Gastric Bypass in Latvia - description, costs, reviews!

To be considered “overweight” a person just needs to weigh more than what is considered healthy for their height. In general terms a person would be considered overweight if their body mass index (BMI) was between 25 and 29.9. A person with a BMI greater than 30 is technically considered “obese”. While someone with a BMI between 35 and 39.9 is considered severely obese and someone whose body mass index exceeds 40 is considered morbidly obese. So the short answer to the question of whether there is a difference between “overweight” and “obese” is “yes”.

The body mass index has been around for decades and is derived from formulas that go back centuries. The BMI is a measure of weight in relation to height though the standard for what is considered “normal” and what is considered “overweight” has changed some over the years. In the 70s and early 80s normal was considered 27.8 for men and 27.3 for women. Complaints emerged that separating the two represented a kind of sexism and so the two measures were consolidated in 1998 and what is considered normal BMI was modified to a range of 25 to 29.9. With anything over 30 being considered obese. There are plenty of health professionals today who take issue with both the consolidation of the two standards and the lowering of “normal” to 25 but for now the BMI is what it is and it is one of the measures by which gastric bypass surgery procedure candidates are judged.

In the not too distant past weight loss surgery of this kind was considered inappropriate for teens as well as senior citizens. But as the procedure has become increasingly commonplace the “safe” range has been expanded to include post-pubescent teens and people over 60. Typically however there is a higher level of proof required in order for teens to get approval for this type of surgery. Not least because people at that age have very little concept of what a lifetime commitment actually entails. At the other end of the spectrum patients over 65 are also held to a higher standard of proof simply because major surgery on anyone of that age or older carries significant risk of morbidity. Since risk then often outweighs any benefit a person may enjoy for a short while this type of surgery in the elderly is often discouraged.

Tests that are commonly given in preparation for bariatric surgery include:

• Complete Chemistry Panel.
• A glucose tolerance test as a way to test for diabetes.
• A complete blood count.
• Electrocardiogram and chest x-ray.
• Gastroscopy.
• Gallbladder ultrasound.
• Abdominal ultrasound.
• Ultrasound of the liver, kidneys and spleen.

The point of these tests is to provide the surgeon with the most complete picture possible of the patient before embarking on such a life altering process. While many will desire this type of weight loss surgery the fact is not everyone is suited to it. These tests help weed out those who are not good candidates.

Some pre-existing GI conditions such as hiatus hernia, peptic ulcer and esophageal reflux may lead to postoperative complications. As such it’s important for your surgeon to identify any problems beforehand and, if possible, rectify them. This will help avoid complications during surgery as well. The presence of these conditions does not necessarily preclude a person from having weight loss surgery but best practices demand the mitigation of as many potential complicating factors as possible prior to surgery.

We do not conduct our own psychiatric evaluation. However, as noted above, if the preliminary questionnaire or the private pre-operative consultation suggests the presence of certain psychiatric issues the surgeon may request – or in some cases require – a note from the patient’s psychiatrist attesting to the fact that surgery poses no threat to the patient.

As a general rule, yes. However if the question is “Is laparoscopic surgery safer than other types of surgery?” the answer is “no”. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery lie in the fact that it leaves smaller scars, makes for a shorter hospital stay and can require less recovery time for gastric bypass surgery. But it is still surgery and as such still subjects the patient to typical surgical risks.

In most cases the procedure can be completed in around 1.5-2 hours. Sometimes a bit longer depending on the patient. The total time spent in the operating room however will likely be longer simply because of prep work involved.

The doctor and medical team will make every reasonable effort to control the amount of pain you experience in the aftermath of surgery. Postoperative efforts will concentrate on getting you back up and active as quickly as possible as this will aid in the recovery process. Pain management following this type of procedure sometimes includes a system whereby some patients are able to self-medicate. That is, give themselves a dose of painkiller when they feel they need it.;

In most cases patients will be on their feet within 1 day of surgery and be discharged within 3 days. If you compare gastric sleeve vs gastric bypass you’ll find they’re pretty much the same in this regard. There are exceptions of course. Particularly if there have been complications. But most people are surprised at how quickly they return home after such a major procedure.

Assuming there are no complications you should be on your feet and able to take a short walk within 24 hours of completing surgery as we mentioned above. Once home you should enjoy normal mobility but you’ll need help for a while with things that require lifting or other types of physical exertion.

Most likely, no. But sometimes, there is a need for a small tube to be installed as part of the surgical process to allow fluids to drain from the abdomen after surgery. If this is the case, it typically won’t be there for more than a few days and shouldn’t produce more than minimal discomfort. Can I drive myself home from the hospital?

Alcohol after gastric bypass surgery can produce very uncomfortable effects and you’ll find your tolerance, at least initially, is practically zero. Most doctors recommend waiting a year before having an adult beverage after this procedure and most people who have undergone it and tried drinking shortly after will attest to the wisdom of waiting.

It’s quite common for people who have undergone successful bypass surgery of this kind to undergo one or more body contouring surgeries down the line in order to reign in loose skin. Talk to your surgeon to learn more.

While you may be physically able to do so the fact that you are likely still under the influence of narcotic painkillers makes it unwise in the extreme to do so. Your reaction times will be reduced, perhaps significantly meaning you’re not just a danger to yourself but to everyone else on the road.

Red meat contains gristle which can be devilishly difficult for the stomach to break down. It’s the kind of thing even healthy people can have difficulty processing. So in your compromised state after weight loss surgery you probably shouldn’t tempt fate and order up a steak. The gristle can actually plug the outlet from your new stomach to the small intestine bypass causing significant discomfort. Dairy is usually a no-no too. Along with sugar.

Bariatric surgeons usually start out as general surgeons and then decide to specialize later in their careers. It’s not uncommon for them to participate in bariatric surgery fellowships and they may eventually wind up seeking and receiving board certification related to their specialty.

Milk contains lactose which is, in effect, milk sugar. Lactose typically goes undigested in the reconfigured stomach and winds up more or less intact in the large intestine where it can cause irritation and gas. The exact amount of irritation depends on the individual. Some will feel very little while for others it will be quite an uncomfortable experience and may lead to diarrhea as well.

Snacking is one habit you’d do well to rid yourself of and the sooner the better. In fact, your doctor will insist on it. You will hear about the need to avoid snacking during the lead up to surgery and in most of your consultations after surgery. Snacking undermines the very reason for shouldering the gastric bypass surgery cost in the first place because it greatly increases your daily calorie intake. Snacking is typically an impulse activity and as such you can train yourself to avoid the impulse. The most important thing to remember when trying to train yourself not to snack is that it’s much easier to avoid taking that first bite then it is to stop snacking once you’ve started.

Immediately following surgery you are going to start losing weight. The weight loss process is one that produces a lot of waste that needs to be eliminated. The easiest way to do so is through urinating. If you don’t eliminate this waste effectively it could lead to the formation of kidney stones; a very painful affliction indeed. So, yes. You will have to get used to drinking more water than you are probably used to drinking. But it’s for a good reason and you’ll know it’s working primarily by the problems you don’t develop. Keep in mind also that a stomach full of water is one that doesn’t typically crave food. So drinking plenty of water can aid in your efforts to avoid snacking.

You won’t have to take up residence at the health club but you will need to get used to exercising to some degree. In the wake of surgery, with so much less food entering your body, your system will start looking for alternative energy sources and will draw on muscle mass before it draws on fat. If you don’t use your muscles on a fairly regular basis your body will assume you no longer need those muscles and start burning them as fuel. Loss of muscle mass will occur and you’ll wind up in an unhealthy state of overall weakness. As we said you don’t have to live at the gym but 15 to 20 minutes of aerobic activity per day should be enough to maintain muscle tone and signal to your body to leave your muscles alone.