Bariatric Sleeve Surgery Guide By Jet Medical Tourism on October 19, 2020

Bariatric sleeve surgery is, by far, the most popular weight loss procedure in the world today. If you are struggling with obesity and have not achieved any significant results with diet and fitness programs, bariatric sleeve might be the right solution for you. Every year, thousands of women and men are winning the battle against obesity by undergoing bariatric surgery gastric sleeve.

As long as you work with a qualified surgeon and follow their guidelines, you can easily attain your weight loss goals as well as gain freedom from obesity-related medical conditions with a bariatric surgery sleeve operation. When you are looking for bariatric sleeve surgery near me, it is prudent to compare the costs and discuss your options with a reputable medical tourism provider.

What is bariatric sleeve surgery

Bariatric sleeve surgery is a relatively less invasive weight loss procedure performed laparoscopically to help patients eliminate obesity. The surgery is best suited for individuals with a moderate level of obesity (where the patient is at least 100 pounds over their ideal body weight). But if you are suffering from co-morbidities, you could benefit from bariatric sleeve even with mild obesity. With a commitment to diet and exercise, you can achieve permanent freedom from obesity with this surgery.

When you discuss with your weight loss surgeon about, “What is bariatric sleeve surgery,” they will explain to you how the procedure is performed. During the bariatric surgery sleeve operation, your surgeon will remove about 80% of your original stomach volume. The reduced size of stomach will help ensure your eating capacity is curtailed and you will feel full faster. To gain more confidence about this surgery, you should check out bariatric sleeve success stories of past patients.

Is bariatric sleeve surgery safe

Yes, bariatric sleeve surgery is a completely safe, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery endorsed weight loss procedure designed for patients with obesity. While the procedure will have some risk of complications that are inherent to any surgery, the safety profile of bariatric surgery gastric sleeve is greater than other weight loss surgeries.

No Rerouting of Intestines

Bariatric sleeve procedure is performed as a one-stage surgery involving only the stomach size reduction. Unlike other complex weight loss surgery techniques, a bariatric surgery sleeve operation can be performed without disturbing the intricate structure of intestines.

Small Size of Incisions

Bariatric sleeve surgery is typically performed using the laparoscopic technique. This procedure is minimally invasive and involves the placement of small gastric sleeve incisions. Therefore, the risk of bleeding and infection is cut down and the patient goes through less discomfort and downtime.

Bariatric sleeve qualifications

During your initial consultation, your bariatric surgeon will examine your general health condition, measure your BMI and review your medical history to evaluate whether you qualify for a bariatric sleeve. Here are the key qualifying metrics for this surgery:

BMI above 40: If your body mass index exceeds 40 but is less than 50, you could qualify for a bariatric sleeve surgery.
BMI above 35: If your body mass index is between 35 and 40, and you suffer from one or more co-morbidities, you may be a strong candidate.
BMI above 30: In exceptional circumstances, your bariatric surgeon might consider your candidacy with BMI between 30 and 35.
General Health: Your surgeon will evaluate whether you can sustain general anesthesia and surgery with your present health condition.
Smoking: If you smoke, you will have to stop the habit for at least a few weeks before and after the surgery in order to qualify.

How long is bariatric sleeve surgery

Bariatric sleeve surgery will take about two hours in the operating room from start to finish. This will include the time required for general anesthesia, incisions marking and placement, laparoscopic surgery, incision closure, drainage tube placement, and bandages. You will be brought out of anesthesia when the procedure is completed.

At the time of your pre-op consultation, you can ask your surgeon about the detailed steps involved in the bariatric surgery sleeve operation. After the procedure is over, you will be moved to an observation area for nursing care and monitoring for a few hours. If you have recovered well, your surgeon may allow you to leave the hospital the same day of your surgery.

Bariatric sleeve surgery cost

Bariatric sleeve surgery cost in Mexico will range from $3,500 to $5,000 on average. On the other hand, if you choose to have the same procedure in the US or Canada, you may have to pay as much as $15,000 to $25,000 on average.

In Mexico, the cost of living index is far lower compared to the US or Canada. As a result, the country is able to offer a very low bariatric sleeve cost, even when the quality of surgery and services is at par with the US.

If you choose to have your procedure in Mexico, the following components will usually be covered within your bariatric sleeve surgery cost:

Fee charged by the bariatric surgeon
Anesthesia team charges
Fee of any other attending surgeons or physicians
Operating room costs
Overnight stay charges, if any
Nutritionist and physical therapist consultation
Pre- and post-op medical tests and blood work
Prescription medications for one week
Transportation to and from the airport to hotel

Bariatric sleeve Mexico

Bariatric sleeve Mexico ranks as the number one weight loss surgery in the country with a very high success rate. Some of the leading cities in Mexico have emerged as the prime destinations for bariatric sleeve medical tourism from the US and Canada.

Hospitals and Clinics in Mexico

Over the last two decades, Mexico has developed world-class medical infrastructure for bariatric sleeve. Many full-service hospitals and bariatric clinics are equipped with state of the art surgical technologies to provide this advanced procedure.

Qualified Bariatric Surgeons in Mexico

Weight loss surgeons performing bariatric sleeve Mexico are highly qualified and experienced. Most of them will converse in English with the patients from the US or Canada. Some of the best Mexico surgeons may also be certified in bariatric surgery from leading medical boards.

Safety, Affordability, Personalized Care

Mexico offers a completely safe and welcoming environment for medical tourists seeking bariatric sleeve surgery and other procedures. You will pay only a fraction of the cost, while you can expect high quality medical care and personalized services at Mexico hospitals.

Bariatric sleeve USA

Bariatric sleeve USA is a major weight loss surgery today, considering the high rate of prevalence of obesity across the US adult population. According to the CDC data, more than 42 percent of all adults in the country were suffering from obesity in 2018.

ASMBS Recommends Bariatric Sleeve

ASMBS or the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery is the premier non-profit medical organization in the United States dedicated to obesity surgery and other obesity-related illnesses and health conditions. ASMBS recommends bariatric sleeve and other weight loss surgeries for suitable candidates who are suffering from morbid obesity in the US.

Inequities in Bariatric Surgery Access

According to numerous news reports and feedback from patients, bariatric sleeve surgery and other weight loss procedures in the US are expensive and unaffordable for many people. An NIH report stated that the category of people who actually get weight loss surgery in the US is not reflective of the patients who need it the most.

Bariatric sleeve Canada

Bariatric sleeve Canada is a leading weight loss surgery procedure, which has been approved by the country’s top medical authorities for qualified candidates. The quality of bariatric sleeve Canada is equivalent to what the other global destinations offer. However, the costs of surgery in the country are significantly higher when compared to a destination that offers Mexico medical tourism.

High Rate of Obesity in Canada

More than five million adults in Canada are estimated to be suffering from obesity. According to Obesity Canada, almost one-third of the adult population has obesity. The CABPS or the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons is the foremost organization representing the interests of patients as well as weight loss medical professionals in Canada.

Inequalities Exist in Surgery Access

Unfortunately, many deserving candidates who are in need of procedures such as bariatric sleeve Canada are unable to have easy access to it, according to an NIH article. Apart from the affordability issues, people experience hurdles in getting insurance approvals. The waiting times for weight loss surgery are often high in Canada, which also reduces access.

How do I find bariatric sleeve surgery near me?

With so many options and offers available from different sources, many patients are left wondering, “How do I find the best bariatric sleeve surgery near me?” If you are looking for a safe and affordable provider for your bariatric sleeve procedure, you can take the following steps.

Step 1: Call the representatives of an experienced medical tourism company to understand your bariatric sleeve options.
Step 2: Once you are satisfied with the service provider’s response, request them for a free consultation with a weight loss surgeon.
Step 3: During your virtual consultation, clear your doubts and share your concerns with the surgeon about bariatric sleeve surgery.
Step 4: If you qualify for the procedure and are satisfied with all the terms and conditions, schedule a date for your surgery.
Step 5: Arrange for your pre-op medical tests and travel documents as advised by your surgeon and the medical tourism provider.
Step 6: Have your surgery completed successfully and get ready to start a new life full of health, happiness and a renewed level of confidence.

Pros and cons of bariatric sleeve surgery

Bariatric surgery gastric sleeve is a proven weight loss surgery, but it is still important to objectively evaluate its benefits and limitations before you go ahead with it. A dedicated bariatric surgeon will educate you about all the advantages and downsides so that you can make a well-considered decision. Here are some of the important bariatric sleeve pros and cons you should be aware of:

Pros of Bariatric Sleeve

Safe and Minimally Invasive: If you ask your surgeon, “Is bariatric sleeve surgery safe,” they will inform you it is the safest form of weight loss surgery in many respects. No surgical intervention of the intestines is involved in this procedure. It can be performed laparoscopically, which means very tiny gastric sleeve incisions will be created for the surgery.
High Success Rate: Nearly eight out of 10 weight loss surgeries performed today are bariatric sleeve surgery. This is because the procedure delivers excellent weight loss outcomes, which can be sustained permanently in many cases. You should seek details of bariatric sleeve success stories of previous patients from your surgeon for more insights.

Cons of Bariatric Sleeve

Surgery is Not Reversible: The bariatric surgery sleeve operation involves the removal of about 75 to 80% of your original stomach tissue. Once this procedure is performed, it cannot be undone. Therefore, you need to carefully deliberate upon your personal goals and motivation, and go ahead only after you are fully ready to undergo the surgery.
Some Surgeries can Fail: Although bariatric sleeve commands a very high success rate, it is not guaranteed that every procedure will succeed. Weight loss gastric sleeve failure, weight regain, and occurrence of complications are possible in some cases. Make sure to choose an experienced bariatric surgeon and follow their instructions diligently to minimize your risks.

Bariatric sleeve weight loss calculator

Bariatric sleeve weight loss calculator will provide you a clear, quantified indication of your body mass index (BMI) prior to the surgery and at different stages after the surgery. The calculator takes into consideration your body weight in relation to your height, and not in absolute terms. You may request your surgeon to explain the concept of BMI during your pre-op consultation.

For example, person A with a height of 5 ft. 2 in. and a body weight of 180 pounds will have a higher BMI than person B with a height of 6 ft. 4 in. and the same body weight.
Based on the bariatric sleeve weight loss calculator, person A may be suffering from Class II obesity and could be a candidate for bariatric sleeve surgery.
The calculator will also help you know your weight loss progress after the surgery.

Related: BMI For gastric sleeve surgery

Bariatric sleeve success rate

Bariatric sleeve success rate is widely accepted to be in the range of 80 to 90% currently. The success rates of the procedure have continually improved with the advancements in surgical techniques and technology. Now weight loss surgeons are also using innovative approaches such as a single incision bariatric sleeve to minimize the risks and improve success rates even further.

One Year after Surgery: Most patients can expect to lose up to 70 percent of their excess weight within the first 12 months after their bariatric sleeve surgery. This rate of successful weight loss is at par with more invasive and more complicated surgeries.
Two Years after Surgery: Patients who are committed to maintaining their diet and exercise program diligently after their surgery can achieve their ideal body weight at 18 to 24 months. In many cases, this total success of the procedure can be sustained for a lifetime.
Low Rate of Complications: The rate of post-operative complications, weight loss failure, and weight regain is quite low. One of the reasons for high bariatric sleeve success rate and low complications is that the procedure involves no surgical change to the intestines.

Bariatric sleeve diet

Bariatric sleeve diet will play a major role in the long-term success of your weight loss surgery. Your surgeon and their nutritionist team will provide you a detailed diet plan that you should follow diligently. It will begin from a pre-op diet bariatric sleeve and continue after your surgery in multiple stages. The bariatric sleeve diet stages during the first three to four months are more stringent, but your diet will normalize progressively.

Some of the important bariatric sleeve diet best practices include:

Include nutrition-dense foods in your daily diet as much as possible.
Focus more on lean proteins and vitamin-rich foods.
Minimize the intake of fried, processed, and fast foods.
Avoid empty calorie foods that are high in saturated fats.
Avoid sugary, carbonated and caffeinated beverages.
Eat small portions and chew your food thoroughly.
Stay well-hydrated and drink at least 64 oz of water every day.
Take your nutrition supplements as directed.

Bariatric sleeve diet stages

Bariatric sleeve diet stages after your surgery can be outlined as follows:

Stage 1A: Clear liquid diet for the first week
Stage 1B: Thick liquid diet for the second week
Stage 2: Pureed diet for the third and fourth weeks
Stage 3: Soft foods and adaptive diet for the second month
Stage 4: Stabilization bariatric sleeve diet with solid foods from the third month

Pre op diet bariatric sleeve

Pre-op diet bariatric sleeve should ideally begin several weeks or months ahead of your surgery. You can begin by focusing on a more balanced or moderate diet as far as possible. When you discuss the pre op bariatric sleeve diet plan with your surgeon and nutritionist, they will guide you about the specific foods to include or avoid.

Purpose of Pre Op Diet

The pre op diet bariatric sleeve focuses on reducing carbs and increasing proteins in the diet. The purpose is to minimize your risk of bleeding during surgery and reduce the fatty cells around your abdomen and liver. High intake of lean proteins will make your body more resilient and the bariatric sleeve post op healing will be faster.

What is Included in the Diet

Your pre op diet bariatric sleeve will primarily include low calorie, high protein foods that are easy to digest. As your date of procedure nears, you will have to follow a liquid-only or largely liquid diet. Some vitamin and mineral supplements may also be recommended to ensure adequate nutrient levels in your body prior to surgery.

Bariatric sleeve post op

Bariatric sleeve post op diet will include an elaborate, multi-stage plan that your surgeon and nutritionist will prepare for you. It will determine what should be the length of each of your bariatric sleeve diet stages post-surgery, and what should be included or excluded from your diet. Your customized diet plan will take into account your BMI, general health condition and other factors.

First Month after the Surgery

In the first two weeks, your bariatric sleeve post op diet may largely include liquids only. The first week will include clear liquids, and from the second week, you may graduate to slightly thicker liquids such as soup, broth, skim milk, and unsweetened fruit juices. Your nutritionist may also allow you to have a limited intake of tea or decaffeinated coffee. During the next two weeks, you will start having pureed foods, which have thicker viscosity.

Second and Third Months

During the second month, the focus will be more on soft or adaptive foods, such as fruits, white fish (cooked), ground meat, and soft boiled eggs. From the third month of your bariatric sleeve post op diet, you will be able to include solid foods in your diet. This will be the stabilization phase, and you should only focus on foods that are chopped into small pieces. Be prepared to chew slowly and continue to avoid hard foods at this stage.

Bariatric sleeve meal plans

Bariatric sleeve meal plans can add more regularity and convenience to your post-op diet. You can consult with a dietitian to prepare bariatric sleeve meal plans for 7 days. This will ensure that you have different meals each day, which adds variety as well as nutrition to your bariatric sleeve diet. With pre-determined bariatric sleeve meal plans, the guesswork is removed from your diet.

A sample bariatric sleeve meal plan for a day may appear something like this:

Breakfast

A smoothie drink with half banana
Half cup of milk with grated almonds
2 tbsp vanilla protein powder and peanut butter

First Snack

Protein shake or vanilla cappuccino

Lunch

Half cup fat-free beans in roast green pepper, topped with cheddar cheese melted (1 oz)
Salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and romaine lettuce • Half cup sliced strawberries

Second Snack

Cinnamon protein bar

Dinner

Eggplant baked and sliced with one-fourth cup of ricotta (fat-free)
Mozzarella 1 oz
Half cup tomato sauce
Chocolate pastry 1 oz

Recovery after bariatric sleeve surgery

Recovery after bariatric sleeve surgery is relatively fast because the procedure is less invasive. You should take plenty of rest in the first week at your home or hotel room. During the second week, you may be ready to travel and resume your normal activities. Here are some of the salient features of bariatric sleeve post op recovery timeline:

Light Activity in the First Week

You will experience mild soreness and swelling in the incision sites, which can be managed with prescription pain meds. Your surgeon will encourage you to perform light activities and short walks at home in the first week. This will improve the blood flow to the incision areas and aid faster healing.

Sedentary Work from Second Week

You can return to your workplace from the second week, but preferably perform only sedentary work or choose activities that do not put strain on your treated sites. You may also discuss work-from-home options with your employer for sometime during your recovery after bariatric sleeve surgery.

Regular Exercise Regimen after a Month

You would have healed sufficient in the first four weeks to resume your regular exercise and fitness regimen from the second month. However, follow your surgeon’s advice and choose only moderate exercises. More vigorous exercises may be performed from the third month onwards.

Bariatric sleeve before and after photos

Bariatric sleeve before and after pictures refer to a pair or group of images belonging to a previous patient who has had the same surgery. The pictures include images taken prior to the surgery and after the surgery at a stage when the full weight loss results are visible.

Bariatric sleeve before and after pictures will help you form reasonable expectations and make the right decision about the procedure. A dedicated surgeon will take care to present authentic photographs of past patients to educate you about the potential benefits of bariatric sleeve surgery.

Bariatric sleeve testimonials

Bariatric sleeve testimonials of other patients will provide you valuable insights about the procedure from an actual patient’s perspective. Reviewing photographs and listening to your surgeon’s explanations is one thing, and receiving a shared experience from a real patient is another.

Bariatric sleeve testimonials will make you feel more confident about the surgery. Moreover, you will know what the other patients have to say about the professional skills and personal attributes of your bariatric surgeon. You can make a more judicious decision after you have seen a few patient testimonials.

Bariatric sleeve complications

Bariatric sleeve complications may occur in rare cases. Your first goal should be to select an experienced weight loss surgeon with proven skills. This will minimize your chances of surgical errors. Secondly, be prepared to commit yourself to the recommended bariatric sleeve post op diet plan.

Here are some of the potential complications you should know about:

Weight Loss Failure: In exceptional situations, you may fail to lose the desired amount of excess weight after bariatric sleeve surgery. You may hit a weight loss plateau or quickly regain weight in some cases.
Co-morbidities Persist: One of the key goals of bariatric surgery gastric sleeve is to resolve or mitigate your obesity-related medical conditions. In a few cases, these chronic co-morbidities may fail to improve.
Acid Reflux or GERD: Some patients complain of persistent symptoms of acid reflux disease or GERD. It may cause bloating, heartburn, and an upset stomach. You may require treatment from a physician if it happens.
Ulcers or Gallstones: Peptic ulcers in the stomach may occur in some cases, which will cause blood in stools or stomach ache. Development of gallstones is another one of bariatric sleeve complications to watch out for.

Pregnancy after bariatric sleeve surgery

Pregnancy after bariatric sleeve surgery is not a concern and most women will have a normal pregnancy post-surgery. But your body will go through significant weight loss and some changes to the digestive system. Therefore, keep the following tips in mind and talk to your bariatric surgeon as well.

Wait for a minimum of 12 to 18 months to allow for weight stabilization before you get pregnant.
If you lose weight successfully and your obesity-related complications are reduced, your pregnancy will be safer.
Speak to your bariatric surgeon and discuss a pregnancy-focused nutrition plan with your dietitian when you are pregnant.
Consult your physician about the mineral and vitamin supplements that you may be taking at the time of pregnancy.
Every trimester get your blood tests done to determine the nutrient levels in your body for a healthy pregnancy.

Best bariatric sleeve surgeons

Choosing one of the best bariatric sleeve surgeons is of paramount importance to get started on a safe and successful weight loss journey. Look for the following key attributes in the surgeon before you make a final decision.

Qualifications: Make sure your surgeon is fully trained and qualified to perform obesity and metabolic surgery procedures, including bariatric sleeve.
Certifications: Check whether your surgeon has a board certification in bariatric surgery or a fellowship or certificate training in this field.
Experience: Ask your surgeon for how long they have been performing bariatric sleeve procedures, including the number of years of training.
Customization: The best bariatric sleeve surgeons will customize your procedure to match with your unique anatomy and health condition.
Personalized Care: You can expect a more satisfactory surgery experience when your surgeon provides you personalized care and attention.

Bariatric sleeve vs bypass

Bariatric sleeve vs. bypass comparison is vital to help you make the most appropriate choice of surgery. At the time of your initial consultation, you should ask your surgeon to explain the differences between the two surgical techniques.

Invasiveness: The most important distinction between bariatric sleeve vs. bypass is the invasiveness of the procedure. Bariatric sleeve surgery is less invasive as it only involves partial stomach removal, while bypass additionally involves surgical rearrangement of the small intestine.
Nutrient Absorption: Bariatric sleeve will have minimal concerns about nutrient absorption because your small intestine will be fully functional. However, with a bariatric bypass, nutrition deficiency is a risk because the ability of small intestine to absorb nutrients gets partially impaired.
Patient Acceptance: Nearly 80 percent of all patients today choose bariatric sleeve surgery, while only a few patients accept gastric bypass when they have severe obesity or diabetes. While discussing bariatric sleeve vs. bypass pros and cons, most surgeons may show preference for sleeve surgery.

Contact Jet Medical Tourism® and save up to 70% on bariatric sleeve surgery

Are you tired of an endless struggle with non-invasive weight loss programs and special diets and pills to get rid of obesity? Jet Medical Tourism® offers you a life-changing opportunity to have bariatric sleeve surgery at an affordable cost. We have been helping many women and men achieve their weight loss goals through bariatric sleeve.

Do not be discouraged by the exorbitant costs of this surgery in your home country. Jet Medical Tourism® is here to help you. Since 2017, we have helped patients from all around the world achieve their weight loss goals successfully. Apply Now or get in touch with us today by calling (855) 506-6188 or the contact form.