No. Surgery is not the solution for everyone. If you are hoping that the surgery will provide an easy way out, you need to reconsider it, otherwise, you will not succeed, regret your decision, and waste your financial and emotional resources. Weight loss surgery is a life-altering procedure and you need to be committed to making a complete lifestyle change. It will require a lot of hard work, motivation, and adherence to a healthy diet for the rest of your life. Bariatric surgery is only a tool that you will need to use correctly.

Once you complete the medical questionnaire, our medical team will evaluate you and approve for surgery, if you qualify. Doctors generally recommend it for people who:

• Have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 29. High BMI patients with BMI over 55, and extra high BMI over 75 are also approved, however a longer pre-operative diet is required to decrease surgery risks.
• Patients who have serious health conditions related to obesity such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes (both type 1 and 2), high cholesterol, or severe sleep apnea (provided a patient does not suffer from health conditions that could disqualify him or her from having surgery, bulimia may be one of such conditions)
• Have tried and failed to lose weight by nonsurgical means such as diet and exercise.
• Fully understand the risks associated with weight loss surgery and are motivated and determined to make a permanent change.

BMI of at least 29 is required in order to qualify for a gastric sleeve or a bypass procedure. In some cases, lower BMI may be acceptable when a patient is seeking a revision to bypass in order to fix the acid reflux issue.

The highest BMI in our practice was 102 when the patient started pre-operatory diet. By the time of surgery, BMI was lowered to 92. A successful gastric sleeve surgery was performed. Extra high BMI patients are approved after having followed a low-carb protein-enriched pre-op diet for at least 3 months (the time frame varies and depends on weight loss results and how strictly the diet is followed). Patients with BMI over 70 rarely qualify for bypass procedures, as there is a high risk of post-op complications. A good pre-op diet is required, and if BMI is lowered to at least 65, the chances to have a bypass increase significantly.  For high BMI patients our doctors recommend gastric sleeve as a less invasive safer procedure, and if need be, one year later a bypass can be performed after certain weight loss has been achieved.

Gastric sleeve is recommended for patients whose BMI is at least 29, who do not suffer from strong heartburn or acid reflux, or whose BMI is extra high (over 65). If you already have permanent heartburn or acid reflux, we highly recommend considering bypass, since many patients develop even stronger reflux after gastric sleeve (very rarely it gets improved). Some patients who have never had acid reflux may develop it after gastric sleeve surgery.

Gastric bypass is recommended for patients whose BMI is at least 29, who suffer from strong heartburn or acid reflux, diabetes (especially type 1), high blood pressure, or whose BMI is less than 65. Bypass surgery helps with acid reflux (the majority of cases are resolved entirely or improved significantly, 2 to 5 % continue suffering from acid reflux), it also fights diabetes better than gastric sleeve.

Single incision gastric sleeve, as the name suggests, is a classic gastric sleeve, however instead of making 3 or 4 main incisions, the surgeon will make one incision through the belly button, and perform surgery through a special port. This procedure is recommended for aesthetic reasons only as it requires less incisions and thus less scars. One additional tiny incision on the left side of the abdomen, is still required for the drain tube. To be a candidate for a singe incision sleeve a patient must follow a strict low-carb protein diet for at least 8 weeks, maximum BMI allowed is 45, no previous abdominal surgeries such as tummy tuck (scar tissue will not allow a surgery through one incision only). In case the doctor starts the surgery and for some reason (for example due to large liver) needs to make additional incisions, a patient will be refunded the single incision fee of $500 USD.

So far, our youngest patient was 14 years old and our most senior patient was 73 years old. Both had successful gastric sleeve procedures. A thorough evaluation by our cardiologist is required for senior patients, especially if a person has a history of cardiovascular issues. Additional cardio tests may be required. For younger patients a bypass is not recommended, as their bodies are still developing. It is essential that parents explain to the child the importance of the procedure, that it is a major surgery, and commitment to a healthy diet and exercise routine will be required. Support of all family members will be necessary, that includes avoiding buying foods that your child cannot or should not eat.

Many overweight patients are in poor health because of diseases caused by their obesity. These diseases include diabetes (type 1 and 2), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver, heart problems, lung problems, kidney difficulties, gallbladder issues, pancreatitis, sleep apnea, thyroid dysfunction, depression, anxiety, etc. However, they do not disqualify you from having bariatric surgery. On the contrary: weight loss will help either reverse some of these conditions, or prevent their development in the future, or help control them much better, requiring less medications. Our medical questionnaire is very detailed and will allow the doctors to properly evaluate you. Sometimes additional pre-op tests may be required.

Our scheduling process can take as little as 2 days (this requires completing our medical questionnaire and having a consultation with the surgeon, once approved, we can schedule a specific surgery date). On average surgery can be scheduled as soon as two to three weeks after you make a decision, as hotel, OR and transportation arrangements will have to be made, and patient will have to go on a pre-op protein diet for at least 14 to 21 days before the procedure (the length will depend on your BMI). Although every case is individual, other factors will be taken into consideration and the time of preparation for surgery could be less or more than 2 weeks. We encourage all our patients to start preparations at least 2 months before the desired surgery date in order to have enough time for the pre-op diet, flight arrangements, and for the hospital to have available rooms.

The minimum required is 3 nights for a gastric sleeve and 4 nights for a gastric bypass (RNY or Mini). The maximum included in the surgery packages is 4 nights for a gastric sleeve and 5 nights for a gastric bypass or SADI-S. You may arrive one day before surgery (arrival before 2 pm ideally, or before 9 pm) and spend the pre-op night at the hotel in Tijuana (1 pre-fill night is included in the surgery package), or you may arrive on the day of surgery (before 10 am) and be taken to the hospital directly to have a procedure that same afternoon. After spending the required 2 nights at the hospital, you will be discharged and taken to the hotel in Tijuana. For our gastric sleeve patients we recommend spending one more night at the hotel before going home. And for our gastric bypass or SADI-S patients our surgery packages include 2 post-op hotel nights if you wish to stay longer. In rare cases a patient may leave right after the hospital discharge, however this option is not recommended unless you live within a driving distance and can come back if need be. For our patients traveling from Australia and New Zealand, we recommend staying a full number of nights included in the surgery package: 4 for a gastric sleeve, or 5 for a gastric bypass.

Just as you would take precautions when traveling anywhere abroad, the same precautions are recommended when coming to Tijuana. Hundreds of clients have traveled to our clinic and have had no problems whatsoever. The CIBA Surgery Center or the NEW CITY Hospital are only a 45-minute ride from the San Diego airport. Quartz Hotel is a 10-minute walk from the border and shares the same building complex with the NEW CITY Hospital. CIBA is within a 10-minute ride from the hotel. 24/7 on-site guards at both facilities provide peace of mind to their guests. Our driver will be happy to pick you up right outside the baggage claim area at the airport, and bring you to the hotel or to the hospital. You will have no need to walk outside the facilities if you do not wish to do so, although it is perfectly safe to walk around, shop, do sightseeing, and use local taxi services such as Uber. If you do not wish to be alone, our on-site facilitators are available to assist you 24/7 at the hospital, and daily from 7 am till 9 pm at the hotel. Guided sightseeing or souvenir shopping tours are available with our trusted tour guides. Traveling to Tijuana should be considered in the same manner as traveling to New York, Los Angeles, or any other big city in the world: if you are not looking for any trouble, you will be safe. Local businesses respect tourists, as they support the local economy, you will be treated with kindness and warmth.

Since all surgeries are laparoscopic (gastric sleeve and bypass, with or without gallbladder removal), recovery process is quite fast, however a lot will depend on the type of work you do. Most patients with desk jobs are able to return to work within a week, sometimes even sooner. If your job is physically demanding, requires a lot of mental concentration, or heavy lifting (more than 15 pounds), strenuous physical activity, a longer period off work may be necessary (we recommend 2 to 3 weeks). Weight lift restriction for 2 to 3 weeks post-op is 15 pounds, 3 to 6 weeks post-op is 35 pounds, and after 6 weeks a patient can gradually increase weight back to normal. Every patient should consult their follow up physician before deciding to go back to work, as everyone`s circumstances are different. Be prepared to feel constantly tired during the first 1 to 2 months post-op, as during this time your weight loss is more intense. This may require a shorter work day or light duty. As your body adjusts, you will regain your energy levels.

Yes. Please submit your FMLA or short-term disability forms to your patient coordinator either via email (info@golightbariatrics.com) or fax (855-457-1400). You may submit such forms either before or after surgery. Please allow at least 7 days for our medical team to complete the forms. Always indicate the following information: 1) your first day off work; 2) the day you wish to return to work, 3) any work restrictions such as no heavy lifting, frequent breaks, shorter work day, etc.

Every patient is encouraged to start walking in the early post-surgery hours (as soon as you can sit on the edge of your bed), this will promote faster recovery and release of surgical gases. Light aerobic activities such as brisk walking, stationary biking, elliptical machines, etc., may be engaged almost immediately after surgery and are limited generally by the degree of discomfort that these activities cause. You may engage in swimming once all wounds have healed sufficiently (normally one month after surgery). Activities that are more strenuous or involve lifting weights are generally discouraged for two months after surgery while you are still recovering and may suffer from dehydration. As your diet progresses so as to allow you consume sufficient amount of fluids and protein, you will be able to start normal work-outs (approximately 2 months post-op), on those days you will be able to increase consumption of carbs as well.

Normally no additional lab work is required before surgery. Blood work, EKG and chest X-ray will be performed upon admission to the hospital on the day of surgery. Only in certain cases (such as iron deficiency anemia or serious cardiovascular issues) will the doctor request additional tests.

General blood test is recommended within 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery in order to determine whether your body is lacking any vitamins, minerals and other important elements. Feel free to submit your test results by fax at 855-457-1400 or by email to your coordinator or to info@golightbariatrics.com in order to receive evaluation. Please request the following type of blood test with your PCP: CBC (complete blood count), Cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL), Fibrinogen, Basal Insulin Level (fasting insulin), Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1), A1C, Glucose, Urea, Creatinine, Vitamin Levels (B1, B12, D, folates), Minerals levels (Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Iron), total capacity of iron fixation (FCT), Ferritin, TSH, Liver Function Test, Albumin, Urinalysis.

Yes, you can. Most of the commonly performed abdominal operations such as C-section, gallbladder surgery, appendectomy, tubal ligation, hysterectomy and minor hernia repair of the belly button rarely impact the ability to have bariatric surgery. However, if you have had prior weight loss surgery, hiatal hernia or reflux surgery, intestinal surgery involving removal of a portion of the small intestine or colon, or have had a major hernia repair with a large mesh, it could impact the type of surgery you can have as well as the cost of surgery. It is important to recall all prior surgeries and let your surgeon know about them during the evaluation process. If you have had a major abdominal surgery, it is very helpful if you can obtain the operative reports as well.