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Bariatric surgery vs. weight loss medication

In the last years we’ve witnessed the approval of new drugs to treat obesity, how effective are they? Are they safe? Are they better than surgery?

Medication weight loss

The average weight loss with medication is of 5-10% of the initial weight along with a diet and exercise in a one-year period. So a patient with 200 lb. loses 10-12 lb. in 12 moths.

Bariatric weight loss

Bariatric surgery has different percentage ranges in weight loss depending on the selected surgery, e.g.: Gastric Band 50-60%, Gastric Sleeve 65-75%, Gastric Bypass 75-85%, percentages range according to the excess weight, for example: if you weight 200 lb. and choose a Gastric Sleeve in Mexico you will lose about 75 lb. reaching 125-130 lb.

What to consider

Besides the weight loss percentages, we must consider the risks that have been associated to medication specially those related to the heart (arrhythmia, heart attack, stroke, etc.), which is why many medications have been taken out the market.

I consider that bariatric surgery is, without doubt, the best option for patients who have an important excess of weight (some type of obesity I, II, III), there are risks, definitely; but in multidisciplinary medical teams, risks are minimized. If you still haven’t decided what is the best solution to your obesity problem or overweight, do not hesitate, contact us to receive professional and quality advise with a team that has more that 15,000 surgeries of successful experience.

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OCC’s epidemiologist is closely monitoring the COVID-19 status and is actively issuing updates as they are available. The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization are the most trusted sources online.  While the CDC has announced new mask protocols for vaccinated individuals, there will be no changes for our office protocols for patients, guests, and staff members as the announcement does not apply to hospitals or medical facilities. Masks are still a requirement for all patients, guests and staff at our facility.

As we reinitiate weight loss surgery, we are constantly adapting and installing new and updated safety measures.

Weight loss surgery is medically necessary.

Bariatric Surgery and the clash of two pandemics.   

Major metabolic and bariatric surgery Societies and colleges globally are now calling for the safe resumption of bariatric and metabolic surgery before the COVID-19 pandemic is declared over. 

The sooner bariatric surgery can be safely performed, the quicker obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other diseases can be reduced or resolved as they are not only chronic they are also progressive.  Obesity is also linked to more than 40 diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and at least 13 different types of cancer.

A recent statement from the ASMBS says “Before COVID-19 began, it was clear that patients with obesity were ‘safer through surgery.’ In the era of COVID-19, ‘safer through surgery’ for patients with obesity may prove to be even more important than before.” Obesity and Metabolic syndrome have been identified as an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes including death among COVID-19 patients.

See here for full COVID-19 update. 

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