On November 16, 2020, MBC’s super surgeon, Dr. Christian Rodriguez Lopez, performed one of the most challenging bariatric surgeries. In this case, the “super super-morbidly obese” patient was 5 foot 2 inches and weighed nearly 600 pounds (270 kg), making her body mass index “out of charts” at 102 BMI. Reminisce of the TV Shows, My 600 Pound Life and 1000-lbs Sisters save patients’ lives from obesity and its underlying medical conditions.
Mexico Medical Tourism for Bariatric Surgery
Due to a lack of insurance coverage for obesity in the U.S., Shannon from Eugene, Oregon, sought out Mexico Bariatric Center® to undergo gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. With such a high-risk patient, the liver-shrinking pre-op diet was essential to reduce preventable risks and difficulties. MBC’s support team worked one-on-one with Shannon on preoperative guidelines starting eight weeks before surgery day.
Shannon flew to San Diego International airport (SAN), where a VIP driving team from MBC picked her up. She arrived at the Tijuana hospital facilities in 25 minutes and completed pre-op testing. Our state-of-the-art facility follows advanced screening processes to decrease the risks of contracting viruses such as COVID-19.
The patient stayed the night at the Hyatt Place Tijuana Hotel, arranged for and accompanied by Mexico Bariatric Center. The next day she was driven to Hospital Mi Doctor, where she had the opportunity to speak with the super surgeon, Dr. Rodriguez Lopez, before going under anesthesia. After a challenging and lengthy VSG procedure (vertical sleeve gastrectomy), Dr. Rodriguez reported a “perfect surgery” with no bleeding and zero signs of immediate postoperative complications.
Meet the “Super Surgeon”
Dr. Christian Rodriguez Lopez is one of the most respected bariatric surgeons in the world. His skill and experience have earned him many accolades, including advanced laparoscopic and endoscopic bariatric surgery specialization.
Dr. Rodriguez is well-known in Mexico as the “Super Surgeon” for his extensive knowledge and ability to operate on the most complex patients while performing the most complicated surgeries.
Christian Rodriguez Lopez, MD, is a certified general surgeon trained in bariatric and metabolic surgeries. Based out of Tijuana, Mexico, Dr. Lopez has successfully executed over 3,500 weight-loss surgeries as a head surgeon. Rodriguez is one of the most specialized surgeons for procedures such as a duodenal switch. He is known to serve the most intricate reversal and revisional surgeries, plus working with super-super obese patients with BMIs of over 70.
As a bariatric surgeon practicing in the border city of Tijuana, Dr. Lopez first completed his general surgery medical degree from the Autonomous University of Baja, California. Soon after, he trained with a prominent fellow bariatric surgeon, Salvador Flores, MD, and plastic surgeon, Dr. Irving Rodriguez. Dr. Rodriguez Lopez is a passionate human being and physician specializing in bariatrics saving lives one at a time!
Surgical Team
Dr. Rodriguez Lopez uses a highly talented and experienced team to perform laparoscopic gastric surgeries. His surgical team can expertly prepare each patient for a successful surgical trip.
Complex Procedures
Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective tools for quick and long-term slim-down, specifically for obese or morbid individuals. The average weight loss of 60-70% of excess weight is easily achievable in the first two years. A right candidate for bariatric surgery has a body mass index of 30+ and any obesity-related health issues like diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease. A body mass index of 100+ is no easy feat, considering a healthy BMI is under 25.
A Glimpse Into ‘My 600-lb Life’
Ron (CEO 0f MBC) with Dr. Now (My 600-lb Life)
The Hit TV series, My 600-lb Life is a reality show aired by the TLC Television network. They showcase the lives of severely obese individuals suffering in their day-to-day life. This documentary follows giant people as they attempt to change their lives through surgical treatment of obesity. Iranian-American surgeon Younan Nowzaradan, nicknamed “Dr. Now,” helps these patients perform life-saving gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy procedures as a last resort to get them back on track. These patients have had numerous failed attempts at reducing weight with strict diet programs and exercise plans.
Each hour-long episode is a powerful testament to the courageous patients desperately trying to save their own lives. Dr. Now, a bariatric specialist from Houston, realizes these individuals’ lifelong emotional and physical struggles. These patients often have close to 100-lb lymphedema mass in their legs and other parts of their bodies that need to be removed as soon as they reach the optimum weight.1 Some patients regain some of the weight back and are in need of a reoperation.
Bariatric surgery, combined with ongoing lifestyle changes and behavioral therapy, is the only effective medical intervention that can overcome acute food addictions, strengthen the body to become mobilized, and the looming threat of imminent death.
Bariatric Surgeons Who Treat “the Untreatable”
Dr. Now is one of the most sophisticated bariatric surgeons with over 30 years of advanced laparoscopic surgery experience. He has made history by performing first-of-its-kind bariatric surgeries under the most stringent, high-exposure circumstances that could mean certain death if he makes an error.
The doctors’ no-nonsense approach may seem over-the-top to some viewers, but the severity of living a big fat life is sobering. He gives meaning to the phrase “as serious as a heart attack” – because this is life-or-death for them. If no action is taken, imminent death is the unavoidable outcome.
Dr. Now is compassionate but hard on his patients; he is more concerned about their well-being than having a friendly disposition. Dr. Now has a straight-up bedside manner: “No, you don’t need to eat anything. You already have 600lb of food inside you!”
Dr. Now Signing His Book in Obesity Help Conference
That is why having an accomplished high-BMI bariatric surgeon like Dr. Rodriguez Lopez is ground-breaking news. He specializes in minimally invasive vertical sleeve gastrectomy, roux-en-y gastric bypass, and duodenal switch surgery on EMO patients, representing excessively-morbid obese individuals with a severe-BMI range. His compassion for others has surpassed the pressure of being one of the only surgeons with the profound experience needed to take on these enormous patients.
All of this ensures that each and every patient of Mexico Bariatric Center will undergo safe and successful surgery. To learn more about our process of performing gastric sleeve in Mexico, please get in touch with us today! Our caring and qualified patient care executives are happy to walk you through this life-changing experience.
Success Stories & Before-and-After Photos
Bariatric and metabolic surgery are considered successful when patients shed pounds and maintain at least 50% of excess weight for up to five years. Remember that it is not about weight numbers but changing mindset and lifestyle to live healthier without underlying medical conditions.
As technology advances, so does the rapidly changing bariatric industry. Surgeons are learning far more in today’s healthcare than ever before, including treating obesity through surgical intervention. That is why the success rate of surgical treatment of extra weight is rising as patients lose more fat with fewer side effects.
By offering weight loss surgery in Mexico, we can perform surgeries that would never be deemed feasible in the United States or Canada. Patients get inspired by incredible and unbelievable transformations posted daily on the Mexico Bariatric Center’s support group.
Risks of 600-lb Weight Loss Surgery
The preparation for bariatric surgery is potentially life-threatening by itself. It is essential for extreme BMI patients to do a 360 lifestyle change prior to the operation. Even then, the patient faces health risks caused by the added stress of planning, traveling, and paying for their upcoming bariatric procedure. Patients risk heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, and respiratory failure.
Early-onset morbid obesity, or EMO, is a common syndrome among supersized patients – nearly all of them suffer from childhood obesity. The long-term effects of childhood obesity are myriad health issues, including obstructive sleep apnea, hyperandrogenism, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Both insurance companies and doctors have deemed these individuals as “untreatable.” The surgery risk is too significant, with only a handful of doctors in the entire world capable of performing the surgical procedure.
Bariatric surgery is especially dangerous for EMO patients because they are impeded mobility and likely incapacitated or bedridden. This level of dependency is usually enabled by a caregiver or family member who likely worsens their food addictions and health problems.
Can I be too Obese for Bariatric Surgery?
It is rare for any level of obesity to reach above 69 – less than 1.3% of people bariatric surgery applicants. Arthritis is a common health problem with a list of medications that can cause bleeding complications. Bloodwork must be regulated by their primary care physician and their bariatric surgeon bother before and after the operation.
600-lbs patients typically mean a BMI of 100 or higher for women and a BMI of 90 or higher for a man.
Many clinical studies have demonstrated notable advances in weight loss surgery safety, with the risk of death at 0.1% nationally, showing that the risk of death is 0.1% and significant complication rates of 4% on average. The larger your body size, the success rates fall, and the complication rate rises. My 600-lb Life explained that “their chances of long-term success are less than five percent.” The takeaway here is the sooner, the better.
- Learn More: Am I Too Obese For Surgery?
What is the Highest BMI Insurance will cover?
Insurance providers do not state the upper-limit BMI that is covered. In a recent study, “92% of patients have approved for bariatric surgery with a body mass index of over 40 with at least one obesity-related comorbidity.”2 Doctors and insurance companies turn away patients suffering from extreme heaviness, giving them no choice but to die.
Obesity-related medical care costs far exceed the price of weight loss surgery. Especially the amount of money you save with 600-lb bariatrics. That said, the expense of six hundred plus surgery can be out of reach, especially with insurance providers denying coverage for patients weighing over half a ton. The risk of complications and mortality are too high with severely obese patients, making it impossible unless paying out-of-pocket.
The cost for 600-lb weight loss surgery in Mexico is much more affordable with Mexico Bariatric Center. Rather than paying $40,000-$50,0000 out-of-pocket in the United States, patients can get high-BMI surgery options for significantly less than $10,000.
If you are eligible for coverage, complete the rigorous insurance requirements, and are approved by your medical insurance, find a surgeon qualified and willing to take you on as a patient.
Related: Insurance Coverage for Gastric Sleeve
Mexico Bariatric Center Medical Facility
Mexico Bariatric Center®, founded by Ron Elli, Ph.D., in 2012, has assembled the best bariatric surgical team in the Mexican cities of Tijuana and Guadalajara. Top weight loss surgery specialists carefully evaluate each patient’s medical history and health records to determine the most appropriate surgical treatment best suited for their individual needs. All bariatric surgeons have advanced training and expertise that meets and exceeds standards set forth by significant bariatric accrediting agencies like the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the American College of Surgeons.
By offering board-certified bariatric surgeons, Mexico Bariatric Center has a vast network of doctors specializing in a vast array of weight loss procedures. The most sought-after is gastric sleeve surgery, or vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), which removes 80% of the stomach to reduce food intake and decrease gut hormones.
With the widespread increase of obesity worldwide, the Mexico Bariatric Center institute has a renowned medical center and bariatric surgeons offering affordable weight management solutions. MBC has helped over 11,500 individuals to change their lives since 2002 and counting…
Reclaim your life today! Contact the #1 bariatric surgery center in Mexico today!
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How many endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedures has Dr. Lopez successfully done? I’m scheduled to have the procedure done November 10th with Dr. Lopez.