If you are struggling with obesity and traditional weight loss methods haven’t worked for you, then bariatric surgery might be a solution.

Undergoing bariatric surgery can improve your life in many ways, from your health to your emotional well-being. Bariatric surgery helps limit food intake and absorption, and it allows for the maintenance of long-term, healthy weight loss goals. It can dramatically improve weight-related health complications such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea. Other benefits of weight loss surgery include:

  • Decreased risk of heart disease
  • Increased fertility during childbearing years
  • Less joint pain
  • Relief from depression due to improved body image

Whatever your motivation, we are ready to help nurture it. From leading bariatric experience to ongoing emotional support, we help you make every “no, I can’t” a happier, healthier “yes, I can.”

Find out if clinical weight loss surgery is right for you. Call toll-free (833) 203-9816 or contact us.

McAllen clinical weight loss program

Redefine Clinical Weight Loss, our premier bariatric weight loss program, features a comprehensive bariatric weight loss treatment program — from pre-surgery counseling and preparation to post-surgery support and education.

We understand that this is an emotional journey first. Weight loss begins well before you undergo any physical procedures. This is not just bariatric weight loss surgery, this is a new way to live your life—happier and healthier.

Redefine Clinical Weight Loss is proud to provide our patients:

  • A multidisciplinary team: Our team includes highly-skilled bariatric weight loss surgeons, a dedicated bariatric weight loss coordinator and registered dietitians, who follow each patient's journey through pre-surgery counseling and preparation to post-surgery support and education.
  • A complete program of ongoing care: From initial evaluation through surgery, we offer a lifetime of support, including patient support groups.
  • Surgical excellence: Since 2007, Rio Grande Regional Hospital has been recognized as a top surgical hospital accredited by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) as a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

Weight loss surgery options

The decision to undergo weight loss surgery will affect you for the rest of your life, and our Redefine bariatric surgeons, nurses and staff focus on successful outcomes through methods that are right for you and your reason. Redefine Clinical Weight Loss provides options for weight loss surgery, including minimally invasive robotic techniques that can result in a quicker recovery and shorter hospital stay.

Depending on your condition, your surgeon will help you determine which type of weight loss surgery is best for you. Our surgical weight loss options include:

  • Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) – a small pouch is created in the stomach with staples to restrict the amount of food the patient can consume to about one ounce; a Roux-en-Y procedure can lead to significant metabolic changes that eliminate diabetes in 85 percent of patients.
  • One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) – a modified version of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, also known as a mini-gastric bypass. Compared to traditional gastric bypass, the stomach is divided into a smaller gastric pouch and only requires one rerouting of the small intestine.
  • Sleeve gastrectomy – a surgeon creates a small, sleeve-shaped stomach that is slightly larger than the pouch created during gastric bypass; this surgery is completed with a small incision and permanently reduces the size of the stomach by about 85 percent.
  • BPD with duodenal switch - in biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, a surgeon removed part of the stomach and reroutes food away from the upper part of the small intestine to change the way foods are broken down.

Watch this informational video to learn more about weight loss surgery, the types of surgeries offered, and how they can improve your overall health.

Surgical weight loss journey

An important determining factor for weight loss surgery is your body mass index (BMI). It is a numerical expression of the ratio of our weight to your height. This number will determine if you are overweight and, if so, by how much. Your weight loss team will use your BMI and other factors to determine if you are a candidate for weight loss surgery and which option would best suit you.

You might be a candidate if:

  • Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is 40 or higher
  • Your BMI is over 35 and you have one or more obesity related conditions, or
  • You are 100 lbs over your ideal weight

Certain physical and emotional conditions can cause an elevated level of risk of complications. Every patient will undergo a series of physical tests to determine if they are a candidate for surgery. In addition, your team will examine your medical history to see if any past procedures or issues will elevate your risk.

When a patient meets the medical criteria for morbid obesity, Medicare, HMOs and many private insurance companies may cover surgical weight loss. Your team will work with you and your provider to determine if the costs are covered. If your insurance does not cover the treatment of morbid obesity, there are financing options available. If you have questions regarding insurance coverage and benefits, ask your weight loss team and they will be happy to help you explore your options.

Surgical weight loss procedure

Your weight loss team will prepare you for what to expect and what to bring for your procedure. Each surgery has its own unique set of operative and post-operative requirements. You should make arrangements for transport to and from Rio Grande Regional Hospital. Your physician will determine the length of stay. Also, depending on your procedure, you may experience some physical discomfort. Make plans for plenty of rest following your discharge from the hospital.

Post-surgery

After your procedure, your physician and nursing team will consult with you on a wide variety of issues like pain management, diet and what to expect physically. Each procedure will have its own unique set of expectations, so be sure to ask questions of your team in order to fully understand them. Once your immediate recovery needs have been addressed, your team will begin to walk you through your dietary and exercise expectations in order to help you achieve your journey’s goal.

Continue the journey

Weight loss surgery is only part of weight loss. You must take steps to include healthier dietary choices and physical activity in your everyday life. You’ll discover a new way to navigate your life. Your journey is one of personal discovery and achievement. It goes on as long as you do. So does the support you receive from your weight loss team.