Bariatric Surgery in Monterrey

Bariatric surgery is a group of weight-loss surgeries that involves making changes to the digestive system, some of which are non-reversible. The idea behind these types of surgeries is to help patients lose weight by either limiting the amount of food they can consume/digest at any one time or reducing their body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Some procedures do both. 

Bariatric surgeries should only ever be the final option when diet and exercise have proved inadequate and there are now serious health concerns caused by a person's weight. In general, these surgeries can only be an option for patients whose body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (extreme obesity). In certain cases, patients whose BMI is 30 to 39.9 may qualify for certain types of bariatric surgery if they have serious weight-related problems, such as type 2 diabetes.

The three most common types of Bariatric Surgeries are as follows:

1. Gastric Sleeve – The most common surgery, in which about 80% of the stomach is irreversibly removed, resulting in a sleeve or tube-like structure. This smaller stomach will not be able to hold as much food and produces less of the hormone that regulates appetite (ghrelin), which can lessen the patient’s desire to eat. 
2. Gastric Bypass – A more complicated procedure in which the stomach is divided into two parts; a small upper pouch and a large lower ‘remnant’ pouch. The small intestine is rearranged to bypass the large pouch. As a result, the volume of the stomach is significantly reduced. This causes food to go into the small upper pouch of the stomach and then directly into the small intestine. The small upper pouch can only hold around an ounce of food. Gastric Bypass is typically not reversible. 
3. Gastric Band – Involves an inflatable silicone device that is fitted around the top portion of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. This procedure causes the patient to feel fuller with less food but still allows the body to digest food as usual, without malabsorption. The device can be removed when the patient reaches their desired weight.

The bariatric surgeries mentioned above are typically performed laparoscopically, in which the surgeon creates around one to five small incisions in the abdomen to insert a laparoscope (a long narrow tube with a camera) and surgical tools. The patients are usually given a general anesthetic, so they will not feel anything throughout the surgery.

How Long Should I Stay in Monterrey?

After bariatric surgery, an overnight stay in the hospital is usually required. In some cases, you may need to stay longer (around 3 to 5 days). However, it is not advisable to leave Monterrey as soon as you are discharged from the hospital. Stay at least 10 to 14 days following your surgery for initial recovery and follow-up checkups. During the follow-up checkups, your surgeon will remove your stitches and check your overall condition.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

The recovery time may take around 3 to 6 weeks until you are allowed to go back to your normal activities, including work, with some restrictions. You must avoid heavy work and strenuous activities, such as lifting, pushing, or carrying heavy loads for at least the first three months after surgery. You should also avoid sitting and standing without moving for long periods to avoid blood clots forming in your legs.

What Aftercare is Required?

You will be given a special diet plan immediately after your surgery, as well as detailed post-operative instructions. Make sure to follow the diet plan and instructions to avoid complications and speed up your recovery. In order to maximize and maintain weight loss, it is important that you commit to healthy eating and regular exercise. There may be restrictions on how much food you can consume. You may also need to change your eating habits, such as eating 6 small meals instead of 3 large meals each day. You should take vitamins and mineral supplements to ensure proper nutrition. 

What's the Success Rate?

The success rates vary for each of the different types of bariatric surgery. In general, within the first six months following the surgery, most patients lose around 30% to 55% of their excess weight. Then, as early as 12 months after surgery, most patients lose over 70% of their excess weight. Patients could also maintain a 50% to 60% loss of excess weight for 10 to 14 years after their bariatric surgery. Although the success rates are high, there are risks associated with bariatric surgery, such as bleeding, deep vein thrombosis, infections, spleen injury, stenosis, and infections.

Are there Alternatives?

There is a non-surgical Bariatric procedure, known as the Gastric Balloon. This involves an inflatable device that is temporarily inserted into the stomach via endoscopic placement. A sizable area of the stomach is obstructed by the balloon or balloons, thus reducing the amount of food it can contain at any one time, leading to eventual weight loss. The balloons are usually removed after 6 or 12 months. 

If you cannot or do not want to undergo any surgery or medical procedure, you may be able to work with a doctor who is experienced in treating extreme obesity and a dietician as the alternative. They may recommend you to change your diet, adding physical activity, and prescribe medications.

Bariatric Surgery in and around Monterrey

About Monterrey

Nuevo León, a northeastern state in Mexico, takes pride in its capital, Monterrey, a major financial hub for the nation. Serving as a manufacturing and industrial center, Monterrey is also home to a plethora of large Mexican and international businesses. With an impressive GDP (PPP) amounting to US$ 123 billion, it holds the distinction of being the second-most productive city in Mexico. Additionally, its population marking of 5 million residents simultaneously places it as the country's third-most populous city.

Monterrey has successfully carved out a reputation in the tourism sector, particularly drawing global attention as a favored destination for medical tourism. The underlying factors for this growing attraction can be attributed to the following reasons:

• The healthcare industry, banking, and telecommunication are the pillars of the City’s economy.
• The City has some acclaimed hospitals that offer cutting edge treatments. Most hospitals have JCI accreditation, a certification that ensures safety and quality across the healthcare industry.
• Low prices and above-average quality of medical care are the two main reasons that attract medical tourist attention.
• Proximity to the US also provides a big advantage to patients and tourists from the United States of America.
• The most popular procedures are breast augmentation and liposuction and are performed at Dr. Sauceda Plastic Surgery, Dr. Alvar Garcia Plastic Surgery Monterrey, and Dr. David Kirsch M.D. Cosmetic Surgery

Popular Areas in Monterrey

• The Macroplaza is the largest park in Mexico and is surrounded by many historical buildings and museums. It is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
• Fundidora Park is a heritage museum and public park that was once home to a steel mill. Today, the park is a popular destination for families and tourists alike, with a variety of attractions including a museum, a zoo, and an amusement park.
• The Museum of Modern Art displays the works of Ricardo Mazal, Antony Gormley, and Jenny Holzer. The museum is noted for its sculpture yard and restaurant.
• Cerro de la Silla, Is popular for its great urban hiking trail up the tall mountain for its fantastic view of Monterrey and the surrounding areas.
• Cerro del Obispado is a historical site that houses a museum and offers panoramic views of the city. It is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike to learn about the history of Monterrey and enjoy the views.
• To get a glimpse of a traditional wrestling match, Coliseo is the place to be. If you are lucky and brave enough, then you may even get to see a traditional bullfight.

Weather and Climate in Monterrey

It has a dry climate and is one of the hottest cities in Mexico, winters tend to be moderate, while summers can reach high levels of heat. The hot season, which spans from May to September, is often accompanied by rainfall. For the rest of the year, the climate remains mild with relatively minimal temperate fluctuations, and there's hardly any rain during the cold season.

Monterrey can exhibit drastic shifts in its weather scenarios. For instance, a sudden shower during the summer can cool the temperatures down significantly. Conversely, the winter season might witness balmy temperatures in the absence of city-crossing winds. Instances of ice, snow, and sleet are quite the rarity in this region.

Getting around in Monterrey

In Monterrey, there are primarily two airports dedicated to catering a variety of air traffic. The main airport used for commercial flights is Monterrey International Airport. The secondary airport, comparatively smaller, primarily serves private and cargo aircraft traffic. Monterrey International Airport efficiently accommodates a mix of both international as well as domestic travel audiences.

American, United, Delta, and Copa are some of the international airlines that connect it to Houston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Las Vegas, San Antonio, etc. People can travel to the nearby Mexican cities of Guadalajara, Mexico City, Cancun, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Tijuana using Interjet, Aeromar, Magnicharters, and Volaris. At the same time Interjet, Aeromexico, and Viva Aerobus cater to both domestic and international travelers.

Monterrey houses the largest bus terminal in the northern region of Mexico, offering a significant connectivity advantage. Individuals can travel to and from Monterrey and various other bus stations dispersed across Mexico and the US using trans-border buses. Given Monterrey’s closeness to the US-Mexico border, a car ride from the US is another feasible transportation choice.

Moving around within the city is quite feasible and straightforward. Although efficient, the subway system's coverage is relatively limited. The optimum choice for commuting is the taxi service, which may come with a slightly higher cost compared to bus rides. It's advisable to request the driver to go by the meter to guarantee fair charges.

Tourist Visas in Monterrey

Citizens of 67 countries, including Australia, Canada, Schengen countries, the USA, the UK, and Japan, do not need a tourist visa to visit Monterrey, Mexico, for up to 180 days, as long as their trip does not provide any monetary benefit to them. People who have a valid visa to the US and PR in Canada also do not need a separate visa to enter Mexico. The exemption is available to many countries in South America and the Caribbean Islands also. You can check your eligibility on the official website of the Mexican government.

Citizens of other countries will need to obtain a tourist visa to visit Monterrey, Mexico. The tourist visa is valid for six months from the date of entry. You can apply for a visa at the Mexican consulate in your country.

Required documents for a tourist visa:

• Valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining beyond your planned date of departure from Mexico.
• Visa application form.
• Two passport-sized photos.
• Proof of onward travel, such as a return flight ticket.
• Proof of financial resources, such as a bank statement or credit card statement.
• Visa processing fee.

Additional Information

1. The local currency used in Monterrey, Mexico, is the Mexican peso (MXN). The exchange rate for the Mexican peso fluctuates daily, but it is currently trading between 20 and 21 Mexican pesos to the euro and 18 to 19 Mexican pesos to the US dollar.
2. You can use a credit card for payment at big stores, hospitals, and restaurants. Smaller merchants and establishments may not accept credit cards. Therefore, it is better to carry some local currency. You can also use the ATMs available in the city to withdraw local currency. The use of cards may involve certain transaction charges. Tipping is not compulsory. However, people appreciate some form of tipping; somewhere between 10 to 15 % of the total bill is the norm. Porters also get tipped, say, 10 pesos per bag.
3. Mexico Spanish or Castilian Spanish is the main language here. Locals can also communicate in English as well. It would still be an advantage if you can say some basic phrases in Spanish.
4. The majority of the people living in Monterrey are Christians.
5. Mexicans observe holidays on Christian festivals and some national holidays. Christmas and New Year’s Day are the two main public holidays. Independence Day on 16th September and Revolution day on the third Monday of November are the two main national holidays. Apart from this, there are many other holidays.