FAQs About Weight Loss Surgery

1. Which surgery is right for me?
    
2. What kind of pre-op tests are required?
    
3. How do I know I am a candidate for this surgery?
    
4. How much weight will I lose?
    
5. Does my age matter?
    
6. How long will the surgery take?
    
7. How long will I be in the hospital?
    
8. What will my life be like after surgery?
    
9. What are the risks?
    

Answers:

1. Which surgery is right for me?
   There are several types of weight loss surgery available from the Hospital Angeles Tijuana team: gastric by-pass, gastric band (including LAP-BAND® and Realize Bandâ„¢), gastric sleeve and intragastric balloon. Each procedure is associated with different ideal candidates, risks and benefits. Request our detailed information packet and we'll send it to you within 24 hours. Click here to download the LAP-BAND® Patient Book.
   (back to questions)
    
2. What kind of pre-op tests are required?
   The necessary tests often include blood tests, electrocardiograph (EKG), chest X-rays, sleep apnea screening, and an echocardiogram. If you have other health problems you may need to provide lab results from your last diagnosis (e.g. chronic Hepatitis C sufferers must know their live enzyme levels and CHILD stage). Your physician will discuss all necessary pre-op tests in your consultation, which Hospital Angeles Tijuana will arrange.
   (back to questions)
    
3. How do I know I am a candidate for this surgery?
   Dr. Lopez Corvala adheres to the U.S. National Institute of Health requirement that a patient must have a BMI of 30 or higher before candidacy for LAP-BAND® or other bariatric surgery is approved. A Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40 or greater than 35 with associated medical problems means you have clinically severe obesity. Calculate your BMI.
   
   You may be a candidate if you're less than 100 pounds overweight and also have significant health problems due to your weight, such as Type 2 diabetes.
   
   Not everyone who meets the criteria for weight loss surgery is psychologically or medically ready for the surgical procedure. Your willingness and ability to follow through with the recommendations made by your health care team, and to carry out prescribed changes in your diet and exercise routine will help determine your readiness for surgery. The surgery may not be recommended or may be postponed if there's concern that you aren't psychologically or medically ready for such surgery.
   
   It is important to follow the surgical team's directions in preparing for weight loss surgery. These may include restrictions on eating and drinking, limiting or stopping the use of nicotine products, and starting a physical activity program. Failure to follow your surgeon's instructions could result in a delay or even cancellation of your surgery.
   (back to questions)
    
4. How much weight will I lose?
   Weight loss following bariatric surgery varies by individual. Most patients lose between 50%-70% of their excess body weight over a 1-1.5 year period.
   (back to questions)
    
5. Does my age matter?
   Age is one factor that needs to be considered together with all other aspects of a person's health; for this reason, most gastroenterologist surgeons will not set an arbitrary or absolute cut off. Surgeries have been done on patients from their teens to late 60s/ early 70s, with excellent results.
   (back to questions)
    
6. How long will the surgery take?
   LAP-BAND® takes less than 30 minutes.
   
   Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass usually takes between 2 and 4 hours.
   
   Gastric Sleeve Surgery takes about 1 hour.
   (back to questions)
    
7. How long will I be in the hospital?
   Please consult the package price table for the total time needed for your medical travel trip.
   
   LAP-BAND® surgery typically requires a 1-2 night hospital stay; the patient will be asked to remain in the Tijuana/San Diego area for 1-2 additional nights for Dr. Lopez-Corvala to appropriately track your progress and release you for travel. Many patients go to work their first day home from surgery.
   
   Gastric Bypass typically requires a 4 night hospital stay, with the patient remaining in the Tijuana/San Diego area for an additional 10 days before cleared for travel. Recovery usually requires between 2 and 6 weeks before returning to work.
   
   Gastric Sleeve surgery typically requires 4 nights in the hospital and an additional 2-3 nights before release for travel. Recovery time is similar to that of the Gastric Bypass.
   (back to questions)
    
8. What will my life be like after surgery?
   Weight-loss success after bariatric surgery depends on your commitment to making lifelong changes in your eating and exercise habits. But the feeling of accomplishment as you lose weight and your improved health are also significant benefits and are well worth your efforts.
   
   Well over 70%-80% of patients who undergo bariatric surgery discontinue hypertension medication; well over 90% of patients with type II non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus discontinue medication. In addition, many obesity-related health issues improve dramatically or disappear, including high blood cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) asthma, joint pain, arthritis, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
   (back to questions)
    
9. What are the risks?
   It is important that you discuss bariatric surgery risks directly with your surgeon and that you have a clear and thorough understanding of what your risks are before you decide to undergo bariatric surgery.
   
   The risks of bariatric surgery differ depending on the method used -- i.e. LAP-BAND® surgery risks are different from gastrectomy risks -- and you and your surgeon can find the method that best mitigates your risks based on your health and weight loss needs.
   
   Risks can include general risks associated with anesthesia, infection of incisions, bleeding, complications related to your heart and lungs, hernia at incision site, rejection of sutures, adhesions resulting in obstructed or blocked intestines, and general anesthesia risks.
   
   Smokers and patients taking medication for arthritis may experience ulcers. "Dumping" may occur -- patients may develop loose stools and/or abdominal cramps shortly after eating certain types of foods. These symptoms can be avoided by not eating the offending foods. Diarrhea is uncommon after gastric restrictive surgery and can be successfully treated with medication.
   
   Vitamin and/or iron deficiency. may occur in mild form in as many as 40 percent of patients after gastric bypass. Iron and some vitamins are primarily absorbed in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine which is bypassed. Both the vitamin and iron deficiencies are easily treated by either oral supplementation or injections. Hair loss due to vitamin deficiency may be a temporary problem for some patients within the first six to twelve months after the operation.
   
   Staple disruption can occur at any time after these operations but is uncommon. If staples pull out, the feeling of fullness will probably disappear. A second operation may be required (restapling).
   (back to questions)