Bariatric Surgery

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is the umbrella term for a variety of procedures that help with weight loss. These surgeries work mainly by changing the anatomy and size of the stomach to limit the amount of food you take in, and, in some cases, by altering your digestion process to improve fat metabolism. Some procedures impact the production of intestinal hormones, affecting appetite.

According to Dr. Jorge Castillo, it’s important to understand that weight loss surgery itself is only part of the solution. To succeed at weight loss, you will also need to focus on developing healthy lifestyle habits. That said, bariatric surgery can make it easier for you to achieve a healthier weight and change some of the habits that contributed to the initial weight gain.

For severely obese people, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognizes bariatric surgery as the only effective treatment for maintaining long-term weight loss for people who have had no success with diet, exercise and other common weight-loss strategies.

What types of bariatric surgery are there?

There are several types of bariatric surgery. If you are considering a bariatric procedure, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each one, and what might be best for your particular situation. Here are three different types of bariatric procedures, all offered by Tijuana Bariatric Surgery.

Endoscopic intragastric balloon. This nonsurgical approach involves inserting a balloon that fills up about half of the stomach. The balloon increases the feeling of fullness after eating, limiting the amount of food that you want to consume. It will be removed about six months later.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. This procedure uses staples at the top of the stomach to create a pouch about the size of an egg. This pouch gets attached to a surgically created Y-shaped section of the small intestine, so that the food bypasses the lower stomach, the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine), and the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This not only reduces the amount of calories and nutrients the body can absorb, it can also bring about helpful changes in the gut hormones that reduce hunger.

Sleeve Gastrectomy. This procedure removes about 80 percent of the stomach and staples together the remaining portions to create a thin, vertical banana-sized sleeve. This sleeve holds less food and, therefore, you are satisfied after eating less. This method also alters digestive hormones, reducing hunger.

Though it is not optimal for every patient, weight loss surgery can often be performed using a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach. This involves making several small cuts to the abdomen, instead of one large one. The benefits of this approach include less pain and scarring, and a speedier recovery.

Who is a candidate for bariatric surgery?

There are some clear guidelines covering who is a candidate for bariatric surgery. These include the requirement that patients be morbidly obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. Or, they must have a BMI of 35 to 39 along with one or more medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea. 

BMI is an established measure of obesity that divides your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in meters squared). You can use an online calculator to determine your own BMI.

So, to qualify for weight loss surgery as an adult, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• A BMI of 40 or higher
• A BMI of 35 or higher, coupled with an obesity-related health problem, such as sleep apnea, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes  

Teenagers can have bariatric surgery if they have reached their adult height, are past puberty and meet one of the qualifications listed above.

You may not be a candidate for weight loss surgery if you have a drug or alcohol abuse problem, a severe psychiatric disorder or an obesity-causing disorder that reversed without surgery.

What is recovery like after bariatric surgery?

Your recovery will vary depending on the type of bariatric surgery you have. You will likely spend some time limited to a liquid diet and gradually move on to solid foods over a period of weeks. It will be important to chew your food thoroughly and eat small meals.

Does bariatric surgery work for everyone?

The amount of weight you lose will depend on the surgery, your commitment to lifestyle changes and other factors. Studies have found that more than 90 percent of bariatric patients are able to maintain long-term weight loss of 50 percent or more of their excess body weight, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

In many cases, patients can improve their chances for success by following the advice of Dr. Jorge Castillo and support team about how to make appropriate lifestyle changes.

What are the lifestyle changes I will need to make after bariatric surgery?

Patients who have weight loss surgery should expect to make a lifelong commitment to their weight-loss goals. Bariatric surgery makes drastic changes to the digestive system. You will need to decrease the amount of food you eat, eat more protein-rich foods, and supplement your diet with vitamins and minerals.

How is Tijuana Bariatric Surgery unique in its approach to bariatric surgery?

Tijuana Bariatric Surgery is an accredited Center for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Our bariatric program offers minimally invasive (laparoscopic) bariatric surgical techniques, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and revisional (redo) bariatric surgery.

After the first year, if you’re in good health and have lost a lot of weight, you may want to discuss body contouring options with Dr. Illich Navarro, a body contouring expert after massive weight loss. Body contouring at Mommy Makeover Tijuana can help remove excess skin folds and tighten loose tissues.