Dr. Jacobo Zafrani

We just have to say that our recent visit to NC, MS and AR was great! 

We´re lucky to get a chance to follow up and greet again our previous patients. It´s amazing and extremely encouraging to see their results a few months, or even years after their surgeries.

That is why we do what we do... 

You´ll see a photo above with three beautiful ladies. Among them, they´ve lost close to 300lbs (or more)!!! They´re in the best shape they could be and preventing other illnesses later in life. Yes, it is a day to day decision. Every choice matters. But don´t tell me it wash´t worth it...

We´re eager to help more patients and celebrate their results very single time! 

As you may have already seen on my FB page, we´ll be heading to these states next week. 

Why do we do this? We have a very dear relationship with one of our corporate clients, and they´ve invited us, a team of specialists to visit their factories to meet and provide first hand information about the medical procedures provided in Costa Rica.

We´re very excited because the turn around has increased every year, hopefully this won´t be the exception...

If you´re part of HSM Solutions and would like to set up an appointment, we invite you to contact us or your nurse practitioner, we´ll all be glad to assist.

I just read this title: "Obesity cannot be controlled through personal responsibility alone".

Can this be true? Would it be possible that obesity is not only MY fault? 

I don´t think so. It´ll be very simplistic to blame it all on one situation alone.

We all know that when you´re trying to diet, the world conspires with the best sweet/fried/baked goodies. You run into the greatest award winning photograph, and oh-oh, it´s about a burger. You notice those appealing and sparkly bubbles on someone else´s glass. You get all these dinner party invites (while you´re used to be as bored as an oyster every other weekend). Etcetera, etcetera.

But, how isn´t it my fault if I´m the one who chooses the extra large combo? The one that goes for the fries instead of the salad? 

It´s not all bad...

There are many people and companies taking this obesity epidemic into account and doing something about it. It´s a matter of options. Creating opportunities. 

Set yourself up to win (not the other way around). Build your destiny. Small steps, but keep walking.

Can it only be your responsibility? Yes, it may. But you don´t have to be alone while correcting your path. Reach out (if you need it). 

I´d dare to say that one of the most precious thing we have right now it´s not money, a comfortable house or a car... Time and health are priceless!

What if we all chose to make some time in our busy schedules now that we can afford it? 

It´s all about time. If we don´t do it now, our body will take a toll on us later. Even if we don´t want to take a break, it could become a forced leave (if you know what I´m talking about). 

Let´s not get to the point where your body doesn´t even give you an option. Please listen to your body, notice the signs and take a stand now. 

It doesn´t have to be something drastic. Start changing one thing. We dare you. One habit. One meal. One. Just one. 

How about... "no more carbonated drinks"? "One more portion of fruit and vegetables per day"? "Two glasses of water first thing in the morning"?

Let´s not ignore the elephant in the room. 

Surgery is not a walk in the park. Although you can always find yourself running into a burglar, crazy person or diarrheic bird who chose your shoulder to get relief... 

There are always risks. This is why you should do your homework and research on who´s hands you´re putting your life in. You have to make sure this person is the best for you, that you trust his skills and prepare for the recovery process.

Let´s do a little exercise... Take a piece of paper, separate it into two columns and label it "Pros and cons of having weight loss surgery".

Let´s start with the cons: 

- You´ll be under general anesthesia... And you´ve heard all those horror stories about anesthesia and how its sole purpose is to drown people into deep sleep and never bring them back. That´s not the way it is. If the surgeon is responsible and has an interdisciplinary approach to weight loss, you´ll have a pre operative check that will catch if there are any additional steps necessary for you to come out well from the OR.

- What if I´m the 0.1% that suffers from a complication (i.e. leak, infection, etc)?... Well, yes there is the chance, but your doctor would know how to tackle it. He should always be prepared to care for you afterwards. It might slightly delay your recovery process, but don´t worry, it´s not a race.

- What if I don´t handle the diet well? / What if this doesn´t work for me?... As with every life changing decision, it´s a choice. You can choose to have support, get help, listen to your mind, be honest with yourself and look in the mirror. Do you like what you see? Are you willing to do something about it? Surgery is merely a kickstarter point, the rest is up to you. Embrace your choice and go for it!

- (Put all your other concerns here) I would not be able to wear a bikini any more!... Those scars are all over my stomach... I´ll have saggy skin later... etc

Ok, moving on to the pros:

- Bye, bye Diabetes / High blood pressure / Sleep apnea / Joint pain / Heart problems / Liver problems / ... I can extend the list, but you know where I´m going. You´ll avoid many present and future health issues! Isn´t this exciting? 

- There are many studies that confirm obesity to be directly related to serious health problems (cancer, coronary disease, vascular problems, joint replacements, spinal problems, hormonal unbalance).

- You´ll be lighter and mobile!... You´ll be less tired!

- You´ll feel better about yourself.

- You´ll start a new chapter in your life

We´ve gotten several requests over the past few months about Gastric Banding. We just want to clear the air about why we´re guiding patients towards other weight loss surgery options.

You all read / hear / see about this procedure and get interested. Then you start researching, find a trustworthy surgeon and then... This person tells you this is not the best treatment plan for you. We know it can be very disappointing to find yourself in this situation.

If you´re considering a surgical treatment for obesity, we´d like you to have two things in mind: 

- It should be a definite alternative. We don´t aim for you to be thinking constantly in adjustments and noticing important variations a few months into your process.

- You shouldn´t rely solely on the surgery. Our approach to this is interdisciplinary. You´ll meet with a psychologist, nutritionist, gastroenterologist and internal medicine specialist. This to get your new life plan ready. There are many lifestyle changes to be made to have a real success story that will be sustained over the years.

Please, when investigating your options, have an open mind... Every case is different. Your needs may not be the same as your neighbor´s. Medical background, weight, height, family history, age, are important factors to take into account when diagnosing a treatment plan.

Think of this as a specialized assessment, it´ll be just for you and you must not compare your progress to others. Your body will respond to the surgery at its own pace.

This is the piece released by ABC Nightline about the medical tourism program in Costa Rica for self insured companies.

It´s pretty similar to what a retail patient would experience while in our beautiful country.

Esta es la nota de la entrevista con uno de los medios más reconocidos en Costa Rica, acerca de la cirugía que se hará a uno de los locutores más carismáticos del medio radial costarricense.

La motivación es un factor importante en el éxito de las cirugías de pérdida de peso. Y ese factor debe permanecer en el tiempo. 

Sigan pendientes de este caso. Les estaremos contando cómo evoluciona en su recuperación.

New research explores ways obesity alters the brain

Some may call it adult diabetes, others non insulin dependent diabetes, but this is no longer true. With the increase on obesity rates around the world and more children suffering the consequences of their parents choices, we no longer can use these aliases...

Diabetes is a chronic condition where the cells do not metabolize sugars (glucose). Sugars are the bodies main source of energy. This is because of two possible causes: the body resists the insulin or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.

At this moment and time, we can´t say we don´t know at least one person with diabetes (don´t we?). Have you ever thought you or someone close to you should get a check up? Is there a history of diabetes among your relatives? 

Are you aware of the symptoms?

1. More thirst (= more peeing): Excess sugar in the blood absorbs water from the tissues, which makes you thirsty. More water, makes us go to the toilet a little more often.

2. Got the munchies? Insulin makes sugar enter your muscles and organs. If insulin can´t do that, then they´ll be weak and ask for "extra fuel".

3. Weight loss: At this moment, you´re eating more, you should be putting some weight, right? Mmm, no. If your body does not metabolize glucose, the body tries to get the energy from the muscles or fat.

4. Tired lately? Since your cells don´t have energy, you´ll feel more tired than usual (aren´t we all?)

5. Blurred vision: Remember #2? Seems like the lenses in our eyes are a great source of liquid... By the end of the day, you´ll have difficulty focusing on objects.

6. Soars don´t heal as fast as they used to... UTI anyone? T2D affects the way we fight infections and the ability to heal.

7. Darkened skin areas: Have you noticed patches of dark skin around the waistline, elbows, neck or arm pits? It´s not because you´re not scrubbing well enough, it´s a condition called acanthosis nigricans. Looks like velvet and it´s usually located in the folds and creases of the body. FYI, this last one may indicate insulin resistance.

Are you grabbing your phone and trying to get an appointment with your GP yet?

Again, we won´t even get started on the triggering factors or related risks. We only want you to listen to your body and make the necessary changes in your life. Who knows, we might end up meeting in Costa Rica soon? 

If you need further information on how to control the metabolic syndrome or how to reverse diabetes, contact us. Find us on Facebook and Twitter as DrJacoboZafrani.