PCOS and Gastric Sleeve: Can Weight Loss Surgery Help PCOS Symptoms?
Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), is one of the most popular bariatric procedures today. It is performed by removing a portion of the stomach and forming it into a sleeve shape, which reduces the patient’s ability to overeat in one sitting and reduces feelings of hunger.
One common comorbidity with obesity is polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS. Losing weight can improve common PCOS symptoms and lead to an overall improved quality of life, however it’s not quite that easy. As a result, many women with PCOS turn to bariatric procedures like the gastric sleeve.
If you have PCOS and are looking into gastric sleeve surgery, read on to learn how you gastric sleeve can improve your symptoms.
Symptoms of PCOS
PCOS is not well understood, but we do know that PCOS is a disorder of the endocrine system, which is responsible for the production of hormones in the body. Symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, lack of ovulation, increased levels of testosterone and other androgen hormones, and ovarian cysts. These symptoms may result in other symptoms such as hair loss, hirsutism (or excess facial hair), acne, and insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance is linked with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and high blood pressure. It’s thought that PCOS has an effect on insulin resistance, which can make it more likely for women with this condition to become obese. However, the real reasons for why PCOS and obesity are linked are still unclear.
How Weight Loss Helps PCOS
Fat cells produce hormones, and too much of these hormones can cause metabolic problems. Weight loss, or specifically fat loss, is linked with improvements in insulin resistance, hormone production, ovulation, and period regularity. Behavioral modifications that lead to weight loss can improve PCOS symptoms, however many of these changes do not stick for a wide variety of reasons. For this reason, many obese women with PCOS decide to get bariatric surgery.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery and PCOS
Because obesity is a common comorbidity with PCOS, severely obese women who get gastric sleeve surgery may see improvements in their PCOS symptoms as well. There is no additional risk for PCOS patients posed by bariatric procedures.
With that said, rapid weight loss may also induce symptoms like period irregularity and lack of ovulation. This is because of the hormonal changes happening in the body as a result of weight loss.
Gastric sleeve surgery, or any bariatric surgery, is not a treatment for PCOS but a treatment for obesity. Treating obesity can improve PCOS symptoms, but it is not expected to deal with the root cause of PCOS.
Learn more about gastric sleeve surgery: What Will Happen If You Eat Solid Food Right After Gastric Sleeve? Nothing Good
Get Gastric Sleeve in Mexico Done By Board Certified Surgeons
Dr. Jalil Illan has paired up with Dr. Robert Rutledge, a leading researcher and pioneer in the field of bariatric surgery at Hospital BC in Mexico. You can get world-class care in Mexico at the fraction of the cost of a US hospital. Learn more: Gastric Sleeve Mexico
Dermal Fillers vs. Botox: The Difference Between Botox and Fillers
If you’re looking for treatments that can help reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging such as loose and sagging skin, you probably have looked into both Botox and dermal fillers.
Botox and dermal fillers are both non-surgical outpatient procedures that produce nearly instant anti-aging results. But what’s the difference between botox and fillers? Is there a big difference between them? Let’s find out!
Is Botox The Same As Fillers?
The short answer is no. They’re completely different treatments that use completely different methods to achieve the same result: fewer fine lines and wrinkles.
Botox is the trademark name of botulinum toxin A, which is a neurotoxin that paralyzes muscles. Botox isn’t just used for treating wrinkles, though: it can also be used to prevent bruxism (teeth grinding) and can even be used for migraines in severe cases!
Fillers use hyaluronic acid, which is a natural substance that is often found in skincare. Hyaluronic acid is injected into the skin to “fill in” areas that are losing volume and are becoming loose.
What Is The Difference Between Botox and Fillers
To understand the difference between Botox and dermal fillers, we’ve created a handy comparison guide for you.
Botox uses botulinum toxin to paralyze facial muscles to prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles that would otherwise form as a result of normal facial movements. It’s more of preventative medicine that can be applied on a regular basis. Fillers use hyaluronic acid to fill in wrinkles and provide a plump, youthful look to the skin.
Botox treatment takes about 15 minutes. Injections are applied to the frown lines, forehead, the sides of the eyes, and other places where wrinkles may be forming. Fillers are applied to deep wrinkles and sites where there is excessive loss of volume.
Botox results last from 3 to 5 months, whereas fillers usually produce results for a longer period (usually 8 to 12 months). How long the fillers last depends on the injection site and the filler used. Some fillers can last for up to 2 years.
Botox tends to be lower cost per injection, too, however depending on your treatment you might find the total costs to be comparable. For an accurate quote, please contact us for a consultation!
Dermal Fillers vs. Botox: Which Should I Choose?
Fillers and botox are both incredibly effective at turning back the clock, but they’re better for different things. Botox is best for smoothing out lines that form at creases due to facial expressions: forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet. Fillers are more effective for smoothing out lines that are present when the face is at rest.
Botox is also an effective preventative measure for those who are concerned about signs of aging developing over time. Many women choose to get Botox done at regular intervals.
Read more: What Age Should I Start Getting Botox?
Get Botox in Tijuana For A Fraction Of The Cost
Botox is available all across the world. In Mexico, you could save thousands of dollars total by simply getting your Botox injections there. Get your Botox in Tijuana at Hospital BC!
Brazilian Butt Lift Recovery: How Long Does It Take To Recover From a BBL?
Many women aim to emulate the shapely plump posteriors sported by the likes of Beyonce and Nicki Minaj. One way women are doing this is by getting a procedure known as the Brazilian butt lift.
The Brazilian butt lift has become a more common cosmetic procedure in recent years, but people have concerns about it. One big concern is about Brazilian butt lift recovery, or specifically, how long it takes to recover. In this article, we explain the procedure, how long it takes to recover, and what risks are associated with it.
Brazilian Butt Lift Procedure Explained
The Brazilian butt lift is performed by using liposuction on one area of the body and injecting the fat into the buttocks. Typically, fat for the Brazilian butt lift is sourced from the thighs or abdomen, but patients are able to decide where the fat is sourced from.
Fat grafts are common in other procedures, such as breast augmentation. But, due to the fact that the fat is injected into a large muscle that is involved in both walking and sitting, recovery is a lot longer than for fat graft breast augmentation. So how long does it actually take to recover from a BBL?
How Long Does It Take To Recover From a BBL?
Recovery time for BBL depends on many factors. Complications may increase recovery time, and so will post-op aftercare. Generally, you can expect 4 to 6 weeks for full recovery. Most patients can return to work after a week, however this will depend on the nature of your work.
You might be asking “what is BBL recovery like”? Recovering from a Brazilian butt lift requires patients to avoid sitting directly on their bottoms for at least 4 weeks. Patients are asked to wear a compression garment for treated areas for at least a week.
To allow for comfortable sitting, we recommend that BBL patients use a donut pillow and to put most of their body weight on the thighs rather than directly on the glutes. Patients are also advised to sleep on their side or their stomach to avoid pressure on the glutes.
Risks of Brazilian Butt Lift
The Brazilian Butt Lift has a few risks associated with it. Cosmetic risks include:
- Overcorrection (too much fat removed and/or reinjected) and undercorrection (too little fat removed and/or reinjected)
- Fat reabsorption: this happens in most cases, and is natural and harmless.
- Asymmetry: although asymmetry may go away with time, talk to your surgeon about symmetry concerns
- Lumps
- Bruising
- Swelling
Less common, but more serious, risks include:
- Infection and blood clots: these risks are associated with any surgical procedure
- Hematoma: blood pockets under the skin. These usually go away in a few weeks, but may require draining by the surgeon or nurse.
- Skin necrosis
- Fat necrosis
We believe that all patients should be educated about the risks of cosmetic procedures such as the Brazilian butt lift. Make sure the surgeon you choose for the procedure is board-certified and has a history of performing successful BBL procedures! Learn more about the BBL: Where Did the Brazilian Butt Lift Get Its Name?
Get a Brazilian Butt Lift in Tijuana & Save Thousands
Did you know you can get a top-quality brazilian butt lift in Tijuana for a fraction cost? Our board-certified plastic surgeons will give you the body you want for less cost. Contact Hospital BCN today!
Bariatric Surgery Recovery Time: Back to Work After Bariatric Surgery
Weight loss surgery is a big step to take for your life. These procedures can allow you to lose over half your excess body weight and live a better, healthier life, free from the burdens of overeating and health problems caused by obesity. But these procedures are not to be done lightly. Most bariatric procedures are not easily reversible. They also require a fair bit of recovery time, as they require changing how your digestive system works.
If you’re looking to get bariatric surgery, you might be wondering about taking time off work. How long should you take off work? First, let’s explore what bariatric surgery recovery is like.
What Is Bariatric Surgery Recovery Like?
1-3 Days Post-Op:
You’ll be in the hospital until you are cleared for release. If you’re getting an all-inclusive bariatric surgery package in Mexico, you’ll be staying at your hotel for a few more days. Your diet will be clear liquids only. If you were on a liquid fast before surgery, you’d simply be continuing that for a few more days.
Abdominal pain and fatigue are common symptoms. You’ll be prescribed painkillers to deal with pain caused by incisions.
One Week:
You’ll be on a pureed food diet, which is what your stomach can handle. By this time, you’ll be back in the comfort of your home.
Two Weeks:
By this time, you’ll most likely be back to your normal routines. However, you’ll only be able to eat pureed and soft foods at this time such as scrambled eggs, ground meat, and mashed potatoes.
4-6 Weeks:
By this time, you’ll be introducing more normal foods into your diet. Most abdominal pain will have gone away by now, but if it still persists, let your doctor know.
One thing that people are concerned about is what they will have to give up after bariatric surgery. Do you have to quit coffee? Read more: How Long to Avoid Coffee After Bariatric Surgery
How Long Is Bariatric Surgery Recovery Time?
Recovery is a journey. Not all patients take the same amount of time to recover. Complications happen, and some patients might find recovery less comfortable than others.
Most patients can return to normality after two weeks. This includes going back to work, doing errands outside of the house, and being able to walk around. However, there’s still more recovery that needs to happen.
A full recovery, that is the ability to resume active exercise and reintroduce typical foods, will take about 4 to 5 weeks. Exercising after bariatric surgery will generally start with short brisk walks and graduate to jogging after a few months.
We recommend asking your doctor when it’s safe to:
- Lift heavy objects
- Do intense exercises such as sports or sprints
- Eat certain types of foods
How Long Do I Have To Take Time Off Work For Bariatric Surgery?
Most patients will be advised to take 1-2 weeks off of work after bariatric surgery. You may be able to go back to work in less time if your job does not require any strenuous activity. If you work from home, you should be able to get back to your normal routine within a week.
The more time you can take off work to recover, the better. However, we understand that not all patients will be able to take much time off work to get this surgery. Make sure to tell your boss and coworkers what you’ll be going through and what recovery will be like. Send them this article!
Get Bariatric Surgery in Mexico & Save Thousands
Dr. Jalil Illan is now working with Dr. Robert Rutledge, the inventor of the mini gastric bypass procedure, to provide bariatric surgery at a lower cost to those who need it most. If you’re from the USA and you’re looking to get bariatric surgery in Mexico, contact Hospital BCN today!