in remission of diabetes? It is highly likely. Weight loss surgery offers an extraordinary opportunity for patients with type 2 diabetes to improve their insulin production, in some cases, merely days after getting the procedure. If you have type 2 diabetes, you probably know by now the importance of losing weight in order to help your pancreas function and improve your insulin sensitivity. However, when losing weight through diet and exercise alone, it can take you years to improve your condition, and probably never with the level of effectiveness achieved through surgery. For some patients, losing weight by traditional means simply does not work. It can be a frustrating and a vicious cycle: patients are told to lose weight in order to manage their diabetes. They can’t lose weight and they cannot beat diabetes so they lose hope.

Now thanks to weight loss surgery, when combined with diet and exercise, most patients are finally able to lose weight effectively.  Bariatric surgery for diabetics is a total lifesaver, read along to discover why. Here at VIDA Bariatrics, helping patients beat obesity and obesity-related diseases is something we do on a daily basis, including diabetic patients. Let us tell you what bariatric surgery can do to the remission of diabetes.

The basics of Bariatric Surgery and Diabetes

The most popular types of bariatric or metabolic surgeries performed to help diabetics are:

Gastric Bypass: A procedure in which the bariatric surgeon separates the top part of the stomach, leaving you with a small stomach pouch and jumps or bypasses up to 3 meters of the intestine. This approach has a positive metabolic effect on patients!

Gastric Sleeve: One of the less invasive metabolic surgeries, your doctor will remove the majority of your stomach, leaving you with a small tubular stomach “sleeve” that restricts the amount of food you can consume.

Duodenal Switch:  one of the most common procedures for diabetic patients, during a duodenal switch the stretchable portion of the stomach is removed and around ¾ of the upper small intestine is bypassed. It’s similar to a combination of a Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Bypass, offering a beneficial metabolic effect for patients.

Bariatric Surgery for Diabetes

How else can any of the bariatric surgeries help you cure diabetes? Besides leaving you with a smaller functional stomach, or a “stomach pouch”, metabolic surgeries dramatically decrease the appetite-inducing hormone, ghrelin. Feeling less hungry and being able to less food, combined with dietary changes, will lead to weight loss and make the manageability of type 2 diabetes more manageable. But what makes the surgical approach truly magnificent is that even before any weight loss happens, patients are going into diabetes remission merely days after bariatric surgery. How is this possible? Hint: the answer is not in your stomach!

With a Gastric Bypass and a Duodenal Switch, both procedures in which portions of the small intestine are bypassed, doctors observed that the small intestine increased its production of GLUT-1, a molecule that optimizes the use of glucose in our body. This has enabled some patients to stop taking medications days after leaving the hospital.

Another benefit of metabolic surgery is that by following a healthy diet, most patients will rapidly improve their metabolic profile, accelerating weight loss even more!

Am I a candidate to get bariatric surgery for type 2 diabetes?

There are several things you have to check with your doctor in order to determine if weight loss surgery is the best approach to help you treat diabetes. While most doctors won’t perform surgery on patients with a BMI lower than 40, having an obesity-related disease such as type 2 diabetes changes things.

Diabetic patients who have struggled for a long time to lose weight and have a BMI of 35 or higher are considered candidates for metabolic surgery. Your doctor will also talk to you about the importance of changing your exercise and dietary habits. When considering metabolic surgery, you should keep in mind that following a pre-bariatric diet is required to prepare you for surgery. And in order to lose weight and keep it off, you also need to consider the commitment and adjustments you’ll need to make to your lifestyle habits after the surgery. Our VIDA Bariatrics surgeons always remind us that there are many factors to determine what is the best bariatric surgery for diabetes, including your commitment to changing your lifestyle.

Are you looking for an effective alternative to treat diabetes? Bariatric surgery could be for you! There are so many unrivaled benefits of bariatric surgery for diabetes, let us help you. If you want to determine if you could be a candidate for metabolic surgery to treat Type 2 diabetes, call us now at (619)610-1667.

Read our recent post on Gastric Bypass vs Mini Gastric Bypass

Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Bypass Surgery

Bariatric Surgery Diet: Prepping for Your Surgery

by BariatricsWeight Loss Surgery

Thinking about Bariatric Surgery? Nothing is more gratifying than the moment when bariatric patients reach their target weight, are back to feeling content and healthy, and obesity is nothing but a closed chapter in their lives. But, as any bariatric surgeon can tell you, the procedure itself is only one component in your weight loss journey. The key to being a healthy, successful bariatric patient? Your diet! No bariatric surgery results can be sustained without a healthy bariatric diet, both before and after the surgery.

The expert bariatrics and nutrition team at VIDA Bariatrics got together to explain the importance of following a healthy diet before the surgery, so you get a better idea of the process you are about to go through. Never forget though, this is going to be an incredibly fulfilling journey!

Start off right with a Pre-bariatric surgery diet

If you qualify for any of the following procedures: a Gastric Bypass, a Lap Band or a Gastric Sleeve, you should know that healthifying your dietary habits is the key to losing weight and regaining your health. We can never stress this enough: for any bariatric surgery, diet and exercise are as important as the procedure itself. Being healthy must be a constant goal, and if you put in the effort, your VIDA Bariatrics team will be here to guide you and help you finally beat obesity!

Once you are ready to schedule your surgery, ask your doctor what you need to know about the pre-bariatric surgery diet. While the specifics will vary from patient to patient, we want to give you a comprehensive guide so you can be better prepared!

Best way to prep: a healthy diet and a pre-bariatric meal plan

For most patients, the specific date when they need to start following a pre-bariatric surgery meal plan is 2 weeks before the scheduled surgery. Although our experts recommend that from the moment you start to consider bariatric surgery, you should stick to a balanced meal plan and lose a bit of weight. This will make you healthier for the actual surgery, substantially decrease your risks during the surgical procedure and post-operative complications, and speed up the recovery process. Do you need more reasons to start eating better before surgery? Think of nutrition as the foundation for the procedure itself: following a healthy diet designed specifically to prep you for your surgery will ensure that all your meals are balanced, include all necessary vitamins and decrease the amount of fat in your liver. Before going into the OR, doctors want you to follow the right bariatric meal plan in order to have your body at its healthiest!

A Pre-bariatric surgery timeline

Before your doctor clears you for surgery, anywhere from 1 to 12 months can pass. During that time, you should try to follow a healthy routine. These are some simple pre-bariatric eating tips that will help you accomplish your goal:

  • Limit the number of processed foods you eat. Start planning portions and preparing your meals. This habit will also be incredibly valuable after having bariatric surgery. Meals made at home make it easy for you to control the quality and quantity of the ingredients you eat.
  • Eliminate saturated fats and sugary foods or drinks, like juices, energy drinks, and sodas.
  • Avoid alcoholic beverages, simple carbs, and caffeinated drinks.
  • Quit smoking as soon as possible. Not strictly a diet issue, but when surgery time comes, the less time you’ve been a smoker, the better. Two weeks before the procedure, smoking is completely prohibited.

What to Expect for Your Bariatric Diet

The weeks leading up to the surgery are an active part of the operation, and just as important as a skilled surgeon or an experienced anesthesiologist. These last few days before the big day are the culmination of your efforts!

Between 14 to 7 days pre-op expect your surgeon to put you on a special diet. Depending on the type of surgery you’re getting and the progress you’ve made so far, most patients can expect to follow a soft or liquid diet before bariatric surgery,  although this might sound intimidating, your meal plan will be balanced and include a variety of beverages and liquids that will satisfy your appetite, such as fresh protein shakes and cozy soups or broths, consuming an average of 800 to 1,200 calories per day. Just keep in mind that the 800-1200 calorie pre-bariatric surgery diet is only a guide, your bariatric surgeon will tailor the meal plan to you, so you won’t miss out on vitamins and nutrients.

What to Eat Before Bariatric Surgery

The night before the surgery, follow your diet and consume your last meal when instructed by your doctor. This might be anywhere from 12 to 8 hours before getting to the hospital. The day of your surgery, do a total fast. Don’t drink or eat anything unless your surgeon tells you otherwise. Going into the operating room with a full stomach can even force the doctor to stop the procedure and reschedule you.

Bariatric Surgery Diet Sneak peek, Recipes and more.

Your bariatric surgeon will try to give you as much variety as possible, so you will consume different meal replacements and liquids throughout the day to make you feel satisfied. Look at this daily meal plan example from one of our patients!

MEAL PLAN EXAMPLE

Before starting your liquid diet and after you have completed your post-surgery dietary adjustments, you can prepare delicious recipes that are healthy and will support your weight loss efforts. Some of our favorite tips?

Veggie everything: stir-frys, salads, and smoothies. Time for dessert? Blending ½ cup of bananas with ½ cup of frozen strawberries for a yummy “nice” cream. Craving Mexican? What about preparing tacos with a lean protein such as chicken breasts? Contact our registered dietitians to help you get started on delicious recipes and a sustainable bariatric meal plan!

Our biggest tip? Be patient with yourself and your process. Eat better to feel better, getting ready to have bariatric surgery takes time and compromise, let us help make this simple. Contact us now at (619)610-1667 to get you bariatric surgery ready!

Plastic Surgery After Bariatric Surgery: Jumpstart Your New Life

by BariatricsBlogPlastic Surgery

There is one thing that always makes all of us at VIDA Wellness and Beauty Center genuinely happy: post-bariatric patients who have changed their bodies, reached their target weight and are excited about their post-bariatric life. What’s next? We’re sure this “new you” has opened up new possibilities! Let’s talk about having cosmetic surgery after bariatric surgery, the final step of your weight loss transformation.

Post-Bariatric Cosmetic Surgery

Thanks to bariatric surgery, patients can lose up to 80% of their body weight. This is a definite success, however, after losing that amount of weight it’s natural to be left with heavy, sagging extra skin folds all over your body. The good news?  Post-bariatric cosmetic surgery can help you say goodbye to that last reminder of your heavier self.

What better way to celebrate beating obesity than by looking better than ever? Our team of dedicated plastic surgeons offers procedures specifically designed to help post-bariatric patients make the most out of the weight they lost.

Plastic Surgery for Bariatric Patients: what diet and exercise can’t do for you.

What our doctors understand, and you should too, is that getting bariatric surgery is going to change your body and the way you feel about it! At VIDA Bariatrics we love seeing our patients rediscover self-love and pride about the way they look and feel. Post-bariatric plastic surgery is the cherry on top: the culmination of your dedication and effort, of going through a procedure and following a diet plan, of changing your habits.

Post-Bariatric Surgery Plastic Surgery

These are some of the most popular post-bariatric surgery plastic surgery options that should be on your radar:

Body Lift: Sometimes separated into lower body lift and upper body lift, these are a combination of post-weight loss plastic surgeries carefully tailored to your body. Your plastic surgeon will customize your body lift procedure with you, employing procedures such as tummy tucks, butt lifts, arm or thigh liposuction, and a breast lift. The results are even better than you’d imagine:

body lift
Body Lift | Dr. Quiroz
lower body lift
Lower Body Lift | Dr. Quiroz

Tummy tuck: Having a tummy tuck after bariatric surgery is one of the most sought-after procedures by post-bariatric patients. When there are sagging skin and stubborn pockets of fat in our abdomens, there’s little diet and exercise can do. An expertly performed abdominoplasty is the most effective way to remove excess skin in your stomach.

Breast surgery: breast lift or breast augmentation. Bariatric patients can be left with sagging breasts. Give your chest area extra help with either a breast lift, an augmentation with implants or a combination of both. A breast lift for bariatric patients will give you a more youthful appearance, removing or reversing the effects of massive weight loss and gravity! Just look at this amazing transformation:

body lift and breast lift
Body Lift & Breast Lift
breast lift
Breast lift surgery

Sound too good to be true? Have a look at more of the amazing results from our patients’ plastic surgery pictures, or our patients’ success stories. As our surgeons like to put it, the combination of plastic and bariatric surgery is an invaluable medical tool to give you your life back: decrease obesity-related diseases, fall in love with your body again, wear the clothes you want…enjoy this new life, because truly, you’ve earned it!

Our team of VIDA surgeons will help you determine if you are a good candidate for post-bariatric plastic surgery, by looking at factors such as your weight and the stability of it, how your health has improved after bariatric surgery, and how well you have followed up on your commitment to following a healthy lifestyle.

Yes, the next great success story of the patient who beat obesity could be you! Wondering about what comes after bariatric surgery? What plastic surgery might be the best for you? Then, what are you waiting for? Call us at 619 610 1667 or email us at info@vidawellnessandbeauty.com to schedule a free consultation with our expert plastic surgeons. Let’s finish sculpting that body you’ve worked so hard for!

Learn about some of our Plastic Surgery Travel Packages

Exercising after Weight Loss Surgery

Dr. Gabriela Rodriguez specializes in General and Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery. She brings to VIDA Wellness and Beauty a wealth of experience in bariatrics.

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Start Your Weight Loss Journey with Bariatric Surgery in Tijuana, Mexico

To schedule an appointment with our bariatric surgeon to learn more about the advantages of bariatric surgery in Tijuana, México, contact VIDA Wellness and Beauty by calling 1-619-313-6435 (toll free) and start your weight loss journey!

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Weight Loss Surgery vs. Diet and Exercise: What You Need to Know

by BariatricsWeight Loss Surgery

Have you been struggling with obesity for a long time? If you have tried to lose weight and had little to no success, it can be very frustrating. You can follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Or, you can consider Bariatric Surgery, one of the most effective options that could be a total life changer for the right candidate. Which approach to dealing with obesity is better? Is weight loss surgery vs. diet and exercise a fair comparison?

A healthy diet and an exercise routine seem to be the easiest, simplest methods for losing weight. But if you are reading this, you’ve probably tried a diet program or two, signed up at your local gym, and still haven’t been able to make progress. What added benefits does bariatric surgery have? And, are the benefits worth it? Is Bariatric surgery more effective than regular dieting and exercising?

Our expert bariatric surgeons shared with us some of the pros and cons of both approaches and offered some advice on how to decide if weight loss surgery is for you.

Bariatric Surgery vs Natural Weight Loss

First, no bariatric surgeon underestimates the benefits of following a healthy lifestyle. Apart from maintaining a healthy weight, it can help prevent many diseases, improve your mood and boost your energy.

Some of the pros of exercising regularly and eating healthy foods are: Increase your metabolic rate; improve your circulation, heart, and lung function; sleep better; decrease your risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure; decrease the risk of certain cancers; prevent brain disorders and mental conditions. Furthermore, doing these as part of your daily routine means developing healthy habits for life. A major con to choosing only diet and exercise is that your progress might be incredibly slow. And your metabolism might not respond to this “natural” weight loss approach.

“Following a balanced diet and exercising regularly are the most valuable habits anyone can have in order to live a long, fulfilling life. It is a mistake, however, to think that Bariatric Surgery is opposed to this,” explained Dr. Oscar Lumban, one of the Bariatric Surgeons at VIDA. “A healthy diet is vital, whether you are dealing with obesity or not. The same goes for exercising. But, it’s an unfair misconception to assume that these alone will help people beat obesity for good. Some patients have success with a new diet at first, but end up stalling or gaining the weight back. Patients who are obese need extra help, and that is the biggest advantage of choosing weight loss surgery.”

Patients who don’t respond to diets can find unrivaled benefits in a bariatric procedure, either a Gastric Sleeve, a Gastric Bypass, or a Lap Band.

“I always remind patients that weight loss surgery does not undermine their efforts to eat healthily and be more active. On the contrary, they complement each other. One couldn’t be successful without the other! And, for most of my bariatric patients, the weight they lost after having surgery and committing to living a healthy life, is priceless,” adds Dr. Rodriguez, who for years has been helping patients get their lives back through Bariatric Surgery.

Is weight loss surgery more effective than diet and exercise?

Weight loss surgery actually makes diet and exercise effective for those who have been battling obesity for years but haven’t thrived on conventional methods. If your BMI is over 35, you diet, lose weight, and gain it all back within months, then bariatric surgery might be for you!

The biggest con our doctors hear from their patients is that bariatric surgery is risky and recovery might be uncomfortable. While any surgery does have certain risks, the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Our bariatric doctors opt for a laparoscopic method, making surgery and recovery less invasive and less uncomfortable for patients. A little discomfort and an adjustment period are expected post-bariatric surgery, but for patients, beating obesity is finally possible. These surgeries, when paired with a balanced diet and exercise, will improve their quality of life indefinitely.

Do you think you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery? Is this something you have explored with your physician? Call us now at 619 610 1667 and let’s finally beat obesity, together!

More Info About Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss