What to Expect with Gastric Sleeve Surgery | El Paso TX
For many, losing weight is not only feeling better about their appearance but also their overall health. Traditional methods such as exercise and nutrition improvements are the best options to begin and maintain a healthier lifestyle. However, there are times when these trusted methods do help you to lose the weight needed to be healthier. This is when consulting with a bariatric specialist about other options can be beneficial. One recommended weight loss surgery is gastric sleeve surgery which is a procedure that is performed laparoscopically and usually requires one night in the hospital.
Why Choose Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Much like other gastric or bariatric surgeries, there are many benefits to gastric sleeve surgery, including:
- May physically reduce your hunger. This will help you maintain the weight that is lost from the procedure, but it’s important to understand that reduction of hunger does not always occur in every patient.
- It does not require as much operating time as compared to gastric bypass.
- Does not require any re-rerouting of the intestines.
- No dumping syndrome experienced. Dumping syndrome is a condition that can develop after surgery to remove all or part of your stomach or after surgery to bypass your stomach to help you lose weight. Also called rapid gastric emptying, dumping syndrome occurs when food, especially sugar, moves from your stomach into your small bowel too quickly.
- No adjustments are needed. Other weight loss tools such as the Lap-Band do require several doctor visits. However, gastric sleeve surgery will require follow-up appointments.
- No foreign objects left in the body.
- Weight loss typically occurs in most patients over a period of 18 months. The majority of weight loss occurs in the first year.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you would like to learn the cost of gastric sleeve surgery or have any questions regarding the procedure, then we strongly urge you to schedule a 1-on-1 consultation with our weight loss surgeon in El Paso TX.
Am I a Candidate for Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery? | El Paso TX
When considering your options for gallbladder surgery, it can be intimidating to research what is best for your case. This is why consulting with a bariatric specialist is best to understand the best options for gallbladder or gallstone removal such as laparoscopic gallbladder surgery.
What to Expect
Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) is done to get rid of gallbladder and gallstones through a lot of little incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon in charge of this operation enlarges your abdomen with carbon dioxide or air to view the operation area properly.
The surgeon fixes a scope that is lighted on a video camera (laparoscope) which is inserted into one incision close to the belly button. The surgeon then uses a video monitor as a guide while inserting surgical instruments into the other incisions in order to be able to remove your gallbladder.
Before the removal of the gallbladder, you might need to have a special X-ray procedure done. This procedure is called intraoperative cholangiography and it shows the inside of the bile ducts. A minimum of 2 hours of general anesthesia is needed to carry out this surgery.
After the surgery, bile flows from the liver from the main bile duct and takes into the small intestine. Because the gallbladder has been taken out, the body will not be able to be to store bile after meals. In most cases, this doesn’t affect digestion.
Schedule Your Consultation
Not everyone is a good candidate for laparoscopic surgery. No matter what information you read online, the absolute best way of finding out whether or not laparoscopic surgery is the right choice is to schedule an in-person 1-on-1 consultation with our experienced laparoscopic surgeon in El Paso today.
Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You? | El Paso TX
Determining if a patient is a candidate for bariatric surgery in El Paso TX requires excellent care. Your top-rated bariatric surgeon understands that each patient is different. With their uniqueness in mind, your surgeon considers all factors when determining if surgery is right for you.
During a consultation, factors in determining if a patient is a candidate for bariatric surgery may include:
Diet and Exercise
Many find it easy to lose weight with a change in diet and exercise. For many who are obese, this is not always the case. Patients unable to lose weight with a healthy diet and regular exercise may find that bariatric surgery is the best option to improve their health.
Body Mass Index
Body mass index is an excellent way for doctors to determine if a patient’s weight is cause for concern. For patients who have a body mass index greater than 40, health concerns can arise quickly. Bariatric surgery in El. Paso TX can help patients with a high body mass index to reduce their weight and possible health concerns.
Health Concerns
Patients who are obese have other health conditions such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea that are cause for concern. These conditions plus a body mass index above 35 could mean the patient is a candidate for bariatric surgery.
To best determine if bariatric surgery is right for you, schedule an appointment to consult with our professional bariatric surgeon in El Paso TX today.
Why Choose Bariatric Surgery in El Paso TX
Though obtaining long-term weight loss is one of the advantages of bariatric surgery in El Paso, it is not the only significant gain from the process. Bariatric surgery can change a patient’s life by not only helping them to maintain a healthy weight but also maintain other aspects of their lives.
Minimize Chronic Conditions
Many patients find weight loss after surgery provides additional changes in their physical health. Often patients with type 2 diabetes can reverse their condition after surgery. Weight loss after bariatric surgery in El Paso can reduce a patient’s risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Other patients who suffer from sleep apnea may find they no longer need to use the machine for good night sleep. The physical benefits to reduce chronic conditions are high after bariatric surgery.
Reduce Depression
Depression is common among those who are obese. Many have said their weight contributed to poor body image and inadequacy in social situations. Losing weight after bariatric surgery can help boost a patient’s self-confidence and increase their desire to enjoy life with others.
Enhance Fertility
For some women who struggle with infertility, weight can be a root cause. Many obese women can conceive after bariatric surgery and long-term weight loss.
The benefits of bariatric surgery are vital for many who struggle with their physical, mental, and emotional health. It is essential to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced bariatric surgeon in El Paso TX to best understand how you can benefit from this procedure.
Hernia Repair Surgery FAQ | El Paso TX
If you have been referred to a bariatric surgeon for hernia repair surgery, you may be wondering what to expect during your consultation or what the procedure entails. Here are a few common questions to help you prepare for your consultation.
How common is hernia repair surgery?
Every year in the United States about 600,000 people must undergo hernia surgery. A lot of these surgeries are done using the “open” approach method which gives direct external access to the hernia defect by a single skin incision.
Is there a minimally invasive repair option?
Yes. The laparoscopic hernia repair surgery offers a faster recovery time, with minimal pain and a quicker return to work and to engage in other activities. The approach is best for patients who have bilateral hernias (on both the left and right sides) because they can both be fixed simultaneously without any more incisions, and literally no additional discomfort.
What is the best treatment option for a reoccurring hernia?
Most Patients that have a hernia that reoccurs are the perfect candidates this laparoscopic repair because “open” treatment for recurrent hernias often leads to complications such as relapse, injury to blood vessels, and nerve injury. The little incisions that are made during Laparoscopic Hernia Repairs also lead to a different cosmetic result when it is put at par with the open procedure.
What can I expect during my consultation?
If you are a candidate for a Laparoscopic Hernia Repair you will undergo a physical examination and detailed consultation with a top-rated bariatric surgeon in El Paso to be sure that surgery is best for you. You will learn the risk and benefits and your doctor will inform you of all the possibilities relating to converting from a laparoscopic procedure to an open one.
Minimally Invasive Hernia Repair | El Paso TX
Living with a hernia can be extremely painful for many patients and interfere with their daily lives. If this is the case for you, your doctor may recommend that you visit a bariatric surgeon near you to find out if minimally invasive hernia repair is right for you.
What to Expect During the Procedure
With minimally invasive hernia repair, your bariatric surgeon will make three ½-1cm incisions in the abdominal wall. A long, thin camera (laparoscope) is then fixed in through an access tube by one incision and two surgical instruments are fixed in through the two remaining incisions. This gives the surgeon a clear “internal” view of the abdominal wall to locate where the hernia defect is. The defect is then medically fixed from inside of the abdominal wall through a piece of surgical mesh.
In comparison to the normal open hernia repair method, the laparoscopic repair offers a faster recovery time, with minimal pain and a quicker return to work and engage in other activities. The approach is best for patients who have bilateral hernias (on both the left and right sides) because they can both be fixed simultaneously without any more incisions, and literally no additional discomfort.
Find Relief Today
Schedule your consultation with your bariatric surgeon in El Paso to learn more about options to repair your hernia and get back to your active daily life.
3 Symptoms of Gastro Reflux Disease | El Paso TX
Gastro Reflux Disease or acid reflux is a condition in which acidic content from the stomach leaks backs up into the esophagus. The liquid may cause irritation on the lining of the esophagus, over time leading to a chronic condition called esophagitis. Gastro Reflux Disease is a chronic condition itself. Even when an injured esophagus is treated and heals, the injury is bound to come back a few months later.
What are the Symptoms of Gastro Reflux Disease?
The three primary symptoms of an uncomplicated case of Gastro Reflux Disease, including:
Heartburn
Heartburn is sometimes described as just chest pain. It occurs when the acid in the stomach content stimulates nerve fibers in the esophagus. Most people with Gastro Reflux Disease will feel burning sensations or mild pain in the region above the stomach and the neck. However, in some cases, the pain is sharper or feels like pressure in the chest that may extend to the back.
Since acid refluxes occur not long after meals, heartburns too come at around the same time. That is however not to say that every meal will be followed by heartburn; heartburns come about intermittently and may go for several months before returning. Note that GERD-stimulated heartburn is chronic and will always come back.
Regurgitation
Regurgitation occurs when the fluid from the stomach goes past the esophagus and up into the throat where it’s felt as a bitter taste at the back of the mouth. While in most cases just a little of the fluid reaches the mouth, there are instances when the backed-up content is too much it breaches the upper esophageal sphincter (UEL) and results in mouthfuls of liquid or food.
Nausea
As a symptom of GERD, nausea is not as common as regurgitation or heartburn. But even if it was, it would be hard to attribute to GERD as it is a symptom of many other common conditions.
To learn more about the symptoms of acid reflux, schedule a consultation with your bariatric specialist in El Paso today!
Best Weight Loss Treatments in El Paso TX
When weight loss treatments were introduced a few decades ago, its sole purpose was to help people lose weight. Today, it does a lot more than just that. Weight loss procedures have been shown to improve symptoms of weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, acid reflux, sleep apnea, and heart disease. What’s more, doctors can now tackle weight from multiple angles, making almost any case of overweight or obesity remediable by surgery.
By consulting with your bariatric specialist, you can discover which treatment is best for you. Most specialists recommend weight loss treatments after other interventions have not helped to improve your health. Common procedures include:
Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass is performed to limit the amount of food your stomach can hold. The surgeon creates a pouch at the top end of your stomach, to which the small intestine is cut and connected. Food thus flows into the intestines without getting into the main part of the stomach, effectively reducing the amount of food you can take per sitting and, consequently, the number of calories your body absorbs.
This may be the best type of surgery if you have acid reflux as it reduces the upward pressure that pushes up stomach content into the esophagus.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
This procedure is pretty similar to gastric bypass, except for the fact that the cut portion of the stomach is removed entirely from the body. The objective is straightforward – to physically reduce the size of the stomach, so you get full without eating much. The surgery also reduces one’s urge to eat as the hormone that alerts the brain when one gets hungry is located in the section of the stomach that is cut off.
Sleeve gastrectomy heals more quickly than gastric bypass and is suitable for people who have had multiple other surgeries in the abdominal area.
Adjustable Gastric Band
In this, an inflatable balloon is placed inside a silicone ring, which is attached to the upper part of the stomach. A small tubing is attached to the balloon with one of its endings connected to a port placed under the skin in the abdomen.
Using the port, the surgeon can modulate the diameter of the opening at the top of the stomach and create a pouch where food sits for a while after a meal so the individual feels full faster.
Biliopancreactic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS)
The BPD/DS involves two procedures: a sleeve gastrectomy – where part of the stomach is tied into a banana-shaped pouch – followed by the surgical attachment of the small intestine to the pouch. It is known as a malabsorptive surgery as it is designed to regulate the number of calories absorbed along the gut. It makes the food storage part of the stomach much smaller and makes the food reach the small intestine faster.
Schedule Your Consultation
Weight loss surgery is the way to go if you’re looking for a quick and effective way of shed the few extra pounds. To find out if surgery is right for you, contact your weight loss specialist in El Paso TX to schedule your consultation.
What to Expect with Reflux Surgery in El Paso TX
For many who suffer from acid reflux, it is easy to feel hopeless that you will ever find relief. Fortunately, reflux surgery is a trusted solution available for those who experience severe reflux.
During Your Consultation
During your consultation, your reflux surgeon will determine the severity of your condition. Your doctor will explain that acid reflux occurs when the stomach acid flows backward in the esophagus causing heartburn and other symptoms. Mild reflux symptoms can be relieved by prescription drugs, diet, and healthy life changes. If acid reflux (GERD) symptoms are severe and cannot be relieved by medications and life changes, your doctor may recommend reflux surgery.
This procedure focuses on repairing or replacing the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). It is this valve that normally keeps acid from flowing back from the stomach. If this valve is weakened or damaged, GERD occurs. Common reflux surgery option in El Paso include:
- Fundoplication
- Nissen fundoplication
- Hernia repairs including hiatal hernias and paraesophageal hernias (diaphragmatic hernias)
Schedule Your Reflux Surgery Consultation
Finding the best surgeon to provide compassionate and professional care is essential when deciding to have reflux surgery. Dr. Clapp is committed to providing individualized care for each patient, as he understands that each and every client requires different needs. Dr. Clapp and his dedicated staff will explain everything in detail to ensure you fully understand all things that pertain to your treatment.
If you have unbearable acid reflux, it may be time to visit your reflux surgeon in El Paso TX to determine if surgery is right for you. Schedule your consultation by contacting our offices today!
Reflux Surgeon Near Me, El Paso TX 79902
It is common to experience heartburn or acid reflux occasionally after a meal. For many, spicy or hearty foods can cause an occurrence of reflux. So how do you know when the reflux you are experiencing is cause for concern? By visiting your reflux surgeon, you can better understand your condition and determine the best options for relief.
Is Reflux Surgery Right for You?
During your consultation, your reflux surgeon will determine the severity of your condition. Your doctor will explain that acid reflux occurs when the stomach acid flows backward in the esophagus causing heartburn and other symptoms. Mild reflux symptoms can be relieved by prescription drugs, diet, and healthy life changes. If acid reflux (GERD) symptoms are severe and cannot be relieved by medications and life changes, your doctor may recommend reflux surgery.
Reflux surgery focuses on repairing or replacing lower esophageal sphincter (LES). It is this valve that normally keeps acid from flowing back from the stomach. If this valve is weakened or damaged, GERD occurs.
Choosing Your Reflux Surgeon in El Paso TX
Finding the best surgeon to provide compassionate and professional care is essential when deciding to have reflux surgery. Dr. Clapp is committed to providing individualized care for each patient, as he understands that each and every client requires different needs. When you come for your consultation you can expect the following:
- Every patient is treated respectfully and with care
- You’ll be seen at your scheduled time without unnecessary waiting lines
- Dr. Clapp and his dedicated staff will explain everything in detail to ensure you fully understand all things that pertain to your treatment.
- You’ll be comfortable throughout the duration of your appointment and treatment.
If you have unbearable acid reflux, it may be time to visit your reflux specialist in El Paso TX to determine if reflux surgery is right for you. Schedule your consultation by contacting our offices today!