Obesity (Body Mass index (BMI) of 30 or more) in United States and around the world is chronic disease, excess amount of burly. The World Health Organization estimates, 1.6 billion adults worldwide are overweight (BMI between 25 – 29.9), and at least 400 million adults are obese. Increasingly obesity effects low and middle income countries, particularly in urban areas, besides, once being exclusive to high – income countries. Incidence of obesity has nearly doubled from 1991 to 1998. The World Health Organization projects by 2015, an estimate 2.3 billion overweight adults and more than 700 million obese adults. According to United States Department of Health and Human Services, estimates twenty percent of children will be obese by the year 2010.
Obesity or overweight increases the risk for developing high blood pressure, sleep apnea, Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis), diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, cancer of the breast, prostrate and colon, and increased mortality. Besides medical concerns and other health related issues, impose a tremendous examine for health care and overall imposes a substantial health cost for those with and without health insurance coverage or costs American adults with obesity approximately $100 billion. In the United States, 64.5 percent of adult Americans are categorized as being overweight (obese) or one — third of the adult American population (approximately 60 million). Since 1960, the number of overweight obese Americans has continued to trend higher, and attributed to least 300,000 excess deaths in the United Spot. Also, obesity for many stigmatizing them from socializing and involvement in relationships, besides harsh cruelty of being teased or insulted, which in many cases begins at an early age. Unfortunately for many young adults or children, obesity starts at an early age as result of a high calorie diet, combined with a lack of physical activity or genetically related. Other factors related to obesity include taking medications, slow metabolism, race (African American women, and Hispanic women tend to experience weight secure earlier in life than Caucasians. Also, Asian levels of obesity are catching up with the West.), hormonal imbalance (menopause and use of oral contraceptives) and diseases.
Long term strenuous dieting and exercise for many has cured obesity, however more than ninety-five percent who have achieved short – term weight less within five years, have regained the weight. Certainly, long – term maintenance of weight loss significantly improves overall health and drastically decreases health concerns related to obesity, besides essential savings of health related costs or money better spend on eating healthy foods. Before beginning a regiment of general exercise and diet, one should rep a physical checkup by a physician. Whatever the best regiment of exercise and diet is chosen, best suits each personal need and proven to be more successful to treat obesity. Medications are available help the treatment of obesity, patients who have health risks related to obesity or BMI greater than 30. These patients should be carefully monitored or evaluated by their physician, and regarding any side effects.
In 1991, A National Institutes of Health consensus development panel fully endorsed gastric restrictive surgery (four types bariatric procedures) as appropriate treatment for patients with medically severe obesity. Effectively reduce the amount of food that a patient can eat. Consultation between the doctor and the patient, evaluates the best procedure or the type of procedure the physician performs. Seventy to eighty percent of patients achieve success over the long – term treatment for obesity. Bariatric procedures are potentially reversible. From
1998 – 2003, bariatric operations increased 13,000 to 100,000, according to Rand Corporation observe, will be published in the journal of Public Health late in 2007. Published study in
March 13, 2007, issue of Neurology, journal of the American Academy of Neurology, author Sonai Singh, an instructor in Internal medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, noted: Patients undergone obesity surgery should be monitored by their physician, ensure their patients are taking vitamin B1 (Thiamine – helps the body cells convert carbohydrates into energy), supplement preventing Wernicke encephalopathy. Condition develops after obesity surgery (Vitamin B deficiency – 12 weeks after any type of bariatric surgery, and in one case occurred 18 months later) in some cases, linked to symptoms of confusion, vomiting, unpleasant coordination, and rapid rhythmic eye movement. Regarding patients who show symptoms, Sonai Singh said: ” need to seek help immediately and fetch injections of thiamine as early as possible.”
OBE101 is comprised of betahistine (generic name), known drug approved in many countries for the treatment of Meinere’s disease (vertigo), being evaluated in a phase two clinical trial for the treatment of obesity. Dr. Yaffa Beck, Chief Executive Officer of Obecure (Biopharmaceutical company headquarters in Israel, pursuing the development of weight management drug therapies) said: “We are delighted with the rapid and efficient way in which the patient recruitment took dwelling since it’s initiation in late January (2007). We are currently looking forward to the successful completion of the trial in three months and hope to announce the results in the fall of this year, well ahead of our schedule.” The study has been granted partial financial help from Eli Lilly & Company, the manufacture of Zprexa. OBE101 prevents massive weight accumulate, when taking Zprexa, (olanzapine) an antipsychotic medication.
Medication alone is not the only solution to defeat obesity but only fraction of the solution, combined with a determination and fortitude of diet and exercise, preferably prescribed by a licensed dietitian or expert in the field of weight loss, achieving optimal results. Besides, getting expert advice to answer questions regarding the treatment of obesity.
In the Journal Science, published on April 13, 2007, British researchers discovered a gene named FTO, attributed to cause obesity (‘fat gene’). Researchers led by Andrew Hattersley of the Peninsula Medical School of Exeter and Plymouth, and Mark McCarthy of the University of Oxford: First identified the genetic link, initially studied 2,000 people diagnosed type two diabetes in the United Kingdom and Finland. Upon further study of 38,000 people (DNA in blood samples), researchers discovered people who carry two copies of a variation of the FTO gene, weighted on average seven pounds more than people who lack it. Scientists found that those people who had only one copy of the gene variation had a thirty percent increase of obesity, and those people who carry two copies, had almost seventy percent increase. Also, people with two copies of gene, were twice as likely to develop type two diabetes (non-insulin dependent), as those with one. Furthermore, up to one in six people carry FTO gene, which makes them more likely obese. According to Mark McCarthy of Oxford University, one of the study leaders, mentioned FTO was very active in the hypothalamus, piece of the brain alive to in appetite and overindulgence or excess. McCarthy notes the function of FTO remains uncertain, if the gene burns calories less efficiently or attributed to cause people to consume more food. Hattersley said: “And the critical role that it (FTO gene) plays is in predisposing how much fat people have.” The FTO gene variation linked obesity or extra pounds as young as seven years old, but didn’t appear to influence fetal weight. Discovery of FTO gene, suggest some people are not to blame for their excess weight, and hopefully will lead to a treatment, defend against FTO gene. Scientist idea to study FTO gene by creating genetically modified mice, in which the gene is knocked out.
Tam Fry, board member of the National Obesity Forum (“The NOF was established in May 2000 to raise awareness of the growing impact of obesity and overweight on our patients and our National Health Services. Membership is open to all healthcare professionals and is free.”), said regarding the discovery of the FTO gene: “It does not remove the requirement to both eat sensibly and exhaust.”
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Filed under Bariatric Surgery by on Feb 11th, 2011. 
More and more people are getting a gastric bypass in Mexico these days. People also get lap band surgery and other forms of weight loss surgery in Mexico. The primary reason for getting a gastric bypass in Mexico is that the cost is significantly less than in the U.S. While the cost of a gastric bypass can vary widely from surgeon to surgeon and from hospital to hospital, it often costs around $20,000 in the U.S. However, the same draw may cost only about half that in Mexico, and that includes lodging and meals as well as medical care. Lap band surgery may cost around $14,000 in the U.S., but may cost only half that amount in Mexico. Now, some people have health insurance that covers weight loss surgery, but for those that don’t, affordable surgery in Mexico can look pretty well-behaved.
Many bariatric surgeons in Mexico are highly trained, highly skilled physicians. Many are board certified in the U.S. and perform surgery at accredited hospitals that meet or even exceed U.S. standards. The reason the surgery costs less in Mexico is not because the quality of care is lower than that available in the U.S. Medical care is very expensive in the U.S. for a number of reasons, including the high rate of malpractice suits and resulting high cost of malpractice insurance, the realities of dealing with our health insurance companies, and political factors. The exact same care is often great less expensive in a number of other countries, including Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Belgium, as well as Mexico. People often disappear to these countries for a variety of medical procedures, including plastic surgery, eye surgery, and dental care, as well was weight loss surgery.
Although high quality care is available in Mexico, it is important to understand that not all doctors in Mexico are highly skilled. Of course, that is the case in the U.S. as well. Still, when traveling out of the country for surgery, it is important to do your research in order to make sure that you will be receiving the best care available. Win out where the surgeon trained and if he or she is board certified in the States. Ask how many procedures the surgeon has performed and what his or her mortality rate is (how many patients have died). Ask about his or her rate of complications.
Find out about the hospital where the surgeon performs procedures. Is it accredited, and if so, with what governing bodies? Does the hospital have physicians on duty around the clock? Does the hospital have an intensive care unit in case complications occur?
Of course, you’ll want to accomplish definite the surgeon and his or her staff are fluent in English, unless you happen to notify Spanish. Find out if the hospital staff speak English, as well. You’ll want to be able to communicate easily with nurses and other staff who will be providing your care after your surgery.
When getting a gastric bypass in Mexico, you will probably spend two or three nights in the hospital. However, the surgeon will probably want you to stay in the country for a few more days. You should expect to spend about a week in Mexico altogether. Your surgeon’s office will probably be able to recommend a hotel, and in fact, the cost of your hotel stay is often included in the total price of the surgery. It’s often a package deal. Often a nurse will visit you at the hotel to monitor your progress after the surgery. You will see the surgeon one last time before leaving the country after your week or so is up.
It’s a very trustworthy idea to take a companion with you when getting a gastric bypass in Mexico. You’ll appreciate the support and companionship, and may need some assistance after being discharged from the hospital to your hotel. Most hospitals make arrangements for a companion to be with you during your hospital halt, and provide a cot, fold out bed, or couch for your companion to sleep in your hospital room with you.
There are a couple of concerns you face when having surgery in Mexico (or any other country). One is the possibility of complications. If complications occur (and there is always a risk of complications with any surgery), the cost of your surgery may increase dramatically. Some surgeons will offer a sort of “insurance plan” to guard against this. You pay a set fee up front, and it covers any complications that may occur during or immediately after your surgery. If such a plan is available, it’s a very good idea to take it. Otherwise, be sure you have the means to cover the costs of complications if they do occur.
Another effort is follow up care. After a gastric bypass, you’ll need lifetime follow up care. For the first several months, you should survey a bariatric surgeon on a monthly basis. Then you’ll need to see the surgeon every three months or so. Then you can decrease the frequency of follow up visits to once or twice a year. At these follow up appointments, the surgeon should review your progress, discuss your diet, and perform blood tests to check for nutritional deficiencies. Now, obviously you’re not going to fly back to Mexico for all of these follow up appointments. You’ll need to find a bariatric surgeon near you that can provide your follow up. Make sure you have that arranged before having your surgery.
Some Bariatric Surgeons in Mexico:
Here are some popular bariatric surgeons in Mexico. Please don’t take this as a recommendation, though. This is just some info to get you started if you are interested in getting a gastric bypass in Mexico. Make certain you take the time to do your research and make sure you’ll be getting skilled care.
Dr. Armando Joya
http://www.drjoya.com/
Dr. F. Daniel Huacuz
http://www.huacuz.com
Dr. Roberto Rumbaut
http://www.gastricband.com/index.html
Dr. Alejandro Aguirre Wallace
http://www.derivaciongastrica.com/index.php
Dr. Ramos Kelly
http://www.wlsclinic.com
Sources:
Medical Tourism Corporation. http://www.medicaltourismco.com/medical-tourism/gastric-bypass-surgery-cost.
ThinnerTimesForum. http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/general-gastric-bypass-discussions/36138-surgery-mexico-safe.html. Is Surgery in Mexico Safe?
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Filed under Bariatric Surgery by on Aug 22nd, 2010.