Weight loss can be a significant challenge, impacting not only physical health but also overall quality of life and self-esteem. In New Mexico, several options exist for individuals seeking surgical intervention for weight loss, also known as bariatric or metabolic surgery. These procedures are considered when traditional methods like diet and exercise have proven ineffective, especially in cases of major health problems related to weight. This article explores the various weight loss surgery options available in New Mexico, providing a detailed overview of procedures, patient considerations, and available support systems.
Comprehensive Bariatric Programs in New Mexico
Several medical centers in New Mexico offer comprehensive bariatric surgery programs designed to provide patients with personalized care and support throughout their weight loss journey. These programs typically involve a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including bariatric surgeons, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, exercise physiologists, and insurance coordinators. This team collaborates with the patient and their primary care physician to develop a tailored weight loss plan that addresses their unique needs and promotes overall well-being.
MountainView Regional Medical Center
MountainView Regional Medical Center, for example, offers a bariatric surgery program accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This accreditation signifies that the program adheres to rigorous standards, including having specially trained staff, specialized equipment, and patient experiences and surgical outcomes that meet MBSAQIP's standards. The bariatric team at MountainView provides education and support from pre-surgery to long after the procedure, guiding patients through the entire process with trusted medical guidance and compassionate emotional support. The process leading up to bariatric surgery varies depending on each person’s medical history and insurance requirements.
Dr. Fermin Fontan, a board-certified general surgeon specializing in metabolic and weight loss surgery, leads the bariatric program at MountainView. Born and raised in Argentina, Dr. Fontan is fluent in both English and Spanish, providing a bilingual treatment option for his patients. He is robotically trained and performs various bariatric procedures, including laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, gastric adjustable banding, gastric bypass, and duodenal switch.
UNM Health Bariatric Program
The UNM Health Bariatric program is another accredited center in New Mexico, also under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. The expert surgeons and staff at UNM Health Bariatric program are ready to be part of your lifelong support system. Located in Albuquerque (2211 Lomas Blvd), the program offers comprehensive care, and treatment expertise. The surgeons at UNM Health can also help if you are experiencing a complication from an old weight loss procedure.
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Types of Bariatric Surgeries Offered
Bariatric surgery encompasses several different procedures, each with its own advantages and considerations. Here are some of the most common types of weight loss surgeries available in New Mexico:
Gastric Sleeve Surgery (Sleeve Gastrectomy)
Gastric sleeve surgery, or sleeve gastrectomy, is the most common type of bariatric surgery. It is a restrictive procedure that permanently reduces the size of the stomach, limiting food intake and reducing the sensation of hunger. During this procedure, a large portion of the stomach is removed, leaving a smaller, banana-shaped "sleeve." This smaller stomach restricts the amount of food that can be eaten, leading to weight loss as patients consume fewer calories.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery is a more complex procedure that involves both restricting food intake and limiting calorie absorption. In this surgery, the stomach is divided into two sections: a smaller upper section and a larger lower section. The smaller top segment, often called the pouch, is reduced to the size of a walnut, creating a decreased appetite and only allowing for small portion sizes. The small intestine is then connected to this smaller pouch, bypassing a portion of the stomach and small intestine. This reduces the number of calories and nutrients the body absorbs, contributing to weight loss. Gastric bypass surgery makes the stomach smaller and allows food to bypass part of the stomach and small intestine.
LAP-BAND (Adjustable Gastric Banding)
The LAP-BAND is a minimally invasive, adjustable, and reversible weight loss surgery option. The LAP-BAND is made of silicone and featuring the ability to be tightened by adding saline to fill the band, it is connected to a port located under the abdomen. The LAP-BAND is designed to shrink and restrict the size of the stomach, and in turn the amount of food it can hold, while also substantially slowing the passage of food into the intestine. This allows patients to feel fuller faster, and consume much smaller portion sizes. The band can be adjusted by adding or removing saline to change the size of the opening between the upper and lower parts of the stomach.
Duodenal Switch
Dr. Fontan performs duodenal switch bariatric procedures.
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Revision and Conversion Surgeries
In some cases, patients may require revision or conversion surgeries to address complications, limited weight loss, weight regain, unresolved medical conditions, or other issues related to a previous bariatric procedure. A revision is a minimally invasive surgical option to modify or correct a previous bariatric surgery. A conversion procedure replaces a previous bariatric surgery with a different procedure.
Considerations Before Undergoing Weight Loss Surgery
Choosing to undergo weight loss surgery is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. Here are some important factors to keep in mind:
Candidacy
Bariatric surgery is typically recommended for individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or heart disease. Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Many of our services are determined based on your individual BMI. It is crucial to consult with a bariatric surgeon to determine if you are a suitable candidate for surgery. For the right candidate, bariatric (weight loss) surgery can drastically improve health and quality of life.
Insurance Coverage and Payment Options
Most insurance carriers cover bariatric surgery. Surgery may also be provided through "private pay" options. Insurance payment may also be denied for lack of "medical necessity." A therapy is deemed to be medically necessary when it is needed to treat a serious or life-threatening condition. In the case of morbid obesity, alternative treatments - such as dieting, exercise, behavior modification, and some medications - are considered to be available. The particular surgery you choose for weight loss is your decision. It is essential to check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage and any specific requirements for bariatric surgery approval. Some treatment centers have insurance analysts who will follow up regularly on approval requests. Gather all the information (diet records, medical records, medical tests) your insurance company may require. This reduces the likelihood of a denial for failure to provide "necessary" information. Letters from your personal physician and consultants attesting to the "medical necessity" of treatment are particularly valuable. When the letter is submitted, call your carrier regularly to ask about the status of your request. After your telephone interview consultation is completed, it usually takes your doctor 1-2 days to send a letter to your insurance carrier to start the approval process. The time it takes to get an answer can vary from about 3-4 weeks or longer if you are not persistent in your follow-up.
Pre-Surgery Preparation
The best way to prepare for surgery is to ensure you are well-informed about your procedure. Several steps are involved in preparing for bariatric surgery, including:
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- Medical Evaluation: A thorough medical evaluation is necessary to assess your overall health and identify any potential risks or contraindications. Depending on the procedure, you may have blood work, EKG, chest X-ray and pregnancy test immediately prior to surgery.
- Lifestyle Changes: You will need to make significant lifestyle changes before and after surgery, including adopting a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and quitting smoking. Patients are strongly encouraged to stop smoking at least six months before surgery. If you drink carbonated beverages, now is the time to stop. Why? It expands when a cold compressed gas (carbonation) hits your stomach. Start a program of physical activity such as walking or swimming for 20 minutes four times a week. Reduce the number of refined carbohydrates you consume.
- Psychological Evaluation: A psychological evaluation may be required to assess your emotional readiness for surgery and identify any underlying mental health issues that may need to be addressed. Along your journey to a healthier and more active lifestyle, there are changes that need to be made. Our program is designed to identify some of those changes and help you make them. If you are a candidate for weight loss surgery, you will be ready to make lifestyle changes addressing your own physical and emotional well-being.
Post-Surgery Expectations
- Immediate Post-Op: Almost immediately after surgery, your health care team will require you to get up and move about. Every attempt is made to control pain after surgery to make it possible for you to move about quickly and become active. Most Lap-Band and other procedures are same-day surgeries. However, because of health risks or other concerns, your surgeon may choose to keep you overnight. This depends on your overall health and the surgical procedure.
- Dietary Changes: Following surgery, you will need to adhere to a strict dietary plan, starting with liquids and gradually progressing to solid foods. Through your education process before and after surgery, you will learn what is better for you and what is not. The goal of surgery is for you to feel satisfied with less food. Although certain foods may be tolerated better than others, you will be able to eat solid foods.
- Medication Adjustments: Your doctor will determine whether medication for blood pressure, diabetes, and other medical conditions can be stopped when the conditions for which they are taken improve or resolve after weight loss surgery. For medications that need to be continued, the vast majority can be swallowed, absorbed, and work the same as before weight loss surgery. Most pills or capsules are small enough to pass through the new stomach pouch.
- Potential Complications: As with any surgery, bariatric surgery carries potential risks and complications, such as infection, bleeding, blood clots, hernias, and nutritional deficiencies. Not very often. If necessary, it is usually given after surgery to promote healing. You must understand a blood transfusion is a possibility with any surgical procedure. Adhesions are scar tissues formed inside the abdomen after surgery or injury. Adhesions can form with any major surgery in the abdomen.
- Hair Loss: Many patients experience some hair loss or thinning after surgery. This usually occurs between the fourth and fifth month after surgery. Most patients experience natural hair regrowth after the initial period of weight loss.
- Pregnancy: It is strongly recommended that women wait at least 18-24 months after the surgery before a pregnancy. At 18-24 months after surgery, your body will be fairly stable (from a weight and nutrition standpoint) and you should be able to carry a normally nourished fetus.
Expected Weight Loss and Health Improvements
Clinical studies show that, following surgery, most patients lose weight rapidly and continue to do so until 18 to 24 months after the procedure. Patients may lose 30 to 50% of their excess weight in the first six months and 77% of excess weight as early as 12 months after surgery. Patients with higher initial BMIs tend to lose more total weight. The actual weight a patient will lose after the procedure is dependent on several factors. In general, weight loss surgery success is defined as achieving loss of 50% or more of excess body weight and maintaining that level for at least five years. Clinical data will vary for each of the different procedures mentioned on this site. Results may also vary by surgeon.
The surgery has been found to be effective in improving and controlling many obesity-related health conditions. A 2000 study of 500 patients showed that 96% of certain associated health conditions studied (back pain, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes and depression) were improved or resolved. Bariatric surgery can reduce and eliminate life-threatening obesity-related diseases by lowering dangerously high blood pressure and cholesterol and controlling type 2 diabetes. The bottom line is that, in the absence of a surgical complication, you are very unlikely to lose weight to the point of malnutrition.
Long-Term Follow-Up and Support
Long-term follow-up care is essential for maintaining weight loss and addressing any potential complications. With follow-up care from our team and support from others on the same path, clients can change their lifestyles and navigate the transition to a healthy weight and a better life. The expert surgeons and staff at the UNM Health Bariatric program are ready to be part of your lifelong support system.
Blue Distinction Centers
Blue Distinction Centers and Blue Distinction Centers+ specializing in bariatric surgery offer quality care, treatment expertise and better patient results. Note: Designation as Blue Distinction Centers means these facilities' overall experience and aggregate data met objective criteria established in collaboration with expert clinicians' and leading professional organizations' recommendations. Individual outcomes may vary.
Non-Surgical Weight Loss Options
You may be ready to begin your weight loss journey, but aren't yet ready to make a surgical step. Or, you may need a medically supervised weight loss program as part of the bariatric surgical counseling process.