{{$title = \IPS\Output::i()->title;}} {$title} Marketing weight-loss surgery is competitive. A strategic plan and experienced guidance can help you win. Bariatric surgery marketing and advertising are commonplace… and necessary. That’s because the CDC says nearly 40 percent of Americans over age 20 are obese. As obesity rises, so does the interest in bariatric surgery, which has opened up opportunities for surgeons to change their case mix and help make a difference in more people’s lives. There are new techniques, new options for patients, and new ways for surgeons to provide appropriate, effective treatment. What also has increased is the competition between bariatric surgeons. To compete, bariatric surgeons must stand out. The increase in both demand and opportunity has created a much more competitive market for bariatric surgeons, one of the most common challenges we’ve seen for these types of practices. In some areas, there is a virtual deluge of bariatric surgery marketing messages from weight-loss surgeons. In most markets, candidates for weight-loss surgery have plenty of choices. So, how do you compete? At BariatricPal, we know that competing in a crowded market means standing out from the competition. And that means having a compelling bariatric surgery marketing message, getting it heard and having it drive response. Marketing works, even in healthcare, even for referral-driven surgical practices and especially for practices — like bariatric surgery providers — who must directly appeal to prospective patients. Competitors are marketing. aggressively. To stand out from them, you can’t merely market your bariatric practice. You have to market it well. You have to promote it strategically. A strategic path to marketing bariatric surgery effectively to grow your practice. Strategy is the hallmark of our approach to helping bariatric practices maximize their success by marketing effectively. With strategy at top of mind and more than 20 years’ experience to their credit, our professionals come to the table with knowledge not just of healthcare marketing but specifically of how to most successfully plan and implement bariatric surgery marketing. Our strategies for weight-loss surgery practices consider the need to create a compelling message while also speaking to potential risks, complications, the mental-emotional aspects, and the level of commitment patients need to make. We know stoma from stomach and duodenum from jejunum. Our marketing professionals are also familiar with the differences between today’s modern procedures, from lap band and sleeve gastrectomy to gastric bypass and even duodenal switch. And we understand that the highest standard of ethics is of paramount importance. Marketing bariatric surgery ethically because your reputation is everything. As a surgeon, your reputation is your chief asset. At BariatricPal, we never forget this, and reputation management and enhancement are woven into the fiber of all of our professional services. Everything we do is to solidify your good reputation, which is why take a strong position for marketing ethically. While ethics are clearly not insisted upon by all bariatric surgeons in their marketing, we see no distinction between ethical medical practices and ethical messaging. We believe in marketing our bariatric-surgery clients with the same commitment to reputation that they demonstrate in the operating room. Scientific marketing: measure the results of your efforts. Branding. Internet strategy. Referral-building. Practice representation. Staff training. Print collateral. TV and radio marketing. Our marketing strategists will devise a customized plan that will help you achieve your goals within your marketplace. We do this scientifically, basing what we do on what we know works in markets like yours for weight-loss surgeons like you. Also, our scientific approach to marketing bariatric surgery means that we measure the results of your marketing efforts, as well. It’s vital to know what is and isn’t working so, together, we can make adjustments to your messaging in order to best achieve your goals.

Black Friday Special! Hey Everyone, This is a first peek at one of our Black Friday Specials. From today through Friday at 6PM any surgery that is booked and has been confirmed through a deposit is eligible to be entered into our $500 deposit rebate raffle! You can reserve your surgery for up to 1 year in advance at the current promotion pricing. * Promotion only applies to new deposits. BariatricPal Deals BariatricPal is pleased to announce BariatricPal Deals! This exclusive new program offers unbelievable deals for weight loss surgery with the top weight loss surgeons and best service in Tijuana, Mexico. All-inclusive packages start at only $3899! We cut out the middleman and pass the savings on to you! We guarantee our prices and are willing to beat ANY advertised prices for Dr. Carlos Altamirano, Dr. Jaime Ponce de Leon, Dr. Jesus Martin Lopez Dominguez and Dr. Juan Francisco Zavalza. Financing Options are available to help patients pay for the program. All applications and questionnaires are reviewed by our Internal Medicine Doctor on staff. Following the review of your questionnaire you will be entitled to a free surgeon consultation via phone or Skype (Exclusive to BariatricPal Deals Applicants). Want to discuss BariatricPal Deals or find out more detailed information about the surgeons and services we offer? Head on over to the BariatricPal Deals Forum. We now offer FREE Skype Consultations with our weight loss surgeons! Please complete this form and mention in the comments that you'd like to schedule your free Skype consultation. Call us toll free at 844-WLS-DEAL or at 844-957-3325 for more details. These are the weight loss surgeries and surgeons that are offered. You will receive additional information about the program, including a 24-hour phone number and direct contact information for your patient liaison after you complete the short form. Completing the form does not commit you to anything! Complete the form Dr. Altamirano Dr. Ponce de Leon Dr. Verboonen Dr. Lopez Dr. Zavalza Dr. Camelo Ramos Dr. Corvala Gastric Sleeve Surgery $4199* $4999 $4499 $4199* $4250 $3899 $5999 Gastric Plication Surgery n/a $4999 $4399 $3899 n/a n/a Call Us Gastric Sleeve Revision Surgery $5199 $5799 $5499 $5199 $5299 $4999 Call Us Mini-Gastric Bypass Surgery $5199 $5799 $7499 $5199 $5299 $4999 Call Us Gastric Bypass Surgery $5499 $5799 $5799 $5499 $5599 $5299 Call Us Gastric Bypass Revision n/a $6799 $6799 $5499 $5599 $5299 Call Us * hernia repair is included for free if needed. Check out some of our current Specials below. Dr. Altamirano Dr. Ponce de Leon Dr. Lopez Dr. Corvala Gastric Sleeve (Including Meds and Follow Up) n/a $5399 n/a n/a Angeles Hospital Gastric Sleeve Package n/a n/a n/a $5999 How Can BariatricPal Deals Really Be Possible? How can we offer such good deals on weight loss surgery in Tijuana, Mexico while being so confident in the quality of the care you receive? This is one of the most commonly asked questions when interested members like yourself come across these fantastic deals on weight loss surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. The truth is, it's quite simple! With such a large number of potential weight loss surgery patients, we were able to negotiate the best deals possible on your behalf. Take a look at some of the steps we took to make this happen. We cut out the middle manBariatricPal works directly with each participating surgeon instead of paying a third party to act as a go-between. Without paying a middleman, each surgery instantly costs $1,000 to $5,000 less, and we pass the savings to our members. We receive the wholesale rateBariatricPal has so many potential weight loss surgery patients that surgeons are able to provide deep discounts to the BariatricPal Deals program compared to the prices they need to charge for individuals who walk in off the street. We only invite selected weight loss surgeons to participateWe approach only those weight loss surgeons who we are confident provide a safe and positive experience in a caring environment. Some of the ways to do this include knowing the weight loss surgeons personally, inspecting their facilities, looking at their patient outcomes, or checking their weight loss surgery credentials and licensure. Top Weight Loss Surgery Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico You will have your weight loss surgery performed at the only hospital with an official medical tourism certificate issued by the state of Baja California, Mexico. The hospital is among the top weight loss surgery centers in the world, having performed over 20,000 procedures. The hospital's credentials and experience can give you peace of mind as you get ready for weight loss surgery in Mexico. The price you get through BariatricPal Deals is all-inclusive. It covers the following: Personal Transportation All Medical Fees Included All Surgical Fees Included Two Nights with full care in our Hospital Luxury Recovery Condo for you and a guest 24 hour personal valet service Free Long Distance Calling to Family and Loved Ones When you arrive, the hospital staff provides the best service and is the friendliest you'll ever meet. They will put you at ease during your entire stay. The hospital also provides the following services for your convenience and comfort: Bilingual staff Transportation to and from the U.S. Direct phone calls to and from the U.S. Wireless internet Cable television in English and Spanish Personal nursing staff 24-hour security and video surveillance Fill out the short form below to get more information or reserve your weight loss surgery date. When you complete and submit the form, you will instantly gain access to important information including videos, diagrams, more information about the hospital, surgeons, and surgery types, patient testimonials, and pictures. complete the form Dr. Carlos AltamiranoIs an expert in General Surgery and Advanced Laparoscopic Weight Loss Surgery. Dr. Altamirano completed his formation as a surgeon in Dr. Valentín Gómez Farías Hospital (one of the most renowned hospitals in Mexico). He trained in basic and advanced laparoscopic procedures like cholecystectomy, inguinal and post incisional hernia repair, Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication and bariatric procedures like Gastric Sleeve and bypass. He also has experience in the management of emergency and critically ill patients, is certified in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS certification of the American College of Surgeons) and Advanced Cardiovascular life Support (ACLS certification of the American Heart Association). He was a Red Cross volunteer for a year and has worked for multiple Non-Profit organizations. read more Dr. Jaime Ponce de LeonChief Weight Loss Surgeon at INT Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico Dr. Jaime Ponce de Leon has the official endorsement of the Baja California Board of Tourism. The board recommended his services after a thorough review of his credentials and reputation. Dr. de Leon has 19 years of experience as a surgeon, including extensive experience as a laparoscopic surgeon, and is recognized as a top weight loss surgeon in Mexico. He received his M.D. as a general surgeon from Saint Nicholas University in Hidalgo, Mexico, and completed his residency in Tijuana’s. read more Dr. Sergio VerboonenA Leading Weight Loss Surgeon in Tijuana, Mexico Dr. Sergio Verboonen, a Certified Bariatric Laparoscopic Surgeon, is one of the first three bariatric surgeons to pioneer Bariatric Surgery in Mexico. Dr. Verboonen received his M.D. from Universidad Nacional Autonomy de Mexico (UNAM) in 1990 and completed his residency in 1994 at Hospital General de Tijuana. With 19+ years of experience, Dr. Verboonen has performed more than 10,000 bariatric laparoscopic procedures and continues to be recognized as one of the most experienced bariatric surgeons worldwide. read more Dr. Jesus Martin Lopez DominguezA Certified Bariatric Surgeon with over a decade of experience. Dr. Lopez has 10 years of surgical experience and is bilingual. Dr. Jesus Martin Lopez is one of the leading medical practitioners in Tijuana dedicated to change lives for people with weight related problems. read more Dr. Juan Francisco ZavalzaTrusted bariatric surgeon & backed up by thousands of successfully performed weight loss surgeries. Dr. Zavalza has 5 years of surgical experience, is bilingual and was proctored by Dr. Jaime Ponce de Leon. Dr. Francisco Zavalza has performed and assisted more than 3000 bariatric surgeries. Dr. Zavalza continues communicating with his patients years after surgery, providing extensive follow up care, to insure long term and successful outcomes. read more Dr. Mario Camelo RamosCertified Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Mario Camelo Ramos is an accomplished weight-loss surgeon, who practices in Tijuana, Mexico. He has trained under one the world’s top bariatric surgeons and has performed over 6,500 bariatric surgeries. Dr. Camelo Ramos Performs Surgery at Florence Hospital. read more Dr. Juan Antonio Lopez CorvalaCertified Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Juan Antonio Lopez Corvala MD FACS has over 30 years of experience, more than 10,000 laparoscopic surgeries, and more than 6,000 bariatric surgeries. Dr. Juan A. Lopez Corvala is one of the 10 most renowned bariatric surgeons worldwide, a true expert, member of C.A.B. (Council of Advance Bariatrics). read more Fill out the form below to get more information or reserve your weight loss surgery date. {block="bp_surgery_deal_form"}

{{$title = \IPS\Output::i()->title;}} {$title} Patient success requires your expert care before, during and after surgery. As a bariatric surgeon or other bariatric surgery allied health professional, you know that ongoing support outside the hospital is another important factor in patient success. As much as you might like to, you can't be there for your patients at every minute. BariatricPal.com can. This social network acts as an additional peer support resource for weight loss surgery patients. Joining the BariatricPal.com network allows you to show your support of this community. Patients turn to each other every day for peer-to-peer support, including tips on diet and exercise, pre-surgery expectations and post-surgery encouragement. BariatricPal.com complements your efforts to promote patient health.

{{$title = \IPS\Output::i()->title;}} {$title} Building a support system before surgery can help you stay on track and positive if you begin to struggle after surgery. Friends and family members can be good choices. Many patients directly ask certain friends and/or family members to be part of their support systems. That way, they can be comfortable knowing that people are there to offer encouragement. Support groups that surgeons offer are also valuable. Members can commiserate with each other and share experiences and tips. Online forums also offer the camaraderie of shared experiences. Online forums expose bariatric surgery patients to far more patients than they would be able to meet in real life.

{{$title = \IPS\Output::i()->title;}} {$title} Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most common type of gastric bypass weight loss surgery.1 It is usually laparoscopic. It is reversible if necessary, but is designed to be permanent. The surgeon first divides your stomach, leaving a smaller upper portion and stitching shut the larger remainder of your stomach so that it can't be used any more.2 Normally, food in your stomach empties to the upper portion of the small intestine. In RYGB, the surgeon attaches the small stomach pouch to a place lower down on the small intestine, thus "bypassing" the majority of your stomach, the duodenum (upper portion of your small intestine) and at least part of the jejunum (middle portion of your small intestine). A long-limb RYGB procedure bypasses more of your intestine; in this case, the surgeon attaches your newly formed small stomach pouch to a place even lower on your small intestine. The long-limbed RYGB procedure can lead to faster weight loss because of greater nutrient malabsorption (fewer nutrients absorbed). Why is the procedure called "Roux-en-Y?" The gastric pouch is called the "roux limb," and the "Y" shape is formed by the three arms coming together at a junction. The three parts are: The small stomach pouch that holds food The large stomach pouch that secretes digestive juices The far portion of the small intestine that the two portions of the stomach are connected to Buchwald H. ASBS 2004 consensus conference statement: bariatric surgery for morbid obesity: health implications for patients, health professionals and third-party payers. Surgery for obesity and related diseases, 2005;371-381 Ibid. Advantages and Disadvantages of the Gastric Bypass Advantages of the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass No bands, staples or other foreign objects in your body An established procedure with more research on safety and effectiveness than the vertical sleeve gastrectomy and sleeve plication More weight loss in the first year than the gastric sleeve and the adjustable gastric band (lap-band)1 Reversible if necessary (but not easily) Can be revised to a longer-limb Roux-en-Y gastric bypass if an initial short-limb procedure does not lead to expected weight loss. Quick improvements in your health, especially in your blood sugar control with better insulin resistance, lower blood sugar levels and possible resolution of diabetes May be a good choice for individuals with a sweet tooth because sweet foods are not typically tolerated Jackson TD, Hutter MM. Morbidity and effectiveness of laporscopic sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric band and gastric bypass for morbid obesity. Advances in Surgery, 2012;46:255-68. Disadvantages of the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Higher risk of nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorption than the lap-band, sleeve plication and vertical gastric sleeve Weight regain can occur after a couple of years if appetite levels increase and/or the stomach pouch is stretched High-sugar and high-fat foods can cause dumping syndrome, with symptoms of shakiness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea Stomach pouch can be stretched if patient overeats, leading to less restriction and less effectiveness Complications are less frequent, but are more likely to be serious Possible Complications/Risks of the Gastric Bypass Intolerance to certain foods Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, with severe heartburn Nutritional deficiencies due to low food intake and nutrient malabsorption Dumping syndrome Staple line leaks from the stomach and intestines where they were cut and stitched during the procedure Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea Strictures Weight Loss and the Roux-en-Y (RYGB) Rapid weight loss in first 6 to 12 months About 65 to 70% of excess weight loss (EWL) within 2 years Often more than 100 pounds lost Many RYGB patients regain about 20 or more pounds after the first two years of weight loss The RYGB is restrictive and malabsorptive and it affects your appetite hormones. Restrictive: Right after surgery, the top portion can hold only about one ounce, or two tablespoons, of food. This forces you to have smaller meals you fill up faster Malabsorptive: With RYGB, food doesn't go into your duodenum, which is where a lot of nutrient absorption usually occurs. Absorbing less protein, fat and carbohydrate leads to fewer calories and faster weight loss. Hormonal:1 2 changes in your hormones after RYGB can decrease hunger. Ghrelin: a hormone that causes hunger and whose levels decrease after RYGB PYY: (neuropeptide YY) a hormone that reduces hunger and whose levels increase after RYGB GLP-1: (glucagon-like peptide 1) a hormone that reduces hunger and whose levels increase after RYGB Mechanick MD, Kushner RF…Dixon J. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, The Obesity Society, and American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery medical guidelines for clinical practice for the perioperative nutritional, metabolic, and nonsurgical support of the bariatric surgery patient. Obesity, 2009;17(S1):S3-72. Morinigo R, Moize V, Musri M, Lacy AM, Navarro S, Marin JL…Vidal J. Glucagon-like peptide-1, peptide YY, hunger and satiety after gastric bypass surgery for morbid obese subjects. JCEM, 2006;91(5):1735.

{{$title = \IPS\Output::i()->title;}} {$title} Side effects and complications more specific to bariatric surgery may appear soon after surgery or months after surgery. These are some of the common ones. Nausea and/or vomiting Diarrhea and/or constipation Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Leakage from stomach staple or suture lines (RYGB, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, sleeve plication, BPD-DS) Leakage from gastric band or connection tubing (lap-band) Band slippage or erosion (lap-band) Bowel obstruction Infection at the access port site (lap-band) Hernia Ulcers Weight regain Nutrient deficiencies Osteoporosis (low bone mineral density and increased risk for fractures) Anemia Gallstones from rapid weight loss Dumping syndrome Psychological concerns, such as addiction swapping or depression Many of the above complications are caused or made worse by going off of the proper diet. Choosing the appropriate foods for your stage of weight loss during the postoperative recovery diet progression or longer-term weight loss diet, chewing slowly, separating fluids from solids and taking nutritional supplements as recommended can prevent or reduce many of these complications.

{{$title = \IPS\Output::i()->title;}} {$title} Alex Brecher Founder / CEO Alex Brecher is the director of BariatricPal.com. He founded the original LapBandTalk.com and the other boards within WLSBoards.com before guiding their transition to BariatricPal.com. He is the strategic leader and day-to-day decision maker in business, communications and development opportunities. Alex actively travels around the nation and internationally to conferences and workshops to meet new people and get new ideas for continuing to connect with and serve the weight loss surgery community. Alex supports many professional organizations for weight loss surgery, including the American Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO ) and the Association for the Study of Obesity. Alex's expertise in web design, forum hosting, technology and management stems from years of experience in the technology industry. He has founded multiple technology companies and currently sits on the boards of numerous private and public sector corporations. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park. Alex's tireless dedication to the weight loss surgery community comes from his own personal history. He struggled with his weight his entire life before finding out about the laparoscopic adjustable band (lap-band) from a friend. The lap-band and his new commitment allowed him to lose—and keep off—more than 100 pounds. Today, he leads an active, healthy lifestyle, but hasn't forgotten what it was like to fight obesity every day for years. That's why he remains devoted to BaratricPal.com. Alex lives in New York with his family and loves to run, bike and cook. The rest of the crew behind BariatricPal: Ken Sandell Vice President of Operations Ken keeps things running smoothly at BariatricPal. He's an expert in business management, web programming and systems administration, and he's a self-professed geek. He has years of experience working in business and technology and takes pride in his ability to fix bugs, troubleshoot technical problems and develop innovative business and technical solutions. In his free time, Ken loves to spend time with his wife. His hobbies include learning new computer skills, cooking, entertaining and cheering for his favorite football teams on Sundays. Natalie Stein Vice President of Health and Nutrition Natalie is in charge of the regular newsletters that we send to keep our members informed about the latest happenings on the boards. She provides well-researched informational content for BariatricPal.com. She also works with Alex on special projects, such as the BariatricPal books. Natalie's education includes a Master's of Public Health (MPH) and a Master's of Science (MS) in Nutrition. She loves to run, bike, dance, study Spanish, listen to music and help others with nutrition and health to match their own lifestyles and goals. Katie Allen Customer Service Manager Katie ensures that the needs of BariatricPal's customers are being satisfied. Her aim is to provide excellent customer service and to promote this idea throughout the team she manages. Katie has years of experience in the health food industry as well as experience in public health, communications and product development. She is also a certified Zumba instructor and can be found dancing at her desk when she's not assisting our members and customers. Hana Rothschild Web Design & Development Hana Rothschild oversees the team responsible for developing and maintaining BariatricPal.com core web services. Prior to joining BariatricPal, she was the Lead Web Developer at Stanford University and the Web Services Coordinator at California State University. Hana has over ten years of experience designing and implementing database-driven web applications. She brings business acumen and a real-world sensibility around priorities to BariatricPal.com projects. A broad background of systems deployments and strong ability with our application development tools enable Hana to understand whole projects quickly and accurately. She has excellent communications and interpersonal skills which enable her to communicate design and development issues to everyone from the most seasoned programmer to the least technical user. When Hana is not striving to write perfect code, she enjoys hiking, gardening and cooking. Vlad Waletzko Mobile App Design & Development Vlad Waletzko oversees the team responsible for developing and maintaining BariatricPal mobile applications and services. He has over 15 years of experience in software, with roles involving implementation, design, support, and management. He has spent the past several years in mobile applications, working across text messaging platforms, mobile web development, mobile advertising, and managing mobile applications. Vlad has a passion for technology and provides vision and strategy to the company, partners and members. Prior to joining BariatricPal, he received his Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems at Northeastern University.