More than a cosmetic issue, losing weight can be a life issue for many people. Obesity is a problem that can cause illness and even death in some cases. Getting it under control is not as easy as it might sound.
Bariatric surgery is considered an essential (non-elective) procedure to cure obesity in Canada. However, the public health system does not have the capacity of accommodating eligible people for this life-saving operation. Mexico offers an opportunity for individuals fighting weight issues to receive the procedure at a very affordable price with a quality comparable to U.S. and Canada.
Surgical Treatment of Obesity
Weight loss surgery is often the best course of action for those with obesity issues. A weight loss surgery provides the individual with intervention through surgery to shrink the size of the stomach allowing less food to be taken in. There is more than one type of surgery.
Gastric Banding Surgery
A gastric banding surgery is a process of using a gastric band to essentially tie off part of the stomach allowing for a smaller space for the food to go. It adjusts as needed and can be removed when the ultimate weight has been reached. The surgery is not especially long and most patients go through it very well. This procedure is outdated and is replaced by gastric sleeve surgery.
Who is a Candidate for Lap Band?
Individuals that might be candidates for this surgery are those people that have experienced a weight gain that has not gone so far that they can’t recover with just a little help. Those that learn to change their diet and get exercise are more likely to see success with this type of surgery. Since the band is not permanent the person can regain the weight once it has been removed and they may experience less dramatic weight loss when in use.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
The sleeve gastrectomy surgery divides the stomach into two parts and removes the bigger portion. This means fewer calorie intake due to the smaller stomach. The patients also lose a large portion of their hunger hormones and they are not hungry as much. This results in over 70% of excess weight loss within the first year and improvement of comorbidities, such as diabetes type II.
Who is a Candidate for Gastric Sleeve?
Gastric sleeve surgery is a permanent procedure that changes the body’s metabolic thermostat and set it up for a whole new way of life. The individuals who are obese (BMI > 30) and need a solution to remedy their condition would benefit from this type of bariatric surgery. This is a tool for individuals to renew their lives, but they need to change their approach to food with nutrition assistance as well as lifestyle changes.
RNY Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery divides the stomach into two parts and creates a shortcut between the upper stomach and lower intestine. This means that fewer calories will be absorbed upon digestion. It also means that less food can fit into the stomach reducing the amount of food taken into the body. This typically results in dramatic weight loss for those that participate.
Who is a Candidate for Gastric Bypass?
Gastric bypass (RNY) surgery is a permanent surgery that sets the body up for an entirely different way of living. The individuals that have severe obesity and that need major intervention to make changes would benefit the most from this type of surgery. As it requires a life change in approach to food, the individual may need to see a nutritionist for assistance in getting on track.
What to Expect After Obesity Surgery
Regardless of the type of surgery that the patient chooses, there is some recovery to be expected. It is important to watch for any infections and excess discomfort. You will find that there is a period of adjustment in what you can eat.
You will learn what your limits are and what types of food you can eat safely. You will want to limit the foods you eat to those that can be beneficial since you will only be able to take in small amounts of food.
Proper nutrition is essential to making changes to how you eat and how you approach food. You may find that working with a nutritionist is the very best way to create a plan for success with your weight loss surgery.
If you feel as though you might be interested in weight loss surgery, you will want to contact a professional for additional information. There are several in the Calgary area to choose from. You will want to consult with your insurance company if you have coverage to be sure you are contacting covered professionals. You want to be sure that you discuss which of the possibilities you are a candidate for so that you are choosing wisely.
Adult Obesity Rates in Alberta (2014)
In the province of Alberta, 67% of adults are overweight or obese – with 39% being overweight and 28% being obese. Both overweight and obesity are more common in males than in females. These rates are lower in Calgary. Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) covers lap-band, gastric sleeve, and gastric bypass for patients with a BMI of more than 40 (over 35 with comorbidities).
However, the wait time is 7 to 10 years. Patients who are not eligible to get free services or do not want to wait for a long time have the following two options:
- Pay around 19,000 to go through private clinics in Alberta, or
- Pay around 5,000 to go through Mexico Bariatric Center with experienced surgeons (see the table of MBC packages below)
About Calgary
Calgary, called the city of the future, is a city located 80 km east of the Rocky Mountains and the south part of the province of Alberta, Canada. The city has a population of over 1.2 million people.
Calgary’s economy and development is closely tied to the oil industry. The oil boom has contributed to skyscrapers, transportation infrastructure, and a well-established freeway system. Still referred to as “Cow Town,” Calgary is the world’s cleanest city with a top-quality of living.
The downtown area of Calgary houses high-rise office buildings, condo towers as well as:
- Calgary Tower, a 190.8 m freestanding observation tower
- Peace Bridge, a new bridge over the Bow River, that costs 25 million and it is designed by Santiago Calatrava famous Spanish architect-engineer
The weather in Calgary averages daily temperatures range from 62 °F in July to 20 °F in December. Severe thunderstorms (MicroBurst) are frequent in the summer. The Chinook (SHəˈno͝ok), an Indigenous word, is a warm dry wind that blows down usually at the end of winter from the east side of the Rocky Mountains.
There are two main rivers in Calgary:
- Bow river that flows from the Rocky Mountains and
- Elbow River which ends in Bow River. The Bow River divides the city into north and south.
According to the 2017 WealthScapes report, Calgary, Alberta is Canada’s 4th “millionaire city” with one of the highest average household net worth ($1,039,607). The city of Calgary was recognized as the 5th best livable city in the world in 2017.
Banff National Park
Banff National Park, in the province of Alberta and west of Calgary (just 1.5 hours drive), is Canada’s oldest national park situated in the Rocky Mountains. The park consists of wildlife, natural attractions, and outdoor living. The outdoor activities, such as kayaking, cycling, hiking, running, and camping help the residents of Banff as well as Calgary stay in shape and live a healthy, long life.
Banff National Park embraces the village of Lake Louise, Town of Banff and three ski resorts. Main attractions: World-Famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Hot Springs, Whyte Museum, Bow Falls, Sulfur Mountain & Banff Gondola, Cave & Basin National Historic Site, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake, Icefields Parkways, Sunshine Village Ski Resort, Surprise Corner, Vermillion Lakes, Lake Minnewanka (glacier-fed lake), Two Jack Lake (downstream of Lake Minnewanka), Johnston Canyon, Morantz Corner, Crowfoot Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Num Ti Jah Lodge, Hoodoos … Banff is home to more than 260 types of birds and 54 species of mammal: elk, Cougar, Mountain Goat, Bison, Caribou, Bear, Bighorn Sheep.
Banff National Park has numerous glaciers, dense ice from the long-term accumulation of excess snow that is moving. Because the ice is compressed over the years and the oxygen is released, the color of the glaciers appears blue. Rock flour (glacial flour) is a powder from glaciers grinding and erode the bedrocks. Rock flour causes the lakes and rivers in Banff National Park to look like an emerald.
Continental Divide – The Rocky Mountains have the most outstanding Continental Divides in the hydrological divides in the Americas. The Great Divide Trail (GDT) on the border of British Columbia (BC) and Alberta divides two continents, two watersheds (the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean), two provinces, and two national parks. Kicking Horse River flows to the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. Saskatchewan Glacier and River, as well as Bow River, end up in the Atlantic Ocean.
Spiral Tunnels replaced the Big Hill on the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1909. Located in the west of the Continental Divide and Kicking Horse Pass, the Big Hill was the most difficult piece of railway track for trains to operate. During the original construction, they were squeezed by time and budget and they made a 4.5-degree hill (recommended 2.5 degrees).
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is a glacier-fed turquoise lake located in Banff National Park. There are hiking trails, a canoe dock in summer, a skating rink on the frozen lake, and a ski resort in winter.
Lake Louise is probably one of the most photographed places in Canadian national parks. You can hike around the Lake Towards Queen Victoria Glacier, or hike up to the tea house and Lake Agnes.
The lake was first named Emerald Lake before it was renamed after Princess Louise (the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria) by her husband. Fairmount’s legendary luxury chateau resort is beautifully located by Lake Louise.
The town of Banff
Banff is a resort town located in the Bow River Valley within the Banff National Park. The town is surrounded by Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade (Mt. Chief); it is 5 to 6 degrees cooler than Calgary.
The town of Banff has chateau-style hotels, restaurants, boutiques, and souvenir shops.
Fairmont Banff Springs Luxury Hotel is a landmark for the town of Banff. The grand hotel has railroad roots and originally was made from wood in 1988 for the Canadian Pacific Parkway. The hotel was damaged by fire and the Scottish Baronial-style castle replaced the wooden structure in 1928. The hotel has a world-class golf course (Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course), Willow Stream Spa, several restaurants, and gift shops.
About Mexico Bariatric Center
Mexico Bariatric Center® (MBC) is a top coordinating company for bariatric surgery procedures in Tijuana, Mexico. MBC has helped hundreds of people with weight problems successfully get affordable and reliable weight loss surgery.
Mexico Bariatric Center is at the forefront of obesity awareness, education, and fight. MBC has been traveling to different cities in Canada, like Calgary to educate patients about surgical treatment of obesity.
Mexico Bariatric Center offers quality and affordable weight loss surgery procedures in Tijuana, Mexico. Dedicated bariatric surgeons, top-rated facilities, complete aftercare, and all-inclusive surgery packages. MBC surgeons are capable of handling gastric sleeve (any BMI over 30 and single incision), gastric bypass, gastric mini bypass, duodenal switch (also single-anastomosis duodenal switch known as SADiS), any type of revision surgery (gastric band to sleeve and sleeve to bypass).
What Makes Mexico Bariatric Center a Top Choice
- Most reliable and affordable packages
- MBC has helped hundreds of patients achieve weight loss success
- MBC has a Dedicated Surgeon Liaison to Help Patients Go Through Weight Loss Successfully
- MBC has Dedicated Nutrition & Aftercare Personnel to Help Patients Achieve Weight Loss Success
- Informational Seminars in Canada
- Informational Webinars
- Facebook support group
- Member of BBB
- Medical Tourism Association Certified & Member
- High-volume surgeons with a Limited Number of Surgeries Per Surgeon Per Day in a high-volume hospital
- Management with over 10 years experience in Medical Tourism for Bariatrics
MBC Bariatric Packages
| Mexico Bariatric Center ( MBC) | |
| Private Transportation | ✔ |
| Pre-Op Test (EKG and Blood Test) | ✔ |
| Post-Op Medication | ✔ |
| Post-Op Test (3 Leak Tests) | ✔ |
| Certified Hospital | ✔ |
| Specialized Bariatrics Hospital | ✔ |
| Experienced Surgeons | ✔ |
| Certified Surgeons | ✔ |
| Multiple Surgeons | 4 Surgeons |
| Limited Surgeries per Surgeon per Day | 3 Surgeries |
| Extremely Low Complication Rate | 0.05% |
| Hospital Stay | 2/3 Nights |
| Hotel Stay | 2 Nights |
| Hotel (Not Recovery House) | ✔ |
| Aftercare | ✔ |
| Surgeon Liasion | ✔ |
| Nutritionist Consultation (Before) | ✔ |
| Nutritionist Consultation (After) | ✔ |
| Tour of Tijuana | ✔ |
| U.S. Corporation | ✔ |
| BBB Member | ✔ |
| Medical Tourism Association Certification | ✔ |
| 10+ Years in Medical Tourism | ✔ |
| Gastric Sleeve | From $4,395 |
| Gastric Bypass | From $5,795 |
Bariatric Surgery Providers for Calgary
Mexico Bariatric Center® (MBC)
855-768-7247
Other Alberta, Canada Weight Loss Surgery:
Bariatric Surgeons in Alberta, Canada:
Dr. Sean Gregg B.Sc. MD FRCSC
Red Deer Regional Hospital
Clinical Lecturer, University of Calgary