Weight loss surgery is meant to help the millions of Americans who have trouble losing weight by way of diet and exercise alone. Obesity is a growing epidemic with two in five adults being diagnosed with the disease around the country. When you become obese, a hormonal imbalance and slowed metabolism make eating healthily and diligent workouts less effective. This means losing weight the traditional way is that much harder. Weight loss surgery is like flipping a switch, changing things all around. The weight tends to come off quickly after popular techniques like gastric sleeve surgery. But how much weight can you truly lose? You’re about to find out.

In this post, we are going to cover the most popular weight loss surgeries, how these procedures help you lose weight, who is a viable candidate for these operations, and how much weight you can lose by undergoing a bariatric procedure. By the end of this article, you will be a well-informed consumer. You may even decide that weight loss surgery is right for you.

Is Weight Loss Surgery a Cosmetic Surgery?

While it is true that many people seek out bariatric (weight loss) surgery because they want to look better, weight loss procedures are not considered cosmetic surgeries. Instead, bariatric surgeries are medical procedures. The true purpose of weight loss operations is to make you healthier.

When an individual becomes overweight to the point of obesity, the person becomes more susceptible to a wide range of ailments. These are known as obesity-comorbidities and include diseases like type 2 diabetes and cancer but also obstructive sleep apnea and high blood pressure. The organs are forced to work harder, and the bones and joints are placed under immense pressure. Being obese makes it more difficult to exercise and your hunger hormones may be out of whack, which keeps you from adhering to a healthy diet.

Are Diet and Exercise Effective?

Even if you do manage to diet and exercise while obese, you may not lose weight as you expect. Weight loss is more difficult for obese individuals because their metabolism slows down. You would have to exercise with greater intensity than an individual of normal weight to lose weight as a normal person would. Hormonal changes in the body also wreak havoc on blood sugar and cravings, making weight loss all the more difficult than it should be.

When an obese individual undergoes weight loss surgery, the metabolism and blood sugar become more regulated. Cravings and hunger are also diminished. You end up eating less, which helps the weight fall off quickly. In fact, most bariatric surgery patients end up losing the majority of their excess weight within the first six months to two years.

You may be wondering, then, why weight loss surgery is being discussed in a blog post for a cosmetic surgeon. As you will learn by the end of this post, Doctor Moeinolmolki is the only surgeon in Southern California who is board certified in both bariatric surgery and post-bariatric body contouring. That means Doctor Moeinolmolki can help you lose weight and attain more attractive contours after the weight has come off.

Read our article: Dr. Babak Moeinolmolki – 15 Qualities That Make Him One of L.A.’s Best Body Contouring Surgeons

Popular Weight Loss Surgeries

At Moein Surgical Arts, Doctor Moein offers several weight loss procedures, including gastric sleeve surgery and the non-surgical gastric balloon.

Read our article: Weight Loss Procedures are Safe and Effective – All You Need to Know

Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery is reserved for patients who are severely overweight. The bariatric procedure is recommended for those with a BMI of 40 or more. Those with a BMI of 35 and over can also be considered if one or more obesity comorbidities are present. Generally speaking, the surgery is aimed at those who are around 100 pounds or more overweight.

Another term for this popular procedure is laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The operation is performed under general anesthesia, which means you will be asleep for the duration.

During the procedure, the bariatric surgeon makes five tiny incisions along the belly area. The surgery is performed using a thin, elongated telescope with a tiny camera attached at the end. The camera will be inserted through one incision. The remaining incisions function as entry points for other surgical instruments. Using the tools, the surgeon removes about 80% of the stomach. The surgeon does this by viewing the internal structure of your abdomen on a monitor positioned nearby in the operating room.

Only the portion of the stomach that curves outward is removed, which is known as the fundus. After the fundus is taken out, the surgeon closes the rest of the stomach into a tube that resembles a banana. This banana-shaped “sleeve” is where the gastric sleeve or sleeve gastrectomy gets its name.

Results

Since the stomach is now smaller, you end up eating less after the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. You will also fill up quickly while eating. The fundus also secretes a hormone called ghrelin, which is partly responsible for making you feel hungry. With the fundus removed, the feeling of hunger is diminished. With these three mechanisms at work – eating less, feeling fuller faster, and feeling less hungry overall – the weight falls off quickly following LSG surgery.

Laparoscopic sleeve surgery takes two hours to complete. Most people stay in the hospital for two days to recover before being cleared to return home.

Non-Surgical Gastric Balloon

Doctor Moein offers three types of gastric balloons. These include Obalon, Reshape, and Orbera.

Obalon

The Obalon weight loss system combines diet and behavioral modification to help adults aged 22 and older lose weight. Gastric balloons help people drop excess pounds in a similar fashion as LSG surgery, by way of restriction. Instead of making the stomach smaller, the gastric balloon fills some of the stomach, leaving less room for food.

The Obalon system is inserted into the stomach by way of a capsule you swallow. Just like taking any other type of pill, you swallow the capsule with a glass of water. The bariatric surgeon then uses a thin tube to inflate the balloon with nitrogen gas once the system is in place. Once inflated, the balloon becomes the size of a small orange.

An X-ray is taken to determine proper placement and to ensure the balloon is inflated to the proper degree. There is no anesthesia required and you will be cleared to go home immediately after the balloon is placed and filled.

During the course of treatment, you can have as many as three Obalon balloons introduced. Each balloon is placed two weeks apart. All the balloons will then be removed in six months.

Obalon works by taking up space in the stomach, causing you to eat less and feel fuller during meals. The weight loss system is designed to make it easier to reduce your food intake, thus making weight loss easier when combined with nutritious eating and a regular fitness program.

Reshape

Reshape is another non-surgical weight loss system that is proven to help people afflicted with obesity achieve and maintain significant weight loss. The system is suitable for those with a lower BMI between 30 and 40. This makes Reshape ideal for those who want to lose weight but otherwise do not qualify for weight loss surgery.

The Reshape system consists of two connected balloons. The balloons are placed temporarily inside your stomach before they are filled with saline (salt water). The placement of the balloons takes around 20 minutes and uses light anesthesia to make you more comfortable.

Reshape is placed using an endoscope. Once the balloons are inflated, the endoscope is removed. The balloons will remain in place for six months.

Once filled with saline, Reshape gastric balloons help you lose weight by encouraging healthy eating habits. They take up room in your stomach, leaving less room for food. You can still eat the healthy foods you enjoy, but the balloons help with portion control, helping you feel less hungry and fuller faster during meals.

Orbera

Orbera is the third gastric balloon procedure offered by Doctor Moein that has been proven to help patients lose 3.1 times more weight than diet and exercise alone. The balloon is placed in your stomach using an endoscope, similar to Reshape. The balloon is then filled with saline until it reaches the size of a grapefruit. The process takes 20 to 30 minutes, and you can return home the same day. After six months, the balloon is emptied and removed.

How Much Weight Can You Lose with Weight Loss Surgery?

Now to the nitty gritty. You now know more about the gastric sleeve and non-surgical gastric balloon, but how much weight can you lose with these procedures?

Weight loss following laparoscopic gastric sleeve varies from person to person. Bariatric surgery typically results in a loss of 50% to 70% of your excess weight. If you are currently 100 pounds overweight, that amounts to a loss of 50 to 70 pounds. Visit your local gym and try to heft 50 to 70 pounds. Now imagine carrying that weight around with you all the time. With LSG surgery, you can put that weight down for good. Imagine how much better you will look and feel!

After undergoing gastric sleeve surgery, you will begin losing weight right away. Your bariatric surgeon will put you on a post-operative diet, which consists of a liquid diet at first before solid, more nutritious foods are gradually added over time. You’ll be back to eating healthy, normal foods, in a matter of weeks.

Your bariatric surgeon and medical team will work with you to ensure you lose weight and keep it off long-term.

Gastric Balloon Results

With the non-surgical gastric balloon system, you stand to lose between 7% to 15% of your body weight during the six-month placement period. The total excess weight loss ranges from 30% to around 50%, which amounts to 30 to 50 pounds for individuals who are 100 pounds overweight.

Since the intragastric balloon system is temporary, you can choose to undergo an additional period of placement or you can transition to a permanent weight loss procedure such as LSG surgery, depending on your weight loss goals. The gastric balloon system is aimed at teaching how to restrict your eating. If those lessons take, you may be able to keep the weight off without an additional procedure, but everyone is different.

In addition to the amazing ability to lose weight with LSG surgery and the non-surgical gastric balloon, you also stand to experience an improvement or resolution of obesity-comorbidities, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heart disease, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis (joint pain), type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Is One of These Weight Loss Procedures Right for You?

If you are currently overweight or obese and the traditional means of weight loss are not working for you, LSG surgery or the non-surgical gastric balloon may be ideal for your situation. Since laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery is minimally invasive, you have less of a chance of complications when compared to other “open” surgeries. The gastric balloon, by being non-surgical, is less risky than bariatric surgery. But all procedures have risks. You can discuss the benefits, risks, and fees involved with these procedures, as well as information regarding insurance, medical financing, and the results you can achieve by scheduling a consultation with Doctor Moein.

Doctor Moein is the only surgeon in Southern California that is board certified in bariatric surgery and post-bariatric body contouring. That means you can undergo weight loss surgery and body contouring after the weight has come off by the same surgeon, under one roof, saving you time and money.

To book your discreet meeting with Doctor Moein, call Moein Surgical Arts in Los Angeles, California at (310)694-4486.

The post How Many Excess Pounds Can You Lose with Weight Loss Surgery? in LA appeared first on Moein Surgical Arts.

What is a Belt Lipectomy?

When people gain a significant amount of weight, the skin stretches to accommodate the added volume. When you subsequently lose weight, your skin doesn’t always have what it needs to bounce back. Excess and hanging skin can result.

In addition to added tissue along your beltline, you may also have extra skin folds along your arms, under your chin, and along with parts of your thighs. A belt lipectomy combined with body contouring procedures such as the arm lift or thigh lift can improve how you look. They can also improve your self-esteem.

The question is: Will a belt lipectomy be covered by health insurance? This is a complex issue and one that requires a bit of explanation.

When Does Insurance Cover a Belt Lipectomy?

When losing fifty to a hundred pounds of excess weight has left you with hanging skin, there are several symptoms you may experience. You may have a loss of mobility. Exercise may be difficult to manage, for example. Every time you try to do jumping jacks or jog, your saggy skin stubbornly gets in the way. This is one example of a symptom that health insurance may pay attention to.

Another is the condition that can affect your skin as a byproduct of having saggy and excess skin. Rashes and painfully irritated skin can result, which can become infected. If these rashes send you to the doctor, health insurance may approve your belt lipectomy coverage.

Indications for Successful Belt Lipectomy Coverage

The above examples have one thing in common. They position the surgery as being medically necessary for the improvement of your health. If you can’t exercise or face infections on account of your excess skin, those things could harm your health. Health insurance can then cover some or all your costs associated with belt lipectomy surgery, giving you less discomfort (physical or emotional) and a better quality of life.

Common indications that health insurance will pay for your panniculectomy include the following:

• The Skin Hangs Low: The hanging skin referred to medically as a panniculus, can hang to either side of your pubic bone, which is usually when problems like irritated skin and rashes begin to occur.
• Doctor Visits for Rashes: If the panniculus is the primary cause of skin conditions that send you to the doctor for treatment, the health insurance companies are more likely to cover your belt lipectomy procedure.
• Loss of Function: If you can’t drive, ride a bike, or touch your toes because of excess skin, check your insurance policy. You may be covered for a panniculectomy, which can restore or enhance your functional impairment.

Requirements for Belt Lipectomy Insurance Coverage

All insurance providers are unique, and every policy is different. For that reason, check your policy for evidence that belt lipectomies are covered. You should be sure and read the fine print. Many policies, for instance, require that you maintain a stable weight for at least six months following your extreme weight loss.

For weight loss surgery patients, you may have to wait for between twelve and eighteen months following surgery to pursue care for a hanging and life-limiting panniculus.

When is a Belt Lipectomy Not Covered by Insurance?

A panniculectomy is not covered when the surgery is purely aesthetic in nature. In other words, insurance providers usually will not pay for reconstructive or cosmetic surgeries. The following checklist can help you determine if your problem is reconstructive or medically necessary.

Do you have neck or back pain? If the hanging skin pulls on your neck and back muscles, causing dull to severe pain, you have a good case for insurance coverage. If not, you may have to pay out of pocket for a belt lipectomy procedure.

Are you having the procedure performed after pregnancy? Insurance providers may pay for your surgery after childbirth if the hanging skin causes you discomfort or pain. The insurance company is not likely to pay if your goal is to transform your body as part of a mommy makeover procedure.

Does This Information Count for Medicare and Medicaid as well?

Yes. Medicaid, like insurance, tends to only pay for medical procedures where there is a medical need. You would need to demonstrate that the excess skin holds you back, causes discomfort or pain, and otherwise inhibits your life. Some Medicaid and Medicare requirements want you to demonstrate that you have maintained your weight for at least six months or longer and want a letter from your doctor stating that the belt lipectomy is necessary for improving your quality of life.

What Other Options Are Available to Pay for Hanging Skin After Weight Loss?

When the hanging skin following extreme weight loss causes you major distress, but insurance will not cover the procedure, there are options available. Medical financing is one such option. Companies like CareCredit and Prosper Healthcare Lending offer instant decisions and large amounts for the payment of common surgeries like belt lipectomy or panniculectomy.

Get Help Navigating Insurance at Moein Surgical Arts

At Moein Surgical Arts, we specialize in helping people achieve their aesthetic ideals. In addition to being a body contouring surgeon, Dr. Babak Moein is dually trained as a bariatric surgeon. That means the doctor can help you lose weight through weight loss surgery. He will also help you achieve your body-shape goals after the excess weight has come off.

Dr. Moein would like to meet with you if you have a BMI of 40 and above (or 35 with one or more comorbidities like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes). His caring and compassionate staff can help you schedule a consultation. They will navigate with the insurance companies to see if your procedure is covered.

To learn more about weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) and the belt lipectomy after the weight has come off (in addition to insurance coverage for such procedures), schedule a consultation with Dr. Moein by calling (310)694-4486.

The post Does Insurance or Medicare Cover Belt Lipectomy Surgery? appeared first on Moein Surgical Arts.

Is it a bit squishier than you would prefer?

Sure, you could hide it with a high-waisted bathing suit while at the beach or pool

But wouldn’t you rather have a flat and firm midsection you can proudly show off?

Conventional wisdom says to do more crunches, and cardio, and to engage in extreme dieting to shrink your stomach down.

Or you could go for a conventional tummy tuck.

However, a tummy tuck can be expensive and often leaves you with scars.

Now, a new FDA-approved technology is allowing cosmetic surgery patients to experience a flatter and firmer tummy with scarless tummy tuck.

Known as Renuvion, this minimally invasive procedure can give you the midsection you crave.

It’s perfect for the beach or pool or for any clothes you decide to wear.

The best part is that it’s affordable, offered at a cosmetic surgeon’s office near you, and doesn’t leave you with a single visible scar.

Here’s more about this impressive tech that is taking the world by storm.

What is Renuvion and How Does it Work?

Renuvion is a skin-tightening procedure that can make your squishy tummy flat as a board.

The technology is known as J-Plasma and uses helium-activated radiofrequency energy to make the skin tighter. It gives you the impressive tummy you crave, no extreme dieting required.

Your cosmetic body contouring surgeon wields a hand-held device that delivers the energy waves to the undersurface of the skin.

There is a tiny incision that is made which allows for the energy transfer, but the cut is hidden in the natural folds of your skin, which hides the scar after it heals.

The energy that is delivered under the skin is in the form of a small plasma flame which heats the underlying tissue and stimulates the production of collagen. Because of this process, the skin is triggered and begins to tighten and shrink.

This process is referred to as subdermal coagulation. It’s much the same way the egg whites will coagulate when heat is applied. The same thing happens to the tissues underneath the skin.

The procedure takes less than an hour (usually around 45 minutes) and is completely safe and effective.

While you will notice results right away, the true results of the procedure will happen over time.

That means that you will continue witnessing the tightening of your abdominal skin for a full six to nine months after the initial procedure.

An Alternative to Abdominoplasty (Traditional Tummy Tuck)

For years, the conventional tummy tuck was the only cosmetic way to achieve a sculpted abdomen.

The Tummy tuck was the preferred procedure because it removed excess abdominal fat and treated skin laxity.

The downsides of the tummy tuck are long recovery times, leftover scarring, and the high price tag.

The recovery time for a traditional tummy tuck is between six weeks to a few months. Many people don’t have the luxury of allowing themselves to heal for that long.

The scar that results from a tummy tuck runs from hip bone to hip bone and is often visible afterward.

As far as the fees, the tummy tuck usually comes with a price tag that averages between $11k and $12k, with all associated fees included. The Renuvion procedure, meanwhile, runs about half that amount.

If you have more abdominal fat than you would prefer, as a bonus, the Renuvion procedure can be combined with liposuction or even HD Lipo to remove unwanted fat and get rid of the excess or loose skin, leaving you with a tummy that is perfect for any swimsuit you choose to wear.

Although Renuvion technology is a powerful technology to tighten the abdominal skin it does not work on everyone as it depends on the degree of skin excess. At times we can combine a mini tuck to address excessive skin below the belly button and address the excessive skin above with Renuvion. These combination operations are powerful means to achieve the best result with minimal scarring.

Who is a Good Candidate for Renuvion Tummy Tightening?

The scarless tummy tuck, which is when you combine Renuvion with liposuction (or HD Vaser Lipo), can give you the flatter and firmer midsection you crave without damaging the surrounding tissues or lengthy recovery periods.

This procedure may be ideal for your situation if you:

• Experience mild or moderate amounts of abdominal skin laxity
• Recently given birth and have loose skin after pregnancy
• Have aging skin that has lost its elasticity
• Have localized pockets of fat around the midsection
• Are generally healthy with adequate abdominal muscle quality
• Have realistic expectations for your results
• Desire a more youthful physique and “toned” tummy
• Worry about long scars following your tummy tightening procedure

It should be noted that Reunion skin tightening is not a solution for eliminating large amounts of excess skin, which is typical after extreme weight loss, multiple pregnancies.

Other Benefits of a Renuvion Scarless Tummy Tuck

When J-Plasma or Renuvion is combined with Vaser liposuction, you’re not forced to rest in bed for weeks at a time. This is one of the reasons so many patients choose and love this procedure.

Rather, after you have had the Renuvion technique applied to your tummy, along with liposuction, you only have to rest for one to three days.

This scarless tummy tuck lets you get back to work and your usual fitness routine faster than if you had chosen the traditional tummy tuck to get the desired midsection.

The results look natural, there is no visible scarring, and you get to look great in your birthday suit, any clothes you wear, and swimsuits, whichever you prefer.

Furthermore, you can use Renuvion on other body parts to tighten and firm the skin where you want it most. This includes the back, bra area, buttocks, chest, face, neck, flanks, knees, and thighs (inner and outer).

How Long Do the Results of Scarless Tummy Tuck Last?

The abdominal tightening effects of Renuvion are designed for both men and women and are relatively permanent. With proper care, you should be able to enjoy the flatter tummy you want long into the future.

You can boost your chances of having a lifelong flatter and firmer tummy by scheduling with one of the best cosmetic surgeons available, such as Dr. Moein of Moein Surgical Arts.

Located in Los Angeles, California, Dr. Moein has a long list of impressive reviews from his loyal patients for a few major reasons.

Not only does the doctor has skills and experience, but also he truly cares for his patients and the long-term results they can achieve.

Schedule a Virtual Consultation with Dr. Moein to Ask About Renuvion

Dr. Moein is one of the few cosmetic body contouring surgeons offering Renuvion scarless tummy tuck. This relatively new technology will soon be everywhere. This is your chance to experience amazing results for yourself before everyone else.

Call (310) 694-4486 and choose the best time for your virtual consultation. Dr. Moein looks forward to speaking with you.

Disclaimer: The FDA has not approved the use of Renuvion for cosmetic use. The FDA has approved Renuvion for coagulation of tissue only. The specific advanced use of this new technology for skin tightening still remains investigational. The off-label use of Renuvion is only suitable for specific groups of patients with minimal skin laxity. Many devices initially have a general use approval, and with time, the expanded indications are approved to popularize usage. If you are a suitable candidate for Renuvion, Dr. Moein will discuss this information with you to ensure your understanding and comprehension before opting for the Renuvion procedure.

Contact Us

The post New “Scarless” Tummy Tucks – Your Chance to Get a Flatter & Firmer Midsection Without the Blemishes! appeared first on Moein Surgical Arts.

Introduction to The Magic of Reshape

Everybody is always looking to reshape his or her body into the ideal shape, whether you are trying to gain weight or lose weight. The majority of Americans consider themselves above their ideal weight, and losing weight is a daunting task that seems nearly impossible with the time constraints most have. Wouldn’t it be much easier if you had some type of assistance to let you know exactly when you should stop eating to lose weight and feel satisfied at the same time?

That dream is now a reality, and with ReShape by Moein Surgical Arts, you can easily learn healthy eating habits and create an environment where you can lose weight and keep it off. Contact our offices today to talk with our knowledgeable staff about how this can be done.The Magic of Reshape

What is ReShape?

The Reshape gastric balloon is a weight loss tool that has helped many people get to their target weight. It not only helps you get to your target weight, but also teaches you how to live a healthy lifestyle and acclimates your body to lower portions of food. This is extremely beneficial for when you remove the balloon and have to continue on your own. If you are curious and want to schedule a consultation for ReShape, contact the office of Moein Surgical Arts by clicking here.

How Does it Work?

Gastric balloons are not a new concept, but the ReShape gastric balloon is an innovative concept that sets itself apart from other gastric balloon systems. ReShape uses two connected balloons in the stomach, unlike other balloon options. This helps take up more room in the stomach, as well as having a more organic fit to the stomach’s shape.

ReShape is a very safe procedure that has many benefits compared to gastric bypass surgery because the anatomy of the patient’s body is not being changed or altered. When using the ReShape gastric balloon, everything that you are achieving is on your own; the balloon is merely there to help lessen your appetite and allow you to get acclimated to a healthier and more proportioned lifestyle.

Prerequisites and Timeline

Because this is a procedure that focuses on lifestyle change and not a quick fix, candidates should be motivated to make this lifestyle change for a leaner body. If you have had weight loss surgery in the past, you should consult with Moein Surgical Arts prior to choosing the ReShape procedure. If you are a good candidate and have decided to use the ReShape gastric balloon, the process is quite easy.

The placement procedure takes about 20 minutes and is a non-surgical, out patient procedure. Patients will be given a form of sedation intravenously before the procedure, and the balloon is inserted through the mouth into the stomach and then filled. Moein Surgical Arts offers lifestyle coaching before and after the procedure to ensure you are equipped with all the tools for eating better and being active. We also offer an online portal that will help you in daily life decisions.

Gastric balloons have helped many people on their journey to a healthier lifestyle and the ReShape gastric balloon has many benefits that others do not. Be sure to contact Moein Surgical Arts today to schedule a consultation for ReShape.

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