Sepehr Lalezari, MD - Account Suspended

It is not safe to go on a long flight within 30days of bariatric surgery and should be avoided if at all possible. That being said there is some more leeway depending on your BMI and there are things you can do to minimize your risk. But the decision to fly should be carefully discussed with your surgeon and should never be done without a discussion with your surgeon.

You would not qualify for the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with a BMI under 35. Unfortunately, liposuction is not a weight loss option. You may be a good candidate for a procedural weight loss option - the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. If you are looking for a good weight loss option with a BMI under 35 the endoscopic sleeve gastroplastic is a great choice.

Technically, no you do not need to have it fixed before bariatric surgery. This will also depend on the size of the hernia and any symptoms associated with it. If it is small it can sometimes be fixed at the same time as the bariatric surgery. If it is large it is sometimes better to wait until after weight loss to fix it. It is best to discuss all pros and cons of each option with your surgeon.

For the most part most patients are better served with a sleeve gastrectomy vs. a bypass but there are numerous other things to consider than solely the BMI. if the consideration is just based off of your BMI the laparoscopic sleeve is usually a better option. You need to discuss your other medical conditions and go through all the pros and cons of each surgery relative to your medical history to determine which is the best option for you.

It is possible to safely get the balloon placed for a BMI over 40 but at that BMI the other bariatric options would be better suited. But if the question is solely is it safe without any other consideration then yes, it is safe to have the gastric balloon placed if your BMI is over 40. You should discuss this with your surgeon and go through all the pros and cons to see if it is right for you.