United States has earned its reputation overtime for providing some of the world’s best medical services. But the medical innovations are not restricted to the United States only. Similar procedures, surgeries, tools and medication have traveled throughout the world and are provided in an equally advanced way.

The only difference between United States and the rest of the world is the cost of medical procedures.  Medical procedures costs in U.S. are some of the highest in the world.

That said, did you know U.S. healthcare system is no longer listed as the world’s top healthcare provider? In fact, it has been listed as lower when compared to other countries such as United Kingdom, Switzerland or Australia.

You can hardly blame people looking for other more cost effective alternatives and these alternative have famously become “Medical Tourism”.

Why Mexico?

Mexico is among one of the many countries offering Bariatric surgery, it is ideal for U.S. and Canadian patients. The top benefit is undoubtedly a much lower cost comparatively.

Secondly it is much closer for U.S. and Canadian citizens.  It enables patients to avoid the extensive travel times (Flights to Mexico are less expensive-bonus!).

Mexico is beautiful! Stunning sunsets and luxury resorts can help you relax before and after the stress-inducing surgery.

If you want to keep your surgical journey private, taking a medical tour to Mexico is ideal. You can tell people you are off for a vacation instead of a surgical procedure.

Is Bariatric Surgery in Mexico Safe?

Before you jump to any conclusions or decisions, it is always ideal to do your research properly. Learn all you can in order to feel safe.  Learn about hospitals, clinics, procedures and find somewhere with an excellent safety record.

Following points are to be kept in mind:

• Mexico is generally a safe country. It is easy to accept a statement like, “Mexico is dangerous” but that would be like believing everything that is played on the news!

• When looking for hospitals or clinic, check for accreditations to ensure their quality standard.

• There are several hospitals and clinics offering bariatric surgery who have successful track records. Use a facilitation company as they do quality control checks on a regular basis and can offer you different ideas and options

If you have any questions about bariatric surgery, or if you think bariatric surgery is for you, Check out the website of International Patient Facilitators. They help patients find the best bariatric surgeons in Mexico for almost every bariatric procedure, including gastric sleeve and gastric bypass and mini gastric bypass as well as revision/ conversion surgeries.

Allow the bariatric experts to help you if you need support. Please reach out every opportunity you get with every question that you have – it’s not just our work to assist you.  We celebrate in seeing you succeed.

If you have a regain or a stall, you can reach out to the “Bariatric Food Experts” for the BARIATRIC RESET PROGRAM.

About the Author: Sheri Burke is a Nutritionist and Bariatric Coordinator at International Patient Facilitators in Tijuana and Cancun, Mexico. She has worked with bariatric surgery patients for 10 years and especially enjoys providing nutritional guidance to pre and post bariatric patients.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two teens, husband and two furry friends.

Time for a “bariatric expert” multivitamin ?  Here is a perfect way for bariatric patients to get it now on Amazon:

Bariatric Expert MultiVitamins

Eat Like a Bariatric Expert with our Nutrition Plans.

Feel free to share your victories and struggles in our Facebook group. I would love to connect with you.

Stay motivated with Bariatric Wristbands – post your results online !

Make December 2017 YOUR Month!

Price list for Bariatric Procedures in Tijuana and Cancun

Why does my pouch prefer foods that aren’t good for me ?

Crackers.  Popcorn.  Chips.

All bariatric patients know that they shouldn’t be eating this post surgery.  Patients don’t need a class from a registered nutritionist to figure this out.  Then why is it that these sorts of foods, or other kinds of “no no” carby foods go down into the pouch so easily and just feel so good ?

I don’t like having this conversation with clients.  It’s not fun for either of us.  My client talks about how the only foods that feel really good are the exact same foods which I am telling my clients NOT to eat.  I am talking about how going back to protein first is the right way for long term bariatric success and we have this power struggle where we cannot meet eye to eye – it can get uncomfortable.

Let’s work though this so I can show you how it goes.

My client is wanting to eat protein but it makes her stomach feel uncomfortable and sick so she keeps finding herself adding a few crackers to each meal or ….

Another client sees how nicely popcorn can go down on her newly operated stomach and how it makes such a nice light evening post dinner snack.  This client has always treated herself to popcorn so why not now ? …

My next client talks about how pretzels and chips are finally offering her some flavour and that special CRUNCH that she has been missing out on.  They just miss that crunchy yum in their mouth.

These three conversations and scenes are so darn common.  You know what / I feel that each complaint is absolutely valid.  I totally understand.  I don’t judge anybody.  And this is what makes it so difficult when I am trying to break my clients of this very bad habit.  It’s not fair.  It sucks.  The foods that feel the best are the ones that are not the best for your bariatric journey.  It’s like finding out that the only pair of pants that you are in love with in the store are the only ones NOT on sale.  It’s a cruel joke.

The hard facts are that the foods that are high starch and refined carbohydrates are the ones that will slide down into your pouch most comfortably.  The “mechanical process” of digestion starts in your mouth when you chew up your foods.  When you eat carbohydrates, the actual enzyme digestion BEGINS in your mouth when food meets up with saliva – with protein it is different.

What this means is that by the time that your lovely slider chip or popcorn or pretzel hits your stomach, it has been quite digested on the way down.  But, when a nice piece of chicken (protein) hits your stomach, it is a very different scenario.  It is just in the beginning phases of digestion.  That’s right !  Your tummy needs to work harder on solid proteins.  Protein is so fantabulous for the bariatric journey and losses because it’s always going to take a lot longer to digest so you are fuller for a longer period of time.

Do I sound like a broken record – same thing over and over and over.

I am just sharing a very harsh reality over and over and over.  Just because it feels good does not mean that it is good for your bariatric journey and losses.  Please give this a shot and try to make the right choices.  These choices are not something that anybody else can do for you.  #adultingisrough

Bottom line is that your starchy foods will feel good because they are going to hit your new tummy mushed up and soft already – this makes everything easier to tolerate.  Trust your body for signs of fullness and listen to what your tool is saying but you do still have to make the good healthy choices – don’t trust your tool to tell you what to eat.  You have your big brain for that.

I am cheering you on this bariatric journey to health because I know you’ve got this !

Allow the bariatric experts to help you if you need support. Please reach out every opportunity you get with every question that you have – it’s not just our work to assist you.  We celebrate in seeing you succeed.

If you have a regain or a stall, you can reach out to the “Bariatric Food Experts” for the BARIATRIC RESET PROGRAM.

About the Author: Sheri Burke is a Nutritionist and Bariatric Coordinator at International Patient Facilitators in Tijuana and Cancun, Mexico. She has worked with bariatric surgery patients for 10 years and especially enjoys providing nutritional guidance to pre and post bariatric patients.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two teens, husband and two furry friends.

Time for a “bariatric expert” multivitamin ?  Here is a perfect way for bariatric patients to get it now on Amazon:

Bariatric Expert MultiVitamins

Eat Like a Bariatric Expert with our Nutrition Plans.

Feel free to share your victories and struggles in our Facebook group. I would love to connect with you.

Stay motivated with Bariatric Wristbands – post your results online !

Make October 2017 YOUR Month!

Price list for Bariatric Procedures in Tijuana and Cancun

Many women feel that a pregnancy after a bariatric weight loss surgery can be unsafe and risky.

This is far from the truth. In fact, for most women, pregnancy is healthier and safer after the weight loss surgery.

However, this does not mean that bariatric surgery patients do not need to take special care and precautions when they get pregnant. Here are certain important considerations for bariatric surgery during a pregnancy:

Waiting 18 months to get pregnant

The safest period to get pregnant is 18 months after the surgery, when the body weight has completely stabilized. However, this doesn’t mean that if you get pregnant before the 18-month period, there is any danger to your baby’s health. Some women are able to have healthy pregnancies even before 12 months.

Bariatric surgery doesn’t have any connection to the body part where the baby is nurtured. The only issue is rapid weight loss, which can cause malnutrition in the baby as well as the mother. This is why doctors recommend a period of 18 months.

Monitoring Nutrient Intake

Even after the initial period after the surgery, women experience nutritional deficiency. The deficiency is mainly related to calcium, vitamin D, iron and B12. Some women may even experience fat mal-absorption and protein-calorie malnutrition.

It also becomes difficult to consume nutrients because of nausea during pregnancy; this is why it is important to strictly monitor the nutrient intake. Consulting a clinical nutritionist would be a good idea.

Informing the obstetrician/gynecologist

Bariatric surgery is still relatively uncommon. Many health care providers do not know how to deal with bariatric patients.

This is why it is always recommended to inform all the health care providers, especially the obstetrician-gynecologist, when a bariatric patient decides to get pregnant. This ensures that everyone is on board, and have enough time to do their research and provide appropriate health care.

Dealing with the emotional effects

Emotional effects of pregnancy are well-known, but for bariatric patients the affects may multiply. This is because women are unable to cope with the idea that their body will start to grow again. Some scars from the surgery may also not look good when the body grows, which can lead to self-consciousness.

To cope with the emotional effects, women need to think what’s best for the baby, rather for themselves. Consulting a psychologist can also be of immense help.

Having a C-section

Bariatric patients are more likely to have C-section, so it is recommended to consult with the health care provider. It is not known why this is the case, but women should be ready and plan for it accordingly.

However, a C-section can be avoided by strictly following doctor’s weight gain diet plans and taking childbirth prep classes.

Rest assured, a healthy pregnancy is completely normal after a bariatric surgery only if proper care is taken. This is why we provide patients with the reliable and experienced surgeons across the border in Mexico. Visit our website to learn more.

Allow the bariatric experts to help you if you need support. Please reach out every opportunity you get with every question that you have – it’s not just our work to assist you.  We celebrate in seeing you succeed.

If you have a regain or a stall, you can reach out to the “Bariatric Food Experts” for the BARIATRIC RESET PROGRAM.

About the Author: Sheri Burke is a Nutritionist and Bariatric Coordinator at International Patient Facilitators in Tijuana and Cancun, Mexico. She has worked with bariatric surgery patients for 10 years and especially enjoys providing nutritional guidance to pre and post bariatric patients.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two teens, husband and two furry friends.

Time for a “bariatric expert” multivitamin ?  Here is a perfect way for bariatric patients to get it now on Amazon:

Bariatric Expert MultiVitamins

Eat Like a Bariatric Expert with our Nutrition Plans.

Feel free to share your victories and struggles in our Facebook group. I would love to connect with you.

Stay motivated with Bariatric Wristbands – post your results online !

Make October 2017 YOUR Month!

Price list for Bariatric Procedures in Tijuana and Cancun