Thursday, March 29, 2007

Americans Opting For Weight Loss Surgery In Brazil

Weight loss surgery is gaining popularity with Americans. Weight loss or also called bariatric surgery is meant for obese people with serious medical conditions related to their weight. The most common form of this surgery is gastric bypass surgery.

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality one of the reasons of the extremely dramatic increases is that the mortality risks from obesity surgery have improved greatly. The national death rate for patients hospitalized for bariatric surgery declined 78 percent, from 0.9 percent in 1998 to 0.2 percent in 2004. Laparoscopic weight loss surgery has the lowest mortality risks.

Data collected from Embratur (the Brazil Governmental Agency for developing national tourism) indicate that about 40 thousand out of the foreign visitors who came to Brazil came for medical purposes last year.

A group of Brazilian health care providers, which includes hospitals, created even an health consortium in order to comply with the foreign demand. Many health clinics in Brazil offer medical services to foreigners.

During an interview with Gringoes, Dr. Roberto Rizzi of Franco e Rizzi remarked that the cost of obesity surgery is significantly lower in Brazil than in many other countries. Also the quality and reputation of surgeons in Brazil makes many foreigners decide to come to Brazil for this procedure. Dr. Rizzi has patients from USA, China, Mozambique and other countries for these reasons.

Brazilian professionals keep a strong exchange with international medicine, attending international congresses and participating in study groups. This gives a very good image of the Brazilian medicine overseas, and brings everyday more foreign visitors to for medical treatment to Brazil.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Obesity Surgery - Ten Qualifications for surgery

If you are thinking of having weight loss surgery, you may have to consider certain criteria in order to be qualified for the surgery. If you do not meet these criteria, then the surgery may cause higher risks and problems. It is important to know what these qualifications are before considering weight loss surgery so that you may know if it is right for you. So let us look at the top 10 qualifications you should consider before weight-loss surgery.

1. Morbid Obesity. Are you morbidly obese? If you're over 100 pounds from your ideal weight then you are considered morbidly obese.

2. Medical problems. There are a couple of medical conditions that can happen if you are overweight. For example you may have diabetes, swelling or pain due to being overweight, if so then you will be qualified for weight loss surgery.

3. BMI. BMI simply means your body mass index. This index is used to determine whether you qualify for weight loss surgery. You need to have a BMI of forty or greater in order to qualify for surgery.

4. Diet programs. Generally it is recommended that you are monitored for six months using diet programs prior to weight loss surgery. It needs to be shown that none of these programs have worked for you to make you completely qualified.

5. The length of time that you are obese. Sometimes you will need to have been obese for at least five years. This just proves that you have been unable to reduce your weight in any other way and that it is causing you problems in your everyday life.

6. Insurance and financial considerations. Prior to getting weight loss surgery, you will need to satisfy your insurance company and examine your financial status. Some insurance companies have specific requirements before allowing you proceed with weight loss surgery.

7. Problems with performing daily activities. For example, family activities, work ability and social functioning. Generally, being obese may cause problems with doing routine activities.

8. Your mental stability. Are you mentally prepared to have the surgery performed? Will you be able to make the necessary changes after surgery in order to change your lifestyle and get any help necessary to change dietary and mental habits.

9. Understanding the procedures involved. Make sure that you know about the risks, benefits, procedures and commitments involved with weight loss surgery, otherwise you're better not to get the procedure performed.

10. Your confidence factor. If you are hesitant about having surgery or don’t feel that it is right for you, then you would be better to consider other options.

If you have met some or most of the qualifications above, then consult your physician or a surgeon about what weight loss surgery could do for you. You can then begin to make the necessary steps required in moving back into a more healthy lifestyle.

For More Information On Health Topics:
Health Info Docs
Weight Loss Surgery
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_O'Rourke

Friday, March 23, 2007

Obesity Surgery – Complications included?

If you need obesity surgery and you have no health insurance or your medical coverage doesn’t include obesity surgery, you are on your own.

Search the internet and you find many sites offering obesity surgery at affordable prices. However, do read the small captures, most offers don’t include the cost of complications. If you have to use your savings or maybe need financing to cover the cost of the surgery, you might need to consider this risk. Even if it is a small risk. The cost of “complications” can total to a significant amount! Just to stay a few extra days in an intensive care unit (ICU) will blow your budget.

Franco e Rizzi (www.robertorizzi.com) offer affordable obesity surgery for patients with BMI between 35 and 45 with the cost of surgical complications included.

To calculate your BMI go to www.robertorizzi.com/bmi.htm

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Overweight a matter of social ridicule?

Not only is being overweight a matter of social ridicule, but it is also a very dangerous proposition health-wise. Obesity is an open invitation for at least six of the most terrible diseases known to man: diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular problems, paralysis, gangrene and heart attacks. Hence obesity may not considered itself be a disease, but it could definitely be a serious life-threatening condition.

Bariatric Surgery might be a solution. Bariatric surgery is a term derived from the Greek words: ''weight'' and ''treatment.'' Bariatric surgery is not an easy option for overweight sufferers. It is a drastic step, and carries the usual pain and risks of any major gastrointestinal surgical operation.

In general, in order to qualify for bariatric surgery you must be 'morbidly obese', which usually means being overweight by 100 pounds (man) or 80 pounds (woman) with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40+. Affordable weight loss surgery is available in Brazil. Check: www.robertorizzi.com The website contains a lot of information on weight loss surgery.

Weight Loss through Obesity Surgery

Overweight people who have tried diets and exercise but have not achieved lasting weight loss may be candidates for bariatric weight loss surgery.
Weight loss surgery is fast becoming a very popular way for obese and morbidly obese people to get and keep the weight off. Significant weight loss can be achieved with obesity surgery, but patients need to have realistic weight loss expectations.

The patient needs to make changes to the diet after undergoing weight loss surgery. The stomach will be reduced to a much smaller size and, as a result, the amount of food the patient can eat is very limited. In order to ensure good nutrition and health, the patient must pay very close attention to the types of food he/she eats. Foods that were well tolerated prior to surgery for obesity may cause discomfort afterwards.
Patients who approach the surgery with a goal of improving their health and quality of life will have the most success.

If you are a candidate for Weight Loss Surgery, but you have no health insurance or your Insurance Company does not cover Gastric Bypass Surgery you might want to look for ways to lower the cost of surgery.

One option is to consider having Obesity Surgery in Brazil, having the one of the best bariatric surgery techniques with affordable prices. “Franco e Rizzi” website (www.robertorizzi.com) provides detailed information on Obesity Surgery in Brazil, including information on the different surgical procedures.