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OCC’s epidemiologist is closely monitoring the COVID-19 status and is actively issuing updates as they are available. The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization are the most trusted sources online. While the CDC has announced new mask protocols for vaccinated individuals, there will be no changes for our office protocols for patients, guests, and staff members as the announcement does not apply to hospitals or medical facilities. Masks are still a requirement for all patients, guests and staff at our facility.
As we reinitiate weight loss surgery, we are constantly adapting and installing new and updated safety measures.
Weight loss surgery is medically necessary.
Bariatric Surgery and the clash of two pandemics.
Major metabolic and bariatric surgery Societies and colleges globally are now calling for the safe resumption of bariatric and metabolic surgery before the COVID-19 pandemic is declared over.
The sooner bariatric surgery can be safely performed, the quicker obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other diseases can be reduced or resolved as they are not only chronic they are also progressive. Obesity is also linked to more than 40 diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and at least 13 different types of cancer.
A recent statement from the ASMBS says “Before COVID-19 began, it was clear that patients with obesity were ‘safer through surgery.’ In the era of COVID-19, ‘safer through surgery’ for patients with obesity may prove to be even more important than before.” Obesity and Metabolic syndrome have been identified as an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes including death among COVID-19 patients.
Use the sliders to determine your Body Mass Index (BMI), and whether or not you should contact OCC to schedule a weight loss surgery consultation.
BMI Categories
| Underweight | < 18.5 |
|---|---|
| Normal weight | 18.5 - 24.9 |
| Overweight | 25 - 29.9 |
| Obesity | BMI of 30 or greater |
Gastric Bands Adjustable Gastric Bands are still a very effective option to control obesity, especially for those patients who do not wish to undergo a more invasive and permanent procedure, such as the Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Bypass. All around the world, each day, thousands of Gastric Band procedures are…
People who are morbidly obese may choose bariatric surgery as a means to lose excess weight. Surgical approaches for weight loss surgery include gastric bypass, Roux-en-Y, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding or the gastric sleeve. Each type of surgery poses special dietary restrictions after surgery. Limiting certain foods and beverages is…
IFSO is the World meeting for Bariatric Surgery providing us with the latest news, research and innovation in the field of Weight-loss Surgery Session 6 on Gastric Plication was a total success if you measure it by how many congress goers attended. The room was full, all seats were occupied…
When a weight loss procedure fails it is both personally discouraging and it can create significant health issues. There is absolutely no reason you should settle for this. That’s why Obesity Control Center has developed a proven solution. Here is a personal message on the topic by Dr. Ariel Ortiz,…
The gastric lapband has a promising future for special patients. Now that more than a decade of experience has passed and after perfecting this technique, the procedure has been proven to be safe and effective. This opens new possibilities in its application for weight loss in various arenas. One of…
A message from Dr. Ariel Ortiz, chief surgeon and medical director at Obesity Control Center, on important guidelines for eating following gastric band or lap band surgery. I have always said it is easier to walk in a straight line than swerving all over the road. Either way you will…