Tricare Bariatric Surgery
 Tricare
California Insurance
is the health plan for military
personnel and their dependents.
Bariatric Surgery is growing in popularity because it has
been proven to be safe and to result in significant and permanent weight loss.
Bariatric surgery is the treatment of choice for the severely obese. It is
recognized by the American College of Surgeons and the American Heart
Association, and it is endorsed by the National Institutes of Health. Coastal
Center for Obesity welcomes Tricare patients to its Tri-City Aftercare Program
for surgical weight loss.
Comparison
Comparison between the Tricare LAP-BANDŽ and
Tricare Gastric Bypass procedures:
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Less invasive
Outpatient surgery
Reversible
Adjustable
No rearrangement of
anatomy
Slower weight loss
Not endorsed by NIH
Less well studied in US
More follow-up required
More dietary compliance
required |
More invasive
Inpatient surgery
Not easily reversible
Not adjustable
Anatomy rearranged
Faster weight loss
Endorsed by NIH
Well studied in US
Less follow-up required
Less dietary compliance
required |
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Who Will Benefit the Most From SurgeryThose patients do best who are most unhappy with their current condition and who
are most willing to make a lifestyle change. Since the problem is largely
genetic and at present is incurable, a life-long commitment to all aspects of
treatment is necessary. Regular exercise, dietary discipline, support group
participation, and occasional visits to a bariatric surgeon are important
components of post-operative success.
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