There is an ongoing debate right now about the appropriateness of Lap Banding surgery for teenagers. With the global, and prevalent use of lap band surgery in adults people want the FDA to approve its use on teenagers as young as 14.

One study said that 17% of persons ages 12 to 19 were overweight in 2000, doubling since the early 1970s. And with significant health risks of being obese including physical and psychological. It’s easy to see why people are urging the FDA to approve this tool to combat childhood obesity.

Bariatric surgeons do preform lap-band surgery on teenagers who are extremely obese, but right now not many of them do. The reason is that surgeons are hard-pressed to do a procedure on patients that lack FDA approval. The reason is that teenagers are still growing and maturing, and there isn’t a lot known about the long-term risks of Lap-Band surgery on teenagers.

Countless studies have been preformed on adults who’ve undergone Lap Banding surgery, but even then it’s still a benefits verse rewards decision. Right now, there are not many obese teens where the risks are outweighed by the rewards. Especially since there is a lot of risk in the unknown.

Right now Allergan, the makers of the Lap-Band system, is in the midst of clinical trails of the use of the surgery on teenagers and will be done in 2013. But even if those trials go well, there will likely not be a drastic change in the future of teenagers and bariatric surgery.

One of the reasons is because of the lack of physical activity in youths. This generation of kids are the least physical active ever, and there is a certain mentality that might think weight loss surgery is a solution for their obesity. Prompting others to follow suit, seeking bariatric surgery when they are not qualified candidates.

But conversely, if there is a candidate worth of Lap-Banding surgery, it makes sense to get it while they’re young and experience a healthier adulthood. One study found that it cost $549,000 for a 18-year old person to remain obese throughout his life.

Either way, this is a topic that won’t be settled in a year. If you have a comment on this topic please help start a discussion by entering it below.

Medical tourism for all types of medical procedures has been an increasing trend and is becoming more popular everyday. However where do you find the best savings without sacrificing quality of medical care when it comes to weight loss surgery?

These days there are many surgery centers advertising Lap Band, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery. However many of these centers that spend so much on advertising are actually more expensive as they have to devote so much of their resources to constantly attracting new clients. Additionally this can be a sign of lower quality service as there has to be cuts made somewhere in order to stay competitive, whether it is by hiring less qualified doctors and medical staff or having lower quality equipment. This is a shame as Mexico does actually offer lower cost weight loss surgery and health care at equivalent or even high standards than the US if you know where to look.

The best deals for affordable weight loss surgery across the border can actually be found in the hospitals in cities like Monterrey, Tijuana and Mexicali. New and planned hospitals in these parts of Mexico offer multi billion dollar complexes with the latest in technology and newest equipment. These hospitals attract hundreds of thousands for medical tourism each year and have built great reputations that breed masses of word of mouth referrals so do not need to turn to million dollar marketing campaigns that eat up many of the advantages of traveling to Mexico for health care.

This enables these modern and well equipped hospitals to attract and employ the best doctors and staff available and enable them to offer an elite level of service and care. These hospitals not only offer a comparable level of health care to the US according to the World Health Organization but in fact often offer a superior level of care and personalized service. The now approximately one million medical tourists visiting Mexico each year have consistently rated their experiences at Mexican hospitals better than at their American counterparts. Additionally several weight loss procedures have actually been performed for years longer in Mexico meaning that medical professionals in Tijuana, Monterrey and Mexicali have years more hands on experience and have honed their skills and techniques to be the best in the world.

So what should you be looking for when choosing a hospital in Mexico for your treatment? Mexico is distinguished from other medical tourism destinations not only for it’s proximity to the US but also for it’s internationally recognized hospitals that are accredited by the JCI (Joint Commission International), something that few other so called medical tourism destinations can boast. The best hospitals in Mexico are also involved with education exchange programs with the world’s most well respected hospitals and facilities like the Mayo Clinic. Of course like any other service in life it is also wise to search out specialists in the area of medicine your are searching for. The International Business Bureau is also a good way to look up potential hospitals and make sure they are members and have been doing a great job of impressing other clients and patients.

The best hospitals in Mexico that specialize in weight loss surgery procedures also work together with the best in luxury hotel facilities to make sure those staying over receive the best attention and service from the moment they arrive and throughout their stay. Often hospitals can also help arrange travel as well including flights and airport transfers in order to ensure your entire trip is a success and an enjoyable experience.

How much of a discount on prices is reasonable to expect from a high quality medical facility in Mexico offering weight loss procedures at the highest international standards? In general you can expect prices to be be around 50% of that in the US. In some cases as low as 30% and can even include hotel stay. A good example is comparing Lap Band surgery that could cost as much as $17,000 and even up to $30,000 in the US and some western European countries while Lap Band and Johnson & Johnson Band surgery can be found in Mexico in the top hospitals and performed by internationally trained expert doctors for as little as $6,300. Clearly any other options do not compare to the advantages to be had. Just imagine what you could do with the savings.

Medical tourism is a trend that has been growing by leaps and bounds for a number of years. Of course the main attraction for most seeking medical attention abroad has been cost. However, now patients traveling to Mexico for medical treatment are also doing so for the higher level of quality service and expertise, especially when it comes to weight loss surgeries. In fact Mexican hospitals and doctors have been performing lap band surgery for even longer than doctors in the United States. This is further evidenced by a report from Washington advocacy group (for health care issues), Families USA that showed that 90 percent of patients traveling to Mexico for medical treatment rated their experience as good or excellent, while only 80 percent of those who remained in the US for treatment gave the same rating.

When taking into consideration that the cost of medical treatment in Mexico averages 50% less than in the US, with prices often as low as one fifth, even when you add in travel expenses it is much wiser to cross the border for health care. This is especially true when it comes to medical procedures like lap band surgery, vertical sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypasses. Why anyone would want to stay in the US and and pay more for inferior service and less experienced doctors is a mystery.

These types of weight loss surgeries are normally not covered by US health insurance plans, however many US employers have been turning to health care plans that cover treatment in Mexico instead of the US to both save money and take better care of their employees. Last year it was reported that 1 million people from the US headed to places in Mexico like Monterrey, Tijuana and Mexicali for health care. Additionally another 1 million American retirees now reside south of the border and rely on Mexican hospitals for their everyday health needs. In fact many US doctors have given up the battle and have relocated to Mexico themselves in order to be able to compete.

Find out price of Lap Band Surgery in Mexico

However the best savings and doctors in Mexico for bariatric procedures are normally not found a the clinics that do the most advertising. Those unfortunately spend far too much in promoting themselves and eat up the savings which either results in higher costs, lower quality services or both. Instead look for Mexico based hospitals in Mexicali, Tijuana and Monterrey that are accredited by the Joint Commission International and participate in educational exchange programs with the US´s top medical facilities. These hospitals offer the best in world class service, along with the highest trained doctors, latest equipment and offer the biggest savings as most of their business is on referral basis not from spending millions on having to attract new clients each year.

Perhaps the only one factor that has deterred some from taking advantage of the great benefits of bariatric surgery south of the border has been safety concerns. Not with the medical services themselves but due to the country. However while the news media has enjoyed some extra stories from some small isolated incidents in the last couple years, when you look at the hard facts and statistics you will find that in general Mexico is much safer to travel to for health care than many areas of the United States. Certainly traveling to Mexico is much safer than other options like India. Which raises another interesting point. Those who are still under the misconception that health care may be better in the US , may be horrified to realize than many US hospitals now outsource the interpretation and reading of test results to doctors in places like India in order to cut costs. Scary but true.

So the bottom line seems to be that medical tourism to Mexico, while offering incredible discounts on health care services like weight loss surgery also has the superior advantages of more experienced surgeons, newer equipment, better personalized services and safety. It certainly seems like it is not a choice of going to Mexico for your medical needs, but simply which hospital to choose and how soon you can go.

For those seeking out an effective form weight loss treatment whether it is vertical sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass or lap band surgery there are a number of factors that should be considered before making an informed decision and making sure you get the best treatment at the best price.

Factors To Consider Include:
Cost of weight loss surgery
Travel
Experience of doctors and medical staff
Safety of location
Quality of hospital
Attention to service

Cost of Weight Loss Surgery
As weight loss surgery is not normally covered by health care insurance electing to have gastric bypass, vertical sleeve gastrectomy or lap band surgery in the USA can be an extremely expense procedure that can cost upwards of $17,000 to $30,000. In comparison, medical tourism destinations like Mexicali, Tijuana and Monterrey Mexico offer lap band surgery for as little as $6,300 in superior facilities and performed by more experienced doctors.

Travel
Even if you were to stay in the US for your weight loss surgery you will likely have to travel to find a quality medical facility offering the procedures. There are far away destinations like India offering low cost weight loss treatments, though the costs of traveling there are prohibitive and eat away at the discounts and better quality treatment can be found closer to home, across the border in Mexico. The better hospitals offer assistance with travel as well as stay in luxury accommodations.

Experience of Doctors and Medical Staff
Of course the huge savings from seeking medical treatment abroad comes from mainly form the lower cost of construction and labor. This does not mean lower quality or inexperienced medical professionals, simply that local living costs are lower and wages are lower. In fact the best hospitals in Mexico that specialize in weight loss surgery actively participate in exchange programs with the world’s leading medical institutions as well of course having doctors that have also studied at the best US universities. While lap band, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy surgeries may be rare in some countries that are trying to begin offering them, Mexican doctors have been performing these procedures even before their US based counter parts. This translates to more experienced and better trained medical professionals who can offer the best and safest treatment.

Safety of Location
While medical tourism has been booming throughout this decade and now motivates millions of Americans to travel abroad each safety should still be a consideration. Countries where English is rarely spoken can lead to all kinds of safety issues and concerns. Countries like India and other parts of South America can be extremely dangerous for tourists. However staying in the US is not necessarily the answer. In fact compared to Mexico, many US cities are far more dangerous and prone to random crime even average American towns you would not normally consider violent or dangerous like Jacksonville, Florida.

Quality of Hospital
Whether you choose to stay at home or go abroad the quality of the hospital you choose is very important. The Joint Commission International is the international non-profit organization that accredits hospitals worldwide that meet the highest global standards. Any hospital that you consider choosing should be accredited by the JCI. Also look for hospitals that have exchange programs and are connected with other prime medical institutions which is a sign of the level of quality you can expect. Also hospitals are a much safer and wiser choice than small private surgery centers. Fortunately for those heading to Mexico there are several incredible hospitals that are easily the equivalent of the best US hospitals using the latest techniques and offering the best state of the art equipment and technology.

Attention to Service
Great equipment, low prices, safety and expert doctors are all important and critical. However when electing to undergo any type of weight loss surgery or other medical treatment you deserve to receive personal attention and great service, especially when you are paying for it. The International Business Bureau is just like the local Better Business Bureau that you use to check up on everyday companies and surgery is definitely something you want to check up on providers for. To ensure the best service also look for hospitals that unlike small surgery centers do not rely on advertising to find new clients, but their great reputation instead.

LapBand surgery is a procedure designed to help people lose weight rapidly. Also called laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery, it involves attaching a band with an inflatable silicone device around the upper portion of the stomach. The intended effect is similar to a gastric bypass: reduce food intake, deal with hunger sensations, and ultimately reduce the weight of the patient.

The procedure involves placing a band to create a stoma, or small pouch, out of the upper portion of the stomach. When food arrives at the upper stoma, it fools the brain into thinking the stomach is full. The patient eats less as a result, opening the door for rapid weight loss.

Lapband surgery procedures, however, are not without their risks. Poorly advised, taking on such surgery can lead to considerable consequences. It is important to work only with highly trained professionals who have considerable experience in the field of weight loss surgery.

To learn more about the procedure or to schedule a free consultation, call 1-800-270-7120.

Bariatric surgery can help you get rid of excess fat of your body and helps in leading a healthy lifestyle. This could be either achieved by stapling a small portion of your stomach or by tying the stomach with a band.

Lap-Band vs. Gastric Bypass

Lap-Band and Gastric Bypass are the two surgical options for severely obese patients who have been unable to control weight through diet and exercise. Deciding between the two largely depends on your personal preference and a good knowledge about both surgeries.

Lap band surgery is a minimally invasive procedure requiring no stomach stapling or re-routing of internal organs The Lap band consists of a silicone ring that is placed around the top of the stomach giving it the shape of an hourglass. The resulting pouch dramatically reduces the functional capacity of the stomach. It is designed in such a way that it can be inflated or deflated at any time after operation. Lap band surgery can be adjusted, moved and has no requirement for permanent alteration to the body of the stomach or intestines, which makes it a better option to lose weight. Look into the side effects of Lap Band Surgery to see the full risks of using Gastric Banding Surgery.

Gastric bypass involves creating a small pouch by dividing the stomach. The small intestine is divided and brought up to join the new stomach pouch. This allows the food go straight from the stomach pouch into the small intestine, which causes it to bypass the lower stomach and the duodenum. This reduces the amount of calories that the body absorbs (Find out if having Lap Band Surgery in Mexico is right for you).

The lap band surgery lasts around an hour and requires an overnight stay in the hospital. Gastric bypass surgery takes about four hours and you may have to stay three to five days in a hospital after surgery.

Weight loss is quicker in gastric bypass. With lap band surgery initial weight loss is slower than Gastric bypass, however over a 5-year period, weight loss outcome is similar in both.

In case of Lap-Band it is easy to remove the band and reverse the surgery, requiring only a laparoscopic procedure, after which the stomach usually returns to its normal pre-banded state, since it uses an inflatable saline filled strap that is wrapped around your stomach. A gastric bypass surgery can be reversed, but it should not, as it is very risky.

A gastric bypass cannot be adjusted, while a lap band can be adjusted by means of a port through the skin that the surgeon leaves just below the ribs. To tighten the lap band, the surgeons injects saline solution into it.

Gastric bypass surgery is more expensive than a Lap band surgery. While the cost of lap band surgery comes in between $15,000 to $20,000, gastric bypass costs $20,000 to $25,000.
Gather information like procedure, precautions, recovery period, reversibility and cost of both types of bariatric surgeries. This will help you make the most informed decision.

There are several types of Bariatric Surgeries to cure obesity:

First category is Restrictive, which surgically reduces the stomach size to reduce amount of food intake. This includes Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (referred to in 70s and 80s as stomach stapling), Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding and Laparoscopic Vertical Gastrectomy (Sleeve Resection).

The Second category is Malabsorption, which is surgical re-routing of the intestines leading to reduced absorption of the food consumed. This includes Jejuno-ileal Bypass (which is not done anymore) and Biliopancreatic Diversion (which is currently rarely done).

The Third category is a combination of Restrictive and Malbsorption procedures which reduces the size of the stomach in conjuction with bypassing some of the small intestine to create a weight loss surgery that works on both advantages. It includes Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass (Proximal RNY), Fobi Pouch, Distal RNY, Mini Gastric Bypass and Duodenal Switch.

Other procedures are Gastric pacemaker and Gastric Balloon, neither of which are FDA approved and are still in the investigative process.

In Vertical Gastric Banding the stomach is stapled with surgical staples to half of its capacity. A silastic ring is inserted in the stoma to help prevent the stomach opening from stretching in size and also to prevent stenosis or a stricture of scar tissue from closing this opening. It restricts food intake and creates a feeling of satiety. The VBG was very popular in 1970-1990 – but long term results were poor at best. Over time the stomach stretched back to the original capacity and the staple lines eroded causing patients to regain all if not more of their weight.

Gastric banding limits the quantity of food that can be contained in the stomach with the help of an inflatable silicon band. This removable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach creating a smaller pouch close to the barrio receptors that sense fullness. This method includes less surgical trauma, less pain, a lower rate of complications and smaller scar.

In Laparoscopic Vertical (Sleeve) Gastrectomy the stomach is reduced to the shape of a sleeve and essentially ¾ of the stomach removed. The reduced size causes weight loss because less food can be eaten without any bypass of the intestinal malabsorption. People lose 60% of their excess body weight within 6 months of this surgery. This surgery is only recently done as a standalone surgery; historically the Vertical Gastrectomy was used as a first stage surgery in the super obese because of its low risk factor. Once the patient had lost 50% of their excess weight, a Duodenal Switch could then be performed to insure continued weight loss without the inherent surgical risks of performing a two stage surgery in the same session.

Gastric Bypass or Roux-en-Y surgery is the most common form of laparoscopic surgery. This is recommended for morbid obese patients who are at least 100 pounds over their recommended weight. The surgery bypasses sections of the stomach and small intestine creating significant weight loss through both restricted portions and malabsorbtion. There are several variations of the Laparoscopic RNY – Distal, Proximal and Fobi Pouch.

The Laparoscopic Proximal RNY (up to 150 cm of bypassed intestine with the Y at 75 cm) is the most researched procedure to date and sometimes called the ‘Gold Standard’ of weight loss surgery.

In the Distal RNY procedure, the Y limb connection is created down further than the traditional 75 cm. This longer limb bypass shortens the intestine available for the absorption of nutrients aiding in weight loss. This Distal RNY should only be performed on patients that will without questions have the ability and commitment to secure proper follow-up and will require supplements the rest of their lives.

The Fobi Pouch is a variation of the Proximal RNY in which a silastic ring is placed in opening between the stomach and the intestinal connection to preserve the integrity of the connection over time.

The Duodenal Switch is a hybrid procedure and the most technically challenging and highest risk weight loss surgical procedure. While offering substantial permanent weight loss, the risks are high and the long term complications malnutrition, chronic frequent stools along with flatulence and unpleasant odor make this surgery difficult to live with.

Mini Gastric Bypass has been condemned by the world’s top bariatric surgeons. Do not let the word ‘mini’ fool you. This is basically a rename of the abandoned loop gastric bypass performed in 1970. This procedure while creating good weight loss also creates severe stomach irritation because the stomach is bathed in bile and pancreatic enzymes. Long term effects of this procedure are stomach ulcers and esophageal cancers requiring surgical reversal.

The Intragastric Balloon (BIB) System does not involve surgery. Under the supervision of medical experts an intragastric balloon consisting of a soft silicon balloon is placed in the stomach and filled with sterile saline. The balloon induces a feeling of satiety and the person does not feel hungry. The balloon is removed after six months. This procedure seems to have many complications and is NOT FDA approved and still investigational.

The Gastric Bypass Surgery (GBS) combines both restrictive and malabsorption processes. The creation of a small stomach pouch causes restricted food intake and construction of bypasses of the duodenum and other segment of the small intestine causes malabsorption, which decreases ability to absorb calories and nutrients from food.

There are two types of GBS.

The first type is known as Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RGB).This surgery was the first performed in US and today it is most popular Gastric bypass surgery all over the world. A small stomach pouch is created by stapling part of the stomach together or by vertical branching. Thereafter, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the duodenum as well as the first portion of the jejunum. Now it is possible to perform this surgery by laparoscopic technology.

Another type of GBS is called extensive gastric bypass or biliopancreatic diversion. This type is more complicated than RGB. The lower portion of the stomach is surgically removed. The remaining pouch is connected directly to the final segment of the small intestine .As a result both duodenum and jejunum are bypassed. This type is not very popular as it has a risk for nutritional deficiencies.

People who undergo gastric bypass surgery are at risk for Pouch stretching. The stomach may stretch back to its original size before surgery. Sometimes the breaking of staples can reverse the procedure. Leakage of stomach contents into the abdomen can cause acid eat other organs.

Some people complain of Dumping Syndrome. It occurs when stomach contents move too rapidly through small intestine. It causes nausea, vomiting, weakness, sweating, faintness and diarrhea after eating. Gallstone can occur in response to rapid weight loss. The limited absorption of vitamin B-12 and iron can cause anemia. The lack of calcium absorption causes osteoporosis.

But, the benefits of the surgery definitely outweigh the risks. More than 75% of the patients are expected to lose 75-80% of their excess body weight .About 70-80% of the patients stop taking medication for hypertension. Other conditions such as sleep apnea, asthma, joint pain, arthiritis, fatigue, shortness of breath are drastically improved if not completely resolved.