Day: May 19, 2025

Obesity and morbid obesity are an epidemic, which is why many patients turn to the surgeons of Tijuana Bariatrics. Our leading weight loss surgeons based in Tijuana have helped countless patients through safe, affordable, state-of-the-art bariatric surgery. Patients come into the practice dealing with health issues and leave on the road to a healthier tomorrow.

Body mass is an important part of assessing obesity and tailoring treatment to a patient’s needs. Let’s consider class 1 obesity and what this means exactly.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) Explained

Body mass index (BMI) refers to a ratio of a person’s weight and height. This number arrived at will yield a certain range that considers height and weight and how that relates to overall body mass.

Keep in mind that it’s not always the most accurate assessment for health and wellness since people with lots of muscle mass may be considered overweight. Still, for the majority of the population, the BMI is a pretty good measure of an ideal weight range.

Obesity (Class 1) – BMI 30.0-34.9

Class 1 obesity means that a person is no longer just overweight. In such cases, her or she is carrying a significant amount of body mass (often body fat) in excess of a normal amount. This increases the risk of obesity-related illnesses and other wellness issues.

People who are obese tend to have a significant issues with the waist size. For women, this usually means a waist of 35” or greater; for men this means a waist of 40” or greater. Waist measurement will be considered in addition to BMI in order to make an accurate assessment about the classification of a patient’s obesity.

Health Problems Associated with Obesity (Class 1)

There are a number of health problems linked to obesity. These include the following:

• Diabetes<
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Arthritis later in life
• Cancer
• Sleep apnea
• Gallstones

Can I Achieve a More Ideal Body Mass Without Surgery?

It is possible, and it may not be too difficult for people with class obesity to lose weight and achieve a more ideal body mass. That said, changing your diet and activity level takes a lot of effort, and reducing weight by a significant amount can take time. If you need to lose weight urgently to avoid serious health issues, it may be worthwhile to consider bariatic surgery.

How Bariatric Surgery Can Help – Obesity (Class 1)

Bariatric surgery can reduce the amount of calories you consumer each day, which helps you lose weight safely yet rapidly. There are different surgeries that can be performed, including gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric bypass. During the consultation process, we will be sure to provide you with detailed information on all of your weight loss options so you can make a smart decision about your future health and wellness.

Speak with Our Team of Doctors

For more information on treating obesity and helping patients achieve a healthier lifestyle overall, be sure to contact our team of bariatric surgery specialists today. Our entire team will be more than happy to answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you achieve total wellness in the process.

Thanks to our network of weight loss surgeons, countless people have been able to undergo safe, affordable, state-of-the-art bariatric surgery. Operating out of Tijuana in an advanced hospital with a dedicated floor for his practice, our doctors change lives for the better thanks to modern surgical weight loss techniques.

We’d like to continue our discussion of body mass and wellness that we’ve been having on our blog this month. Let’s look at obesity class 2 and why weight loss surgery can be helpful for people who would like to be healthy again.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) Explained

To reiterate, body mass index (BMI) refers to a ratio of a person’s weight and height. This number arrived at will yield a certain range that considers height and weight and how that relates to overall body mass.

Keep in mind that it’s not always the most accurate assessment for health and wellness since people with lots of muscle mass may be considered overweight. Still, for the majority of the population, the BMI is a pretty good measure of an ideal weight range.

Obesity (Class 2) – BMI 35.0-39.9

Class 2 obesity means that a patient is significantly obese. Their weight will be significantly greater than the average weight for people of the patient’s height and weight. Risk for major helath problems increases at this level of obesity.

People who are obese tend to have a significant issues with the waist size, which becomes more pronounced at higher levels of obesity. For women, this usually means a waist of 35” or greater; for men this means a waist of 40” or greater.

Health Problems Associated with Obesity (Class 2)

Some of the most common health problems associated with class 2 obesity include:

• Diabetes<
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Arthritis later in life
• Cancer
• Sleep apnea
• Gallstones

Can I Achieve a More Ideal Body Mass Without Surgery?

With class 2 obesity, it is possible to lose weight through regular exercise and a better diet, but it can be very challenging. What’s more, losing weight safely and by healthy means can take time. This is of the utmost importance to consider if you face a number of serious health issues that may have immanent consequences. In such cases, you may wish to consider bariatric surgery to address your urgent health and wellness needs.

How Bariatric Surgery Can Help – Obesity (Class 2)

Bariatric surgery involves a reduction of the amount of calories a person consumes or absorbs. Thanks to gastric banding, gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy procedures, a patient can cut back on caloric consumption and lose weight rapidly in the process. This helps prevent major health issues down the road.

Each surgery is tailored to the needs of the patients, so we will assess your situation and determine the ideal weight loss approach for you and your needs.

Speak with Our Team of Bariatric Surgeons

For more information about bariatric surgery and how it can help you lead a healthier lifestyle, be sure to contact our team of bariatric surgery specialists today. Our team will tailor a surgical solution to meet your need.

Morbid obesity can be quite serious, causing major health problems in the present and impacting overall duration and quality of life. This is why our bariatric surgeons are proud to offer safe, affordable, state-of-the-art bariatric surgery. Our Tijuana weight loss surgery practice can change lives for the better without sacrificing safety or quality.

We’ve been looking at the link between body mass and obesity on our blog this month. Let’s consider morbid obesity and what it means to experience this particular class of excess body mass.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) Explained

Body mass index (BMI) refers to a ratio of a person’s weight and height. This number arrived at will yield a certain range that considers height and weight and how that relates to overall body mass.

Keep in mind that it’s not always the most accurate assessment for health and wellness since people with lots of muscle mass may be considered overweight. Still, for the majority of the population, the BMI is a pretty good measure of an ideal weight range.

Obesity (Class 3) – BMI 40.0-49.9

Class 3 obesity is considered morbid obesity, meaning that a person carries a significant amount of excess body weight, much of which is comprised of body fat. Morbidly obese people weigh a great deal more than their ideal BMI, and it should come as no surprise that this results in a number of serious health problems.

People who are obese tend to have a significant issues with the waist size, which becomes more pronounced at higher levels of obesity. For women, this usually means a waist of 35” or greater; for men this means a waist of 40” or greater. Bariatric surgeons will consider waist measurement and other factors when assessing overall BMI and obesity matters.

Health Problems Associated with Obesity (Class 3)

Some of the health issues associated with class 3 obesity/morbid obesity include:

• Diabetes<
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Arthritis later in life
• Cancer
• Sleep apnea
• Gallstones

Can I Achieve a More Ideal Body Mass Without Surgery?

While it can be done, it is often extremely difficult and can take a long time. This is just the reality of weight loss for people who carry a significant amount of excess weight. When someone is morbidly obese, proper diet and regular exercise can make an impact on overall body mass, but it can be difficult to continue losing weight until a relatively normal BMI is achieved. If a patient faces urgent health issues related to obesity, it may be ideal for them to undergo bariaric surgery.

How Bariatric Surgery Can Help – Obesity (Class 3)

Bariatric surgery limits the amount of calories a patient consumes. Combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, surgical weight loss can result in a significant reduction of body mass in a relatively short amount of time. This means reduced risk of harm from obesity-related illnesses and lower risk of health problems later in life as well.

Our doctors will work with each patient to develop a custom treatment plan. We will be more than happy to answer questions and address concerns regarding surgical weight loss procedures.

Contact Tijuana Bariatrics

For more information about treating obesity and helping you achieve a healthier life, be sure to contact our team of weight loss surgery specialists today. Our entire team will work closely with you to develop and ideal treatment plan.

Here at Tijuana Bariatrics, we want to help as many people as possible. We know that surgical weight loss procedures can have a positive impact on people’s lives, and the positive effects of the procedure should be available to those in need.

That said, high Body Mass Index (BMI) bariatric surgery is often rare, just given the challenges involved in performing the surgery and patient wellness after the procedure. Let’s look at the basics and then consider some issues related to healing and recovery.

What Is a High BMI?

The BMI refers to a way of measuring body fat related to a person’s weight and height. The ranges of BMI help determine what body mass range a person falls into. Broadly, they are as follows:

• Underweight – BMI less than 18.5
• Normal Weight – BMI 18.5-24.9
• Overweight – BMI 25.0-29.9
• Obesity (Class 1) – BMI 30.0-34.9
• Severe Obesity (Class 2) – BMI 35.0-39.9
• Morbid Obesity (Class 3) – BMI 40.0-49.9
• Superobesity/Extreme Obesity – BMI greater than 50.0

A high BMI in these cases would refer to people who suffer from higher-tier extreme obesity, such as BMIs of 75 or higher.

Risks Increase when a Person Is Extremely Obese

When a person has a high BMI, the risks increase for undergoing bariatric surgery, including potential issues with healing, hernias, and pneumonia. Much of this is due to the size of the patient’s abdominal wall and the difficulties that poses when performing surgery. Recovery can be challenging as well given how dramatic the weight loss can be.

Preparing for Bariatric Surgery

If you have a high BMI, sometimes you will be asked to lose as much weight as you can naturally before you actually undergo the surgery. Sometimes this can be achieved through a liquid diet. Suitability for surgery and other factors can be discussed during your consultation.

In essence, healing begins before surgery, because you’re making your body suitable to undergo the weight loss surgery.

Diet After Bariatric Surgery

In the weeks after you undergo bariatric surgery, you will have to make adjustments with regard to your diet. In the first week, your diet will be clear liquids only in order to avoid serious pain and discomfort to your stomach and digestive tract after surgery. Slowly over the course of the next few weeks, you will reintroduce solid foods. It’s important to savor your meals, eat slowly, and to drink water between meals during this healing process.

Physical Activity After Bariatric Surgery

As you recover, it’s important to walk around when possible. While strenuous physical activity should be avoided, this light activity is vital for ensuring proper blood circulation and avoiding blood clots. As you continue to recover from surgery, regular exercise will be important to help you lose more weight and do so in a healthy manner.

Seeking Emotional and Moral Support After Surgery

Food and exercise are both important, but it’s similarly of great importance that you seek emotional support and moral support from loved ones as you heal. Losing a lot of weight can be psychologically difficult, especially as your relationship to food and the appearance of your body changes. In addition to speaking with your friends and family members about these matters, it’s also of the utmost importance that you seek support networks online and perhaps even meet with a counselor to discuss the good and the bad of the healing process.

Learn More About Bariatric Surgery

To learn more about recovering from bariatric surgery and how our team can help you, be sure to contact our weight loss surgery center today. The team here at Tijuana Bariatrics is eager to help you on the road to a healthier life.

Here at Tijuana Bariatrics, our goal is helping people look great and feel great. In many cases that means the careful tailoring of surgical procedures to address excessive weight. Most bariatric surgeons are able to address obesity and morbid obesity, but not as many are able to address high BMI bariatric surgery for extreme obesity.

With extreme obesity and high BMIs in mind, we want to go over some of the risks involved in these kinds of procedures. Bariatric surgery can be a life-changer for patient with a high BMI, but we want to let these patients know what they may be facing with regard to surgical risks.

Defining “High BMI”

As we noted in our last post on high BMI bariatric surgery recovery, BMI refers to a measurement of body fat related to a person’s weight and height. The number helps determine what body mass range a person falls into. Broadly, they are as follows:

• Underweight – BMI less than 18.5
• Normal Weight – BMI 18.5-24.9
• Overweight – BMI 25.0-29.9
• Obesity (Class 1) – BMI 30.0-34.9
• Severe Obesity (Class 2) – BMI 35.0-39.9
• Morbid Obesity (Class 3) – BMI 40.0-49.9
• Superobesity/Extreme Obesity – BMI greater than 50.0

A high BMI refers to people who suffer from higher-tier extreme obesity, such as BMIs of 75 or higher.

Why High BMI Bariatric Surgery Is Risky

Given the extreme amount of body fat and body mass and the effects of these factors on a person’s general wellness, a high BMI makes surgical procedures more difficult than they would be on a patient with a lower BMI. The difficult involved with these sorts of surgeries are such that some surgeons will not perform high BMI bariatric surgery.

These procedures require a great degree of skill to perform, and extra diligence when it comes to post-operative patient care.

Common Risks of High BMI Bariatric Surgery

Some common post-surgical risks for people who have a BMI include:

• Issues with Healing Time – With increased body mass, a number of patients have issues with slow healing, which in some cases also means an increased risk of infection.

• Difficulty Performing the Surgery – The sheer body mass of a person can make laparoscopic surgery more difficult to perform.

• Increased Risk of Hernia – Potential changes to the abdominal wall can increase the risk of a hernia after a person undergoes bariatric surgery, and the risk increases when the surgery is performed on someone with a high BMI.

• Pneumonia – Fluid accumulation in the lungs after surgery can lead to pneumonia, and patients with a high BMI do run a greater risk of this after their surgery has been performed.

• Heart Issues – Patients who were at risk for heart disease going into bariatric surgery may run a risk of abnormal heartbeat and other cardiovascular issues as they heal.

• Blood Clots/Deep Vein Thrombosis – Blood clots can form in the legs while healing after surgery and potentially spread to the lungs. This is why it’s important to ensure proper circulation as you recover, though it can be more challenging to accomplish this with patients who have a high BMI.

Preparing Patients for Weight Loss Surgery

In order to prepare patients with a very high BMI for their bariatric procedure, it’s not uncommon to have patients go on an all-liquid diet. This allows a person to lose weight and lower their BMI, in some cases dramatically, so that they are in a better position to undergo surgery and experience its benefits without the risks.

During a consultation, we can offer our insight and advice with regard to dealing with high BMI surgical needs.

Using Our Expertise and Insight

We pride ourselves in helping patients with all sorts of issues, and high BMI is one such matter we can handle. It’s important that we plan accordingly, prepare a patient for their surgery, and then follow through with expert surgery and proper instructions to prevent severe side effects and complications.

In essence, our team will work with the patient closely to help ensure the right choices are made to help facilitate rapid weight loss that’s safe in the short-term and the long-run.

Schedule a Consultation at Tijuana Bariatrics

For more information about high BMI weight loss procedures and how you can learn about your treatment options, be sure to contact our team of bariatric surgery experts today. The team at Tijuana Bariatrics looks forward to your visit and discussing these matters with you in greater detail.

Bariatric surgery is a great treatment option for individuals who have been unsuccessful at losing weight through traditional methods, such as diet and exercise. For those who are severely overweight, and especially those who are considered morbidly obese, bariatric surgery can be a lifesaving procedure. However, as effective as bariatric surgery can be, it does take a lot of effort to maintain good results. Healthy habits ensure the long-term success of weight loss. Among these healthy habits is a reduction in the consumption of alcohol. Here, the team at Tijuana Bariatrics discusses the benefits of limiting alcohol consumption after bariatric surgery. To schedule an appointment, contact our Tijuana, BC practice.

How Bariatric Surgery Affects Alcohol Consumption

It is important for patients to understand that bariatric surgery dramatically alters the stomach and the digestive system. Because of this, food, beverages, and nutrients are no longer processed and absorbed in the same way they were prior to surgery. When it comes to alcohol, its effects are much greater after bariatric surgery. Alcohol is already absorbed faster than other foods and beverages, but in a bariatric patient’s smaller stomach, alcohol sensitivity will be especially high. The stomach produces an enzyme to help break down alcohol, but in the smaller, post-surgical stomach, less of the enzyme is produced. Additionally, a smaller stomach cannot hold as much volume, so most patients who are consuming alcohol after bariatric surgery are doing so with less food. All of this amounts to increased alcohol sensitivity and a higher blood alcohol level.

Benefits of Limited Alcohol Consumption

There are a number of reasons why a patient should limit, or completely eliminate, alcohol consumption after bariatric surgery. Aside from the increased sensitivity to alcohol, drinking fills up the stomach with empty calories and prevents patients from absorbing important nutrients. Without proper nutrition, weight loss may be compromised and health problems may develop. Some of the benefits of limiting alcohol consumption after bariatric surgery include:

• Encourages maximum weight loss results: Alcohol fills the stomach with calories that contain no nutritional value. By limiting alcohol consumption, especially during the period of rapid weight loss, patients can ensure that proper nutrition is taken in, and that optimal weight loss results are achieved.
• Ensures the body receives adequate protein: Protein is vital to a patient’s overall health. If patients limit alcohol consumption, the stomach will have room for nutrient-rich sources of protein. Protein not only encourages weight loss, but it ensures that weight loss comes from fat, rather than the loss of muscle tissue.
• Reduces dehydration: Alcohol increases the risk of dehydration. Since dehydration is already a concern following bariatric surgery, it is especially important for patients to limit alcohol consumption after surgery and prioritize the consumption of water.

Contact Us

We want patients to experience long-term success from bariatric surgery. We know that an understanding of healthy habits after surgery is the key to this success. If you have questions about the bariatric surgical procedure, or what can be expected during recovery, we are happy to discuss these issues with you in further detail. Contact us at your earliest convenience to learn more.

Here at Tijuana Bariatrics, we’ve always considered the long-term post-surgical recovery just as important as the weight loss procedure itself. Developing healthy habits after weight loss surgery is one of the best ways to keep excessive eight off, increase your life expectancy, and avoid serious health issues down the road.

With that in mind, we want to turn our attention to smoking. It’s one of the least healthiest things a person can do, and it can put your life at risk after bariatric surgery. Let’s consider some of the important benefits of quitting cigarettes and tobacco products after weight loss procedures.

Smoking Has Many Negative Effects on Health

We all know that smoking can have a negative impact on your health and wellness. Smokers often experience issues with lung disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, and different kinds of cancers.

It should come as no surprise, then, that smoking after weight loss surgery can have a negative overall impact on wellness. In addition to the above health problems, there are other compelling reasons why you should not smoke after you have undergone a bariatric procedure of any kind.

Smoking and Its Effects on Surgical Recovery

Smoking has been linked to poor wound recovery, increased infection risk, and a host of other problems with regard to post-surgical healing. In order to prevent issues with infection and slow healing times, it’s best for patients to avoid tobacco products after their procedure has been performed. This is imperative in those early weeks of recovery.

Post-Surgical Complications Related to Smoking

Some of the most common complications linked to smoking after bariatric surgery include the following:

• Infection
• Blood clots
• Marginal ulcers
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Pneumonia

While blood clots are rare after weight loss surgery, it’s important that patients note that blood clots are a leading cause of death for the small number of fatalities linked to bariatric surgery. Rather than smoke and increase your risk of serious harm, avoid tobacco products and focus on your health.

Patients Should Avoid Smoking Before Bariatric Surgery

In fact, sometimes preparing for healing is part of the recovery process. Since tobacco products can have a negative impact on general wellness as well as surgical recovery, it’s best for patients to avoid tobacco products for several weeks heading into their surgery. This will help your body prepare for the procedure and process out as much of the harmful substances related to tobacco products.

Surgical Weight Loss Should Be About Total Wellness

We’ve stressed time and time again that bariatric surgery isn’t just about losing weight but achieving total wellness. The weight loss helps clear the path toward a healthier you, and you should use this opportunity to improve various aspects of your lifestyle. This means eating better, exercising more, and eliminating bad habits that could put your life at risk.

Getting the Help You Need

We know that kicking the habit is a major challenge, but thankfully there are many resources out there for people who want to quit smoking for good. We’d be more than happy to discuss these with you and put you in touch with people who can help. This is an important part of total wellness, and a key choice when it comes to the healthy living that bariatric procedures promote.

Contact the Team at Tijuana Bariatrics

For more information about bariatric surgery and how it can help you become healthier, be sure to contact our team of weight loss surgery specialists today. The team at Tijuana Bariatrics will work closely with you to help promote overall wellness.

While bariatric surgery is, first and foremost, intended to promote massive weight loss in people who are struggling with morbid obesity, bariatric procedures can accomplish far more than that. Bariatric surgery can also help to reduce the risk of an entire host of conditions that are associated with obesity. These strongly related conditions, clinically known as comorbidities, include such potentially life-threatening diseases as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and gallbladder disease. By losing substantial amounts of weight, people who undergo bariatric surgery can dramatically decrease their risk for these comorbidities and improve their chances of living longer, healthier lives.

One of the comorbidities of obesity that is not as well-known as the above-listed is sleep apnea, the most notable symptom of which is heavy snoring. Many of the patients who turn to Tijuana Bariatrics have loved ones who complain of their snoring and ask whether weight loss will help to improve matters. The answer is quite possibly. In discussing bariatric surgery and snoring at our Tijuana, BC bariatric center, our surgeons inform patients and their loved ones that if snoring is caused by sleep apnea, then bariatric surgery could help to improve the condition. However, it also may not, even if the patient reaches his or her target weight.

How Are Snoring, Sleep Apnea, and Obesity Related?

First, let’s discuss the relationship between snoring and sleep apnea. While snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, it is important to note that not all snoring is caused by sleep apnea. Snoring can result from the natural anatomy of a person’s mouth and sinuses; some people snore due to alcohol consumption or smoking. Poor sleeping habits can also result in snoring.

Snoring that results from sleep apnea is also accompanied by pauses in breathing that can last for several seconds. These pauses are often quite obvious because they will interrupt the heavy snoring; there will usually be a sudden silence followed by an explosive snore signifying that breathing has resumed. These interruptions can occur dozens and potentially hundreds of times each night. Sleep apnea not only deprives a person from getting a proper night’s sleep, but it also poses a great many dangers to his or her health. Like obesity, there are many conditions closely linked with sleep apnea, including diabetes and glaucoma.

As stated above, sleep apnea is a comorbidity of obesity. This means that it is closely related. One study demonstrated that people who are morbidly obese are ten times more likely to have sleep apnea than the general population. However, obesity does not cause sleep apnea, even though it may contribute to it. This means that, while bariatric surgery may lower the risk of sleep apnea among those who do not have the condition, and it may help to alleviate or even eliminate the condition and its symptoms among those who do have the condition, it should not be considered a cure for sleep apnea. It does not address the cause; it only addresses a comorbid condition.

Nevertheless, the likelihood of symptoms improving after massive weight loss is quite high.

Learn More about Bariatric Surgery and Snoring

To learn more about bariatric surgery and snoring, please contact Tijuana Bariatrics today.

The team at Tijuana Bariatrics is always fascinated by the improvements in medical technology. That’s why we are proud to provide advanced bariatric surgery in a state-of-the-art medical facility. Yet surgical weight loss procedures have come a long way, and we don’t just mean in the last 10 years.

Let’s take a moment to share the fascinating history of bariatric surgery, noting key innovations that make the field of bariatrics what it is today.

The 1950s: The First Weight Loss Surgery Procedures

While weight loss surgery has been discussed in the media much more frequently in the last decade or so, the history of bariatric goes back into the early 20th century.

Developed in the 1950s, the first weight loss surgery technique was known as the jejunoileal bypass. This was a malabsorptive form of weight loss surgery, meaning that it reduced the amount of calories that are absorbed during digestion. In a jejunoileal bypass, a surgeon removes most of a patient’s small intestine, leaving just a 1 foot to 1.5 feel of the small bowel in place.

The jejunoileal bypass was the weight loss surgery procedure performed through the 1950s through the 1970s, though it is no longer performed by bariatric surgeons today. Most of the patients who underwent this procedure experienced serious issues with digestion, including diarrhea, kidney stones, and serious nutritional deficiencies. Thankfully the weight loss surgeries of today have evolved a great deal.

The 1960s: Gastric Bypass Surgery Emerges

Developed by Dr. Ed Mason and Dr. Chikashi Ito during the 1960s, the gastric bypass first emerged after the two doctors noticed the weight loss that patients had experienced following the removal of part of their stomachs. Interestingly, these initial experiments with the surgery dated back to

The basics of the gastric bypass involves rerouting a portion of the small intestine. Over the decades, the surgery was refined to reduce complications and adverse side effects. Today, the Roux en-Y gastric bypass will involve the rerouting of part of the small intestine as well as a division of the stomach into an upper pouch and lower pouch.

Gastric bypass is one of the most popular bariatric surgery procedures offered today.

Development of Gastric Banding Surgery

Gastric banding was first approved by the FDA for the treatment of morbid obesity in 2001. The solution was far less invasive and involved than the gastric bypass. By using a safe adjustable band, the size of the stomach could be altered, which mean a reduction in the amount of food that could be consumed in a single sitting.

Development of Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The development of gastric sleeve surgery involves a refinement of the biliopancreatic diversion, a weight loss surgery developed by Dr. Nicola Scopinaro in the late 1970s, and the duodenal switch, which was developed by Dr. Tom R. DeMeester and refined by Dr. Douglas Hess during the 1980s. The gastric sleeve reduced the overall size of the stomach pouch, working in a similar fashion as gastric banding.

Laparoscopic Approaches to Weight Loss Surgery

One of the most significant advances in surgical technology related to bariatrics is the use of laparoscopy. This means the use of multiple small incisions, tiny cameras, and small surgical instruments to perform a surgery. The first instance of laparoscopy can actually be traced back to 1902, when German internist Dr. Georg Kelling examined dogs using the technique. Over the course of the next century, technology and techniques would evolve.

The main benefit of laparoscopic surgery is that it allows surgeons to avoid open surgery, which reduces the risk of infection and other complications and reduces scarring. In addition, patients heal faster and experience a much improved recovery process.

Learn More About Weight Loss Surgery

For more information about weight loss surgery and how it can benefit you, be sure to contact our advanced weight loss surgery center today. The team at Tijuana Bariatrics looks forward to your visit and helping you lead a healthier lifestyle.

The team at Tijuana Bariatrics believes that every patient who visits our practice deserves ample information on the bariatric surgery process. This means understanding what to expect before surgery, during the procedure itself, and the recovery process.

Prior to the actual surgery, patients can do quite a bit to ensure the best possible results. Let’s consider some lifestyle changes patients can make before they undergo bariatric surgery.

Changing Your Lifestyle Before and After Surgery

Bariatric surgery is about change. You change your diet, you change your lifestyle, and this change is for the better. The change actually starts before the surgery is performed. By changing your lifestyle before surgery, you can help ensure optimal results during your recovery.

In essence, changing your lifestyle before weight loss surgery is a means of ensuring success and preventing serious complications as you heal.

Quit Smoking

Bottom line: smoking is bad for you. Smoking is linked to respiratory disease, high blood pressure, the development of cancer, and many other health problems. In addition, smokers are more prone to infection and tend to heal slower than non-smokers. Since weight loss surgery means changing for the better, start that change early. Quit smoking to help yourself heal as soon as possible and to star yourself on the road to a healthier lifestyle.

Refrain from Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic beverages can be nice every once in a while, but they’re generally bad news after weight loss surgery. Like smoking, alcohol can have a negative impact on healing. Be sure to avoid alcoholic beverages before you have your surgery. It’ll help you develop healthy habits and improve healing experience.

Change Your Diet to Promote Good Health

Heading into your weight loss surgery, you may be asked to adopt a healthier diet. Some patients who are extremely obese may be asked to lose weight through a liquid diet. We can cover some dietary recommendations with you during the planning and consultation process.

Hydration and Drinking Habits

Staying hydrated is key to wellness and successful surgical recovery. Be sure to stay hydrated with water as you head into surgery and to avoid sugary fruit juices and sodas. Weening yourself off of soda and fruit juice helps you develop a good habit while dropping a bad one, and this will have a positive impact on your life after surgery.

Exercise and Stay Healthy

Exercise is going to be a crucial part of your life after you’ve undergone bariatric surgery. It’s important that you exercise headed into surgery as a means of losing weight and being as healthy as possible before the procedure is performed.

Prepare Yourself Mentally for the Challenges Ahead

Mental preparation is an important part of recovery, and it’s also an important part of the pre-op process. Major changes can take a toll on you mentally, so it’s important to discuss your worries and your feelings with your loved ones. By ensuring you’re open and able to communicate with those close to you about your concerns, you’ll be able to have the moral support you need after the surgery has been performed.

We’re Here to Offer Support

We know that bariatric surgery has many benefits, but it can take its toll on a patient. We’re here to help with the pre-op and post-op phase so you are well enough to deal with the road ahead. You can count on us.

Speak with the Team at Tijuana Bariatrics

For more information about your treatment options with regard to bariatric surgery, be sure to contact our weight loss surgery center today. The team at Tijuana Bariatrics is here to help you look and feel your best.