Bariatric (Weight Loss) surgery

Gastric Bypass: With gastric bypass a small part of the stomach is detached from the rest and a small pouch is created which is then connected to a lower part of the intestine – this process allows food to bypass a large portion of the stomach and part of the small intestine too; Narrow opening between the stomach and intestine also slows the transit of food and also since only a small portion of the stomach remains, the amount of food that can be eaten is dramatically reduced, patients feel fuller for longer and as a result calorie intake decreases eventually resulting in weight loss; The feeling of hunger is also significantly diminished after gastric bypass due to less hunger hormone (ghrelin) release;

Sleeve Gastrectomy: With sleeve gastrectomy most of the stomach is removed so that only a narrow tube (sleeve) remains which holds less food thus reducing the number of calories consumed; The feeling of hunger is also significantly diminished thanks to less hunger hormone (ghrelin) release;

There are also several alternative versions of the procedure like:

• Adjustible band procedure: a band is placed around part of the stomac to reduce it’s capacity.
• Gastric baloon: an inflatable baloon is placed inside of the stomac that also reduces it’s capacity.

In most cases we’ll make sure the fees also include a hotel stay, airport and hospital transfers, medical tests, and translation services. 

Differences between budget levels depend on materials used, country where the operation is performed, expertise of the doctors and the hospital stay fees of the specific facility.

For patients the differences in price translate into slight increases / decreases in comfort levels during the stay, and slight variations in risks & effectiveness of the procedures (quality of the materials being used, hospital standards, experience of doctors, etc.). Quality of the materials being used during surgeries depend on the hospital and while all are approved by health regulators, some are of new technology and therefore pricier, etc.

All clinics we work with adhere to core international standards.

Finding the clinic that best suits your interest and budget can be time consuming and difficult; We have chosen and partnered with clinics who deliver quality, comfort and experience in treatment; Our team of consultants will understand your needs, explain to you the differences between various options and suggest to you the best alternative.

When do you need a bariatric surgery:

Whether you are eligible for a bariatric surgety depends on various factors and the final decision should be made by the operating doctor or a medical consilium (several doctors at the same time).

As a general rule, modern medicine recommends the operation to patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 35. You can check your BMI here by inputting your height and weight [let’s insert a BMI calculator (link)].

For individuals with a BMI between 30 and 34.9, bariatric surgery may be recommended if they have obesity-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), sleep apnea, heart disease, arthritis (often in the knees).

To qualify for surgery you should be motivated to follow the changes in diet and lifestyle required after surgery;

Again:

If you are severley obese, please speak to us or a medical professional within your country because severe obesity leads to significant damages to your body and to heightened risks to your life. If you are able to afford a surgery and you have tried but haven’t been able to lose weight we strongly recommend you consider a bariatric surgery.

Benefits of the surgery:

The first and most obvious benefit is that the average patient loses about 70% of access weight during the first 12 months from the surgery.

Other than the obvious benefits, it has numerous specific medical benefit for the body as with weight loss many disorders that were present before the surgery resolve or become less severe. Several examples here:

• The risk of death drops by 25%, due to decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer development.
• Diabetes resolves in up to 62% of people 6 years after the surgery.
• Procedure results in certain hormonal changes which eventually improve how the body uses glucose (a form of sugar); these changes aid in reducing the severity of diabetes or causing it to resolve.

Risks related to the surgery:

Serious complications after these procedures are rare, but you should take into consideration that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may develop or worsen; People who have significant symptoms due to GERD before surgery may be advised against sleeve gastrectomy.

This is why seeking professional opinion is important. The best procedure for you will be determined by consultation with your doctor who will take into consideration your needs and preferences and decisions will be made based on your lifestyle and health condition;

As mentioned earlier, the final decision of whether you are recommended for a bariatric surgery will be taken by the doctor, who will take into account all the medical data, as well as your lifestyle and preferences and come up with and actionable plan to improve your quality of life;

Post-surgery considerations:

Resuming usual activities depends on post surgical recovery the usual time for which is 4-6 weeks; People may experience pain, and some might have nausea and vomiting. Constipation is common.

Drinking more fluids and not staying in bed too long at a time can help; You should start walking or doing leg exercises the day after surgery to avoid blood clots and try not to stay inactive for long periods of time.

You can return to their usual day-to-day activities after about 1 week and to your usual exercises after a few weeks. Keep in mind that consulting with a doctor before doing any heavy lifting and manual labor is essential and such activities which should usually be avoided for 6 weeks.

Post surgical recommendations will be covered during consultation with your medical team who will give you detailed instructions about the postoperative care;

We will help you arrange post surgical consultations with the doctor. These are always included in the package from our the clinics.