Patient Education

Baja Slim Bariatric Center would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

Baja Slim Bariatric Center provides a full range of medical services including the following:

Bariatric Revision Surgery

Bariatric surgery is usually a successful procedure that helps a patient achieve significant weight loss. In addition, there are normally minimal to no complications associated with the surgery. However, some patients may experience problems with the surgery or they may not succeed in losing the expected amount of excess weight. In these situations, a follow-up bariatric revision surgery is sometimes necessary. The revision may be recommended for individuals who have been experiencing complications, had poor weight loss results from the initial procedure or recently gained a substantial amount of weight, increasing the risk of developing obesity-related diseases. ...

Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is a surgical treatment for patients who are seriously obese, or obese and have another dangerous medical condition. There are several types of bariatric surgery, each of which makes surgical changes to the stomach and digestive tract that limit how much food can be ingested, and how much nutrition can be absorbed. All types of bariatric surgery are performed to promote weight loss. ...

Body Mass Index

Body mass index, or BMI, is a calculation of total body fat based on height and weight. It is used to determine whether a patient is underweight, at a healthy weight or overweight. A high BMI can alert both doctor and patient to potential health risks associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, breathing difficulties, severe sleep apnea or certain cancers. A low BMI can help to diagnose various illnesses which lead to or are precipitated by malnutrition, such as anemia, eating disorders or other types of cancer. ...

Diet and Exercise

Developing a healthy diet and regular exercise regimen are equally important. Many people only consider improving their diet and exercise routine when they want to lose weight. Diet and exercise, however, should not be forgotten once weight loss goals are achieved since they are important health factors even in individuals who are at an optimal weight. ...

Hernia

A hernia occurs when an abdominal organ, usually the small intestine, protrudes through the abdominal wall. The protruding tissue may become obstructed or incarcerated, or may strangulate. In the latter case, blood flow to the tissue is impeded and the results may be life-threatening. Hernias do not heal on their own and may be uncomfortable or painful. Surgery is the only method to correct them. Small hiatal hernias, however, can sometimes be kept at bay through diet and medication. Among the most common procedures in the United States, hernia surgery is performed to push the protruding tissue back into place and repair the weakness in the abdominal wall which allowed it to pass through. ...

Hernia FAQs

What is a hernia?

A hernia is the protrusion which occurs when part of an abdominal organ protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Hernias are common and usually not a particularly serious matter. If the protruding tissue becomes obstructed, however, which is referred to as an incarcerated hernia, or if the blood flow to the tissue is impeded, which is called a strangulated hernia, the situation may become dire. Since incarcerated hernias are very serious and may be life-threatening, the presence of a hernia should never be ignored. ...

Sleeve Gastrectomy

A sleeve gastrectomy, sometimes known as a gastric reduction or a vertical gastroplasty, is a restrictive form of bariatric surgery that effectively shrinks the stomach to approximately 15 percent of its original size. During the procedure, the surgeon sutures the stomach into the shape of a tube, or sleeve. Sleeve gastrectomy is commonly performed on severely obese patients who are not healthy enough to undergo a successful gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion or similar weight loss surgery. ...

Nutrition

Proper diet is essential to maintaining good health. Keeping the body well-nourished and at a healthy weight has been proven to improve mood, quality of life and longevity. It may also go a long way in preventing or controlling many serious illnesses. Obesity, which has now reached epidemic proportions in the United States, and an enemy of good health, can be kept at bay through proper nutrition along with a program of healthy exercise. ...

Obesity

Obesity is a chronic condition defined by an excess of body fat. Body fat has several important functions in the body, such as storing energy and providing insulation. Excess body fat, however, may interfere with an individual's health and well-being, particularly if a patient becomes morbidly obese. Not only does obesity interfere with everyday activities, it also increases the risk of developing serious medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Obesity is a serious health issue presently reaching epidemic proportions in society. It results in medical complications and early morbidity for a great many people. Other health conditions caused or exacerbated by obesity may include heart disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and asthma. The good news is that obesity is a treatable ailment and that modern medicine provides more remedies for the condition than previously existed. ...

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is performed to help severely obese patients lose significant amounts of weight. The surgeon uses suture-like staples to separate a portion of the top of the stomach and create a pouch which is then connected directly to a section of the small intestine called the Roux limb. The name of this procedure derives from the surgical connection to the Roux limb and from the Y-shaped junction between stomach and small intestine. ...