As stated by The Childrens Hospital Federico Gomez “bariatric surgery has been the most used and successful procedure against obesity and to reduce the risk of weight-related health problems. ” In addition, the numbers of bariatric surgeries increased since then, placing gastric bypass surgery as the second most chosen bariatric procedure.
Gastric Bypass, also known as Roux-en-Y is a bariatric surgery that includes the creation of a small pouch from the stomach connecting it directly to the small intestine. This bariatric surgery is one of the most frequently performed weight loss surgeries. In fact, it is considered the most commonly performed bariatric surgery in the world.
Gastric Bypass is executed to help obese patients lose weight and reduce their risk of weight-related health problems such as heart disease, high cholesterol, type II diabetes, among other life-threatening diseases.
First, the patient will be given general anesthesia. Next, the surgeon will make various small incisions on the patient’s abdomen through which they will insert the surgical instruments and surgical camera. After, the surgeon will cut across the top of the stomach isolating it from the rest of the stomach, the result is a pouch the size of a walnut that is only able to hold about an ounce of food. Afterwards, the surgeon will cut the small intestine and sew it onto the walnut sized pouch. Finally, the surgeon closes the incision. This surgery takes about 1.5 hours, after which medical staff will monitor the patient in case any complications arise.
Gastric Bypass will help the patient on their long-term weight loss journey. Patients can lose up to 70% of their excess weight within 2 years. However, the amount of weight a patient sheds will depend on the patient, if they follow the recovery instructions given by their surgeon and if they decide to follow a healthy lifestyle.
Gastric Bypass just like any other bariatric surgery has different benefits, which include:
The procedure of a mini gastric bypass is the same as a traditional gastric bypass. Just like in the gastric bypass surgery, a pouch is created in the stomach to diminish the volume of the patient’s stomach. The main difference between the two is that the mini gastric bypass surgery involves less intestinal rerouting. Consequently, the recovery time is shorter for the mini gastric bypass and there is less risk of complications because there are less steps in the procedure.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is an extremely important factor in determining if someone is a candidate for gastric bypass surgery. People can qualify for a gastric bypass surgery if:
Patients who want to undergo a gastric bypass surgery must have an online evaluation with their surgeon and discuss if this is the best option for them because this procedure might be the right one for some patients but not for others.
Choosing the right surgeon is very important when it comes to bariatric surgery. Top bariatric surgeons usually speak English and are reliable, they also have many good reviews and follow top quality medical standards. The following list encompasses some of the best bariatric surgeons in Mexico based on their ratings, experience, success rates, patient ratings and certifications.
| Bariatric Surgeon | Location | About |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Dr. Rodriguez Lopez | Tijuana | This doctor has performed more than 3,500 bariatric surgeries and is known to be one of the most specialized bariatric surgeons in Mexico. |
| 2. Dr. Jose Rodriguez | Tijuana | This doctor works at the INT hospital in Tijuana. He has about 20 years of experience performing weight loss surgeries. |
| 3. Dr. Louisiana Valenzuela | Tijuana | She is an experienced laparoscopic surgeon who has over 5,000 bariatric surgeries. She has practically zero complication rates and high patient satisfaction. |
| 4. Dr. Armando Joya | Puerto Vallarta | This doctor is highly trained in different types of weight loss surgeries such as gastric bypass, gastric banding,etc. In addition, he trains his team and staff to deliver high quality services. |
| 5. Dr. Guillermo Alvarez | Piedras Negras | This surgeon is recognized worldwide as one of the 12 Master bariatric surgeons. He only performs gastric sleeve surgery. |
These bariatric surgeons are well-trained and have many years of experience in the bariatric field. If patients are interested in learning more about these and other top surgeons in Mexico, they can look them up on the National Normative Comite of Councils of Medical Specialties.
Choosing the right facility for a bariatric surgery is also very important. Top bariatric facilities usually have bilingual staff members, are board certified, follow all health regulations and make the patient feel comfortable in this new environment. The following list includes some of the best bariatric facilities in Mexico, based on patient ratings, success rates and location.
| Facility | Location | About |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hospital de la Familia | Mexicali | This hospital has 2 hospital accreditations of quality. It offers affordable and high quality medical services. |
| 2. Gilenis Surgical Center | Tijuana | This clinic is a private medical center and specializes in weight loss surgery. They have many patients from Europe, the United States and Canada. |
| 3. LIMARP Bariatric Surgery Center | Tijuana | This Surgery Center has 5 hospital accreditations of quality and specializes in bariatric surgery. |
| 4. Dr. CosMed Clinic | Tijuana | This clinic has 6 hospital accreditations of quality and they are very well-known in Tijuana. Their quality of medical services and treatments is confirmed by various associations. |
| 5. Dr. OLA Obesity & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Clinic | Guadalajara | This clinic has 1 hospital accreditation of quality and they are very well-known in the region of Guadalajara. The quality of their services is confirmed by the International College of Surgeons. |
These bariatric facilities are some of the best in Mexico and they are all recognized and accredited by various surgical associations and groups.
It’s important to understand that bariatric surgery is a tool, the surgery alone isn’t a permanent solution to obesity and the health problems that come with it. It’s a tool for losing weight. Once it occurs you need to exercise and follow a healthy lifestyle to keep off the weight. In addition, success is not determined at the time after leaving the hospital. Weight loss will occur for 12 to 24 months following the operation and patients must follow their surgeons recovery instructions and recommendations.
