Mexico has long been an alternative for the United States and Canada, especially for people with obesity. For over 20 years, Mexico has been practicing bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery), many years before the US and Canada had the regulation to perform common surgeries like LapBand Surgery. Today Mexico’s growth in the industry is unparrelled.

Mexico’s physicians are seeing ample opportunity to expand and create unique experiences for travelers. Cities like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, once filled with pleasure seeking tourists are now seeing surgery patients. The proliferation of obesity in the western world is expected to increase to over 40%  of adults in the next two decades, and operators are looking to expand in destinations that are desirable and not just convenient.

Mexico’s acceptance of this new trend is furthered by reputable business operators who are given honest reviews because of the relative transparency of the internet. Before you even consider a bariatric surgeon in Mexico, patients can read reviews and success stories from dozens of patients. Because of the internet forums like ObesityHelp, ObesitySurgeryForum and others, individuals suffering with depression-inducing obesity, can relate and talk to other people on a global scale. However many fail to select a high quality provider. Which is why we have three tips on what to look for in a Mexico Medical Tourism provider.

Things To Look For In Medical Tourism Operators

Medical Tourism can be a scary endeavor because the apparent lack of guidance. But individuals looking for quality operators can easily be found. When you’re looking for the right operator it’s important to consider these things:

• Choose the Right Surgeons: Curing your obesity is the main concern, and choosing the right surgeon with low complication rates, and low mortality rates is the utmost. Experience and education are extremely important, but bariatric surgery, being a rather hands-on surgery (as compared to say brain surgery) requires considerable experience. Choose a surgeon that highly experienced in the surgery type you’re seeking.
• Read Reviews From The Forums. Be careful, many operators are on the forums and produce fake reviews. Search the surgeons name in Google and do a comprehensive search.
• Do a Comprehensive Search. Another tactic marketers use is a technique called, “Reputation Management,” the basic idea is that if there is a negative review of your product or service and it ranks high in the search engines, this can negatively impact business. Hiring marketers, they can increase the number of pages that rank highly – therefore diluting the results and pushing the negative review down in the results. Read as much as you can - ideally going past 10 pages of results.

Laparoscopic gastric banding or lap-band surgery is the safest and effective Bariatric surgery procedure with minimal complications. However, in a small number of patients who undergo lap-band surgery for weight loss, complications do occur. Complications may be trivial that settle on readjusting the band or serious and need band removal or revision bariatric surgery as an alternative. All the conditions in which patients fails to lose weight after lap-band surgery or needs removal of lap-band, are called lap band failure.

What we call lap-band failure is of two types

1. failure to lose excess weight
2. complications of lap-band that necessitate revision Bariatric surgery

1. Failure to lose excess weight

Successful weight loss in a patient after weight loss surgery is regarded as 50% loss of body weight or achieving body mass index less than 30. If patient loses only 25% of the body weight or less then it, is regarded as lap-band failure. Reasons for this failure may be multiple but the most common reason is not following dietary advice after lap band. Other reasons include wrong selection of procedure and poor surgical techniques. Whatsoever is the reason for lap-band failure, patient has to undergo revision bariatric surgery to correct this failure.

2. Complications of lap-band that necessitate revision surgery

Although complication rate with lap-band surgery is minimal but still small number of patient develop complications. Complication rate is quite high for surgery centers where in-experienced surgeons perform this important surgery. Some of the complications of lap-band surgery which are considered as lap band failure are,

• Slipping of lap-band- most common complication in which silicon band is slipped to lower part of stomach and increases the size of gastric pouch. This may lead to failure to lose weight
• Band erosion –in this condition silicon band erodes the wall of the stomach and creates irrigative symptoms like vomiting, heartburn, epigastric pain and in severe cases gastric perforation may occur.
• Band infection
• Band intolerance-presents as symptoms of vomiting, retching and pain on taking meals or without meals
• Difficulty swallowing
• Port infection
• Pouch dilation

WAYS TO CORRECT LAP-BAND FAILURE

Lap-band failure can be corrected in several ways depending upon the cause for failure. Following are the options to correct lap-band failure,

1 Repositioning of the band

Repositioning of lap-band can successfully be done in patients in whom band-slipping occurs after surgery. Band is repositioned by surgery and fixed to the stomach wall. Repeated slipping necessitates performing some other Bariatric surgery procedure.

2. Removal of the band

Lap-band needs removal in conditions in which band erosion, band infection, band intolerance or infection of the port occurs. These are conditions that need urgent removal of band and later on revision gastric surgery that may be Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery or some other procedure.

3. Other Bariatric surgery procedures

Patients in whom lap-band fails (either ineffective weight loss or complications that necessitate removal of the band) need other Bariatric surgery procedure for management of their excessive weight. Research shows that Roux-en-Y or other revision Bariatric surgery procedures prove extremely effective in patients who fail to lose weigh with lap-band surgery. Revision Bariatric surgery procedures that can be performed after lap-band failure are,

• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure
• Duodenal switch procedure
• Sleeve gastrectomy procedure

Important to remember

The most important thing to remember is that revision bariatric surgery is a bit complicated than the procedures performed in first instance and only an expert surgeon can make a difference. For this reason, it should only be performed by an experienced surgeon at a dedicated Bariatric surgery hospital. Surgery centers that claim to be cheaper in the market may complicate revision bariatric surgery due to lack of experienced surgeon and other staff and augment the misery of the patient.

Dealing with obesity is not as easy as anybody thinks. There are a lot of factors that needs to be taken care of such as your personal habits, your lifestyle and how you feel emotionally. Obesity, if not properly managed, can lead to a lot of health problems that may later evolve into life threatening diseases.

When you are obese and trying to lose weight, you need to adjust with the lifestyle change that may happen to you. You have to get used of your new diet program, some dynamic exercise program, prescribed weight loss medication. Unfortunately, when you are obese it will not be easy for you to apply all of these; you have to first adjust with the system.

Weight loss surgeries are generally recommended for severely obese people. Obesity brings a lot of negative effects to a person thus, a decision to undergo weight loss surgery is just the next step to keeping a healthy lifestyle and new and confident you.

Your ultimate goal with these weight loss management techniques is not the perfect body that anyone has always been dreaming of; it is not about vanity, it is about you and your safety. It is to attain the weight where your health is not put into compromise. Sustaining the healthy weight needs the same amount of determination as losing the weight.

Obesity usually gives negative effects on people who are morbidly or severely obese. They experience the feeling of depression and think of themselves as losers. They most likely to isolate themselves from others and prefers to be alone most of the time. And this can trigger to a more serious condition.

So before it’s too late, it is just right that you decide what is best for you. It’s about time that you get back to your own self and live a healthier life. Do not let obesity eat your self esteem. And undergoing weight loss surgery is just the perfect solution.

Bariatric weight loss surgery may be the next step for people who remain severely obese after trying traditional non surgical approaches, or for people who have an obesity-related disease. Surgery to produce rapid weight loss is a serious undertaking. Anyone thinking about undergoing this type of weight loss surgery should understand what it involves.

A decision to undergo weight loss surgery is very important. It is a life changing decision and once a decision is made it will be a permanent one. Being careful with a decision like this is the right thing to do. You should take time out to research and make sure that you have prepared yourself for this; before you and your surgeon agree that weight loss surgery is the best choice you can make.

Weight loss surgery is still the best decision; do not compromise your health. But you have to bear in mind that there are no guarantees for any method which include surgical procedure. Success still depends on how you commit yourself and be ready with the effects so that you can maintain what you have started.

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In December 2005, Mary underwent Lap-Band surgery successfully and lost her excess weight. Nearly a year later, Mary had this to say:

I am almost to my year anniversary and have lost 110 lbs. I still have about 20 – 25 more to go. I can’t tell you how great my new life is. I am doing things that I would of NEVER done when I was fat.

In order to combat type 2 diabetes, Lois decided to undergo Lap-Band surgery to help combat her increasing health problems.

In 2008, under the bariatric surgeon Dr. Miguel Zapata, Lois successfully underwent Lap-Banding Surgery.

Got home and followed the directions given to me by Alma…the weight was starting to fall off….I believe I lost like 25 pounds in the first 4-6 weeks…I gradually got to real food and it was time to get my first fill…It wasn’t quite enough restriction so I went again for another…that kept me going for a very long time….by the summer I was down to a size 12 (started at 16-18) and the end of the summer hit size 10 which is where I have stayed for the past 2 years.

Within a Month to Six Weeks, Debra Lost 50 pounds.

I continue to work out with my trainer, swim everyday it is sunny and am now a size 6 and have lost 123 pounds.

A: The LAP-BAND System limits food intake. If you feel nauseous or sick on a regular basis, it may mean you are not chewing your food well. It could also mean you are not following the diet rules properly. Another reason you would feel sick may be that there is a problem with the placement of the band. So you should contact your doctor. Vomiting should be avoided as much as possible. It can cause the small stomach pouch to stretch. It can also lead to slippage of part of the stomach through the band. That would reduce the success of the operation. In some cases, it would also require another operation.

Q: Will I suffer from constipation?

A: There may be some reduction in the volume of your stools. That’s normal after a decrease in food intake, because you eat less fiber. This should not cause severe problems. If difficulties do arise, check with your doctor. He or she may suggest you take a mild laxative and drink plenty of water for a while. Drinking plenty of water is a good idea, anyway. Your needs will vary, but you should drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day.

Q: Will I need to take vitamin supplements?

A: You may. It’s possible you may not get enough vitamins from three small meals a day. At your regular check-ups, your specialist will evaluate whether you are getting enough vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron. Your surgeon may advise you to take supplements.

Q: What about other medication?

A: You should be able to take prescribed medication. You may need to use capsules or break big tablets in half or dissolve them in water so they do not get stuck in the stoma and make you sick. You should always ask the doctor who prescribes the drugs about this. Your surgeon may tell you to avoid taking aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers. That’s because they may irritate the stomach. The problems these drugs may cause could mean the band would need to be removed.

Q: What about pregnancy?

A: Becoming pregnant can be easier as you lose weight. Your menstrual cycle may become more regular. If you need to eat more while you are pregnant, the band can be loosened. After the pregnancy, the band may be made tighter again. Then you can go back to losing weight.

Q: Can the band be removed?

A: Although the LAP BAND System is not meant to be removed, it can be. In some cases this can be done laparoscopically. Surgeons report that the stomach generally returns to its original shape once the band is removed. After the removal, though, you may soon go back up to your original weight. You may also gain more.

Q: What if I go out to eat?

A: Order only a small amount of food, such as an appetizer. Eat slowly. Finish at the same time as your table companions. You might want to let your host or hostess know in advance that you cannot eat very much.

Q: What about alcohol?

A: Alcohol has a high number of calories. It also breaks down vitamins. An occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage, though, is not considered harmful to weight loss.

Q: Will I need plastic surgery for the surplus skin when I have lost a lot of weight?

A: That is not always the case. As a rule, plastic surgery will not be considered for at least a year or two after the operation. Sometimes the skin will mold itself around the new body tissue. You should give the skin the time it needs to adjust before you decide to have more surgery.

Q: What will happen if I become ill?

A: One of the major advantages of the LAP-BAND System is that it can be adjusted. If your illness requires you to eat more, the band can be loosened. This can be done by removing saline from it. When you have recovered from your illness and want to lose weight again, the band can be tightened. This can be done by increasing the amount of saline. If the band cannot be loosened enough, it may have to be removed.

Q: How is the band adjusted?

A: Adjustments are often carried out in the X-ray department. They are done there so the reservoir can be clearly seen. When X-rays are used, your reproductive organs should be shielded. Sometimes adjustments can be done in an outpatient clinic or office. Local anesthesia may or may not be needed. A fine needle is passed through the skin into the reservoir to add or subtract saline. This process most often takes only a few minutes. Most patients say it is nearly painless.

Q: How much weight will I lose?

A: The amount of weight you may lose depends on several things. The band needs to be in the right position. And you need to be committed to your new lifestyle and eating habits. In the U.S. clinical trial, 2% of patients gained some weight. 5% neither gained, nor lost weight (t5%). 61% of the patients lost at least 25% of their excess weight. 52% of the patients lost at least 33% of their excess weight. 22% lost at least 50% of their excess weight, and 10% lost at least 75% of their excess weight.

You should lose weight gradually. Losing weight too fast creates a health risk and can lead to a number of problems. Nausea and vomiting are only the most minor examples. A weight loss of 2 to 3 pounds a week in the first year after the operation is possible, but one pound a week is more likely. Twelve to 18 months after the operation, weekly weight loss is usually less. Remember that your main goal is to have a weight loss that prevents, improves, or resolves health problems connected with severe obesity.

• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• type 2 diabetes
• sleep apnea
• respiratory problems

Important

The Inamed LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System can help. Combined with diet and a program of behavior modification, it offers you a chance to reduce your weight. When you do that, you can also minimize the risks to your health.

The LAP-BAND System is not a miracle cure. It is an aid to losing weight. Not everyone will lose weight or keep the weight off. lb get the long-lasting weight-loss results you want, you will need to work at it.

Informed Consent: Information for Patients Considering LAP-BAND” Adjustable Gastric Banding System Surgery

Before your surgery, you should know the risks connected with the LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System. You should also know what the possible complications are. To learn about these, talk with your surgeon. When you do, ask about all the risks. Ask about all possible complications. Also ask about symptoms and conditions that might suggest this surgery is not right for you. To help with that talk, Inamed Corporation has prepared this webpage: “Information for Patients, A Surgical Aid in the Treatment of Morbid Obesity.” Read it. Discuss what it says with your surgeon. Be sure you ask about terms you do not understand. You have to decide how willing you are to accept the risks and possible complications.

Additional Information:

You should also have other information. Talk with your surgeon about:

• alternatives to LAP-BAND System surgery
• the information in our package inserts
• risks and benefits this procedure poses for you

Special Notice

The manufacturer of the LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System has designed, tested and manufactured it to be reasonably fit for its intended use. However, the LAP BAND System is not a lifetime product and it may break or fail, in whole or in part, at any time after implantation and notwithstanding the absence of any defect. Causes of partial or complete failure include, without limitation, expected or unexpected bodily reactions to the presense and position of the implanted device, rare or atypical medical complications, component failure and normal wear and tear. In addition, the LAP-BAND System may be easily damaged by improper handling or use. Please refer to the Risks, Complications and Adverse Events section in this document for a presentation of the general and specific risks and possible complications associated with the use of the LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System.

Results

• Patient’s causes of failure
• Lack of follow up care
• Emotional issues (Support Groups).
• Bad Habits (Stop eating in front of T. V.)
• Improvements (“The life I Should Have”)
• Physical Appearance and Self Esteem
• Interpersonal Relationships (Embarrassment Gone)
• Quality of life (I can move Again, and I?m not out of breath)
• Sexual Activity (O. K. Nuff SAID)
• Associated Diseases (Blood Pressure, Diabetes under control)
• Return to Workforce (over 50%)
• Increased Physical Activity Levels (over 75%)

Important

You should know that death is one of the risks. It can occur any time during the operation. It can also occur as a result of the operation. Death can occur despite all the precautions that are taken. There is a risk of gastric perforation (a tear in the stomach wall) during or after the procedure that might lead to the need for another surgery.

In the U.S. dinical study this happened in 1% of the patients. There were no deaths during or immediately after surgery in the U.S. study. Your age can increase your risk from surgery. So can excess weight. Certain diseases, whether they were caused by obesity or not, can increase your risk from surgery. There are also risks that come with the medications and the methods used in the surgical procedure. You also have risks that come from how your body responds to any foreign object implanted in it.

Published results from past surgeries, however, do show that LAP BAND System surgery may have fewer risks than other surgical treatments for obesity.

Lap-Band Surgery Side Effects and Complications:

Patients can experience complications after surgery. Most complications are not serious but some may require hospitalization and/or re-operation. In the United States dinical study, with 3-year follow-up reported, 88% of the 299 patients had one or more adverse events, ranging from mild, moderate, to severe. Nausea and vomiting (51%), gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation) (34%), band slippage/pouch dilatation (24%) and stoma obstruction (stomach-band outlet blockage) (14%) were the most common post-operative complications. In the study, 25% of the patients had their band systems removed, two-thirds of which were following adverse events. Esophageal dilatation or dysmotility (poor esophageal function) occured in 11% of patients, the long-term effects of which are currently unknown. Constipation, diarrhea and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) occurred in 9% of the patients. In 9% of the patients, a second surgery was needed to fix a problem with the band or initial surgery. In 9% of the patients, there was an additional procedure to fix a leaking or twisted access port. The access port design has been improved. Four out of 299 patients (1.3%) had their bands erode into their stomachs. These bands needed to be removed in a second operation. Surgical techniques have evolved to reduce slippage. Surgeons with more laparoscopic experience and more experience with these procedures report fewer complications.

Adverse events that were considered to be non-serious, and which occurred in less than 1% of the patients, included: esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), hiatal hernia (some stomach above the diaphragm), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), abdominal pain, hernia, incisional hernia, infection, redundant skin, dehydration, diarrhea (frequent semi-solid bowel movements), abnormal stools, constipation, flatulence (gas), dyspepsia (upset stomach), eructation (belching), cardiospasm (an obstruction of passage of food through the bottom of the esophagus), hematemsis (vomiting of blood), asthenia (fatigue), fever, chest pain, incision pain, contact dermatitis (rash), abnormal healing, edema (swelling), paresthesia (abnormal sensation of burning, prickly, or tingling), dysmenorrhea (difficult periods), hypochromic anemia (low oxygen carrying part of blood), band system leak, cholecystitis (gall stones), esophageal ulcer (sore), port displacement, port site pain, spleen injury, and wound infection. Be sure to ask your surgeon about these possible complications and any of these medical terms that you don’t understand.