During sleeve gastrectomy, the surgeon will remove the larger, rounded part of the stomach.
• The remaining stomach looks like a sleeve (or hose or tube) and holds about 15 percent as much food as the original stomach.
• The surgeon will remove the larger, rounded part of the stomach from the body.
• Unlike gastric bypass, which changes the exit pathway of the stomach, sleeve gastrectomy leaves the exit pathway intact intact.
• It may be a safer and more effective option than gastric bypass for patients with very high BMI, those with medical problems like anemia, Crohn’s disease, osteoporosis, extensive prior surgeries and other complex medical conditions.

Advantages
• Sleeve gastrectomy may be safer than gastric bypass for patients who have a number of health risks.
• It lowers the risk of marginal ulcers (ulcers that may occur along the reconstructed exit pathway of the stomach) compared to gastric bypass.
• The surgery cuts away the part of the stomach that produces grehlin, a stomach hormone that stimulates hunger.
• Though the stomach is smaller, the entrance and exit openings are left intact, so digestion can go on as normal (no dumping syndrome).
• The body is free of foreign objects like the LAP-BAND®.

Risks
• Sleeve gastrectomy is more common in Europe, but most American health insurance carriers still consider it an investigational procedure and do not cover the cost.
• Anytime you have anesthesia or surgery, there is a risk of blood clots, other complications or death.
• Do not smoke. Smoking would put you at high risk for infection, blood clots, slow healing and other life-threatening complications.
• Complications can occur with the stapling, such as leaks or bleeding.
• You may need malabsorptive surgery – intestinal bypass or duodenal switch – in addition to your sleeve gastrectomy in order to lose all the weight you need and want to lose.
• The smaller portion of the stomach may stretch.
• Foods that you eat now may cause discomfort, nausea or vomiting after your surgery.
• Gastric surgery puts you at higher than normal risk of developing gallstones and gallbladder disease.
• You will not lose weight or maintain your weight loss unless you eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. This is the reason we stress long-term follow-up with our center and your doctor.

It is suggested that surgeons performing sleeve gastrectomy inform patients regarding the lack of published evidence for sustained weight loss beyond 3 years and provide them with information regarding alternative procedures with published long-term (greater than or equal to 5 years) data confirming sustained weight loss and comorbidity resolution based upon available literature at this time.

Our physicians and health care coordinators have extensive, hands on experience working with doctors and hospitals throughout Mexico. We began developing our network of Mexico’s finest doctors and hospitals in 2000 by conducting personal interviews and educational background checks on more than 700 Mexican doctors and inspecting over 80 private hospitals. We spent 6 years researching the Mexican healthcare system before we referred our first patient for surgery in February of 2006. As a result, if you decide to let MedToGo coordinate your surgery or medical service in Mexico, you can be assured that you will be working with the country’s finest doctors and institutions.

You will have also hired a team of U.S. physicians and health care and coordinators that will oversee your care and serve as your advocate while you are in Mexico. You will not be alone. Your safety and peace of mind are our primary concern. Furthermore, we can offer you complete healthcare packages with up to 75% off the price of a comparable experience in the U.S.-without a compromise in quality.

• Our physicians meet and hold personal interviews with all Mexican physicians.
• We verify the doctor’s educational experience and credentials, including board certification and licensing.
• We request and check professional references and assess a doctor’s local reputation through various professional and personal resources. Doctors must be in good standing with their community and hospitals. There must be no history of current or repeated legal malpractice.
• We review physician resumés and give preference to physicians who have been consistent with continuing medical education, who are active in their medical societies and who have been entrusted with leadership roles within their institutions.
• We examine evidence of their surgical success rates.

• Prior to including a surgeon or physician into our program, we attend his/her operations to evaluate competence and skill.

But if you hire MedToGo we will not only provide you with a selection of Mexico’s finest health care providers and coordinate your procedure, we will also be your advocates while you are abroad and not rest until have returned home.

Your Mexican hospital and doctor compensates MedToGo for marketing services, and MedToGo does not add additional fees to the cost of your package. MedToGo does not accept cash incentives or alterations in compensation from physicians or hospitals. This ensures that our recommendations are unbiased and based solely on our experience and quality assessment.

I consulted Dr. Robert Page, my primary physician, because I knew of his familiarity with surgeons and hospitals in Mexico and I had read his excellent book on Medicine in Mexico. He agreed that this surgery was important to my health and began the process of arranging for the procedure.

Dr. Curtis Page accompanied my husband and me to Hermosillo. He introduced me to the surgeon, a fine man with a great reputation in Mexico. The hospital was wonderful. Much like our American hospitals, the staff was professional and the nurses were every bit skilled as those I had experienced in Arizona.

My surgery went off without a hitch and the next day we drove back to Arizona. Last month I returned to Hermosillo for my one year check up. Dr. Robert Page met us at the hospital and learned the “fill” procedure so that he can perform necessary fills for patients who have this surgery in Mexico.

I was very pleased with this experience, the hospital, staff, and doctors and the care and attention I received from both Dr. Robert Page and his son, Dr. Curtis Page.

Claudelle L’Ecuyer