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Gastric Bypass Surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
> Why Choose Texas Bariatric Specialists?
> Is Lap Gastric Bypass Right for Me?
> What are Texas Bariatric Specialists Results for Gastric Bypass?
> Should the Procedure be Done Laparoscopically?
> How Does Gastric Bypass "Change" My Metabolism?
> What is the “No Exclusion” Policy?
> How Do I Start on the Road to Wellness Today?
Texas Bariatric Specialists (TBS) puts life back into your life-style! Through customized bariatric surgery programs, we help people like yourself successfully lose weight, reclaim their health, and live longer, happier lives.
Dr. Nilesh A. Patel is a fellowship-trained, minimally invasive surgeon who is nationally recognized for his extensive experience in the latest, safest weight-loss medical procedures. He personally has participated in over 800 weight-loss procedures, and truly understands the emotional and physical suffering associated with severe obesity. That’s why he has dedicated his outstanding surgical skills to helping people find permanent relief from this serious condition.
Dr. Patel and his team of bariatric specialists perform advanced minimally invasive (laparoscopic) weight-loss surgeries—including laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic band procedures. Patients appreciate the practice’s surgical expertise and years of experience, pre- and post-surgery compassionate care, and pampering concierge services. More importantly, they take comfort in the fact TBS consistently delivers surgical outcomes exceeding national averages of success.
Dr. Patel’s skills and compassion have allowed him to serve on the advisory board for www.ObesityHelp.com, and be a “beacon of hope” for patients who have struggled with life-long obesity.
TBS primarily serves the bariatric needs of people living in San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi, Laredo and South Texas. However, patients from around the United States also are welcome to take advantage of our practice’s menu of medical services.
There are many reasons why you should choose Texas Bariatric Specialists to help you regain your health, and reclaim your life. We offer you:
- Dr. Patel is nationally recognized for his surgical expertise and has performed over 800 (in practice and in training) weight-loss procedures.
- Superior outcomes at rates higher than the national average.
- >95% success rate in performing gastric bypass surgery laparoscopically.
- Extensive experience in revision surgery.
- No exclusion policy for any patient deemed as a candidate for weight-loss surgery.
- Personal, private and pampering concierge services.
- Commitment to "evidence-based” medicine.
- State-of-the-art pre- and post-surgery care and consultative services.
- A multi-disciplinary approach for all procedures to increase the chances of lifelong weight-management success. We use the services of a private nutritionist, respiratory therapist, gastroenterologist, and nurse educator.
- Priority attention provided at hospitals selected by our practice in order to guarantee specialized patient-care packages, unparalleled nurse-to-patient ratios, and catered meals.
- Dedicated team of specialists and attorneys prepared to assist in insurance authorization and appeals.
- Commitment to community outreach and free seminars in Austin, Corpus Christi, Laredo and San Antonio.
Laparoscopic gastric bypass is essentially the “gold standard” for weight-loss surgery in the United States. Studies show the average weight loss is higher for patients who choose this option vs. one simply using a restrictive device (such as a band). During this procedure, after the surgeon makes a small stomach pouch a “bypass” is created which keeps food from entering parts of the small intestine. Since the body can’t absorb as many calories or nutrients due to the skipping of these small intestine sections, the patient begins to experience a new pattern of weight loss.
There are a variety of Internet sites dedicated to counseling people about the medical requirements and benefits of lap gastric bypass. The best source of information can be found through independent sources, including the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
According to a 2004 bariatrics article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the procedure’s many advantages include:
- 83.7% of Type 2 diabetes cases are resolved, often within days of surgery.
- Gastric bypass surgery successfully resolves more Type 2 diabetes cases than purely restrictive procedures
- Substantial weight reduction: 61.6% of excess weight is lost.
- 96.9% of hyperlipidemia cases are resolved.
- 87.1% of hypertension cases are resolved or improved.
- A substantial improvement in a patient’s overall quality of life: excess weight is lost, many weight-related health problems are resolved, improved appearance, improved social life, improved chances to obtain and retain employment.
Here is a chart showing our practice’s successful outcomes following laparoscopic Roux en-Y gastric bypass procedures, based on our experience in San Antonio.
| Outcomes | Texas Bariatric Specialists | National Average |
| Death | <0.5% | <0.5% to 2% |
| Leak | <0.5% | 2% to 5% |
| Strictures | 5% to 7% | 7% to 25% |
| Excess weight loss | 65% to 80% | 65% to 80% |
Since laparoscopic gastric bypass is essentially the “gold standard” for weight-loss surgery in the United States, it should be your “first choice for a last-resort treatment.” To pursue this option, you must choose your surgeon and hospital very carefully. If a qualified surgeon and hospital are not available in your area, the open approach (making a long incision) is deemed to be safer. In addition to providing one of the most qualified programs in the South Texas and Hill Country region, TBS offers a “no exclusion” policy and the advantages of laparoscopic surgery to nearly 100% of its patients. These advantages include:
- Less pain
- Faster recovery
- Faster initial weight loss
- Lower re-operation rates
- Smaller incisions (cosmetic)
- Lower chances of a blood clot forming
- Lower overall mortality rate
All our patients are considered for laparoscopic surgery. In our experience, only a very few people are not candidates for this approach. We encourage all patients who are denied laparoscopic surgery by other surgeons to seek our opinion—or a second opinion—before taking “no” for an answer.
The lastest research shows that gastric bypass surgery works by doing more than just losing weight. Studies have shown that:
- Siginificant hunger supression is achieved within days of having surgery in a significant number of patients. This is achieved hormonally as opposed to mechanically when compared to the lap band
- Up to 20% of patients may go home without their diabetes medications before losing a single pound
- Up to 20% of patients may go home without their blood pressure medications before losing a single pound
- Up to 40% of patients will go home without their cholesterol medications before losing a single pound
While these reulsts are not gaurenteed, they strongly suggest that the way that your stomach is stapled and the way that your intestines are re-routed, significantly changes your metabolism. Taken together, this may be why gastric bypass is superior to the lap band in "curing" disease realted to obesity.
Texas Bariatric Specialists has a “no exclusion” policy, a definite benefit to many of our patients. What that means is that we have NO pre-set exclusions based on:
- Age…Patients can be as young as 16, and as old as 80+ years.
- Body Mass Index/weight…
- Prior procedures…Some patients also have had gallbladder, stomach stapling, gastric band, colon resection and many other surgical procedures.
- Insurance…We are willing to work with any insurance carrier (including Medicare) that considers weight-loss surgery a covered benefit.
- Bloodless weight-loss surgery...Our practice respects the beliefs of patients who choose not to accept blood products. If you are one of those patients, please note that we have a specialized team available to help address your needs and counsel you about your options.
Trusted, professional help with your weight-management issues is just one click or one phone call away. We offer a variety of easy ways to help you regain your health and improve your quality of life today:
- Call our toll-free number: 1-877-TX-PATEL
- E-mail us: drpatel@bypassdoc.com
- Complete our online contact form
- Attend one of our free seminars
- We offer convenient locations throughout San Antonio in addition to Austin, Corpus Christi, Laredo, and other South Texas locations.