Metabolic
Steps Involved in IVF:
Procedure Description
Metabolic procedures, primarily bariatric or metabolic surgeries, aim to address obesity and related metabolic disorders, such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. These surgeries modify the digestive system to help patients achieve significant weight loss and improve metabolic health. Unlike traditional weight loss methods such as diet and exercise, metabolic procedures directly impact the body's mechanisms for energy balance and nutrient absorption.
The most common metabolic procedures include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric banding, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. Gastric bypass surgery involves creating a small stomach pouch and rerouting the small intestine to this pouch, which limits food intake and reduces calorie absorption. Sleeve gastrectomy removes a portion of the stomach, reducing its size, and consequently, the amount of food intake. Adjustable gastric banding places a band around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch, slowing down the rate of food consumption. The biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch is a more complex procedure combining stomach reduction and rerouting the intestines to decrease nutrient absorption.
These surgeries not only help with weight loss but also have a profound impact on comorbidities. Metabolic procedures have been shown to improve or even resolve conditions like Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and certain cardiovascular risks. For many patients, these procedures are transformative, offering a path to improved health and quality of life.
Procedure Duration
The duration of metabolic procedures varies depending on the type of surgery. Most metabolic surgeries are minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures, which typically take between 1 to 3 hours to perform. A laparoscopic approach involves making small incisions in the abdomen, through which a camera and surgical instruments are inserted, reducing the risk of complications and promoting faster recovery.
After the surgery, the initial recovery phase usually spans 2 to 5 days in a hospital setting. During this time, patients are monitored closely for any signs of complications such as bleeding, infection, or adverse reactions to anesthesia. After discharge, the full recovery period varies from 2 to 6 weeks, during which patients gradually transition from a liquid to a solid diet, adapt to lifestyle changes, and regain their normal activities.
Long-term follow-up is essential for metabolic procedure patients, as it helps manage their diet, lifestyle, and any potential side effects. Most patients require regular check-ups with their surgeon and dietitian for a period of 12 to 24 months following surgery. This comprehensive follow-up helps maximize the benefits of the procedure, ensure steady weight loss, and monitor improvement in metabolic health.
Benefits
- Significant Weight Loss: Patients can expect to lose around 60-70% of their excess body weight, depending on the type of surgery and adherence to lifestyle modifications.
- Improvement in Metabolic Disorders: Many patients experience remission or marked improvement in Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and sleep apnea.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Improved weight and health lead to better mobility, energy levels, mental health, and overall well-being.
- Reduction in Cardiovascular Risks: Lower body weight and improvement in metabolic conditions significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and related cardiovascular events.
- Sustained Results: With the appropriate post-operative care and lifestyle changes, metabolic procedures often lead to sustained long-term weight loss and health improvements.
Potential Destinations
- Mexico: Known for offering affordable yet high-quality bariatric procedures, Mexico is a prime choice for many medical tourists. Well-established facilities near the US border provide easy access for North American patients, and many surgeons are trained in both the US and Mexico, ensuring high standards of care.
- Turkey: Turkey has become a hub for medical tourism due to its advanced healthcare infrastructure, accredited facilities, and experienced surgeons. The country is known for competitive pricing, state-of-the-art technology, and exceptional pre- and post-surgical care for metabolic procedures.
- India: India's medical tourism industry has grown exponentially, thanks to its skilled surgeons, high standards of care, and cost-effective treatment options. Many Indian hospitals are internationally accredited and offer comprehensive care packages, making India an attractive option for metabolic surgeries.
- Thailand: With a long-standing reputation for medical tourism, Thailand combines world-class hospitals with experienced bariatric surgeons. Patients benefit from Thailand's hospitality, holistic healthcare approach, and high standards of care, with procedures often costing significantly less than in Western countries.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): The UAE is emerging as a destination for metabolic surgeries due to its advanced healthcare facilities, medical technology, and highly trained surgeons. Offering a luxurious medical experience, the UAE attracts patients looking for high-quality care in a modern and welcoming environment.
Risks & Considerations
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Malabsorption of essential vitamins and minerals is common after certain metabolic procedures. Patients need lifelong nutritional supplements and regular monitoring to prevent deficiencies.
- Surgical Complications: While minimally invasive, there is a risk of bleeding, infection, and anesthesia-related complications. Choosing an experienced surgeon and hospital reduces these risks.
- Dumping Syndrome: Gastric bypass patients may experience dumping syndrome, where food moves too quickly from the stomach to the intestines, causing nausea, diarrhea, and lightheadedness after eating sugary foods.
- Lifestyle Changes Required: Metabolic procedures require significant dietary and lifestyle changes, including eating small portions, avoiding certain foods, and committing to regular exercise to maintain weight loss.
- Weight Regain Possibility: Although metabolic surgery leads to significant weight loss, some patients may experience weight regain if they do not adhere to recommended lifestyle and dietary guidelines.
How to Choose the Right Doctor and Hospital
When selecting a doctor and hospital for a metabolic procedure, thorough research is essential. Prospective patients should look for board-certified bariatric or metabolic surgeons with extensive experience in the specific procedure they are considering. It is important to evaluate the surgeon's credentials, surgical outcomes, and patient reviews.
Choosing an accredited hospital with a multidisciplinary team approach, including dietitians, endocrinologists, and physical therapists, ensures comprehensive pre-operative evaluation and post-operative care. Patients should also consider the hospital's success rates, quality certifications, and available support systems for international patients, such as language assistance, travel coordination, and accommodation services.
To receive a free quote for this procedure please click on the link: https://www.medicaltourism.com/get-a-quote
Patients are advised to seek hospitals that are accredited by Global Healthcare and only work with medical tourism facilitators who are certified by Global Healthcare Accreditation or who have undergone certification from the Certified Medical Travel Professionals (CMTP). This ensures that the highest standards in the industry are met. GHA accredits the top hospitals in the world. These are the best hospitals in the world for quality and providing the best patient experience. Click the link to check out hospitals accredited by the Global Healthcare Accreditation: https://www.globalhealthcareaccreditation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually happens during hyperstimulation of the ovaries?
The patient will take injectable FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) for eight to eleven days, depending on how long the follicles take to mature. This hormone is produced naturally in a woman’s body causing one egg to develop per cycle. Taking the injectable FSH causes several follicles to develop at once, at approximately the same rate. The development is monitored with vaginal ultrasounds and following the patient’s levels of estradiol and progesterone. FSH brand names include Repronex, Follistim, Menopur, Gonal-F and Bravelle. The patient injects herself daily.
What happens during egg retrieval?
When the follicles have developed enough to be harvested, the patient attends an appointment where she is anesthetized and prepared for the procedure. Next, the doctor uses an ultrasound probe to guide a needle through the vaginal wall and into the follicle of the ovary. The thin needle draws the follicle fluid, which is then examined by an embryologist to find the eggs. The whole process takes about 20 minutes.
What happens to the eggs?
In the next step, the harvested eggs are then fertilized. If the sperm from the potential father, or in some cases, anonymous donor, has normal functionality, the eggs and sperm are placed together in a dish with a nutrient fluid, then incubated overnight to fertilize normally. If the sperm functionality is suboptimal, an embryologist uses Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection to inject a single sperm into a single egg with an extremely precise glass needle. Once fertilization is complete, the embryos are assessed and prepared to be transferred to the patient’s uterus.
How are the embryos transferred back to the uterus?
The doctor and the patient will discuss the number of embryos to be transferred. The number of successfully fertilized eggs usually determines the number of eggs to be placed in the uterus. Embryos are transferred to the uterus with transabdominal ultrasound guidance. This process does not require anesthesia, but it can cause minor cervical or uterine discomfort. Following transfer, the patient is advised to take at least one days bed rest and two or three additional days of rest, then 10 to 12 days later, two pregnancy tests are scheduled to confirm success. Once two positive tests are completed, an obstetrical ultrasound is ordered to show the sac, fetal pole, yolk sac and fetal heart rate.
Embryoscope©
Built into this technology there is a microscope with a powerful camera that allows the uninterrupted monitoring of the embryo during its first hours of life. In this way, we can keep a close eye on the embryo, from the moment when the oocyte is inseminated and begins to divide into smaller and smaller cells, until it can be transferred to the uterus.
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Punta Mita Hospital - Genesis Cell
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