How soon after weight loss surgery can I return to work?

After surgery, most patients return to work in one or two weeks.

Will I have to go on a diet before I have surgery?

Yes. Many insurance companies require patients to be on a weight loss program before qualifying for surgery. Many bariatric surgeons put their patients on a special pre-operative diet, usually 2 or 3 weeks just before surgery. The reason for the pre-operative diet is to shrink the liver and reduce fat in the abdomen. This helps during the procedure and makes it safer. Some insurance companies require a physician-monitored diet three to six months prior to surgery as part of their coverage requirement. These diets are very different from the short-term diets and usually are more about food education and showing a willingness to complete appointments and to learn.

Will I lose my hair after surgery?

Some hair loss is common between 3 and 6 months following surgery but almost always temporary. The reasons for hair loss are not totally understood. Even if you take all recommended supplements and meet protein requirements, hair loss will be noticed until the follicles come back. Adequate intake of protein, vitamins, and minerals will help to ensure hair re-growth, and avoid longer term thinning.

Do most people who have weight loss surgery regain their weight?

No. A small number of patients can regain their weight but the vast majority lose significant weight and keep this weight off. More than 95% of patients will successfully lose half of their extra body weight or more after surgery for weight loss. Roux end gastric bypass patients, for example, on average lose approximately 70% of their extra body weight initially, and 2 years or more after surgery will regain approximately 5% of their extra body weight. Compared to these results, patients who attempt weight loss without surgery, on average, are able to lose little weight and may gain weight in the long-term.

Will I have to be on a diet after the surgery?

No. Most people think of a “diet” as a plan that leaves you hungry. That is not the way people feel after surgery. Eventually, most patients get some form of appetite back 6-18 months after surgery. Your appetite is much weaker, and easier to satisfy than before. This does not mean you can eat whatever and whenever you want. Healthier food choices are important for best results, but most patients still enjoy tasty food, and even occasional “treats”.

Do weight loss surgery patients have serious health problems caused by vitamin deficiency?

As long as patients take their appropriate vitamins, it is rare to have health problems from vitamin deficiency. Weight loss surgery can lead to reduced amounts of vitamins and minerals because people eat less and may absorb less in the intestines. Weight loss surgeries have different effects on vitamins and minerals based on how much change in absorption they cause. Deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and protein can negatively affect health causing: fatigue (feeling tired) anemia (low levels of red blood cells that carry oxygen through your body) bone and muscle loss impaired night vision low immunity (your body’s ability to stay healthy) loss of nerve function (can affect your senses such as touch, taste, and smell) mental function deficits (changes how clearly you think) Fortunately, nutrient deficiencies following surgery can be easily avoided with a good diet and the use of supplements including vitamins, minerals, and sometimes protein supplements. Before and after surgery, patients are advised of the appropriate diet and vitamin supplement needed. Most weight loss surgery programs also require patients to have their vitamins and minerals checked on a regular basis after surgery. Nutrient deficiencies and any associated health problems are preventable with monitoring and patients following diet and supplement (vitamin and mineral) recommendations. Health problems due to deficiencies usually occur in patients who do not regularly follow-up to monitor healthy vitamin and mineral levels. Be sure you stay in touch with your weight loss surgery team for best results!

Is the chance of dying from weight loss surgery more than the chance of dying from obesity?

No. Weight loss surgery is very safe and decreases the chance of dying from obesity. In fact, weight loss surgery is safer than removing the gallbladder or having a knee replacement. A recent study of 209,116 patients found the risk of death from weight loss surgery was 0.16%, or approximately 1 in 600. (4) This rate is considerably less than most other surgeries, including gallbladder and hip replacement surgery. Large studies find that the risk of death from any cause is considerably less for patients after weight loss surgery than for those who have severe obesity and have never had the surgery. Patients who have weight loss surgery have a reduction in their risk of death by 40%. Death related to diabetes is reduced by more than 90% and from heart disease by more than 50% for patients after weight loss surgery. (3) The benefits of weight loss surgery far outweigh the risks. As with any serious surgical operation, the decision to have weight loss surgery should be discussed with your surgeon, family members, and loved ones.

Home › Bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery

Contents

0.1 Before and After Photos
0.2 Improve your quality of life
0.3 The best weight loss solution in Tijuana
- 0.3.1 Hospital with the latest technology in Mexico
0.4 In the front line
0.5 Single value
0.6 Luxury recovery
0.7 Excellent service
0.8 What is bariatric surgery?
- 0.8.1 Is weight loss surgery a ‘cop-out’? To lose weight, should people with obesity just go on a diet and exercise?
0.9 Benefits of Bariatric Surgery
0.10 Ready for Life-Changing Weight Loss?
0.11 Gastric sleeve
0.12 Gastric bypass
0.13 Gastric band removal
0.14 Post bariatric plastic surgery
0.15 Revision procedure
0.16 Get back to living your life with our safe and effective weight loss procedures
- 0.16.1 Before
- 0.16.2 After
0.17 Great reviews from our customers
0.18 Our Management Team
0.19 Certifications

1 Your Surgeon
- 1.1 Certifications
- 1.2 FAQ

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Improve your quality of life

Achieve your weight loss goals with our experienced and certified surgeons

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Testimonials

The best weight loss solution in Tijuana

Hospital with the latest technology in Mexico

An avant-garde hospital proposal, equipped with the latest technology, extensive experience in medical tourism and luxury care. Our main objective is to offer the best of experiences, security and excellent care in a warm, private and exclusive environment. Strategically located just three blocks from the Tijuana-San Diego border crossing.

In the front line

Our new state of the art operating rooms are fully equipped and ready to perform life changing procedures that will improve your health and enhance your beauty

Single value

Our surgical floors have the largest and most modern recovery units in the region. They are areas with highly qualified clinical staff, fully equipped with individual monitors and the latest technology

Luxury recovery

Fully equipped rooms, specially designed to be comfortable, modern, with a warm and cozy atmosphere that contribute to the patient’s quick recovery

Excellent service

We have a team of highly qualified nurses to highly qualified nursing staff to cover in a timely, responsible and responsibility and human warmth to meet the needs of our patients during their of our patients during their recovery stage

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What is bariatric surgery?

Surgical procedure to effectively treat morbid obesity in people whose exercise methods have not worked or who have serious health problems because of their weight. Our goal is to help the patient lose excess weight and reduce the risk of fatal weight-related health problems.

Gastric band removal

Post bariatric surgery

Revision

Each type of surgery has different benefits and they are different depending on the needs of each patient.

Is weight loss surgery a ‘cop-out’? To lose weight, should people with obesity just go on a diet and exercise?

Many people who suffer from obesity find it difficult to lose weight and keep it off with diet and exercise alone. This is probably due to nutrition and health related characteristics.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Expert Panel stated that without surgery, long-term weight loss is nearly impossible for those with severe obesity. Studies show little long-term success with diet and exercise alone. When a person goes on a diet, their body produces more hormones that cause an increase in hunger and a decrease in calories burned. There are significant differences between someone who has lost weight by dieting and someone of the same size who has never lost weight. For example, the body of the person who reduces his or her weight from 200 to 170 pounds burns fewer calories than the body of a 170-pounder who has never been on a diet. Weight loss procedures cause biological changes that help reduce food intake. Energy intake (in the form of food) decreases with surgery by restricting stomach size and limiting absorption. In addition, surgery modifies the production of certain intestinal hormones (or signals) that communicate with the brain to reduce hunger, decrease appetite and increase satiety. In this way, weight loss surgery, unlike dieting, produces long-term weight loss.

Public Education Committee. (2020, September). FAQs of Bariatric Surgery. ASMBS

Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

In addition to weight loss, it improves conditions often associated with being overweight, such as:

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Ready for Life-Changing Weight Loss?

The type of weight loss surgery a patient undergoes depends on his or her specific situation and needs.

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Gastric sleeve

Restrictive procedure whose objective is to reduce the size of the stomach by 60% to 80%, eliminating two thirds of the stomach and the hormones it secretes. In addition, our patients feel less hungry and overcome the urge to eat. If your BMI is less than 45 and you do not suffer from type 1 diabetes, then this is traditionally the most common procedure to receive.

Duration

It usually lasts only 45 minutes and has one of the highest success rates in the industry.

Benefits

Less of the hormone “ghrelin” is produced, which is responsible for hunger.

Anesthesia

It is performed under general anesthesia.

Cost

Amazingly affordable. This is thanks to the lower cost of medical procedures in Mexico.

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Gastric bypass

Extremely effective weight loss procedure. Gastric Bypass patients lose between 60% and 80% of excess body weight during the first year. This procedure is usually recommended for patients with a BMI of 45 or higher and who also have type 1 diabetes.

Reduction

Blood sugar and insulin levels.

Improvement

The patient’s ability to move, physical endurance and respiratory capacity.

Duration

This procedure usually lasts 90 minutes or more.

Helps

People suffering from asthma, high blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux, hypercholesterolemia and obstructive sleep apnea.

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Gastric band removal

Adjustable gastric band removal and conversion of the band to gastric sleeve is a procedure that is performed when, after undergoing gastric band surgery, the patient does not obtain the expected results. Causes for gastric band removal:

Lack of weight loss
Gastric band erosion
Internal band infections
Having symptoms of gastric banding intolerance
When a person has difficulty swallowing his food

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Post bariatric plastic surgery

Unfortunately, neither exercise nor diet help tighten sagging skin. The goal of post-bariatric surgery consists of cosmetic procedures that remove excess skin on the abdomen, arms, thighs and chest to give a better appearance to the body of a person who has undergone a weight loss procedure. At Blue Medical Tower our surgeons specialize in all areas of bariatric plastic and reconstructive surgery, and as part of our team we count with the more than 25 years of experience of Dr. Manuel Gutierrez, board-certified plastic surgeon and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Widely known and recommended.

Arm lift brachioplasty

Helps remove excess fat between the armpit, elbow and skin.

Back lift

Removes excess fat and skin accumulated in the back over time.

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

Removal of fat from selected areas of the body for buttock augmentation.

Butt Gluteal Implants

Increase in the shape and volume of the buttocks through silicone prosthesis.

Calf Implants

Shapes and corrects the legs providing a more aesthetic proportion.

Liposuction (Liposculpture)

Reduces the volume of body fat in places of natural fat accumulation.

Thigh lift cruroplasty

Eliminates flaccidity in specific parts of the thigh.

Abdominoplasty

Removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen.

Post-weight loss surgery

Removes excess skin and restores body contours.

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Revision procedure

Revisional bariatric surgery is performed to repair or modify a previous weight loss surgery. It may be appropriate for you if your weight loss has not been optimal, if you have regained weight, or if you have had complications from the original procedure. Unfortunately, some people regain weight after bariatric surgery, which can lead to a recurrence of conditions such as hypertension or high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and joint pain.

Candidates for surgery:

-Has not lost 50 percent of excess weight -You have regained enough weight to cause medical problems to reappear -Your BMI is equal to or greater than 40