Weight Loss Surgery in Mexico: How to Choose the Safest Option

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Look out for cheap pricing

Many bariatric centers offer surgery for $3,000 – $4,000 USD. Be careful with these weight loss surgery doctors and hospitals, since the way they manage to reduce their costs is by saving on quality materials.

One clear example of cost-saving measures that can cause post-surgical complications is when bariatric surgery clinics try to save a few dollars by using low-quality staples or too few staples to seal the stomach well enough for a proper recovery.

By neglecting this part, it’s possible that complications arise, and then “cheap is expensive;” that is, patients have to pay for a revision surgery that costs a minimum of $7,000 to $15,000 USD.

We are aware that having weight loss surgery in the US requires a significant financial commitment. Because of this, more Americans are choosing medical tourism and seeking bariatric surgery in Mexico in pursuit of less expensive options. Sadly, inexpensive doesn’t always equal better.

People occasionally travel for bariatric surgery in Mexico in search of lower costs on their weight loss journey. While cheaper costs may be alluring, going for affordable weight loss surgery without due diligence comes with several dangers.

Make sure the clinic is offering patients precise estimations of their bariatric surgery expenses while obeying all laws and regulations. Having a cheaper alternative for a certain bariatric procedure greatly benefits the patients but that doesn’t mean you won’t consider where the costs are being cut.

Hospitals and health systems are currently focusing their strategic efforts on delivering a better patient financial experience—one that enables patients to be more involved in healthcare purchasing decisions and provides transparency into out-of-pocket costs—while also enhancing the financial performance of the hospital.

Doctors certifications

One way to know that the doctor is trained and prepared to perform bariatric surgery is to have a specialization certificate. In Mexico the certificate of specialization looks like this:

Some less-than-reputable doctors may put their certifications on their website without being certified. To verify this, it is necessary for medical tourism patients to view the official records and look for the name of the bariatric surgeon.

A bariatric surgeon’s qualifications can be determined by looking at whether or not they have a certified medical board certification, which indicates that an advisory board has given their approval. It’s possible that picking the correct surgeon will be the most important decision you ever make.

You’ll want to be certain that the surgeon has training and is capable of carrying out the task. Several surgeons have advocated passing the tests issued by a national board of surgeons. Ask about the “board certification” of your medical professional.

Modern medical facilities and a four-star hotel are used by Mexico Cosmetic Center. Our surgeons have years of expertise, are skilled, and are board certified. We offer a reasonable all-inclusive medical tourism price. Choosing bariatric surgery in Mexico for your bariatric surgery.

Make sure that you have selected one of the best bariatric facilities in Mexico. The clinic should have years of experience in the medical tourism sector and have completed hundreds of bariatric surgeries, making it a reputable weight loss surgery provider.

Hospital certifications

Make sure you know where your bariatric surgery will be performed. Look for the name of the hospital and check on their website if they comply with cleanliness, health, and hygiene regulations.

Most experienced bariatric surgeons are employed by one or two accredited hospitals. Find out where your medical team will perform weight loss surgery and how frequently that location performs the same bariatric procedure. According to research, people frequently recover better from surgery in accredited hospitals and facilities that have more experience doing the bariatric procedure.

When researching medical tourism options, ask questions and take precautions because receiving medical care overseas has additional risks. Verify the credentials of the Mexico weight loss surgery providers you’re considering. Do your research on the hospital, as its standards might not be the same as those a demanding hospital accreditation agency asks of healthcare facilities in the United States.

These criteria and more can be used to compare hospitals. How did other patients feel about their time in the hospital setting? How successfully did the medical team interact with weight loss surgery patients and deal with pain management?

It’s important to know if your chosen Mexico bariatric surgery clinic complies with global standards with a patient-centered approach, medical care planning, and international patient safety objectives.

An American patient researching medical tourism may feel more at ease knowing that a doctor or hospital offering weight loss surgery in Mexico is reputable and offers the standard of treatment they are used to receiving. This can be verified through proper research into the clinic’s accreditation.

Infection and mortality rate

One of the most important pieces of information you should ask about your chosen Mexico weight loss surgery clinic is their mortality and infection rate. If the person contacting you from the clinic doesn’t know these numbers, it is a red flag. Don’t put your life in danger.

Serious problems during or after bariatric surgery in Mexico are always a possibility. However, medical facilities with skilled, organized, and effective staff swiftly identify these patient safety issues and administer prompt treatment. Even though some deaths may be unavoidable, greater complication-related death rates could indicate that patients weren’t closely monitored following surgery or that no effective measures were taken.

By selecting a bariatric surgeon who has had thorough training and experience in executing the treatment, you can reduce the dangers associated with weight loss surgery in Mexico. You can ask the doctor about his or her experience with the treatment or procedure, the number of times they’ve done it, and their track record for both success and complications.

Some of the follow-up questions you should consider when choosing a bariatric surgery clinic to carry out your procedure are: how frequently does the hospital administer the suggested therapies for some common ailments, including surgery, and others such as pneumonia, asthma, heart failure, and heart attacks.

A key element that should be considered is if the hospital is cautious about performing enough and proper tests on bariatric surgery patients. Find out how each hospital makes use of its facilities, equipment, and professional personnel, for example how they manage outpatient imaging procedures like CT scans and MRIs.

Hidden fees for bariatric surgery

When reviewing a quote for medical tourism, ask if the sale price they are offering is the final price or if there are other bariatric surgery expenses you should consider. It may be that they are offering a very cheap price for medical services because they don’t include the stay or transportation to the hospital. This brings us to the next point:

Facility fees. There may be a medical facility fee that easily runs into the hundreds of dollars if you receive a medical test in a doctor’s office run by a hospital. What exactly are you purchasing? These increased costs come from charges made by the hospital. After a procedure, you generally won’t be able to negotiate the price for medical bills, but if you learn about this fee in advance, you might be able to avoid it.

In some hospitals, a staff member is lower on the totem pole than a doctor. They might examine you while the doctor is still present to watch over the process. Therefore, you receive a charge from the doctor and the certified registered nurse. This frequently does not occur as intended, and while your insurance should notice these errors, you should also be cautious.

Overcharges. Being billed for a treatment at a price greater than most hospitals do is exactly what it sounds like. Another example of an overcharge would be paying for a brand-name medication when a generic equivalent was available.

Rogue fees. Patients may find charges for incorrect goods like gloves that ought to be included in the operating room price. A toothbrush or comb, which should be included in the price of your hospital stay, could also be billed to you.

Charges for time. Most insurance plans won’t permit you to be charged for the time you were in your room on the day you were released. You might succeed in claiming that a hospital shouldn’t charge you for the several hours you were there that morning, similar to how a hotel wouldn’t.

Working toward having a clear understanding of the general workaround of the clinic’s fees and services and how your insurance coverage might help will greatly impact how you feel about the doctors and the bariatric surgery clinic in general.

You might have to pay more if you choose to use a hospital, surgeon, or specialist who is not covered by your medical health plan. Or if you’ll need to fulfill any requirements, such as additional forms or charges levied before you receive care or once you leave the hospital.

All-inclusive Mexico weight loss surgery medical tourism package

Ask if the Mexico weight loss surgery clinic offers this type of package, because if you are traveling for a medical procedure, ideally they should take care of all the logistics so you don’t have to worry about travel-related complications.

You can experience industry-leading quality care for a fraction of the price of bariatric surgery in other countries by deciding to come for bariatric surgery in Mexico.

If you purchase an all-inclusive weight loss surgery package, you will always pay the same fixed amount. Therefore, you won’t be required to pay any more expenses if you need additional tests or procedures that weren’t included in your initial bariatric surgery treatment plan. Your all-inclusive medical tourism plan handles it.

Your past medical history and present general health will determine if you qualify for an all-inclusive medical tourism package. At your initial consultation with your consultant, this will be a topic you will discuss.

Without sacrificing the level of care and quality provided to our patients, we want to make your bariatric surgery procedure as simple as we can. As a result, we offer packages for all-inclusive weight loss surgery in Mexico to support our patients.  The price is the only significant difference. Therefore, always choose an all-inclusive medical tourism bundle.

With every bariatric surgery patient having a different body shape and set of needs, it is challenging to determine fixed pricing for bariatric surgery in Mexico. Thankfully, we make things simple for you.

A modern hospital and four-star hotel or a recovery boutique should be used by the clinic of your choice. Our surgeons have years of expertise, are skilled, and are board certified. We offer a reasonable all-inclusive medical tourism price, not just for post-bariatric surgery patients, but for all medical tourists in need of affordable, high-quality cosmetic and plastic surgery solutions.

Results matter

When reviewing weight loss surgery results, the most important thing is that they also have success stories of past patients who have already undergone weight loss surgery in Mexico with that clinic.

Good testimonials from past patients will also give you an idea of what their experience has from the moment they arrived until months after the bariatric surgery to know if the clinic offers good results.

A good weight loss surgery clinic should maximize the value for patients by delivering the greatest results at the lowest cost. The only accurate indicators of quality in value-based care are patient-relevant outcomes. Results are further improved when they are measured and reported by the clinic because this encourages progress and the implementation of best practices.

The level of treatment offered by hospitals varies. When a hospital gives you the care and treatments that are known to produce the best results for your situation, they are giving you high-quality care. Do they review options for gastric sleeve surgery, gastric bypass surgery, lap band surgery, and other procedures that could be relevant? Receiving high-quality medical attention could aid in your recovery and prevent other issues.

Did most patients improve? Learn how hospital mortality rates for specific diseases compare to the other medical tourism clinics you’ve selected, or to the national average of the country you are seeking for any recurrences, complications, and mortality rates.

Given that individual experiences with primary care varied due to variations at the facility level, quality improvement initiatives at facilities offering surgery in Mexico may improve those experiences. The correlation between individual traits and experience ratings emphasizes the importance of patients’ expectations of care as well as the possibility that doctors’ treatment of patients has an impact on the experience.

Professional advice

There are many weight loss procedures, such as gastric sleeve surgery, gastric bypass surgery, etc. You must receive counseling from an expert on which procedure to lose weight is recommended for you, or if you already have a preference, confirm with the surgeon if you are a candidate for that procedure.

Keep in mind that you will be able to obtain the care you require from the healthcare system if you have more knowledge of how it works. You’ll benefit from better health, well-being, and quality of life if you can learn how to acquire the appropriate healthcare and steer clear of the wrong healthcare.

When you understand what is happening and are involved in making decisions about your weight loss surgery in Mexico, you can find a treatment that will work best for you. Make sure you are aware of what your treatment entails and what it will and won’t accomplish. Ask for both the doctor’s instructions in writing, and don’t hesitate to ask questions.

Every individual has particular health demands, and as people age, those needs change. Inquire about the specialties and interests of your medical professional. If you are not a dedicated athlete, consulting a medical professional who specializes in sports medicine might not be the best option. Likewise, it’s to keep your search criteria in the procedures and professionals that are experienced in the procedure that you want. For example, if you’re looking at gastric sleeve surgery, ask whether your prospective surgeon specializes in that.

Ask your doctor if any other therapies might be effective if the suggested treatment causes you discomfort. Ask the doctor whether there are any less expensive options available, for instance, if cost is an issue. The physician can collaborate with you to create a treatment strategy that addresses your needs.

In some cases, you would want to explain to your doctor some concerns you have or questions. You might not know much about a certain illness. The specialist can describe it to you and how it might impact you and what results you can expect.

If there is anything you don’t understand before you undergo surgery (or after), you can phone your primary physician for clarification or request printed materials to read.

Ask the specialist at the weight loss surgery clinic to advise your primary physician of any diagnosis or treatment. This enables your primary care physician to monitor your medical care. At your next appointment, you should also inform your primary physician of the effectiveness of any therapies or medications the specialist advised.

Follow-up program

To achieve the result you want, you must go with an expert. Ask the clinic if they offer a follow-up program as part of their medical tourism offerings. This ensures that they really care about the results of their patients and not don’t just do the largest possible volume of surgeries per year.

Keeping up with patients or checking on their progress since their previous appointment is known as follow-up. An appropriate follow-up can assist you in finding misunderstandings, providing information, doing additional assessments, and adjusting treatments. Additionally, follow-up aids in creating a positive professional relationship between you and your patients.

You might need to schedule follow-up appointments, testing, or specialist visits after your visit. Before you leave the clinic, while it’s still fresh in your memory, make these appointments. When results are available, send your doctor a message if you need assistance understanding them or to find out what to do next.

The medical system might be challenging to understand. One thing you can do to have a better experience—and better health outcomes—is to take charge of your doctor visits.

The clinic or your doctor should decide on doing a follow-up, on the following points. Monitoring your health, reinforcing any information and making plans to continue your treatment, scheduling future appointments, verifying through any follow-up referrals, and sharing any lab results with you.

Is Bariatric Surgery Reversible? Is a Gastric Bypass Reversible?

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Bariatric surgery refers to procedures that promote weight loss by restructuring your digestive system. Even though the majority of these weight loss surgeries have resulted in successful weight loss, severe complications from the bariatric surgery or a lack of success in attempting to lose weight may mean that the patient wants to reverse the procedure. If you have had bariatric surgery or are considering it, you may be wondering if a bariatric procedure is reversible.

What Factors Influence Weight Loss Surgery Reversibility?

Because of the differences in each bariatric surgery, it is achievable to reverse certain weight loss procedures but not others, a reversal has a higher risk of complications. Other surgical operations are deemed irreversible, especially if a portion of the stomach was removed during the procedure. Weight loss procedures that involve a device such as a band or an intragastric balloon may have lower reversal chances than surgeries that do not.

Reversible Bariatric Procedures vs. Permanent Bariatric Procedures

Reversible ✅

 Irreversible  ❌
Gastric Bypass Surgery  The most frequent type of bariatric operation is gastric bypass surgery, which is performed in two stages. The first phase includes the formation of a tiny pouch, whereas the second phase is concerned with linking the pouch to the small intestine. Gastric bypass reversal is technically possible, however, it involves extensive sophisticated surgery that can be difficult to do. It is frequently thought to be irreversible since it shrinks the stomach, reorganizes the digestive system, and produces several changes in gut hormones. Sleeve Gastrectomy The sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical technique that curves out a bigger section of the stomach. This makes reversing the surgery difficult since the missing piece can never be put back into its original position. Although it may be beneficial to the patient for weight loss, it is an operation that cannot be reversed.
Gastric Band Adjustment Gastric band surgery, also called gastric banding, is a minor weight loss surgery that may be reversed by removing the implanted device. Although bariatric patients can undergo subsequent procedures to alter or reposition the band, it can remain in place for an extended period of time until the patient is confident enough to lose weight without the band’s assistance. Duodenal Switch  This form of bariatric surgery alters the digestive tract so that food may bypass a bigger part of the small intestine. Because of the difficulty of this weight loss surgery and the removal of a bigger piece of the digestive system, a duodenal switch is irreversible. Although re-arrangements may be made to mimic normal food transit, significant compromises must be made to make this happen, making the subsequent surgeries riskier.

Is It Safe to Undo Bariatric Surgery/Gastric Bypass Surgery?

The short answer is yes, some gastric bypass surgeries can be reversed. However, reversing it would involve a procedure of equal or greater magnitude and risk than the original. Reduced blood flow and scar tissue are two variables that make surgical reversal difficult. Several studies have found that individuals who had surgical reversals had great results. Other techniques, on the other hand, are considered dangerous and impractical if they cannot be reversed in principle.

How Do I Schedule a Bariatric Surgery Appointment?

Dr. Rodriguez will go over the bariatric procedure in detail, including the benefits and drawbacks of gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery. Make a weight loss procedure appointment with the VIDA Bariatrics team!

Laparoscopic Surgery: What It Is, Its Advantages, and How It Can Help You

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What Is Laparoscopic Surgery and What Are the Benefits?

Laparoscopic or “minimally invasive” surgery is a specialized technique for performing surgery. Over the last 10 years, the use of this technique has expanded into intestinal surgery.

How Does Laparoscopic Surgery Work?

Laparoscopy is a type of surgery that involves smaller cuts than you might think. The laparoscope, a narrow piece of equipment with a tiny video camera and light on the end gives the procedure its name.

Surgical methods have advanced dramatically over time, and much newer, safer, and better surgical methods have emerged, improving the quality of life for surgical patients; one of them is laparoscopic surgery. Minimally invasive surgery is another name for it.

When a surgeon inserts the laparoscope into your body through a small cut, they can view what’s inside you on a video display, where it’s better viewed up to 30 times, bigger, and with high definition. They’d have to construct a far larger opening if they didn’t have that equipment.

Laparoscopic approach is used for many surgeries. It has the advantages of less pain, less cutting of skin and tissue, fewer wound complications, quicker post-operative recovery, and a shorter duration of hospital stay.

Benefits

When compared to standard surgery, this method has various benefits. Because it necessitates less invasive:

  • Your scars are smaller.
  • You can leave the hospital sooner.
  • While the scars heal, you will have less pain and they will heal faster.
  • You can resume your regular activities sooner.
  • Internal scarring can be reduced.

If you have laparoscopic surgery, you may only need to stay in the hospital for less than 24 hours and recuperate in 4 to 7 days. A shorter hospital stay is also less expensive.

What kind of operations can laparoscopic surgery be used for?

The laparoscopic approach can be used for most intestinal procedures. Concerns about the safety of laparoscopic surgery have been raised in the past. Several studies involving hundreds of patients recently concluded that laparoscopic surgery is safer for certain types of abdominal surgery.

The following are some of the benefits of this treatment over open surgery:

  • Because the incision made is so much smaller than the big incision made for open surgery, the danger of bleeding during the operation is reduced. This lowers the chances of requiring a blood transfusion to compensate for blood loss.
  • The smaller incision also minimizes the likelihood of post-surgery pain and bleeding. Patients frequently require long-term pain management medication while the stitch line heals after a major incision. The post-surgical wound is substantially smaller, and the healing process is far less unpleasant than with open surgery.
  • The smaller incision also means that the scar left behind after surgery is smaller. The scar tissue that forms in cases where the surgical site is larger is more prone to get infected and vulnerable to herniation, especially in overweight and obese people.
  • When compared to open surgery, the exposure of internal organs to external pollutants is greatly minimized with laparoscopic surgery, lowering the risk of postoperative infection.
  • Because laparoscopic surgery heals so quickly, the amount of time spent in the hospital is considerably reduced. Most patients are discharged the same day or the next day, allowing them to resume their daily routines substantially sooner than they would after an open surgery operation.

Benefits for the patient

Laparoscopic surgery provides the advantage of avoiding big open wounds or incisions, resulting in less blood loss, pain, and discomfort for the patient. Because less anesthesia is necessary, patients experience fewer ill effects. Tissue trauma and blood loss are less likely with fine devices. In general, the rate of postoperative complications is lower. Performance of the operation within the body cavity avoids the cooling, drying, excessive handling, and retraction of internal organs associated with conventional ‘open’ techniques.

Laparoscopic surgery reduces the amount of direct contact between the surgeon and the patient, lowering the chance of the surgeon contracting a virus from the patient or vice versa. This is because sensitive tissues are not exposed to the operating room air for long periods. Surgeons can see the sick organ and its accompanying arteries and nerves better using video magnification. As a result, precise techniques can be undertaken during surgery to protect these tissues.

The ideal surgical option is laparoscopic surgery, which is beneficial in problems that may be addressed with minimally invasive medical techniques. The procedure is a very common and straightforward treatment, and it has fewer drawbacks and more advantages.

Laparoscopy enables the creation of a tailored treatment or surgical strategy by providing in-depth, realistic insights into the patient’s actual condition. Laparoscopy can also be used to treat minor ailments. As a result, laparoscopy can be utilized for both diagnostic and surgical procedures.

Finally, laparoscopic surgery has enabled us to do many of our surgeries in a method that produces excellent results while minimizing the disturbance and risk that standard surgery typically entails. This implies you’ll be able to heal faster and resume your normal routine.

Please contact us at VIDA If you have any questions about our laparoscopic procedures. We will be happy to help you know more about this procedure.

Revision After Gastric Bypass: Is It Possible?

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Many people have experienced weight gain after going on a diet. People feel discouraged with dieting alone as a treatment for obesity because of the up-and-down weight swings. In this instance, weight loss surgery may appear to be an ideal solution. It’s easy to believe that permanently altering the size of your stomach will solve your weight gain concerns.

This choice is decided on a case-by-case basis. It is possible to fix or redo the treatment with rescue gastric bypass surgery or a gastric bypass revision. It is possible to gain weight after Roux-En-Y or mini-gastric bypass surgery, and there are treatment alternatives available. One of the rates of bypass revision 18-20 making the pouch smaller or removing it, or in the pouch-intestine connection anastomosis if it’s very wide or increases malabsorption shortening the common limb.

What is a gastric bypass revision?

Any procedure to rectify a failed gastric bypass surgery is known as gastric bypass revision. This could entail shrinking the stomach, having an additional rewiring of the gastric-intestinal track, or wearing an adjustable band. After gastric bypass, the procedure can address excessive weight gain.

Some people may be wary about corrective surgery because of the cost and length of their first gastric bypass operation. However, the success rates of gastric bypass revisions are sufficient to continue the weight loss journey.

Who is eligible for a gastric bypass revision?

Only those who have already undergone bariatric surgery are eligible for revision surgery. The gastric pouch, for example, can stretch out over time and become less effective in controlling calorie intake in gastric bypass. A doctor can perform revision surgery to restore the gastric pouch to its previous size, allowing the patient to continue reducing weight.

Almost everyone who undergoes bariatric surgery loses a significant amount of weight right after. This is due in part to the restricted diet you’ll be on while your new stomach heals. You will be on a diet even after you are back on solid foods, which could be weeks or months following surgery.

Though your new stomach is significantly smaller following surgery, your stomach pouch can stretch over time. The gastric pouch can be stretched for two reasons. It might happen spontaneously as your body adjusts to the new digestive tract configuration, or it can happen because of overeating.

Can weight regain be managed with bariatric revision?

Don’t be concerned if you’ve gained weight following a bariatric treatment. There are options available to help you stop weight gain. Just like gastric bypass, bariatric revision surgery is not something that happens by surprise. The bariatric surgeon who performed your original surgery will be working with you during your follow-up appointments to see if you are tolerating the initial surgery well.

Bariatric surgery reduces the size of the stomach, and most bariatric revision options aim to restore your gastric pouch to its smaller size. The surgical alternatives available to you will be determined by the type of weight reduction surgery you had before, and the weight loss goals you desire.

How do you know if you are eligible for revision?

There are other types of bariatric surgery that have revision procedures. Sleeve gastrectomies can be treated with a sleeve revision, which returns your gastric sleeve to its original size. Due to the relatively prevalent nature of the initial treatment, gastric bypass revision has various alternatives as such it can be changed to bypass, mini bypass, or duodenal switch.

Any of these bariatric revisions will need to meet your specific weight loss goals, and other considerations such as your base metabolic rate and physical condition, just like the initial operation. Some types of gastric bypass revision can be done endoscopically as an alternative to standard or even laparoscopic surgery in gastric bypass surgeries.

Only those who have already undergone bariatric surgery are eligible for revision surgery. The gastric pouch, for example, can stretch out over time and become less effective in controlling calorie intake in gastric bypass. A doctor can perform revision surgery to restore the gastric pouch to its previous size, allowing the patient to continue reducing weight.

Also, patients who are more persistent about following their doctor’s advice to live a healthy lifestyle with less weight regain had higher success rates after revision procedures. Bariatric surgery and revision surgery are merely weight-loss tools. If the correct lifestyle modifications are not made, weight gain can begin again.

Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Bypass

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You may be considering bariatric surgery if you’ve struggled to reach and maintain a healthy weight or if you suffer from obesity-related health problems. When combined with a comprehensive weight-loss program, bariatric surgery is extremely effective.

Since there is more than one option for Bariatric Surgery we’ll explain the difference between Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Bypass.

It can not only facilitate you in losing weight, but it can also assist in the improvement or complete elimination of obesity-related conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.  Gastric bypass and gastric sleeve are two of the most successful types of bariatric surgery. While both procedures can result in significant weight loss within 1-2 years of surgery, there are some differences.

What’s the difference between these two surgeries?

Gastric sleeve surgery

The surgeon permanently removes about 80% of your stomach during gastric sleeve surgery. What’s left is packed into a stomach tube. There are no other changes.

Gastric bypass surgery

During this procedure, a small portion of the stomach is isolated, and the end of the small intestine is connected to the new stomach pouch, rerouting food around a large portion of the digestive system.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Is there a difference in recovery?

Gastric bypass surgery is more time-consuming to perform than gastric sleeve surgery. This is because gastric bypass requires more modifications to the digestive system than the sleeve.  Both gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery are generally performed through laparoscopic surgery. To perform the surgery, lighted scope with a camera called a laparoscope and other tools are inserted through several small incisions in your abdomen. After gastric sleeve surgery, you should be able to return home in one or two days.

Who is a good candidate for this surgery?

CRITERIA GASTRIC BYPASS GASTRIC SLEEVE
BMI 40+ ✔️ ✔️
BMI 35-39.9 and additionally 2 or more related metabolic conditions ✔️ ✔️
Metabolic syndrome ✔️ ✔️

*Gastric sleeve is recommended to patients with metabolic syndrome

Do I need to make dietary changes?

YES. Dietary changes before and after either surgery are required. Dietary changes after gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery are essentially the same.

Timeline:

  • You will need to be on a liquid diet for about 2 weeks after your surgery.
  • You will need to eat pureed food and soft food for the next 2 weeks, then  softer food.
  • You’ll be able to eat normal food 30 to 40 days after surgery. 

The size of your stomach pouch, which affects how much you can eat, is the most significant difference in your postoperative diet. The pouch created by either gastric sleeve or bypass surgery holds about 3 ounces.

Following are some important dietary guidelines to follow after your gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery:

  • Eat small portions and stop when you’re satisfied.
  • Thoroughly chew your food
  • Eat slowly and take time to digest 
  • Take vitamins and supplements that are recommended by your doctor
  • Drink enough water to stay hydrated
  • Avoid difficult-to-digest foods like tough meat and bread
  • Carbonated beverages should be avoided 

Over time, your stomach pouch will stretch. After bariatric surgery, it’s critical not to overeat because your pouch can stretch to allow you to regain the weight you lost.


What are the pros and cons?

Pros and cons of gastric sleeve surgery

PROS

  • Up to 65 percent of your excess body weight can be lost.
  • Compared to gastric bypass, recovery time is shorter.
  • Absorption of nutrients and vitamins is not impaired.
  • Dumping syndrome is not as common

CONS

  • In comparison to gastric bypass, less weight is lost.
  • It can’t be reversed 


Pros and cons of gastric bypass surgery

PROS

  • Up to 80% of your excess body weight can be lost.
  • Bypassing the small intestine, fewer calories are absorbed.
  • It is possible to reverse the process, though it is difficult.

CONS

  • Since it implies more anatomical changes, there’s a higher chance of complications.
  • Intestinal bypass causes nutrient and vitamin malabsorption, which can lead to deficiencies.
  • Dumping syndrome is more common.
  • Risk of internal hernias, intestinal obstruction, or ulcers.

A gastric sleeve is a procedure that involves removing a portion of the stomach. A gastric bypass involves the creation of a small gastric pouch and the rerouting of the small bowel. Because the small bowel is rerouted, it is more invasive than the sleeve. Have an open and honest discussion with your surgeon about your fears and your goals. You should walk away confident that you chose the best procedure for you.

DISCLAIMER

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider.

Why Is Gastric Sleeve the Most Popular Bariatric Procedure?

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A look at why the Gastric Sleeve has overtaken the Gastric Bypass as the most popular procedure in the world.

When you’re ready to go with weight loss surgery, you’ll need to select which operations are ideal for your lifestyle, weight loss goal, and overall health. Obesity can be treated by a variety of surgical procedures. Gastric bypass, gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy), are the most frequent bariatric surgical treatments.

Weight loss is achieved through bariatric surgical procedures that restrict the amount of food your stomach can hold, resulting in weight loss, or through a combination of gastric restriction and malabsorption, which removes or bypasses parts of your digestive tract, making it harder for your body to absorb calories. Most weight loss procedures are done with minimally invasive methods.

Is the gastric sleeve the most popular weight loss procedure?

In the United States, the gastric sleeve, often known as a sleeve gastrectomy, is the most common bariatric treatment. It was formerly just a (very effective) first component of a broader duodenal switch treatment. The sleeve’s unexpectedly good results propelled it into the ranks of major surgical treatments, with most insurances, including Medicare, covering it.

But why is the gastric sleeve so popular?

The sleeve’s popularity stems from its ease of use, which provides various advantages to both the surgeon and the patient. First, the surgeon removes around 80% of the existing stomach pouch along the greater curvature, leaving something that looks like a banana or a sleeve, hence the name.

The stomach is completely removed from the abdomen, including the fundus. Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, is produced in large quantities here. Not only do we limit the amount of food that can be consumed in one sitting by removing this section of the stomach, but it has been proven that most patients also have a reduction in hunger, as they self-control their calorie consumption.

Patients, on the other hand, prefer the gastric sleeve because it has fewer limits and considerations than a gastric bypass. For one thing, because the small intestine is not rerouted, there is a considerably lower risk of vitamin and mineral shortages. Patients can also consume a more normal, albeit restricted, diet following surgery without concerns of dumping syndrome.

Is the gastric sleeve for everyone?

Choosing to have bariatric surgery is a tough and very personal decision. As a result, if you’ve done the first step, congratulations; this is a major and significant step forward for your health and life in general. Choose the best technique for you and commit to managing your food intake and exercise routines from that point onwards to lose weight and stay healthy.

To help you decide which surgery is right for you, we recommend visiting our website for more information on the subject. You can also schedule an initial consultation with us at VIDA Bariatrics to learn more about the process.

The following are some of the benefits of gastric sleeve surgery:

  • Causes rapid and considerable weight loss that is comparable to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in comparison studies. Patients who have a gastric sleeve will lose about 60% of their excess weight
  • It helps you lose weight by limiting the amount of food you can eat at one time.
  • Removes the region of your stomach that produces the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin, which reduces your appetite and increases satiety.
  • An average excess weight loss of more than 50% is maintained.
  • Because digestion is not rerouted and the intestines are left intact, digestion proceeds normally, and nutritional deficits are minor after surgery.
  • Unlike gastric bypass surgery, dumping syndrome is unlikely to develop since your stomach exit, known as the pyloric valve, is intact.
  • Doesn’t require the implantation of a gastric band into the body, nor does it require adjustments or fills as gastric bands do.
  • Even on exceedingly obese patients, laparoscopic surgery is usually possible.
  • Effective in treating or preventing obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. For patients with certain health issues, it may also be safer than a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive weight loss surgery.
  • If additional weight loss is required, the procedure is less invasive and can be escalated to bypass or duodenal switch
  • There is a lower risk of ulcers than with gastric bypass surgery.
  • This procedure requires a hospital stay of less than 24hrs.
  • Often a less expensive weight loss procedure than gastric bypass.

Patient risk is reduced with minimally invasive bariatric surgery, such as possible long-term complications, malnourishment, intestinal obstruction, or internal hernias.

Several small abdominal incisions are used to execute a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. The surgery takes around 30 to 40 minutes, since it’s an ambulatory procedure, patients are usually admitted for a hospital stay of less than 24 hours. Minimally invasive procedures reduce post-operative pain, blood loss, and scarring, lowering patient risk and speeding recovery.

Why is Gastric Sleeve Surgery the Best Bariatric Procedure?

Gastric sleeve bariatric surgery is becoming increasingly popular, and with good reason. The gastrointestinal anatomy is not rearranged in the gastric sleeve, commonly known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy or vertical gastrectomy. This fact mitigates many of the risks associated with other bariatric procedures such as the gastric bypass.

The operation is quite effective in treating morbid obesity. The procedure has an 80 percent success rate. Patients who get the surgery can expect long term weight loss of 60% of their excess body weight within a year.

Aside from the significant weight loss, one of the best advantages of surgery is that numerous comorbidities such as diabetes, sleep apnea, and cholesterol tend to improve quickly following surgery.

Patients also enjoy that, when compared to other procedures like gastric bypass, the gastric sleeve has fewer dietary issues, with similar metabolic changes as in a bypass. Patients may become ill because of these consequences if they consume sweets or processed carbs. There is also a lower danger of vitamin shortage following surgery, and no foreign objects are inserted into the body, as with gastric banding. Overall, a gastric sleeve enhances a patient’s quality of life by reducing hunger and the desire to overeat.

Bariatric surgery is an option to help you reduce weight and improve your health overall. If you’re considering bariatric surgery, including the gastric sleeve, give us a call to set up a consultation with us at VIDA Bariatrics.

How Can a Gastric Plication Help You Lose Weight?

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What Is Gastric Plication?

Gastric plication is a type of bariatric surgery that helps people lose weight. It’s a restrictive procedure, which means it shrinks the stomach. This reduces the amount of food you can eat at once and helps you feel fuller sooner. It does not entail gastric banding, stomach stapling, or bypassing the stomach, unlike other bariatric surgeries. To lower the size of the stomach, the surgeon creates large folds.

At VIDA, we have the latest state-of-the-art equipment for this procedure. Laparoscopic gastric plication is a less invasive weight-loss surgery technique that decreases the stomach capacity to about 3 ounces. It’s a restrictive weight-loss operation, which means that the amount of food the stomach can hold is limited. You’ll feel full faster and won’t want to eat as much, which will help you lose weight.

There’s no need for an implanted device in this procedure (such as gastric banding). Because a piece of the stomach is not removed, unlike the gastric sleeve treatment, gastric plication may be reversible because a portion of the stomach is not removed. Furthermore, unlike gastric bypass, gastric plication does not require the intestines to be rerouted and connected.

The techniques used in a gastric plication procedure by our certified medical team, result in a speedier recovery and less scarring than open surgery. Patients can return to work and routine activities in seven to ten days depending on their recovery duration.

Advantages of gastric plication

  • There’s no rerouting of the intestines as in gastric bypass surgery.
  • It does not entail putting a band around a section of the stomach.
  • As with gastric banding, no changes are required.
  • Unlike a sleeve gastrectomy or a gastric bypass, this procedure may be reversible.

What’s the purpose of getting a gastric plication?

If you meet the following criteria your doctor may consider gastric plication surgery:

  • Your BMI (body mass index) is 30 or more, indicating that you are overweight. This is lower than most bariatric surgeries, which are for individuals with morbid obesity with a BMI of 40 or above. Obesity-related health concerns with a BMI of 35.
  • You’ve tried less invasive methods but still haven’t lost enough weight : Diet, exercise, behavioral therapy and medical weight loss with medications are all examples of this.
  • You’ve shown that you’re serious about reducing weight, improving your health, and adopting long-term lifestyle changes.
  • This includes making long-term changes to your food, exercise routine, and behavior. Accepting a lifelong need to limit food portions and adjust food preferences will also be required.

Obesity-related health problems can be reduced by bariatric surgery and lifestyle adjustments in general.

  • Breast, colon, kidney, liver, ovarian, pancreatic, and thyroid cancers are among the most common cancers.
  • Gallbladder disease and kidney disease are symptoms of fatty liver disease.
  • Heart disease, high blood pressure, excessive cholesterol, and stroke are all risk factors for stroke.
  • Osteoarthritis and other types of discomfort.
  • Diabetes type 2.

How’s gastric plication performed?

In a hospital, doctors use general anesthesia to execute gastric plication. To put you in a deep sleep, a combination of intravenous (IV) medications and gases is administered. You won’t feel any pain during the process because you’ll be sleeping.

Gastric plication is a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. It entails creating 5 to 6 abdominal incisions. To execute the operation, your doctor will put small surgical instruments through the incisions. Your doctor will use these instruments to make large stomach folds and structure them in place. The stomach folds diminish the size of your stomach by roughly 70%, it takes 1 to 2 hours to complete the process.

There will be no stapling or cutting of your stomach. As a result, the technique is reversible and can be converted to another procedure in the future.

What to expect of your gastric plication?

On the day of your procedure, here’s what to expect. This is what happens on the day of your operation in general:

  • Your doctor will review your preoperative test and findings, ensure that all essential documentation is completed, and maybe perform a brief physical examination.
  • Your medical history will be discussed with our medical team.
  • Before they transport you to the operating room, the surgical team will give you a sedative to help you relax.
  • After the surgery, you’ll wake up in our recovery area. Where your doctor will indicate if you need to stay or if you can return home.

What should I do to get ready for a gastric plication procedure?

In general, you can prepare for surgery by doing the following:

  • Having a good understanding of your health and medical history.
  • List all your medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins, as well as any drug allergies you have.
  • As recommended, no eating or drinking before surgery. If you eat or drink too soon before your operation, your doctor may decide to postpone it.
  • If you smoke, quit as soon as possible to aid in your recovery after surgery.
  • Taking or discontinuing drugs according to the instructions. Your doctor will provide you with detailed advice on how to take your medications and supplements.

What should I expect following a gastric plication procedure?

It’s easier to plan and prepare for a good recovery when you know what to expect. Our patients who have this procedure lose weight in a similar way to those who have a gastric bypass procedure. In the first 6 to 12 months, patients will lose the majority of their excess weight (about 70%). In most people, full weight loss occurs within two years, and in some cases much sooner.

A gastric plication procedure takes a fraction of the time that most other weight-loss procedures do. Unlike lap band surgery, there will be no need to implant a medical device into the body, and no section of your stomach will be removed. Instead, stitches are used to shrink the stomach in a non-invasive procedure. Because the section of the stomach that controls this function will stay intact, your body will be able to absorb nutrients. If a complication occurs, gastric sleeve plication surgery can be reversed, whereas gastric sleeve surgery cannot. When a surgeon performs gastric sleeve surgery, a considerable section of the stomach is removed, and the procedure cannot be reversed.

How long will the recovery period take?

This surgery will make your stomach smaller, but it will still send a message to your brain alerting your body that your stomach is full far sooner than it would without it. The ghrelin-producing section of the stomach will not be eliminated, but because the stomach is considerably smaller, patients will feel full much sooner, allowing for consistent and long-term weight loss.

Here at VIDA Bariatrics, you can get an appointment with our medical team and certified, specialized surgeons, so you can know what’s the best method for your situation. You can learn everything you need to know about what to expect from a gastric plication surgery. Our experts at VIDA Bariatrics can answer all your concerns and assist you in making the best option when it comes to determining which operation will best help you achieve your weight-loss objectives.

Do I Qualify for Bariatric Revision Surgery?

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You’ve probably been asking yourself, What is bariatric revision surgery? Is it possible for me to have an additional weight loss surgery if I’ve already had bariatric surgery? Am I a good candidate for revision surgery? 

Revision surgery may be suitable for people who experience problems with the original version of the surgery.

What Is Bariatric Revision Surgery?

Bariatric revision surgery is a technique that corrects or helps improve previous weight reduction surgery. Revision surgery is performed on a patient who has previously undergone any type of bariatric procedure, gastric or esophageal surgery.

Revision surgery is difficult not only because of the technical difficulty of performing the procedure but also because of the difficulty of correctly assessing the patient and deciding on the best surgical therapy.

Revision bariatric surgery is intended to address any issues or complications that arise after a primary bariatric procedure. Revision of bariatric procedures such as the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or lap band is one example. The surgery’s goal is to correct any problems and ensure that the client receives the results they desire from their bariatric procedure. Issues arising from the primary procedure frequently necessitate secondary surgery to ensure a full recovery.

Is Bariatric Revision the Same as the Original Surgery?

The chances of complications are higher than on a patient who has never had surgery before, and the recovery time is the same.

Which Bariatric Surgeries Can be Corrected?

Bariatric Revision Surgery is determined by the original procedure and the nature of the issues. Our skilled surgical team at VIDA Wellness and Beauty can assist with bariatric Revision Surgery for a variety of procedures. We offer the following procedures: gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, plication, mini gastric, and duodenal switch, all of which include revision surgery.

Should I Have Bariatric Revision Surgery?

Following an initial bariatric procedure, bariatric revision surgery may be required. A variety of issues may arise, necessitating a revision of the surgery. A failed weight loss procedure is one that has resulted in the following:

  • Less than half of the anticipated weight loss
  • Weight loss followed by regaining some or all of it
  • An intolerance to normal/solid foods
  • Acid reflux is a frequent side effect following bariatric surgery. It may be uncomfortable, and even though acid reflux is a typical symptom that many people experience, it can get worse following bariatric surgery. This can be fixed with revision surgery.
  • Feeling satisfied and full after eating is essential to successful weight loss. However, some people could notice that they don’t experience the expected level of restriction or not restriction at all.
  • Evidence that the overall quality of life is deteriorating
  • Additional health problems as a result of the procedure
  • Incisional hernias occur when the muscles in the abdomen do not fully heal after surgery, causing a bulge or protrusion at the incision site.  Inguinal hernias occur when a portion of the intestine or abdominal tissue protrudes through a weakened area in the groin. Treatment for hernias after bariatric surgery typically involves surgery to repair the hernia.

A weight loss procedure may fail to allow the patient to reach their goals for a variety of reasons. A failed procedure, whether it is gastric banding, gastric sleeve, vertical gastroplasty (stomach stapling), gastric plication, or gastric bypass surgery, is both disappointing and upsetting.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Bariatric Revision Surgery?

Suppose you’ve undergone bariatric surgery in the past but are still struggling with your objectives. In that case, People who had complications with the first version of the operation may benefit from revision surgery. we can assist if you’re having issues. We provide revision weight reduction surgery for the following condition

  • Weight increase following surgery
  • Gastric pouch enlargement
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Syndrome (GERD)

Who Is Not an Acceptable Candidate for Bariatric Revision Surgery?

  • Your weight gain is unrelated to a pouch and outlet enlargement.
  • You’re no longer dedicated to your weight-loss goals.
  • You have not had any type of Bariatric Surgery before.

What Happens After Bariatric Revision Surgery?

The recovery time and procedure for the revision surgery are the same as for the initial operation.

VIDA Bariatrics provides innovative bariatric treatments in a modern, accredited facility that complies with the same rigorous requirements as facilities in the United States. VIDA Bariatrics can assist you if you are seeking reliable bariatric revision surgery.

Our qualified and experienced doctors have extensive expertise in bariatric operations and revision surgery. They and their staff are prepared to provide you with the finest possible care throughout your stay with us.

When it comes to correcting a previous bariatric operation, you can count on us to go above and beyond. Our hospital in Tijuana, Mexico, is intended to provide you with all of the necessary comforts. Patients come from all over the world to obtain the best care from our staff. In addition to our cutting-edge hospital facilities, we provide a Recovery Boutique.

How to Prepare for a Bariatric Surgery Procedure

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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).

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.