Which bariatric procedure is right for me?

If you are thinking about bariatric surgery you are in the right place, there are lot’s of procedures and you may be thinking, “which one is the right for me?”, please, don’t panic, Mexicali Bariatric Center is here to help you in this beautiful process. These are our procedures, please take a look to each of them, that way it would be easier for you to decide.

Gastric Bypass 

The Gastric Bypass is one of the most popular surgeries, it’s quite easy because most of the time it performed laparoscopically and the stomach is separated in two. This surgery is perfect for people with diabetes, slow metabolism, limited mobility. You should considerate you won’t be able to work for about 2 weeks.

Gastric Band

Gastric Band or Lap Band is a less popular option because most of the people don’t like the idea of having a rubber band in their stomach. It’s a safe procedure for people under 30 years.

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy also known as Gastric Sleeve is the perfect procedure for people that don’t want to have foreign objects in their body. In this surgery the stomach is decreased. This surgery is good for almost every person that really want to lose weight, you won’t be able to work about 2-3 weeks.

Duodenal Switch Surgery

Duodenal switch combines two surgical techniques: restrictive and malabsorptive. Duodenal is one of the most popular surgeries because you consume less food than normally, but it is still more than with other weight loss surgeries. If you have a body mass index greater than 40, you may be a candidate for this surgery at Mexicali Bariatric Center. If you have heart failures or sleep apnea this may be a risky surgery, but please ask our experts.

Obalon Gastric Balloon

For people with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or above, you may not need a surgery, Obalon it’s actually a balloon inside your stomach with the purpose of reducing appetite by taking up space. You don’t need to pass a ballon, a patient only needs to ingest a capsule which is used to inflate it once it enters the stomach. The balloon will be remove months later and this will act to educate the patients about portion size. One of the things to consider is that this may not be a lifetime procedure and the patient needs to commit even more.

No matter what procedure you are going to have, there are one super important thing you need to know: this is a lifetime commitment, you would need to change your lifestyle, habits, etc. Despite what many people think, bariatric treatment is not an “easy way out”. Complying with the many  requirements can be very difficult,especially when you’re just getting used to the new routine. Plus, it can be tempting to slip back into your old habits as time goes on. Remember: you are going to change your life forever.

If you are sure you want to make this commitment with you, with your body and you want to change your life forever, please give us a call or visit our website, Mexicali Bariatric Center is going to be with you in this process.

Enhancements in brain activity as a result of weight loss surgery

Cognitive function and obesity

Obesity may cause changes in brain activity and, apparently, some scientific studies claim that weight-loss surgery can improve the brain's activity, as well as cognitive function.

According to a publication of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, weight loss surgery can improve cognitive function and brain activity involved in planning, strategizing and organizing. These results are very interesting, since obesity is a disease that increases the risk of other diseases such as Alzheimer's by 35%.

Obesity alters a special part of the brain called the posterior cingulate gyrus, a part of the brain linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Bariatric surgery reverses this altered activity, and thus reduces the chance of developing  not only Alzheimer’s , but also some forms of dementia.

After surgery, patients showed similar brain functions as those of normal weight patients. After bariatric surgery, the brain was better able to connect  past and present experiences, which are used to plan and organize cognitive processes.

Bariatric surgery has been a solution to obesity for years now, but in recent times the various positive results that this treatment produces  are being scientifically observed. Many organs benefit from this treatment; such as the pancreas, heart, liver, lungs, and  it is now known that the brain also takes benefits from the weight loss.

There are different types of surgeries for weight loss and the surgeons at Mexicali Bariatric Center can recommend what is best for you, depending  on your degree of obesity and  medical history.  

The expert team at Mexicali Bariatric Center can help you determine which surgery is best suited for your particular situation, with over 7,500 successful surgeries Dr. Esquerra and Dr. Wilhelmy are the most experienced bariatric surgeons in Mexico.

Bariatric Surgery: are there any risks?

Bariatric Surgery: are there any risks? 

Bariatric surgery is not without risks. Preoperative studies allow us to assess and take appropriate action to reduce risks to the minimum.

Preoperative assessment of the patient, plus the training of the team of professionals involved in the procedure and the use of appropriate elements such as having the proper facilities to operate in , transform the risk of weight loss surgery in much less than the problems related to obesity itself.

On one side are the risks of any surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia, which is mainly based on who will be undertaking surgery: an obese, sick patient. This patient is considered at risk for any surgical procedure if the necessary precautions are not taken. However, being a scheduled bariatric surgery procedure, the patient reaches the operating room very prepared having followed a pretreatment and in the hands of epxerts specializing in obese patients, thus minimizing risks.

There is a second category of risks that have to do with weight loss surgery itself, but these are the lowest in the area of "major digestive system surgery." As this is a surgery that is done quite often nowadays, experts have gained much experience and that reduces complications. The potential risks are bleeding, leaks in your gastrointestinal system, lung or breathing problems, plus other long-term risks and complications of weight loss surgery such as bowel obstruction, dumping syndrome, ulcers, stomach perforation and vomiting.

It is important to note that the risks of weight loss surgery are fewer than those of obesity itself. As we know from well-designed population studies, the risks of mortality from obesity and related diseases are way larger than those from surgery. However, bariatric surgery risks can be dramatically reduced by making the right choices. 

For every surgical procedure it is of vital importance to choose the right surgeon and the best hospital. Mexicali Bariatric Center in Mexicali, Mexico, has the best bariatric program in the country. Besides, board certified surgeons Dr. Gilberto Ungson and Dr. Rodolfo Wilhelmy, colleagues and friends of the late Dr. Alberto Aceves, are two of the leading authorities in Latin America in weight loss surgery.

Only board certified physicians should perform an operation. Mexicali Bariatric Center is a world renown institution. Dr. Ungson, who trained Dr. Aceves on the duodenal switch surgery, and Dr. Wilhelmy, with 18 years of experience in laparoscopic bariatric surgery in Mexico, are widely respected in the international medical community, furthermore Almater Hospital has the best facilities in the region, with standards up to par with hospitals in the US and Canada.

For more information on weight loss surgery please visit mexicalibariatric.com or call us toll free at 1-888-344-3916.