What to Expect at Your Bariatric Consultation in El Paso?
Often patients are nervous when attending their bariatric consultation. Patients can be more at ease by understanding what to expect during the consultation and preparing for the surgery themselves. Dr. Clapp and his staff work closely with patients to determine if bariatric surgery is best for them.
Pre-Surgery Bariatric Consultation
Our bariatric surgeon in El Paso provides a comprehensive surgical weight loss program which focuses on delivering long-term health and includes a number of activities before surgery, as well as post-operative care, a customized workout routine, nutritional counseling, support groups, and more.
To determine if you are a good candidate for bariatric surgery, your doctor will provide:
- A complete psychological assessment by a specialist
- A pre-surgery dietary assessment by a dietitian
- A comprehensive exercise assessment and program development
- A dedicated team of compassionate physicians and professional care before and after your surgery
Understanding Bariatric Surgery
Before taking the step to get rid of your weight surgically, we expect you to have done as much research as possible about bariatric surgery. Generally, not every overweight individual is a good candidate for bariatric surgery. However, any person whose health has been affected by their extra weight, or who has failed to shed the fat by other means may be eligible. But keep in mind that your procedure will be combined with exercise and diet changes for great success.
Taking the steps to enhance your quality of life is easier with a team of specialists walking alongside you during the process. To get started on your weight loss journey and life of better health, contact our bariatric surgery office in El Paso, TX.
Finding a Gastric Bypass Specialist in El Paso
Weight loss surgery solutions can help you lose weight when diet and exercise fail to provide the results you want.
Managing obesity is not simply a matter of changing your appearance and getting rid of the extra weight. Being overweight is often associated with a large number of health issues that range from high blood pressure and heart disease to joint problems and depression to infertility.
Why choose surgery?
Bariatric surgery is an effective way to reduce your weight while warding off the dangers of obesity, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, among others. Weight loss surgery involves reducing the size of your stomach to directly reduce your food intake. The procedure also causes changes in your appetizing hormone levels, which helps to lower your appetite and boost insulin sensitivity, which often causes diabetes remission.
There are many different approaches to bariatric surgery, though Dr. Dr. Benjamin Clapp recommends Gastric Bypass for severely obese patients. This procedure involves bisecting the stomach and small intestines into two segments, and then linking the smaller ones together to reduce both your food intake and absorption in the intestines. It can result in 60-80% excess weight loss, with long-term results that extend over 20 years after surgery. The procedure also helps to resolve most obesity-related health problems.
What to Expect
Our comprehensive surgical weight loss program is focused on delivering long-term health, and includes a number of activities before your surgery, as well as post-operative care, a customized workout routine, nutritional counseling, support groups, and more.
Dr. Clapp will determine if you’re a good candidate for gastric bypass surgery. For this, you can expect:
- A complete psychological assessment by a specialist
- A pre-surgery dietary assessment by a dietitian
- A comprehensive exercise assessment and program development
- A dedicated team of compassionate physicians and professional care before and after your surgery
Gastric Bypass surgery can help you get rid of a substantial amount of weight, and also improve your overall health and quality of life, enhancing your well-being and possibly adding years to your life. Please visit us today to learn more about this procedure.
Minimally Invasive Style of Hernia Repair in El Paso
In the Laparoscopic Hernia Repair three ½-1cm incisions are made by a surgeon 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 other normal open method, the laparoscopic repair comes with a faster recovery time, with minimal pain and a faster time to 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 at the simultaneously without any more incisions, and literally no additional discomfort.
Most Patients that have hernia that reoccurs also 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 leads to an different cosmetic result when it is put at par with open procedure.
However, not all patients should have Laparoscopic Hernia Repair. Especially patients who have undergone prostrate surgery, abdominal surgery, or have an history of obesity might not be the best candidate for a laparoscopic repair because visualization might not be possible in their cases. In isolated cases, a laparoscopically surgery might have to be converted to an “open” procedure to increase the success rate of their surgery.
Candidates for Hernia Repair Surgery in El Paso
If you are think you are a candidate for a Laparoscopic Hernia Repair you should undergo physical examination and a detailed consultation to be sure that it is best for you. You must check the risk and benefits and your doctor should inform you on all the possibilities relating to converting from a laparoscopic procedure to an open one. The decision on whether to undergo or switch to an open procedure will be made by your surgeon on or before the actual operation. When a need to make, the switch arises and the surgeon thinks it is best to revert the laparoscopic procedure into an open one, It might not be as a result of a complication, but as a result of the surgeon’s better judgment. The decision to revert from a Laparoscopic Hernia Repair to an open procedure is strictly because of the safety of the patient.
Not everyone is a good candidate for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. The best way of finding out whether or not surgery is the right choice is to schedule an in person 1-on-1 consultation with our experienced bariatric surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Clapp.
To schedule an appointment or for cost & pricing information, please call 915-351-6020 or conveniently request an appointment online.
Gastric Bypass Procedure Overview | El Paso
The gastric bypass is performed laparoscopically (through small incisions). A small pouch is created in the upper portion of the stomach, bringing up a piece of intestine and bypassing the distal stomach and a portion of the small intestine.
Useful Gastric Bypass Resources:
Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery
The gastric bypass has been one of the most popular bariatric surgeries for weight loss results. The procedure was named the most popular bariatric surgery option in 2015 and is considered the “gold standard” for bariatric surgery.
- You will lose weight. The average person loses 70-80% of their excess body weight in the first 18 months post surgery.
- Those with type 2 diabetes will see significant improvement. In some cases may even eliminate the condition.
- You will not physically be able to consume large meals due to your smaller stomach size following the procedure.
- You can get sick from eating too many carbohydrates, including sugar, which helps keep weight off.
- Those who are on medication for high blood pressure or high cholesterol may see improvements significant enough to lower medications or come off of it entirely.
- Studies have shown 90% of patients maintain at least 50% of excess weight loss after surgery.
- You may see hormone improvements, including increased testosterone and metabolism improvements.
Award-Winning Gastric Bypass Surgeon in El Paso
Benjamin Clapp, MD FACS has played an integral role in the research & publication of various professionally written articles pertaining to Gastric Bypass and other bariatric surgical procedures.
Weight Loss Treatments in El Paso
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.
Bariatric Surgery FAQs in El Paso TX
What is bariatric surgery?
Medically known as bariatric surgery, weight loss surgery is recommended for patients suffering from severe obesity, meaning that they have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 and above.
How do I know if I am a candidate for bariatric surgery?
Most people are good candidates of a weight loss procedure, though the first criteria that physicians look at your BMI. There are three main categories of people who can benefit from bariatric surgery:
- People with mild obesity and BMI of 30 to 35
- People with moderate obesity and BMI of 35 to 40
- People with severe obesity and BMI of over 40
Physicians recommend that patients consider bariatric surgery when dealing with moderate obesity, and a BMI between 35 and 40, rather than waiting until their BMI is over 40 or even 50 when the patient is less likely to enjoy the full benefits of the procedure.
Is the surgery safe and how does it work?
Bariatric surgery is a fast, safe, and effective way to reduce your weight while warding off the dangers of obesity, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, among others.
Weight loss surgery involves reducing the size of your stomach to directly reduce your food intake. The procedure also causes changes in your appetizing hormone levels, which helps to lower your appetite and boost insulin sensitivity, which often causes diabetes remission.
What are the types of weight loss surgery options?
There are many different approaches to bariatric surgery, though the most common ones are:
- Sleeve gastrectomy – Used by around 60 – 70% of obese patients, the procedure requires the doctor to remove 80% of your stomach. This procedure is particularly suited for patients with a BMI of 35 to 40.
- Gastric bypass – This procedure is recommended for severely obese patients. It involves bisecting the stomach and small intestines into two segments and then linking the smaller ones together to reduce both your food intake and absorption in the intestines.
Keep in mind that surgery is almost always a last resort, where diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes are ineffective. Your bariatric specialist in El Paso, TX can help you determine if surgery is your best option But after the procedure, you will need to adjust your lifestyle choices.
What Are The Signs of Hernia? El Paso
Here are some symptoms that you need hernia repair
- If you have a bulge or swelling in the scrotum or groin
- Elevated pain at the position of the bulge
- Fever
- Nausea
- Signs of bowel blockage
A hernia repair surgeon is a trained specialist who monitors your hernia condition and returns the removed tissues to their position.
Procedure for Hernia Repair
Before the procedure, our specialist will need to carry out a thorough examination to ensure that you have a hernia. At this moment, it is crucial to let our team of experts know if you smoke, have a history of blood clots, or are taking a large amount of aspirin or blood thinners. Our hernia repair might be accomplished either laparoscopically or in an open fashion. While the chances of relapse are the same with either technique, the pain following the treatment is less with laparoscopic surgery.
Our experienced team will give you a general or local anesthetic depending upon the requirements of the surgery. After anesthesia, you might need to shave to uncover the skin. We then make an incision parallel to the line of your inguinal ligament.
After our trusted team has identified the hernia sac, our specialist will put the bulging organs back into their position and either input the mesh for larger areas or stitch your abdominal wall. Our team of experts will then seal the initial incision and apply an appropriate dressing.
You will be able to go back home on the day of the procedure, but you are required to rest and you will not be able to drive for a few weeks.
Contact Us Today
Contact us today at our practice to schedule an appointment. Our trusted experts will be happy to meet with you and discuss your treatment options.
Modern Gastric Bypass Procedure in El Paso
Gastric bypass is performed through small incisions (laparoscopically). Ideally, a small pouch will be created in the upper portion of the stomach, bringing up a piece of intestine and bypassing the distal stomach and a portion of the small intestine.
Why Choose Gastric Bypass?
There are various reasons why gastric bypass has remained one of the most popular bariatric surgeries for weight loss. Here are some of the reasons to choose this procedure:
- You will certainly lose between 70 and 80% of your excess body weight in the first 18 months following the procedure
- It can eliminate type 2 diabetes or significantly improve the health of patients
- It will help you reduce your meals since you have a smaller stomach
- It prevents you from eating too many carbohydrates, which helps further to keep weight down
- It can help patients on high blood pressure or high cholesterol medications to reduce or come off the medications as their conditions improve significantly
- It is a reliable procedure that sees up to 90% of patients maintain at least 50% of excess weight loss after surgery
- It can also lead to hormonal improvements, as well as metabolism improvements.
Book Your Appointment
Are you considering gastric bypass and have some questions about the procedure? Schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Benjamin Clapp of El Paso Bariatric Surgery, who has perfected the procedure and become one of the very best gastric bypass surgeons in El Paso.
Types of Weight Loss Procedures | El Paso
Gastric Bypass – This well-known procedure 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 amount of calories your body absorbs.
Sleeve Gastrectomy – This treatment 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 to 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 Today
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 you are a candidate for a weight loss procedure, contact your bariatric specialist in El Paso TX to schedule your consultation.
Bariatric Specialist in El Paso TX
Though obtaining long-term weight loss is one of the benefits of bariatric surgery, it is not the only crucial advantage. 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 in El Paso. Common advantages of bariatric surgery include:
Reduce 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 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.
Relieve Depression
Depression is common among those who are obese in El Paso. 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.
Improve 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 in El Paso who struggle with their physical, mental, and emotional health. It is essential to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced bariatric surgeon like Dr. Clapp.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of bariatric surgery, schedule your consultation with your bariatric specialist in El Paso TX. We look forward to the opportunity to help you improve your health for the future.