Your Guide to Preparing for Bariatric Surgery
The day has finally arrived. You are prepared to take the steps towards a new life. The first step is preparing yourself for what is to come. These tips will help you prepare for bariatric surgery and prepare you mentally, physically, and emotionally for this big change in your life!
Create a Realistic Picture in Your Mind
Set realistic goals in your mind. You may be eager to lose all the weight you’ve gained over the years, but remember that bariatric surgery is not a quick fix. It takes time and hard work to achieve long-term success. Try to focus on small goals at first so you don’t become overwhelmed.
Start Thinking About the Recovery Period
Next step in how to prepare for bariatric surgery: gear up for the recovery period. Recovery from surgery can be tough, both physically and emotionally. Make sure you have everything you need before surgery so you don’t have to worry about running out of supplies later on. Stock up on healthy foods, pain medication, ice packs, and anything else you might need.
Eat Well and Exercise
Start changing your diet and exercise routine. Losing weight is much easier when you have support from your friends and family. The way they treat you will influence how much weight you lose, so make sure to encourage them in their efforts as well!
Get the Pre-Op Labs You Need
This is essential in preparing for weight loss surgery. Contact your surgeon’s office and find out what labs you need to have done before surgery. Make sure you get all of the required tests done so there are no surprises on the day of surgery.
Establish Your Support Team
Talk to friends and family and get support. They will be an important part of your recovery process, so make sure they know what to expect. Ask them for help when you need it—whether that means bringing you meals or just providing moral support.
Work on the Mental Patterns That Inform Your Relationship With Food
Start therapy. Therapy is a great tool for exploring emotional issues that may be holding you back from losing weight or getting healthy. If possible, try to find an outpatient group session led by people who specialize in treating bariatric patients. This can help ease any fears or concerns about surgery before it happens!
Of course, you are not alone on this journey. If you are gearing up for your procedure at Hospital BC, we are here to help you. If you have any questions or concerns, do not be afraid to get in touch with us about bariatric surgery in Tijuana.
Will My Insurance Cover Weight Loss Surgery?
When it comes to health insurance, one of the most common questions people have is whether or not their insurance plan will cover weight loss surgery. The answer isn’t always easy because there are many factors that can affect what’s covered and how much you pay in out-of-pocket costs. To help you understand your options, we’ve created this blog post. We’ll discuss what criteria need to be met for coverage, what the out-of-pocket costs are, and if getting bariatric surgery in Mexico might save money!
Do American Insurance Companies Pay for Weight Loss Surgery?
According to the Affordable Care Act, any plan offered on the open exchange must cover bariatric surgery. However, there are still some insurance companies that do not cover bariatric surgery because they are sold off the open exchange.
If you did not purchase your insurance through this exchange, speak to your provider to find out if they offer coverage. Also, keep in mind that even if they will pay for bariatric surgery, insurance companies require you to meet specific criteria before they will pay and often do not cover costs in full.
What Criteria Do I Need to Meet for Coverage?
The criteria that insurance companies use to determine if weight loss surgery is covered can vary greatly. However, most plans require that you meet certain health conditions, such as being morbidly obese (a body mass index of 40 or higher) or a BMI of 30-39 while having other obesity-related health problems like type II diabetes or high blood pressure. Some plans also require that you have tried other methods of weight loss unsuccessfully before they will consider covering surgery.
How Much Will I Have to Pay Out-of-Pocket?
Unfortunately, most insurance companies do not cover the entire cost of bariatric surgery. In fact, you may have to pay thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs in order to get the procedure you need. This can include co-pays, deductibles, and coinsurance payments.
Can Getting Weight Loss Surgery in Mexico Save Me Money?
One option that some people consider is getting weight loss surgery done in Mexico. The cost savings could be significant. For example, a gastric sleeve procedure in Mexico might only cost $5,000 compared to $20,000 in the United States. And for this price, you get everything you need for your procedure, including transportation to and from the airport or land crossing and your hotel and food.
If you are worried about getting the surgery you need covered by your insurance or cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs, contact Hospital BC to learn about weight loss surgery in Mexico.
Gastric Sleeve Pre-Op and Post-Op Diet Guidelines
Gastric sleeve surgery is an excellent option for those who are looking to quickly lose weight and have a high quality of life. However, you should be aware that the pre-op diet guidelines will vary depending on your current health condition and post-op diet guidelines are tailored to allow for healing. If you suffer from fatty liver disease or other related conditions, there may be some specific dietary restrictions before surgery.
This article will outline necessary information about pre-op diets as well as post-op diets in order to ensure success with gastric sleeve surgery! Let’s dive into what to know before bariatric surgery in Mexico.
The Pre-Gastric Sleeve Surgery Liquid Diet
Before any bariatric surgery, you need to go on a liquid diet to eliminate all solids from your stomach and intestines. If there are any remaining, it can cause surgical complications and even result in death. Your doctor will specify which types of liquids you can consume and when to transition into different stages of the liquid diet.
You will also need to stop eating at midnight the day of your surgery. This ensures that you will not vomit anything up while the procedure is underway.
Pre-Gastric Sleeve Surgery Diet for Those With Fatty liver Disease
If you have been diagnosed with fatty liver disease, then your doctor may recommend a liquid diet for a longer period before surgery. This is because the liver can regenerate more quickly if it is not working hard to digest solid food. A liquid diet will also help to reduce the size of the liver and stomach and make surgery less complicated.
The Post-Gastric Surgery Liquid Diet
After gastric sleeve surgery, you will need to continue on a liquid diet for the first week post-op. This is to ensure that your stomach is not stressed as this can cause the incisions to open. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on what types of liquids are safe to consume during this time period.
The Post-Gastric Surgery Diet for Weeks Two through Four
Once you have made it past week one post-op, then your doctor will give you specific instructions on what types of foods and liquids are safe to consume.
You should not eat any solid food until at least three weeks after surgery! Your stomach is still healing from the procedure so sticking with a liquid diet is highly recommended for optimal health. You can add things like Jell-O, yogurt smoothies, thick shakes/ smoothies, oatmeal in small amounts (¼ cup or less), broths that do not contain too much fat or salt content in order to ease yourself into eating more solids again. This way, your body has time to adjust without being overloaded by dense nutrients all at once.
During Weeks two through four post-op, you can gradually increase the amount of solid food that you are consuming. However, make sure to avoid fatty and greasy foods as these will slow down your weight loss process and may cause nausea or vomiting.
The Post-Gastric Surgery Diet for Weeks Five through Eight
Once you have reached weeks five through eight post-op, your doctor will give you a green light to start eating all types of solid foods again! Just like in the previous phase, it is important to take things slowly by adding small portions of new foods to your diet each day. This will help your stomach get used to handling larger quantities of food without causing any discomfort or pain.
It is also important to continue drinking plenty of water (at least two liters per day) and eating high-fiber foods to ensure that your digestive system is healthy.
The Full Post-Gastric Surgery Diet
Once you have made it past week eight post-op, then congratulations are in order! You can now eat all types of food again without worrying about surgical complications or side effects after gastric sleeve surgery. Just remember to take things slowly with the first few weeks as this will help your stomach adjust to handling solid food again. From there, feel free to enjoy a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods, including meat, vegetables, fruits, whole grains/ bread, etc. This will allow for optimal health results while also helping you maintain energy levels throughout the day
For more direct guidance, talk to the Hospital BC team! We perform gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico, offering affordable rates and concierge service.
Are Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery the Same?
The terms plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are often used interchangeably. However, these two specialties are not the same. Here is a quick primer on these two approaches to enhancing your appearance and some help deciding which is right for you.
What Is Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery is the cosmetic alteration or reconstruction of body parts, which may include removal or rearranging skin and tissue. Plastic surgeons perform procedures such as breast reduction, tummy tucks (abdominoplasty), nose jobs (Rhinoplasty) to correct physical deformities like cleft lip. They also do reconstructive plastic surgery for patients who have experienced trauma to an area on their body due to accidents, violence, or disease.
What Is Cosmetic Surgery?
Cosmetic surgery involves changing a part of your appearance that does not affect function but can improve how you look. It includes many of the same surgeries that a plastic surgeon performs. However, it does not verge into reconstructive surgery. For example, a cosmetic surgeon may perform liposuction to remove excess fat but would not operate on someone who had suffered a burn.
Cosmetic vs. Plastic Surgery: What’s the Difference?
To put it simply, plastic surgery can be both cosmetic and restorative. Cosmetic surgery is strictly about looks. So, for most people, there is no difference when it comes to deciding between a cosmetic or plastic surgeon. Surgeries that both plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons can perform include:
- Nose jobs (Rhinoplasty)
- Breast augmentations and reductions
- Tummy tucks (Abdominoplasty)
- Breast lifts
- Skin removal
- Mommy makeovers
- Brazilian butt lifts
- Facelifts
- Eye lifts
- Brow lifts
- Neck lifts
Which Is Better for Me?
The answer to this question really depends on your goals and what you are looking to achieve. If you have a deformity that is significantly impacting your life, then plastic surgery is likely the best option. However, if you just want to improve your appearance slightly, then both cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are viable options for you.
Schedule Your Consultation to Learn More
Do you now have a better idea of which type of surgery you need and which procedure can help you? There is no need to wait to get the help you need. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about plastic surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. We will provide you with information on our approach, costs, and packages for international clients. Allow Hospital BC to help you achieve your goals and become your best self.