There are steps you have to take when booking bariatric surgery abroad. Most times, patients’ interest is all about losing weight.
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In such circumstances, they tend to neglect important factors that enhance their safety. It is worth noting that bariatric surgery is the major step to weight loss. If things go awry at this stage, there is the likelihood that subsequent procedures will meet a dead end. In the light of this prevailing circumstance, it is important to have these precautions in mind. In addition, you should take congruent steps to set them in motion before going through the knife.
1. Make Researches on the Clinic/Hospital
It is a popular notion that what sways patients to undergo weight loss surgery abroad takes root in two factors. The first is the cost of the operation. The second is the expertise of surgeons at the other end. Apart from these, there is the need to make researches about the chosen destination. The step to choosing a clinic that offers low-cost bariatric surgery is commendable. It is the quest of every obese individual to undergo the procedure under expert hands. Regardless of these facts, you cannot relegate the importance of researches to the background.
Your observations should be on the quality of the clinic. As an individual, you might find it hard sourcing for this information. To this end, there are platforms you can take advantage of to get the information you want. An example is the Joint Commission International (JCI).
What Role do they play?
In every field of human endeavor, it is important to look into the operations. For this reason, the Joint Commission International (JCI) and other accrediting organizations are there to help you with information. The original goal of these organizations is to accredit institutions such as hospital and clinics.
Before a healthcare facility gets the nod to commence operations, it has to pass through the strict guidelines of these organizations. By doing so, the consideration is that their equipment and service are up to the modern requirements. JCI and similar accrediting organizations base their recommendations on the facility and quality of the clinic/hospital’s staff.
What is the Benefit to You?
You might not have enough time in your hands to embark on the rigorous task of sourcing information about the chosen clinic. By taking advantage of the available data on these organizations’ archives, you will have access to their mode of operation. In addition, if the clinic/hospital is on the list, there is the tendency that their services are good.
At your leisure time, you can find out the cost of bariatric surgeries at your chosen clinic/hospital. The importance of this approach is to help you put together the finances for the operation. You will not like to be surprised with the exorbitant costs that your surgery accrues.
2. Learn about Your Doctor
Your weight loss surgery can take a decline if you fail to find out the surgeon behind the operation. Despite the fact that a clinic/hospital might have many surgeons, you should take steps to find out the specific surgeon to carry out your surgery. The essence of this is to familiarize with him and get information about your procedure.
If you have the means, find out the experience of the surgeon in the specific surgery you wish to undergo. When looking at these, there are specific factors you need to find out.
• Expertise:
In spite of the fact that they operate under the auspices of the clinic/hospital, they tend to have specific experience in their field. The expertise is of the essence. This lets you into the number of procedures in his kitty. It is the popular notion that the higher the number of operations in his kitty, the tendency that he has enough expertise in the field.
• Success Rates:
Despite the fact that the surgeon performs bariatric surgery on daily basis, there is also the tendency that he might not be performing them accurately. To this end, find out his success rate from patients that underwent the procedure under his supervision. Armed with this information, you can make the mental note to continue with him or not.
• Compare the Quality of Service:
While the prospects of going abroad for bariatric surgery is yet to wear off from obese individuals, it is important to compare the standards of facilities in the chose location. Sometimes, the thought of paying huge sums of money can be overweighing on patients. Hence, they prefer going outside their countries in the quest for low-cost procedures. At other times, they end up spending much more. To this end, always check the qualifications of the surgeon and his expertise in the field. In addition, find out the cost of the procedure and compare with the rate in your country.
• Respect Standards:
While you set about the task of checking up on your would-be doctor’s profile, respect the healthcare standards of the country. While you expect the surgeon to be fast and efficient, there are certain standards the clinic or government of the region set for weight loss surgery. To be on the safe side, acquaint yourself with these details before undergoing the surgery. With the knowledge of these, you will not be overstretching your expectations.
3. Be Mentally Prepared
Before undergoing any type of bariatric surgery abroad, it is important to make the decision to face the challenge. While your doctor can be there to chip in guidelines, prepare yourself for the mental expectations of the procedure. The success lies with you. When you fail to set plans in motion ahead of the surgery, you are literally hoping for a failure.
There is the misconception that patients that passed through the knife often regain their weight. While this is true (due to some reasons such as the patient’s inability to stick to post-op guidelines), the aftermath of the surgery can be rewarding. It all starts with the mental preparation. So, how do you get mentally prepared?
• Understand Bariatric Surgery:
Weight loss surgery might have become a jingle to you. Perhaps you have a couple of friends that went through the procedure to shed off extra kilos of flesh. Maybe you have read many articles about it. Nevertheless, do you really know what the surgery is? While bariatric surgery can be an effective weight loss tool, the inability to understand the functionalities can be disastrous. It is important to understand the process of the chosen surgery and the expectations after the procedure.
• Talk to People:
The life of an obese individual is a different ball game. While they endure jeers for their overweight, they tend to suffer depression. It is important to talk to people about your challenge. A great way to do this is getting in touch with people that underwent bariatric surgery. Find out how they got over theirs and apply similar techniques to yours. Become a part of Weight Loss Riga's exclusive Facebook community to learn more about real patients and their experiences at Weight Loss Riga.
• Start a Journal:
Weight loss surgery is a mile. To walk this, learn to work with a journal. Think about the cause (s) of your overweight and take the resolve to overcome them after the surgery. By starting a journal, you will be recording the health and lifestyle changes you make in the buildup to the surgical operation.
• Find Alternatives:
Most times, obese individuals take solace in consuming more meals. In fact, 13% of the population worldwide is considered obese. This is not a good way to fight obesity. As you make the resolve to undergo a surgical operation to lose weight, find alternatives to your food addiction. Note that some clinics might require you to lose some weight before passing through the knife. If your chosen clinic/hospital supports this, you can channel your food addiction to taking long walks and exercises.
4. Listen to Your Doctor
If you must make headways in your quest to undergo weight loss surgery, it is important to pay attention to your doctor’s instructions. With well grounding in the field, he can provide you with the rudiments to a successful surgical operation. Typically, the doctor refers you for pulmonary, cardiac, and general medical clearance. With a clean bill of health, you are set to undergo the procedure. Apart from this, there are other reasons why your advice will be of benefit to you.
• Recommendations to Clinics:
As you get ready for weight loss surgery, be close to your doctor. There is the likelihood that he has connections to the best clinics that offer risk-free and low-cost bariatric surgery. In addition, you can get links to the best surgeons. If you have one in mind and being skeptical about it, your doctor can verify the authenticity of such clinics/hospitals.
• Routine Diets and Exercises:
Take note that it is not business as usual. The journey to weight loss starts with staying away from factors that trigger obesity. Regular consumptions of calories, unhealthy dieting (such as eating at late hours), and lack of exercises can trigger obesity. With the recommendation of the doctor, you can begin regular exercises to burn calories. In addition, you will be cutting down on your diet intake. These tips can only come from your doctor and he will be there to monitor your progress.
• Medications:
Your doctor’s input does not end at guiding your exercise and diet. There is also the need to take medications. With the recommendations and guidelines from your doctor, you will be taking medications that control other health conditions.
• Change in Lifestyle:
This boils down to the fact that patients need to practice ahead of the surgery. By making the resolve to change your lifestyle and backing it up with actions, you can face the challenges after the surgery. You must be ready to make necessary in your hitherto lifestyle that triggered obesity. If you smoke, it is recommended to quit before the surgery, however it is not a requirement. Water intake is of the essence. You should aim at drinking 64 ounces of water each day.
• Do not Snack between Meals:
In addition to your lifestyle change, avoid eating snacks between meals. It is also pertinent to keep away snacks (if possible) or avoid eating it before, between, and after meals.
5. Prepare for the Risks
Bariatric surgery is the major step to shedding off extra kilos of flesh. The procedure can be risky; especially with the tendency of risks. Sometimes, there might be complications after the surgery. In such cases, recieve immediate help from NHS.
As you prepare to pass through the knife, be prepared for the complications that can come up. While you hope for the best, have in mind that the going can get wrong. While you prepare your mind for the underlying risks to your bariatric surgery, you should also avoid factors that can compound your situation. It is important to avoid alcohol, liquid calories, and carbonated beverages. Weight loss surgery is efficient and has a long-term benefit if done rightly.
Be Cautious and Ready
While you take caution in making the right choices for your bariatric surgery, you should also be ready to face the complications (if any). In addition, follow your doctor’s advice to the latter and make necessary changes in your lifestyle.
Weight loss surgery can be a lifesaver for people with obesity. However, their inputs and adaptations to the requirements of a hitch-free procedure are of utmost importance. If you can find a good clinic within your location, it will be a good idea. Embarking on medical tourism is a welcome development. However, you must make conscious efforts to check the facility and quality of doctors. Your mental preparation is also of the essence. In addition to your early adaptations to the outcome of the bariatric surgery, there is no doubt that you will not regret the choice of weight loss surgery.
You can choose many clinics abroad. However, Europe is a haven for bariatric patients. Within the region, Weight Loss Riga is among the best bariatric clinics. You can get in contact to get additional tips for your weight loss. The surgical means of losing weight is for the prepared patient and we are ready to walk you through the process.
