Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
We have included answers to our most frequently asked questions to help you understand everything about Mexico Bariatric Center®, the process, and surgical information. For more in-depth FAQs about post-op bariatric surgery, you can find more information here.
Navigate through different categories by clicking on the links below.
It depends on your height, weight, and goals. A good first goal is 60 grams of protein per day. After that, the appropriate amount will likely be between 60 and 90 grams of protein daily.
If you want specific recommendations, make an appointment with our nutritionist or email her at nutrition@mexicobariatriccenter.com.
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This is entirely up to you and your experience.. tipping and any extra things is completely optional but there is no additional expenses if you don’t want to pay for anything extra. The hotel provides you with your aftercare liquid diet. If you want, you can bring extra vitamin water, Gatorade, etc.
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Approximately 24 hours before your departure, our driver will call you to confirm all of your flight/parking information. You should schedule your flight arrival before 12:00PM (noon) and departure flight after 2:00PM.
Victor Cabrera is our full-time driver who will coordinate all transportation from arrival to departure and everything in between.
Option #1: Flying in/out of San Diego International Airport
- If you are flying into the San Diego, CA International airport, the driver arranges to pick you up at the airport and take you straight into Tijuana, Mexico.
Important Tips for Flying:
- Make sure whether you drive or fly back from San Diego to move your feet frequently!!! Stop and stretch out your legs or if flying walk to the restroom often and make sure to keep hydrated.
- DO NOT try to lift your bag into the car or overhead storage compartment on the airplane, ask for assistance.
Option #2: Driving to/from San Diego Airport
- If you are driving into the San Diego, CA International Airport (or somewhere local within San Diego), here is a link that will guide you right into the airport: Driving directions to SD airport.
- Traveling towards the Border – Our driver will cross you through the San Ysidro port of entry to Tijuana. You might want to check out BorderTraffic.com – where you can view the traffic (via live feed) of all the different entry points in Mexico.
Option #3: Driving yourself into Mexico
- If you plan on driving into Mexico, certain vehicle documentation will be needed in addition to your passport; i.e. permits, Mexican insurance, etc.
For detailed information on these requirements, please see: Requirements for driving your car into Mexico and Info about Mexico Car Insurance
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Keep them clean and covered until the incisions heal and scab over. The stitches are dissolvable and any excess should fall off. For specific instructions, please follow our incision care and healing guide.
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Yes, of course. Normally, all patients have difficult veins because they’ve been doing a special diet; you’re fasting at that time and traveling. Many of the patients are dehydrated, and the anxiety and nervousness about the surgery add to that. Normally it’s hard to find veins in that type of patient. We have personnel with a lot of expertise in getting an IV on difficult patients, so it’s no problem. We also have special vein finder equipment, and we do this all day so that getting your IV in won’t be a problem.
Use a carry-on, wheeled suitcase (if possible) for traveling. If you must check luggage, use a wheeled suitcase to avoid unnecessary lifting. Do not lift anything greater than 30 pounds for 6-8 weeks post-op. Have someone assist you once you arrive at your home airport.
- Leave jewelry (which must be removed before surgery as well as any metals, piercings, etc) and valuables at home.
- Bring lightweight clothing (pajamas and a few outfits) with elastic bands, some slip-on shoes, personal hygiene items, and all your current prescription medications in their original bottles.
- Audiobooks, a portable DVD player, a small laptop, or iPods are great lightweight items for your travel to/from Mexico and throughout your post-surgical recovery period. Most of the television stations in Mexico are all Spanish speaking programming!!
- Only 1-2 smaller sized suitcases should be brought. You will be in the hospital for the majority of your stay. The drivers do not have extra room for excess luggage and packages.
- Do NOT forget your Passport (Unless your Patient Coordinator authorized you to bring a Drivers License AND Birth Certificate instead)
Read a complete packing list of what our patients recommend
Suggested Items
Below are comfort items to consider but NOT mandatory for your hospital stay and ride home:
- Sleep Aids (Earplugs, Sleep mask)
- Entertainment (Music player, DVD player, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc. Batteries/Charger electronic devices. Books, magazines, or other reading material.)
- Clothes (Slippers, Clean robe – the hospital will provide a gown, A loose-fitting outfit, robe, jumper, or dress to wear home, Flip-flops to wear in the shower, Clean underwear, and socks
- Hygiene (Personal toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, and hairbrush. Female sanitary towels – tampons may be too uncomfortable to use/apply)
Other Suggestions to Bring
- Notebook and pen to take notes and help remember questions to ask
- Pillow for the ride home and in case hospital pillows are uncomfortable
- Throat lozenges
- Chapstick for dry lips after surgery
- Gas X Strips suggested for gas relief medication
Helpful Articles
Change the bandages about 3 times daily for the first couple of days if they look wet. This will slow down as the incisions and puncture sites start to heal and dry up.
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Due to COVID-19, visitors are not allowed to stay in the hospital. There is free complimentary breakfast in the hotel for your companion.
We currently do have hospital visiting hours so that companions can visit patients at the hospital. Transportation is included for these visits.
Besides that, there are still plenty of activities your companion can do to stay busy. There are many amazing restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. They can also visit nearby attractions like casinos, parks, shopping centers, and beaches. Keep in mind your companion will be in charge of arranging their own transportation (unless they are visiting the patient at the hospital during visiting hours), which can be easily done through Uber (affordable and popular in Tijuana), the free Hotel Shuttle, renting a Taxi, or with our drivers if possible.
Resources
A current passport is advised for all individuals in your party. If you do not have a passport or your passport is expired, we suggest ordering an expedited passport application/renewal in order to receive your passport prior to your departure to Mexico.
If you do NOT have a passport
If you are crossing the border, you may use one of the following instead of a conventional passport only upon approval from your Patient Coordinator.
- Passport ID Card
- Enhanced Driver’s License (Currently only the following states that provide these are: Washington, Vermont, Michigan, Minnesota, and New York)
- Both a Valid Driver’s License/ID Card AND Original U.S. Birth Certificate (no copies). It is also highly suggested to bring your Social Security card as well as a recent utility/cell phone bill that matches your name and the address shown on your license/ID (in combination with License and original U.S. Birth Certificate)
The more documentation you have, the better off you will be, so be prepared!
- For more information, visit: Passport Applications & Info
- Watch this YouTube Video: Applying for U.S. Passport
Or you may call:
- 1-877-487-2778 US State Department– American Travelers Services
- Link to: US Embassy in Mexico – American Travelers Services while in Mexico
Helpful Articles
The staples are very safe to use and will not cause any issues with the scans.
Drains are used on patients to filter out the blood in the abdominal cavity and reduce the pain and the adhesions of the patient. Drains also help determine if the patient will have any surgery complications.
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We offer a special “buddy” discount of $150 off each procedure for patients who schedule their surgeries together for the same date. To be eligible, patients are required to share transportation and a room at the hotel and hospital.
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- What Financing Options are Available?
- What expenses will I have while there in Tijuana?
- How much does Weight Loss Surgery Cost in Mexico?
A personal loan is a form of cash advance that can be used without limitations. Receiving funds is quick, and repaying the loan is expected in short to medium term. Some lenders give you better rates by considering your education, employment history, etc.
Avoid making too many loan inquiries in a short period of time, as it could affect your credit score.
For example, let’s say you need $4,000 to pay for gastric sleeve surgery and are approved for a 2-year loan at a 20.00% annual percentage rate (APR). Over two years, you’d pay back about $4,655 over 24 monthly payments at $193.95. You can compare personal loan financing options here.
Best places to secure a personal loan:
- Partnership with SuperMoney.com
- Banks (needs excellent credit history)
- Credit Unions (lower rates and low credit scores)
- Peer-to-Peer / Marketplace Lenders (average to fair credit)
- Online Lenders (relaxed credit requirements and quick funding)
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Not required at this time, but it is highly recommended to do a PCR test (or at-home kit test) before departure.
Additional Fees (If Applicable and are subject to change. Please check the health questionnaire for up to date fees and pricing):
| Additional Fees | Price |
|---|---|
| Umbilical Hernia | $1,095 |
| First Companion | $245 to $390 |
| Second Companion | $195 to $295 |
| Consultation | $350 |
| Detailed Invoice | $45 |
| Endoscopy | $395 |
| Extra Expenses | $650 |
| Extra Hospital Day | $400 |
| Extra Hotel Nights | $159 |
| Extra Hotel Nights Suite | $189 |
| Financing Convenience Fee (under 5,000) | $395 |
| Financing Convenience Fee (over 5,000) | $595 |
| Gallbladder Removal in Surgery | $995 |
| HIV | $995 |
| Hepatitis B | $995 |
| Hepatitis C | $995 |
| Hiatal Hernia | $395 |
| High BMI 48.6 | $395 |
| High BMI 58.6 | $695 |
| High BMI 68.6 | $995 |
| High BMI 78.6 | $1395 |
| High BMI 88.6 | $1895 |
| High BMI 98.6 | $2395 |
| Lipoma | $650 |
| Medical Record Copy | $45 |
| Medical Tourism Insurance (MTI) | $149 |
| Open Surgery/Abdominal Trauma | $995 |
| Private Nurse | $250 |
CareCredit is accepted, but because we perform surgery in Mexico, your card may only work if it is a Mastercard and Discover.
You can try paying your deposit on our website and your coordinator will contact you if the payment did not go through.
Contact your coordinator or our main office at 855-768-7247 if you have any questions or need help with your payments.
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You might think it’s silly to be on a pre-op diet before getting weight-loss surgery – but there is a very good reason for it.
- The main reason is medical; it will assist in shrinking your liver before surgery, improving the safety of the operation as well as allowing better access to the surgeon. The liver size must be no greater than 25 cm for the surgeon to operate safely.
- It helps you lose weight prior to surgery because the healthier you are going into surgery, the better.
- The more you can change your behaviors and habits prior to surgery, the more likely you will keep the weight off long-term. Remember, surgery is just a tool to assist you.
Resources:
A variety of methods are used to ensure patients are comfortable after surgery. At the hospital, pain medication is administered via IV. Though it’s not common, if stronger medication for pain is required, your surgeon will alter your dose or change your medication. When discharged from the hospital, patients are sent home with medication for pain in tablet form.
What Can Patients Do To Minimize Discomfort?
Walk. Most of the discomfort is because of the gas right after surgery. So patients must walk and move around as much as they can right after surgery.
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- Should I bring my own pain medication?
- What can I do if pain can’t be relieved when returning home?
- Is removal of the drain painful?
- How is nausea treated?
- What is the average pain period I can expect?
– Back to Top (FAQ)
In order to schedule your surgery date, we first need a security deposit. The required deposit is $350 (non-refundable) or $500 (partially refundable). You can pay your deposit here. After you make your payment, please reach out to your patient coordinator to get your surgery officially scheduled.
If you need to change your surgery date, we do allow 1 reschedule. If you reschedule more than one time, we require an additional $350 (non-refundable) deposit which is also applied to your final balance. You must make your final payment or have proof (if cashier’s check or cash) 21 days prior to your surgery date!
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We treat nausea just before it starts. We use special drugs that are specifically designed to combat nausea. Nausea is one of the MOST common post-op symptoms/side effects. Maybe not immediately post-op, but definitely within the first week. It also depends on the procedure. For example, sleeve gastrectomy might have more nausea than lap-band or gastric bypass. We combat this by administering medication within the IV. If you continue feeling nausea, we will use a different medication or increase the dosage.
Related Resources
- What is done to minimize pain and discomfort immediately after surgery?
- Should I bring my own pain medication?
- What should I do if pain can’t be relieved when I return home?
- Is removal of the drain painful?
- What is the average pain period I can expect?
– Back to Top (FAQ)
Step #1: Get Approved for Surgery
Fill out Healthcare Questionnaire (Medical History Form)- Once completed, our medical liaison and the requested surgeon receive an electronic copy. If you didn’t specify a surgeon, it will be reviewed by the surgeon that best fits your health and medical needs.
- You will be immediately notified by email of your results or if there is any additional information needed. Your patient coordinator will then call, text, and email you to discuss moving forward as well as any recommendations the doctor(s) may make.
Step #2: Schedule Your Surgery Date
- Once approved, you can book your surgery at this time or check availability for a specific date. Your patient coordinator checks the calendar for the selected doctor’s availability (we can usually accommodate your date of choice unless the time is already booked or the doctor is out of the office).
- You will need to follow a pre-op diet based on your BMI (anywhere from 2 days to 8 weeks prior). This includes a 2-day clear liquid diet immediately before your surgery date. (The pre-op diet is protein-based and not difficult to follow. It is required primarily to shrink your liver).
Step #3: Prepare for Surgery Date
- Once scheduled, you will receive a Booking Confirmation Email entitled “Your Surgery Date is Scheduled” and it will include specific guidelines that you will need to follow regarding booking flights, pre-op diet, and medications you may continue or discontinue before your surgery. (NOTE: Most medications for High Blood Pressure, Heart Issues, Hypo or Hyperthyroid, Diabetes, Depression, & Anxiety, etc., should NEVER be stopped or titrated down without specific instructions from the surgeon or your Primary Care Physician.)
- We require you to submit the following documents. Instructions are within your Booking Confirmation Email to upload/complete ALL documents including;
- Consent Form, copy of Flight Itinerary
- Passport copy OR Drivers License & Birth Certificate
- Final Payment or Send Proof of Cashiers Check 21 days before surgery
- Sign a COVID Consent Form. Include information regarding potential accommodations you may need such as additional hotel reservations, use of a wheelchair or assisted device, your emergency contact person’s information and phone number, your flight itinerary, and signature at the bottom of the form.
- Your coordinator will save all of the appropriate documents in your file (ie: FMLA paperwork, time off request for your employer if requested, copy of cashiers’ checks and consent forms in your file).
Step #4: Preparing for Surgery
- Keep in touch with your patient coordinator for changes in your medications, health status, travel plans, or concerns.
- Make sure your passport/travel documents are up to date, read the pre-op and post-op diet instructions, and stock up on the items you will need for the first couple of weeks when you return home.
- Pack lightly, and make sure that any laptops, notepads, or electronic devices are in travel cases with your name clearly on them. The hotel and hospital have the standard U.S. outlets, free wi-fi, free phone while at the hospital, and a safe to lock up valuables.
- Make sure to pack a loose, comfy nightshirt, the role of medical tape, gauze, or larger bandages for sensitive skin, also a soft “sports bra” and take any medications you take on a regular basis with you in the original prescription bottles. It is not necessary to bring any drinks or foods with you to Tijuana; you can buy any sports drinks or juices once you arrive at the hotel.
Step #5: Arriving in San Diego
- The Tijuana patient process officially begins! One of our private drivers will pick you up take you directly to the hospital for prior testing and then the hotel, just 20 minutes from San Diego Airport, a few blocks from the San Ysidro border in Tijuana.
- At the hotel you will meet the patient advocates/coordinators, they will assist you in checking into your room. Checking into any hotel will require that you have a credit card; it will not be charged for anything unless you charge something to your room number.
- They will give you an information sheet with their phone numbers in case you would like to contact them while at the hotel. It is not necessary to dial the 011-521 numbers first because those are only the international numbers. Please give the Tijuana coordinator’s any cashier’s checks you may have taken to pay for the balance of your surgery. Periodically the coordinators will check in with you post-op to make sure you are doing great. They will also inform you what time to meet them in the lobby the morning of your surgery for a fun shuttle ride to the hospital.
Step #6: Surgery and Recovery
- Once you arrive at the hospital, you’ll meet the patient advocate/coordinator, you might have a small wait in a general waiting room area and have a chance to talk and get acquainted with the other patients that are scheduled for surgery on that day.
- Our patient advocate/coordinator will escort you to your hospital room, where you’ll be given a hospital gown, and have lab work done. The surgeons, anesthesiologists, and an internist will come in and do the pre-surgery consults. This is a very good time to ask any questions you might have for the doctors about restarting medication, vitamins, wound care, diet, and exercise. Then you will have your procedure done.
- The process times will vary depending on which surgery you have, and you will be sleeping for several hours post-op. Make sure that you tell your family members back home that you will call them when you wake up, but you may be sleepy for several hours post-op. It is not customary for the hospital staff to call family members for you. You can use the phone for free at the hospital, just ask the nurse for the phone.
- Make sure to walk, walk, walk post-op. The following day they will take you upstairs for a quick scan of the tummy to check for leaks. You will be given a small cup of contrast media (gastro graphene) to drink and also a CD of this scan to take home with you.
- The doctor(s) or their surgical assistant will be the person checking in on you daily. The morning of your release, the physician(s) will check on you and depend on which doctor you have for your procedure; they will remove any drain tubes, but sometimes the surgeon may decide to leave the drain tubes in place for another day or two. The nurses will dress your wounds, and you will be given a bag with antibiotics, pain medication, the CD of your leak test, procedure verification along with the doctor’s names, and email addresses. Make sure that you receive this bag “Before” you leave the hospital because it is tough to obtain medical records once you leave the hospital. You will then take the shuttle back to the airport along with your new “surgery buddies.” Plan on booking your flight back home after 2 pm.
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, we want to reduce any risks of having you stay an extra night at the Hotel. Therefore, at this time (9/7/2020), we will return you to the airport in San Diego to fly home after you check out of the hospital.
The driver has an exclusive license and dual insurance which will allow him to take you through the border in a special medical tourism line that lets us “Hopscotch” to the front of the line, but depending on the day and the time it will vary on the amount of time it will take to cross back into the United States.
Step #7: Flight/Drive Home
- Make sure whether you drive or fly back from San Diego to move your feet frequently!!! Stop and stretch out your legs or if traveling walk to the restroom often and make sure to keep hydrated.
- Do not try to lift your bag into the car or overhead storage compartment, ask for assistance. Drink juice and water for the flight home. No coffee or tea.
Step #8: Post-Op Diet
- A good rule of thumb for the post-op diet, starting from your surgery day;
– 1st Week continues clear liquids
– 2nd Week add to your diet with liquids
– 3rd Week adds pureed foods
– 4th week adds soft solid foods - Restart your medications as instructed by the doctors. If you are diabetic and use insulin, you may have to adjust the amounts as your dietary needs have changed. Make sure to sip fluids all day long.
- Make sure to discuss with the doctor when to start daily vitamins, Hair, Skin & Nails (biotin), calcium chews, and sublingual B-12. Your stomach will be rumbly for several weeks!! Refer to the post-op diet plan for which foods to incorporate back into your diet.
- Go slow when starting on solid foods again, remember you are trying to give your tummy time to heal and let the swelling go down. If you have any questions regarding your post-op diet you can email them to the Mexico Bariatric Center, Dietitian/Nutritionist who can be found on our staff page. Any medical questions should be directed to the doctor or their assistants. Your surgery coordinator can assist you in sending your questions to the physician.
- Finally, make sure to schedule a follow-up appointment with your primary care doctor within ten days of returning home.
Related Resources
- Hospital Mi Doctor
- Hyatt Place Hotel in Tijuana
- Patient Process
- Traveling to Tijuana, Mexico
- Passport Requirements
- About Tijuana
- Is Tijuana, Mexico Safe?
- What should I pack?
- Advisory Board
- Do I Qualify for Weight Loss Surgery?
- Do you accept credit cards?
- What expenses will I have while there in Tijuana?
- How is Transportation Arranged When I Arrive/Depart?
- What Additional Fees Can I Expect?
- Which hotel will I be staying at?
Here is the standard Travel Itinerary for our weight loss surgery packages. Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, this may vary slightly based on your procedure. Please make sure you check with your patient coordinator. Once you schedule your surgery date and secure your deposit, you will automatically receive your complete booking details.
Day 1: Arrive in San Diego
One of our drivers will be waiting for you upon arrival at San Diego International Airport. Make sure your flight arrives before 12:00 pm PST (before noon). It is usually a 20-minute drive from the airport across the border using our medical lane pass. A few blocks across the San Ysidro border is our Hospital and Hotel. You will get pre-op testing and then be driven to check-in at the #2 rated Hotel in Tijuana. Our staff will help you check-in and answer any questions you have!
● Bloodwork Pre-Op Labs and EKG
● Stay the night at the Hyatt Place Hotel
Day 2: Surgery Day
You will be picked up from the hotel early for your surgery. Stay the night in the hospital.
- Pick you up and take you to surgery. The time of surgery is in the morning, and you will be notified of the surgery time the day before
- Stay 2 Nights in Hospital for gastric sleeve
Day 3: Recovery at Hospital
Recover in hospital—Post-op testing and recovery. Make sure you walk around and drink a lot of water!
- Post-op testing is completed before discharge
Day 4: (**for Gastric Sleeve Surgery**)
The driver will pick you up from the hospital and take you to the airport for departure.
- Drive you to the airport
- Plan flight after 2:00pm
Day 4 : (**for Gastric Bypass, Mini Bypass, Duodenal Switch, and most Revision Surgeries**)
On Day 4, you will remain at the hospital for an extra night to recover.
- Final night stays at the hospital
Day 5: (ONLY for Gastric Bypass, Mini Bypass, Duodenal Switch, and some Revision Surgeries)
The driver will pick you up from the hospital and take you to the airport for departure.
- Drive you to the airport
- Plan flight after 2:00pm
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Yes, you should bring your own pain medication – especially if it’s prescribed. Many pain medications do NOT cause ulcers or bleeding. Surgeon’s request that patients bring their prescription pain management drugs.
Related Resources
- What is done to minimize pain and discomfort?
- What should I do if the pain doesn’t get better when I return home?
- Does it hurt to remove the drain? Is it painful?
- What is the average time period that I can expect to experience pain?
– Back to Top (FAQ)
Can I Bring Someone With Me?
Yes, but we have been forced to make certain changes due to COVID-19. For the safety of every patient and hospital staff, companions are not allowed to stay in the hospital. However, we currently do have visiting hours so that companions can visit patients at the hospital. Transportation is included for these visits. This reduces the risk significantly for everyone, including you. You (or your companion) must pay an additional $245 to $390 for their entire stay at the hotel, depending on the surgery procedure.
Can I Come Alone?
Absolutely. Many patients would rather go alone than have to worry about their companion. We have staff that will guide you along the way from airport pick-up to airport drop-off. You can also meet friends on our Support Group with the same surgery date as you, so you will never be alone!
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It is very uncommon for serious pain to arise/continue upon returning home from your surgical procedure. Please contact us immediately if such pain is experienced. Your bariatric surgeon will have recommendations to alleviate pain based on your symptoms and conditions.
We recommend that all patients have a primary care physician who supports the decision to undergo bariatric surgery in Mexico and is willing to provide aftercare treatment and follow-up as needed. If a patient requires a prescription after returning home, your Primary Care Physician will be able to provide one.
Related Resources
- What is done to minimize pain and discomfort after surgery?
- What is the average pain period I can expect?
– Back to Top (FAQ)
Any FMLA (Family and Medical Leave) forms you need to be completed can be emailed to our administrator and she will complete those for you. Just be sure and specify the exact dates you need off and if you have any lifting restrictions. Her email is kathy@mexicobariatriccenter.com.
Mild pain or discomfort may be experienced for up to 1-week post-op. After 1 week, the pain experienced is often caused by gas, commonly referred to as “gas pain”, and can be alleviated by walking or over-the-counter gas-relieving medications. Walking is one of the most important things you can do to improve post-op recovery and healing. Stay hydrated and walk!
Related Resources
- What is done to minimize pain?
- Should I bring my own pain medication?
- What should I do if pain can’t be relieved when I return home?
- Is removal of the drain painful?
- Why do I have so much gas after bariatric surgery?
– Back to Top (FAQ)
It should not hurt to have the drain removed after your weight loss procedure. It may be uncomfortable feeling something moving inside of you – but it is typically not painful having the drain removed. You will be under the direct care of your bariatric surgeon at this time so there is no need to worry. You couldn’t be in better hands.
Related Resources
- What is done to minimize pain after surgery?
- Should I bring my own pain medication?
- What should I do if pain can’t be relieved?
– Back to Top (FAQ)
General Payment Instructions
- All funds are represented and payable in USD.
- A minimum non-refundable down payment of $350.00 is required to secure your surgery date (DEBIT/CREDIT CARD OR ZELLE REQUIRED FOR DOWN PAYMENT).
- Be sure your Name is on your payment receipt, to be sure the payment is applied to your account.
- Be sure you upload a copy of your payment receipts to inbound@mexicobariatriccenter.com.
- Be sure to Fax a copy of your Wire or Payment Receipt to 1-855-453-2329
Preferred Payment Options:
1) Cashier’s Check (no fee)
- Payable to: Mexico Bariatric Center
- Please send a copy/picture to inbound@mexicobariatriccenter.com (21) days prior to your scheduled surgery date
- Bring the Cashier’s Check with you to Mexico
2) Zelle (no fee)
Send money to: zelle@mexicobariatriccenter.com
Instructions to use Zelle (if you haven’t before)
You can access Zelle directly from your bank or credit union.
- Go to zellepay.com/get-started
- Find your bank
- Computer: You can click on your bank and “Continue to their website”
- Phone: You can go to your bank’s Mobile Application (or website)
- If your bank accepts Zelle, log in to your bank account (on your bank’s website/mobile app) and look for “Send Money with Zelle”
- Enroll your Email and U.S. mobile phone number
- Once you’re enrolled, you can send money from your bank account to Mexico Bariatric Center
- Send your desired amount to Mexico Bariatric Center using our email: zelle@mexicobariatriccenter.com
3) Direct Deposit* (1.5% added fee)
Alternative Payment Options:
1) Credit Card (credit-card – 5% added fee)
- We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
2) In-person Deposits* (1.5% added fee for cash deposits)
3) Wire Transfer* (wire transfer- $20 added fee)
You can contact Mexico Bariatric Center for more information
4) Cash
We also have financing options available.
Related Resources
- Make a Payment Online
- Weight Loss Surgery Costs
- Financing Options Available
- How to Pay for Bariatric Surgery
- Terms of Service
- Do you accept credit cards?
- How is Transportation Arranged When I Arrive/Depart?
- What is Included in My Surgery Package?
- Do you accept credit cards?
- What Financing Options are Available?
- What expenses will I have while there in Tijuana?
- What Additional Fees Can I Expect?
- Which hotel will I be staying at?
Please see our Pre-Op Diet guide. This will depend on what your body mass index is. The higher your BMI, the longer your pre-op bariatric diet will be.
Start the pre-op diet based on you’re current BMI. (*BMI is in BOLD)
- 30-32 = 2 days clear liquids only
- 33-39 = 1-week pre-op diet including two days of clear liquids
- 40-45 = 2 weeks pre-op diet including two days of clear liquids
- 46-49 = 3 weeks pre-op diet including two days of clear liquids
- 50-59 = 6 weeks of pre-op diet including two days of clear liquid diet
- 60 plus = 8 weeks pre-op diet including two days of clear liquid
Related Resources:
In Tijuana, we have an amazing relationship with the Hyatt Place Hotel. They are currently rated #2 out of 69 hotels in Tijuana on Trip Advisor. Hotel stay is included, although if you bring a companion, they will need to stay at the hotel during your hospital stay, given the COVID-19 pandemic. They offer top-quality service and consistently provide around-the-clock support for both patients and companions.
If you are a patient traveling to Guadalajara, we use the Malibu Hotel.
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Avoid medications that may alter blood clotting for 1-week post-surgery. These include but are not limited to medications or drugs containing; NSAIDs, anti-arthritic medications, and blood thinners. Estrogen-containing medications should also be avoided for two weeks post-op. Please speak to your bariatric surgeon and ask questions. Always speak to your primary care physician before changing any medications.
Related Resources
All medications, ointments, and recommendations from both patients and surgeons can be found in our complete guide to reducing scarring after laparoscopic surgery. Make sure you keep your incisions clean and dry until the wounds are completely closed up. You can use a variety of products that can be purchased over-the-counter; such as Vitamin E Oil or Mederma to reduce scars. Nerium also has a product to help with loose skin as well.
Mexico Bariatric Center accepts major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express. We also offer a variety of additional payment options like cash, wire transfer, money orders, and cashier checks.
(DEBIT/CREDIT CARDS ARE REQUIRED FOR INITIAL DOWN PAYMENT)
If you want to make a payment online with a credit or debit card, click here to make a payment. *Remember there is a 5% fee for credit/debit payments.
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- Financing options available
- Weight loss surgery costs and pricing
- How is Transportation Arranged When I Arrive/Depart?
- What is Included in My Surgery Package?
- What Financing Options are Available?
- What expenses will I have while there in Tijuana?
- What Additional Fees Can I Expect?
- Which hotel will I be staying at?
One main reason it is critical that you follow the pre-op diet is that it shrinks your liver before surgery. The liver is lifted in order to surgically operate on the stomach, so following the pre-op diet significantly improves the safety of the operation as well as allowing better access to the surgeon. The liver size must be less than 25 cm for the surgeon to operate safely. Men have an average liver size of 10.5 cm while women have an average liver size of 7 cm.
Let’s face it; losing weight prior to surgery can benefit you for many reasons. The healthier you are going into surgery, the better. The more you change your behaviors prior to surgery, the more likely you will be able to continue healthier habits and keep weight off long-term. Remember, weight loss surgery is just a tool!
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Yes, we do accept it, but it is up to your FSA/HSA provider.
Here are steps you can try:
- Make a payment online: You can try paying your $350 deposit online using your FSA/HSA card. If it doesn’t go through, continue to the next step.
- Send an email to kathy@mexicobariatriccenter.com to request a Letter of Medical Necessity (Reimbursement Request) to submit to your HSA/FSA provider.
If you have any questions or need additional help, contact your patient coordinator or our main office at 855-768-7247.
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A $350.00 USD surgery deposit payment is due at the time of booking your WLS appointment. Finance companies DO NOT provide the deposit payment funds and will be your responsibility. Financing options include;
Personal Loan
Multiple Lenders, including SoFi, Bank of America
Apply Here
United Credit
855-503-1800 or 949-534-0599
UnitedCredit.com
*Add a $150 processing fee for any loan secured through United Credit.
eFinancing Solutions:
800-728-9585
efinancing-solutions.com
Financing in Canada
iFinance Canada: 888-689-9876
Medicard.com
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We always perform 3 leak tests to prevent any complications after surgery. There are two during surgery. The first is where methyl blue is injected into the stomach and with the scopes, the surgeons look for blue dye in the abdominal cavity. In the second, the removed stomach is inflated with CO2 and is observed for deflation. The patient is not consciously aware of this either of these. The next leak test is one day after surgery. The patient will drink a hydrosoluble contrast solution and any leaks will be detected by X-ray. A patient receives a copy of the results of this last leak test.
90% of leaks are identified within 24 hours. 97% within 72 hours. This is why the surgeons have patients spend 2 to 3 nights in Mexico after surgery so that if any complication arises, they can treat it immediately. 3% of leaks are not identified before a patient leaves, so only 1 in 97,000 patients statistically will have a leak discovered after returning home. It’s extremely rare but nevertheless a risk you must be made aware of.
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Our all-inclusive package includes basically everything besides the flight.
- Ground Transportation
- Hospital Fees
- Surgeons Fees
- Anesthesiologist Fees
- Antibiotics and Pain Medicine
- Registered Dietitian
- 2 or 3 Nights at Hospital
- 1 Night Hotel Stay (Pre-Op)
- Titanium Staples
- Discharge Medication
- On-Call Surgeon Liaison (Medical Specialist)
- Pre-Op Lab Testing/Blood Work
- Post-Op Testing/Leak Tests
- Aftercare Support (Facebook support group with over 5,000 past patients)
- Patient Coordinator for all your needs
- Medical Instruments/Equipment
- WI-FI in hospital and hotel
- Optional Medical Tourism Insurance Coverage
- Companion at $245 for sleeve and $390 for other procedures due to COVID protocols
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You can choose to pay a deposit of $350.00 (non-refundable) or $500.00 (partially-refundable) must be made in order to schedule your surgery. You can pay your deposit online > Make a Payment
Remaining Balance Deposit: Twenty-one (21) days prior to surgery, you need to pay the entire remaining balance of the surgery or if you choose to pay with a cashier’s check please send proof to your patient coordinator 21 days prior to surgery.
Please make sure your Health Questionnaire is approved prior to paying your surgery deposit.
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Immediately after the bariatric procedure, the wound is closed using dissolvable, nylon sutures. The better you dress your wounds, the better the chance will be of avoiding infection or serious side effects.
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Yes, we have a drain primarily to remove excess fluid and also to help identify “bleeding” complications. It will be removed before you leave the hospital. Our doctors use drains because it removes the blood in the abdominal cavity, which will reduce the pain and the adhesions of the patient. Ultimately, having a drain is an easy way to avoid post-surgery complications. Drains are removed on the 2nd day, which coincides with the period with the most complications. Most of the time, when the complications happen, we can be aware of that and help resolve them.
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The first question to ask is, “what is normal?” The average American is overweight or obese, so more than likely you never want to go back to “normal” eating habits. The key to long-term success is finding healthy eating habits that work for you.
After surgery, we have several steps. The progression of the bariatric meal plan starts by resting and hydrating the body with a clear liquid diet, then focusing on getting proper protein through thick liquids. Third, you focus on increasing calories with soft solids and lastly you create variety through whole foods. When you reach the solid phase, which will vary for each individual patient, you must find out which food works best for you.
In this last phase, with a lifestyle change, there is more to adapt besides food; social adaptation, and how to live outside your home. When you’re with friends, when you’re out for dinner; at this time you’ll have more chances to know what type of foods you can tolerate. The journey is in knowing what foods you can enjoy, normally six or seven months after surgery. It will be different if you’re trying to lose fat versus trying to maintain your current weight. Generally, by this time you will be comfortable with the foods you can eat and control portions.
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Gastric Sleeve Surgery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are the Risks of Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
The risks are small. Less than 1% chance of leakage or bleeding. If patients are extremely obese and other conditions, like hypertension, heart disease, sleep apnea, the complication rate might increase.
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What is Ongoing Medical Maintenance Needed After Gastric Sleeve?
Nutrition care, patient support, and our private Facebook Support Group are offered to all patients. Apart from that, you should follow up with your Primary Care Physician.
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What Are the Age Requirements for Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Things are changing. So far, we’ll say 16 is the minimum age. But if we individualize each patient – we can do this surgery in younger patients. 62 is the oldest, but we must individualize each case and check the patient’s medical condition. We’ve performed this surgery on patients over 62 with excellent results. We have to measure the risks verse the benefits in consideration of their health standing.
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How Many Nights Do Patients Need to Stay in the Hospital After Gastric Sleeve?
Patients will stay 2 Nights in the Hospital after gastric sleeve and 1 Night at the Hotel following the hospital stay. This gives an added layer of protection for patients before flying home.
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What are the Potential Complications of Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Deep Vein Thrombosis, Infection, Death. Read more possible complications after sleeve.
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Will People Have Acid Reflux After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Patients may get acid reflux but are at a low rate. But sometimes, patients require acid reflux medicine. Can people have Acid Reflex Permanently? There have been cases that show people need to switch from Gastric Sleeve Surgery to Gastric Bypass Surgery because acid reflex was severe. But again, this is rare.
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Dumping Syndrome, How Often Does it Occur?
About 10 to 15% of Cases dumping syndrome occurs. It occurs because of the increased pressure of the surgery. Dumping Syndrome can be entirely managed with a proper diet.
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Can a Patient Re-Sleeve if the Pouch Stretches?
In certain patients, it can be revised. It depends mostly on a case-by-case basis. You need an endoscopy, upper GI to see if there is no increase in pressure. So if there are no other problems, then we go ahead and re-sleeve.
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What Size Bougie is Typical for the Gastric Sleeve?
34, because it’s the standard, and there isn’t a large difference among different sizes >1mm between 32 and 34 or 34, and 34 in the long term is the best.
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What Kind of Sutures Are Used After the Staples?
They are Nylon.
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How Will Hunger Change After Gastric Sleeve?
Due to the smaller stomach size, you will feel satisfied with much less food. The foods you choose to eat will affect how hungry you feel. It is possible to feel hungry after VSG due to not eating the appropriate foods.
You have a pyloric valve located at the bottom of your sleeve between your stomach and the small intestine. Eating solid proteins, like chicken and fish, as well as fibrous vegetables, will keep this value closed longer, allowing foods to stay in your stomach, keeping you satisfied longer. Be mindful of how often you are eating “slider foods.” These are foods like yogurts and soft foods that slide right through the stomach, not allowing you to feel satisfied for long.
Other things to consider: Being dehydrated masks the symptoms of feeling hungry, so be sure to sip fluids throughout the day and stay hydrated. Psychological or head hunger can also mask itself as physical hunger. You have to remember that you have drastically changed how you eat. You may feel hungry due to psychological reasons but may not be physically hungry. It is important to learn the difference between head hunger and real physical hunger.
Bottom line: If you follow the nutritional guidelines, you can drastically minimize the hunger sensation.
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Will I Still Feel Hungry After Sleeve Gastrectomy?
It is possible. There are many reasons people gravitate towards snacking or becoming a “grazer” after weight-loss surgery. Many people decide to have surgery without doing mental work, and behavior changes imperative for long-term success.
Foods can get stuck easily after weight-loss surgery. If you do not take the time to slow down and practice the art of mindful eating and chewing your food thoroughly before swallowing, you may get food stuck. People who have a habit of doing this tend to gravitate towards snacks like yogurts, ice cream, and mashed potatoes. This will affect your weight loss negatively.
The other point to consider is head hunger and food associations. If you watched your favorite shows in the evening while snacking on popcorn, that mental connection and drive would still be there after surgery. The more you address your behaviors before surgery, the less you will have the drive to snack after surgery.
What are the Options if My Sleeve Becomes an Enlarged Pouch?
We can re-sleeve, which removes the excess or enlarged part of the stomach off. Some surgeons say the best way to revise this issue is to get a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery; we’ve done this successfully.
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Will My Sleeve Stomach Stretch?
Sleeves do not commonly extend. Following the post-op diet guidelines are important. Try not to overfill the pouch often; however, overfilling more often causes vomiting than stretching. (Also see Will My Stomach Stretch After Sleeve Surgery?)
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Gastric Bypass Surgery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Gastric Bypass typically isn’t a painful surgery and also depends on the individual pain threshold. It requires at least two nights in the hospital. Leak rates are less than 1%. There are two tests for leaks that we do. We do a third leak test after the surgery.
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What Are the Risks of Gastric Bypass Surgery?
While complication rates are low (<.001%), Risks include dumping syndrome, dehiscence (separation of tissue that was stitched or stapled together), leaks from staple lines, ulcers, bleeding, complications due to anesthesia and medications, death, deep vein thrombosis, infection, pulmonary embolism, stroke or heart attack, abdominal hernia, dehydration, gallstones, gastrointestinal inflammation or swelling. Learn More about Gastric Bypass risks.
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What are the Complications During and After Gastric Bypass Surgery?
During the surgery, it is rare to see complications. Sometimes there is bleeding, but that is easily fixed. The main complications are bleeding and leaking and occur at about 1%. This can sometimes cause infections or other severe conditions.
During surgery: Bleeding is the most common complication. The risk of this complication can be decreased by suspending any medication that may affect blood coagulation.
After surgery risks and ways to lower the risk:
- Bleeding: Suspend drugs that affect blood coagulation.
- Gastric leak: strictly follow post-op diet instructions.
- Stroke or Death caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Suspend medications containing estrogen, discontinue all NICOTINE products (gum/patches/cigarettes), WALK WALK!!!!.
- Infection: FINISH your post-op antibiotic prescription, keep incisions clean and covered until they have completely closed.
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Why Are Some People Not Hungry After Gastric Bypass Surgery?
We don’t remove anything from the stomach (although the stomach is left behind, restrictive stomach pouches are created). We just reorganize in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. So when we create a pouch and separate the stomach, it decreases the secretion of ghrelin. Ghrelin is the hormone that produces hunger which is significantly reduced. And that is part of the action method of gastric bypass.
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What is the Dumping Syndrome? How to Avoid?
Dumping syndrome is when undigested foods get to the small intestines, which reacts with the fluid in the small intestines.
Patients feel dizziness, nausea, pain, bloating, diarrhea, or a drop in blood pressure. Patients can experience these symptoms altogether or separately. Some patients might have this the first year, but only 15% of patients will have dumping syndrome forever. They won’t be able to tolerate fat or sugar – regular sugar. How can this Be Managed? How to Avoid Dumping Syndrome? They must avoid fatty foods and regular sugar.
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What Care is Required for Gastric Bypass Surgery?
Track your weight loss, take vitamins and minerals, as well as protein. The first year after gastric bypass, you need to go to your primary care physician to take a blood workup.
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What Are the Advantages of Gastric Bypass over Other Bariatric Surgeries?
This is the first bariatric surgery with the most long-term studies. There are five, ten, or fifteen years of studies done with Gastric Bypass Surgery. Gastric Banding Surgery, on average, provides less weight loss than gastric bypass.
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What Options Do Gastric Bypass Patients Have for Revision Surgery?
We have three things we prefer to do with these patients. First, if the endoscopy shows the opening is wider than usual, we can inject special medication to decrease the stomach’s output to create restriction again. Second, the most common way is to put a band over the stomach to create a restriction. It is riskier; it has a report of 10 to 15% mortality rate.
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How can a Stoma Be Fixed?
An endoscopic injection can fix your stoma. You might need two or more injections to create restrictions if you have pouch enlargement.
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Why Does a Gastric Bypass Fail, and What Are the Options?
Pouch enlargement or enlargement of the intestines are the common causes of failure. This can be treated by doing revision surgery. Some surgeons like to put a gastric band on the stomach to decrease the weight in the next couple of months or years. Some people ask whether doing a duodenal switch after gastric bypass is acceptable.
Some surgeons are doing this, but it has high complication rates because you need to re-attach the stomach to the gastrointestinal tract – but overall, the complications are higher.
Gastric Balloon Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do We Offer Gastric Balloon?
Yes. The gastric balloon is a handy tool to reduce weight before more complicated bariatric surgeries in very obese patients. Particularly in patients with BMIs 63 to 65, we can remove to balloon and see a significant weight loss because we can do the balloon for six months. Then they can do a more complex bariatric surgery.
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Can Gastric Balloon be used on Gastric Bypass or Gastric Sleeve Patients?
No. Because the gastric balloon must be inflated, which can cause damage to these surgery types.
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Revision Surgery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who Should Consider Revision Surgery?
Patients who are gaining too much weight should consider revision surgery. We obviously need to study the patient before we decide to start another revision. We need blood tests, BMIs, endoscopy just to see if it’s possible just to do something. After that, we can advise to another surgery or modify a patient’s regimen.
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What Are the Risks of Revision Surgery?
Any revision has higher risks, including surgical risks. Because we are handling scar tissue in the stomach and intestines. So when cut, we have an increased risk of leakage.
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What are Adhesions? Why do they happen, and how do you treat them?
Adhesions are internal scars (fibrous bands) formed between tissues and organs. Disruption of surrounding tissue (as with surgery) can trigger scar formation. Occasionally scar tissue can be removed. Often adhesion’s make revisions difficult; occasionally, the scaring is so bad that the instruments can not gain access to the area, and a procedure is not possible. The risk of adhesion increases with open incision procedures.
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What is the BMI requirement for a Revision Patient?
In general, 30.
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What are the options for Revision Gastric Sleeve Plication?
Gastric Plication might unfold and might cause a whole host of issues. To revise the gastric plication, we need to undo gastric plication and do the gastric sleeve. Some articles suggest that gastric plication can become enlarged by suturing the stomach without cutting the excess. Overall, gastric plication is a new surgery only within about a year – so it’s within the surgeons’ learning curve. We need a control group to study the patients and see the follow-up results to see just how effective gastric plication is.
Revision from Lap-Band to Sleeve Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do You Recommend Lap-Band to Gastric Sleeve Revision Surgery
Yes, it is a safe surgery with good weight loss results.
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What Are the Risks of Revision from Lap-Band to Sleeve?
It can cause an increase in complications. The risks would be 1% or less than 1%. Leaks would occur 1% or less than 1%. I leave drains in Gastric Sleeve patients, especially in revision surgery, to help with drains. How Would Leaks Be Diagnosed: Upper GI, CT Scan with contrast, or sometimes endoscopy might find the leak.
How Risky Would it Be to Remove the Band Alone and Not Revise?
It’s not risky. In about 15% of patients, gastric erosion is present. If this is encountered, the surgeon will not be able to revise. The stomach will need six months to heal before a revision can take place.
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What are the Benefits of Revision From Gastric Band to Gastric Sleeve?
Increased weight loss results, less risk of gastric erosion.
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What are the Options for Revision if Lap Band Surgery Fails?
Lap-Band surgery might fail if the patient doesn’t have excellent eating habits. If the pouch becomes enlarged, it might lead to weight gain. There are several options for lap-band failure; first, we can try to save the band, we can release the band pressure so that the pouch enlargement might decrease, but it might take a long time. Other options are to go from Lap-Band Surgery or Gastric Sleeve, or Gastric Bypass and restart the program.
Endoscopy (FAQ)
What is Endoscopy? Is it Painful? What Are the Risks?
Endoscopy is a diagnostics tool with a special camera attached to it that records video; we use it to take a biopsy or record video. It offers us a visual of the upper digestive tract. The complication rate for endoscopy is infrequent – it’s 0.001%.
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What Would Symptoms Indicate the Need for Endoscopy?
Patients who have had Lap-Band and are having a revision procedure require an endoscopy. The surgeons will ensure that no erosion from the Lap-Band has occurred. If erosion is present (10-15% of Lap-Band patients), the surgeon will only be able to remove the lap-band. The stomach will require six months of healing before an additional procedure will be able to be performed.
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How Often Should Lap-Band Patients Have Endoscopy?
All lap-band patients receive an endoscopy at the time of their surgery in Mexico to check for erosion.
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What is the Role of Endoscopy in Bariatric Surgery?
We do an endoscopy in any revision surgery. The endoscopy works because we need to see if we have any intragastric complications in the band; we need to see if the band is eroded. If we have another problem, we’ll use an endoscopy to check out the issues.
Metabolic Surgery (FAQ)
What is Metabolic Surgery?
Different Nomenclature for the same procedures. Calling it metabolic if its primary goal is to improve a metabolic disease. Opposed to “Bariatric,” when the main goal is weight loss.
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How does Metabolic Surgery Work?
It works because certain changes in the intestinal hormones help the body the way it treats blood sugar. The increase or decrease in different hormones can improve diabetes and other conditions.
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What Surgery is Best to treat Metabolic Syndrome?
So far, they’ve proven that Gastric Bypass is the best surgery to treat metabolic syndrome.
Dieting
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Can I Have Sugar in My Diet?
When you eat something with high sugar, you may get excited for the next 15 to 20 minutes, but then your energy levels will drop. The body responds by producing insulin in the blood which will cause increased hunger. So we recommend 3 meals per day and one protein shake or a protein bar. Each meal will be between six to eight ounces. Within your meal, you want three ounces of protein, one ounce of healthy fat, and you have two ounces to play with from fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, and even sweets. The ultimate goal is balance.
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Are Artificial Sweeteners Okay to Consume?
Since artificial sweeteners have come out, we have only become fatter as a nation. The latest research is showing that people who use sugar substitutes eat more throughout the day. Did you use artificial sweeteners before surgery? If so, did they assist you in losing fat and keeping it off? If not, then they will not go after surgery.
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Is it Safe to Drink Carbonated Beverages?
We urge patients not to drink carbonated beverages because it can cause bloating in patients and can cause harm. Soda is known to cause weight gain, and carbonation can cause your stomach to increase by two inches, which you do not want.
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Can Patients Drink Alcohol After Surgery?
It depends on the procedure; the gastric bypass will absorb the alcohol faster. This might cause liver complications. It’s allowed for patients to have one or two social drinks per week. Alcohol has many calories, it might create ulcers, and it’s important to drink a minimal amount of alcohol.
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How Much Protein Should I Eat Per Day?
It depends on your height, weight, and goal for a healthy weight. A good first goal is 60 grams per day. Once you are consuming 60 grams, the appropriate amount will likely be between 60 and 90 grams of protein daily.
If you want specific recommendations, make an appointment with the staff registered nutritionist.
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After Weight Loss Surgery How Many Times Should You Eat Every Day?
Please read our Post-Op Diet guide. Train yourself to eat three meals, and 1 to 2 protein shakes per day. Snacking or grazing throughout the day can negatively affect your weight loss. This will take time since you start drinking liquids and then slowly incorporate solid foods.
One month after weight-loss surgery, work on eating 4 to 6 ounces of food per meal, eating only three times per day. For added protein and nutrients, add at least one protein shake.
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When is it Okay to Have a Snack?
Snacking is associated with psychological hunger. Usually, snacking has nothing to do with physical hunger. It is recommended that you do not like a snack. Research has shown that snacking can adversely affect your weight loss. Train yourself to eat 3 meals per day and 1 to 2 protein shakes. After weight-loss surgery, your meals will look like a meal to you.
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Can I Drink Alcohol?
After weight-loss surgery, you become more sensitive to alcohol, and you will feel increased effects with less of it. The overall recommendation is to keep drinking to a minimum, having only small amounts on special occasions, if at all.
Things to consider are:
- You chose to have weight loss surgery, and alcohol is extra calories and is known to promote weight gain.
- If you have had gastric bypass, you will absorb the amount of alcohol four times than before surgery. Alcohol breaks down into sugar, which can cause dumping. I think the question to ask yourself is: is it worth it?
- Alcohol can be irritating to your pouch and cause an ulcer.
Resources
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Why Can’t I Drink While Eating Meals?
After weight-loss surgery, the size of your stomach has drastically decreased. You have gone from the size of a flattened football to the size of a small egg. There is only so much room for food or liquids. Overall reasons:
- If you eat food and then drink, you can overfill your new pouch, resulting in a reaction to vomiting.
- If you eat and drink at the same time, you can fill your pouch up with fluids and will not be able to take in the minimum of 4 ounces of food at one sitting, which may lead to snacking.
- If you drink after you eat, you will push the food through your stomach faster, causing you to feel hungry sooner.
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Does Carbonation in Soda Stretch My Stomach?
There is no research that carbonation extends your pouch after weight-loss surgery. The carbonation does cause gas, which can cause significant discomfort.
Because liquid calories are one of the leading causes of obesity, drinking soda is highly discouraged after weight-loss surgery. If you are not ready to change your behaviors, you may not be prepared for weight-loss surgery.
Related: Gastric Sleeve Surgery Requirements, Candidate Information
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Why is it Recommend That We Use a Straw?
The size of your stomach after weight loss surgery is much smaller. Drinking with straw allows you to take in fluid very quickly. After bariatric surgery, you can overfill your pouch, causing discomfort. You also take in the air when you use a straw. This can cause constant burping as well as gas discomfort.
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Are Post-Op Bariatric Vitamins Necessary After Weight Loss Surgery?
After weight-loss surgery, your nutritional intake is drastically decreased. Taking bariatric vitamins and minerals is essential for your health. Weight-loss surgery is not just about losing weight; it’s also about being and feeling healthy by having radiant skin and hair and having the energy to do things. We sell our bariatric specialized vitamins here.
Bariatric Surgeons and Industry (FAQ)
Which Bariatric Surgery Should I Choose?
It will depend on the patient. It will depend on how much weight you’ll want to lose, how much you want to stick to vitamins and minerals, and how organized you are with yourself. Every surgery will need something from you; each surgery will represent 50% of the weight loss, the other 50% will come from you.
For gastric banding, you’ll have to be more organized after surgery. With the sleeve gastrectomy and RNY gastric bypass, your appetite will decrease – so it’ll be easier than gastric banding. But you’ll have to avoid certain kinds of food that will cause dumping syndrome. So it’ll depend on how much you can live with your procedure and the importance of long-term weight loss statistics. So far, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass are complex procedures that will provide more weight loss.
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What is the Future of the Bariatric Surgery?
Any new surgery will need to be analyzed and be followed by studies. We must be aware of complications; we have to be conscious of the procedures and the technologies themselves. So we must have statistics and patient follow-ups after for a few years to see if it works.
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How Should I Choose a Bariatric Surgeon in Mexico?
Experience is the most important in choosing a surgeon in Mexico.
- You need to find a doctor that works in a real hospital; with proper certifications, the more is better.
- Highly trained surgeons
- Low rates of complications
- Nutritionist available to answer your questions long after your surgery
- Aftercare service that is second to none
Post-Op After Surgery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I know walking is necessary after surgery. Are there any other activities I can do that are easier?
Walking helps prevent blood pooling in the legs and forming clots. If a formed clot becomes dislodged, it can travel to the lungs, cause a pulmonary embolism (death) or the brain, and cause a cerebral embolism (stroke). Keeping the blood circulating by walking is VERY important after surgery.
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What is the chance of developing an abdominal hernia after surgery?
Laparoscopic surgery is the approach of doing gastric sleeve, bypass, or banding. The risks of surgery are minimal. Some patients ask whether they can develop illness after this kind of surgery. The risks are low because we use small incisions.
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How do I take care of my incisions?
Keep it clean and covered until the incisions heal and scab over. The stitches are dissolvable. Any excess should fall off.
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Can I become pregnant after my weight loss surgery?
After the bariatric surgery, you have to wait at least one year and a half to become pregnant. The first year you can’t become pregnant because you’re losing weight too fast. Your body has to stay in the condition to be pregnant.
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How do you know If I leak? What are the symptoms, and how likely am I to get a leak?
The complication of getting a leak is typically 1% to 3% risks. The first day after weight loss surgery, we leave a drain, which helps minimize the risks. After the fourth day, we remove the drain. If you have pain or a fever, those are signs of a leak. Typically after surgery, the previous day will have more pain and discomfort than the next. So it’s important to contact us if you experience continued pain and discomfort or increasing pain or discomfort.
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What is the right amount of exercise I should be doing right after the weight loss surgery?
After the surgery, you have to start walking as much as you can. As soon as three or four hours after surgery. After laparoscopic surgery, you can get inflammation in the abdominal wall, so you help reduce this risk by walking. Walking contributes to speed up recovery and decrease your pain. If you can’t walk, you need to move to recover faster – even if it’s as simple as moving in your bed.
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What happens to the lower part of the stomach that is bypassed?
After gastric bypass, we’ll leave a portion of the stomach that we don’t remove. Typically we leave the stomach in your body if your body needs the stomach because of an emergency. We can reconnect the stomach if needed. Your stomach continues to produce the metabolic acid that is required to digest your food.
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If I get staples, will I be able to have an MRI test?
The staples have no issues; they are very safe to use and will not be detected in scans.
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Do I have to follow my diet after surgery, including pureed food diet?
After bariatric surgery, you have to follow our rules. You have to eat liquids in the first week. After two weeks you’ll eat you will obtain all kinds of foods, but you have to eat in portions. After you end of the fourth week of post-op, you will be able to eat all sorts of foods. You have to remember to eat every three hours (5 times a day) to maintain regular energy.
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Can I eat pain-free immediately following my surgery?
After the surgery, it’s normal to feel a little pain if your eating or drinking in the first two weeks. As your stomach continues to heal, you’ll feel better. It’s important to realize that you’ll feel better the next day and the day after. If you feel worse day after day, then there is an issue that needs to be addressed.
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How Long After Surgery do you Need to Keep Your Bandages On?
They need to be changed when they appear wet with drainage, probably 3 times daily for the first couple of days, and it will slow down as the incisions and puncture sites start to heal and dry up.
Miscellaneous Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Lifestyle Changes need to be made to ensure Success?
Obviously, we need to change our lifestyle to include exercise and include physical activities. We need to include cardiovascular exercises and particular parts of the patient that need extra attention – for example, the back or leg muscles. It’s also important to change our diet, the way we think about food, the way we choose our food. Patients need to choose responsible foods that help the surgery be effective.
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Is there a way that patients can prevent leaks?
No, it is NOT common, especially for gastric bypass or gastric sleeve. Most likely, it’ll happen 5 to 7 days after surgery. How to avoid leaks, it’s important to follow your diet recommendations. If you have a large amount of food in your stomach, the sutures and your stomach can leak.
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How long after surgery can patients resume their normal activities?
It depends on the usual activities of the patients, but usually 7 to 10 days. That is one of the advantages of laparoscopic surgeries. If a patient does great exercises or lifting, patients will need to wait at least six weeks.
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What Weight-Loss Surgery Will Allow Me to Be Pregnant?
Any patient with any surgery might become pregnant—obviously, the more complex the surgery, the more complex the pregnancy. In my experience, patients do very well with any surgery. In the gastric band’s case, it’s easy to handle, all we do is release the pressure of the gastric band, and we can safely have the pregnancy.
In the case of the other surgeries, like Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Bypass, we must have the patient have blood examines before the patient becomes pregnant — we do this to make sure that the patient does not have any complications. It’s important to wait at least 1 or 1.5 years to decrease the risk of pregnancy. But, generally, any surgery will do fine. But surgeons prefer to have gastric banding surgery for younger patients. Some patients have a gastric sleeve or other surgeries with no complications at all.
Read More: Pregnancy After Weight Loss Surgery
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Some surgeons are not using drains, and some patients will go on forums and say that they’ll choose a surgeon based on this fact. Why are Drains Important?
I use drains for patients because it drains the blood in the abdominal cavity, which will reduce the pain and the adhesions of the patient, which will help me see if the patient has any surgery complications. Drains are removed on the 2nd day, which coincides with the period with the most complications. Most of the time, when the complications happen, we can be aware of that and help resolve them.
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Can Patients Become Too Thin?
I usually get the person as thin as I can because they’ll often gain weight. In a few years, most patients will gain the weight back. Most of the problem is that patients need to accept themselves as a thinner person; it’s important to be ready for the change psychologically. Statistics show that within 18 months after surgery, you’ll achieve your ideal weight, then in three years, you’ll gain roughly 15 to 20% back.
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What About Constipation after Bariatric Surgery?
It happens in about 20-30% of patients. Patients need to have enough fluids, like two or three liters per day.
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What kind of Maintenance is Required after Surgery?
After any surgery, we need to monitor patients for a long time, at least one year. If the surgery induces malabsorption, we need to do workups regularly like blood workups, lap workups, including B1 and others. If malabsorption is involved, we need to monitor at least once per year, and patients will be required to consume vitamins and minerals.
In gastric sleeves, there are around 10-15% that need vitamins, including B12 and iron, for longer than five years. In the case of a band, we need to track the whole device, including the upper GI, at least once a year. Looking for slippage or erosions.
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What company is in charge of making arrangements?
Mexico Bariatric Center (“MBC”), with SOURCiS, Inc. Parent Company.
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Can I have the surgery while on my menstrual period, and does it matter if I am a heavy bleeder?
Yes, medically, there is no reason you can’t have the surgery; it is a matter of your comfort.
How Common are Hiatal Hernias, and How Does the Surgeon Repair Hiatal Hernia
15% Now I’m thinking Lopez may have authored this as I’ve been told he repaired many “hernias” of patients undergoing Gastric Sleeve, need hiatal hernia repairs.
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