Thursday, July 31, 2014

By Paulette Mason


Health care has become one of the most controversial and divisive political topics in America. Politicians spout inflammatory rhetoric, ignoring the fact that those needing high-quality medical procedures the most may not be able to afford them, even with insurance. Carriers are reluctant to cover weight-loss procedures for severely obese individuals, resulting in many choosing bariatric surgery in Mexico.

When a strictly controlled diet and exercise regimen do not result in weight loss, the problem can become a threat to life. Many people diagnosed with clinical obesity have tried nearly every diet and exercise plan without good results, and strong motivations or rewards prove ineffective. Because modern culture places a premium on being thin, obese people suffer psychologically as well as physically.

Clinical obesity can cause dangerously high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, heart problems, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux. Weight loss operations are designed to radically alter the digestive system, restricting the amount of food that can comfortably be eaten and absorbed. Some are designed to restrict the size of the stomach, while more invasive methods remove parts of the digestive tract to block caloric absorption.

Is is unfortunately normal to carry excess weight today, but most people do not reach a body mass index of 40, considered extreme obesity. Even those people falling into that category may not be good surgical candidates. Pre-operative screening requires verifiable alterations in habits, including exercise and dietary changes, prior to approval. Achieving a weight goal takes time, and an operation is only the beginning of the journey.

In addition to the standard risks, restricting the size of the stomach can lead to unpleasant side effects. Ingested food may pass too quickly into the small intestine, causing abdominal cramping, nausea, and other symptoms. The severity of this reaction may require corrective procedures, driving final costs much higher. For those reasons and others, insurance carriers often decline coverage.

Patients facing refusal may choose to travel south of the United States border, where costs for the initial surgery are about half as much. People considering this option must determine whether saving money trumps having a local physician. Pre-surgical testing is required, and may have to be completed prior to leaving. Travel must be coordinated, and more than one trip may be necessary.

Prospective patients should conduct a background check of the chosen surgeon, and they also must decide whether to seek post-surgical treatment and monitoring at home, as opposed to frequent returns to Mexico. The nature of these procedures makes it important to closely monitor patients during the period of rapid weight loss. Any implanted devices for lap-band procedures must meet United States standards, or face disqualification.

Patients must be absolutely sure that they will benefit from surgery abroad, and often begin their investigation by speaking with current health-care providers. Many have reported excellent results, but there are also anecdotal accounts of unanticipated and serious problems. While it may be tempting to make cost the sole determining factor, understanding the risks and hidden expenses must be part of that decision.




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