Laparascopic adjustable gastric band surgery for teens (adolescent & children under 16 years) is currently not approved by the US FDA. It is true that teen weight loss surgery is a new option and statistics are only now becoming available on this, but till date the results of children having weight loss surgery look very encouraging. Until now, most US teen gastric lap band surgery have been performed in Mexico.  Medical Tourism Corporation is one of the rare medical travel facilitator who have experience in assisting lap band for teens overseas.

For example, in a recent study by the New York University School of Medicine, 53 teenagers (41 girls and 12 boys) between the ages of 13 and 17 showed some impressive results after being ‘banded’. The teenagers, who on averaged weighed 297 pounds before surgery and had an average body mass index (BMI) of 47.6, shed some 50 percent of their excess weight 18 months after teen gastric lap band surgery.

Obesity & Kids in the US
Up to a third of American teenagers are obese, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.  The numbers are projected to rise to up to 50% in the next few years. This has forced parents and doctors to consider new methods like lap band surgery to tackle teenage obesity.

Child Obesity Trends Worldwide
Studies show an exponential growth in obesity problems among children & teenagers in the next few years globally. If current trends are an indication, by 2010 the projections in rise of percentage of overweight youngsters are as follows:

North & South America:  about 50% from the 30% today

Europe & UK: 38% from the 25% today

China: about 20% by 2010

Until recently, weight loss surgery for children was frowned upon but that was also because surgery meant gastric bypass. And this procedure carries a small but very real risk of death. This risk, though considered acceptable for many adult patients, is thought to be too high for children.

But the picture has changed since the arrival of lap gastric band surgery on the scene. In the lap band procedure, a silicon band is strapped around the top of the stomach, dramatically decreasing the amount of food the patient can consume at a time. The surgery is minimally invasive and is reversible significant advantages for children, whose bodies are still forming.

When weighed with the ill effects of obesity like increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and breathing problems, the benefits of gastric lap band for children are too great to ignore. But at the same time, it’s important to remember that even lap band is not a magic wand. The success of lap band, to a large extent, depends on the post-operative care.

Obesity in children is brought on by many factors like poor eating habits, lack of exercise, family history of obesity(genetics), depression, etc. Hence, even after the surgery, all care should be taken to instill good eating habits and a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise.

Teen gastric lap band surgery for obese teenagers is becoming popular, not only because of the benefits it brings, but also because the procedure is safe and minimally invasive. Teen Lap band surgery in Mexico is expected to see a big growth.

Same Day or Immediate Load Dental Implants procedure  in Costa Rica  attracts a lot of people from abroad who are looking for quality low cost artificial teeth implants, and for very strong reasons. Dental tourism Costa Rica is long established and affordable. Hence, even if it’s a single dental implant that you need, Costa Rica is the ideal destination for many reasons.

But before we come to that, let’s see where and how same day dental implants score over their traditional counterparts:

Same Day/Immediate Load Dental Implants Vs. Traditional Implants

Same Day/Immediate Load Dental Implants are:

• Quick and convenient: A titanium post is inserted, on which a temporary tooth/crown is placed. Usually the process takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Osseo integration is quick and in 5 days you have your permanent crown in place.

• The Immediate Load Dental implant can be set at an angle, if need be, and removes the need for bone grafting.

Traditional implants are:

• Time-consuming and inconvenient: Traditional implants consists of the following steps:

1. First surgery: the jaw bone is exposed and a 4mm titanium post inserted. Waiting time of about 2 to 6 months until the bone grows around the post.
2. Second surgery: the tip of the post is exposed and crown attached. If a bone graft is needed, another surgery is done to insert the titanium post adding another 4 to 8 months of healing time. This is very common as traditional implants can only be inserted vertically.

Same Day/Immediate Load Dental Implants Vs. Dentures

Same Day/Immediate Load Dental Implants look and feel genuine: Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth! Since dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent bone loss and gum recession that often accompany bridgework and dentures.
Dentures look and feel artificial: Even if you can sometimes fool people with dentures (though not always), they definitely don’t feel like your own teeth.

Same Day/Immediate Load Implants Vs. Bridging

Same Day/Immediate Load Implants preserve teeth: Dental implants do not require that the adjacent teeth be altered in any way. Hence, your healthy teeth are left untouched, which is a significant long-term benefit.

Bridging affects adjacent teeth: In bridgework, some cutting of the adjacent teeth may be required.

Although dental implants are a better option than dental bridges, they may not suit everyone. In such circumstances, in place of the same day dental implant in Costa Rica, you can consider dental bridges that cost an affordable $400 for a full set.

How much do Same Day Dental Implants cost in Costa Rica?
The cost can vary a lot depending on if you want just one implant or many and also depending on where you get it done. In the US and Canada, it could cost anywhere between $2,000 – $4,000. But the same cost can drop drastically to a starting price of $675, if the procedure is done in Costa Rica.

Why get Immediate Load implants done in Costa Rica?

• Huge savings of about 50-60%;
• Proximity to US and Canada. Hence, you spend minimum time and money on travel;
• The established reputation of Costa Rica’s hospitals. The low cost of treatment doesn’t mean a compromise of any sort in the quality of medical care. Costa Rica’s increasing popularity with medical tourists is proof of its high standards;
• Costa Rica is so beautiful, it would be a shame to come away without getting a taste of the ‘Pura Vida’ or ‘pure life’. As your dental procedure doesn’t take more than a day, you can easily combine this medical trip with some pleasure. On the whole, it’ll be a wallet-friendly experience worth remembering.

How to get to Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is easily accessible by air. All major US and Canadian airlines fly to Costa Rica. Prices of tickets can vary between $400-800, but can drop in low season. US and Canadian citizens need valid passports to go to Costa Rica.

Getting your Same Day/Immediate Load Dental Implant done in Costa Rica is may be the most affordable way to bring the confidence back in your smile.

(Same Day Implant system traces its history to Dr. Per Ingvar Branemark’s pioneering work on dental implants. The implants are now manufactured by a number of companies like Nobel Biocare, Straumann, Biohorizons, etc.)
Dental Care Resources:

Dental implant surgeon in Costa Rica

Dental implant surgeon in India

Dental Tourism Costa Rica

Belgium is a very popular medical tourism destination with medical tourists in the Western world, especially for those from the UK. The laparoscopic gastric band surgery or ‘lap band’, in short, done in Belgium is the one of the best options, any which way you look at it.

What is laparoscopic gastric band surgery?
The laparoscopic gastric band surgery or lap band, in short, decreases the size of the stomach pouch. This makes people feel full after they have had just a small meal, and thus helps in losing weight.

Why get the lap band done in Belgium?

• Cost: If you are from the UK, lap band surgery in Belgium is the way to go. While the procedure may cost anywhere between £ 9,000 – £ 12,000 in the UK, in Belgium the cost can drop to £ 4,000. This low cost of the surgery does not mean that quality of healthcare is compromised in any way.

• Quality: Obesity surgery is carried out in many countries in the world. However, there are few countries with the same experience and success rate in obesity surgery as Belgium. Many Belgian hospitals have a very long tradition of surgical experience in obesity surgery and treatments. Laparoscopy, in fact, is one of the specialties of Belgium medical tourism. Every Gastric Band or Gastric Bypass is done by laparoscopy (unless technically impossible) and this means a very short stay in hospital.

Also, in general, Belgium has always been known for its high hygiene standards and use of latest technology. In a recent study by The World Markets Research Centre, Belgium ranked top for medical purposes out of 175 countries, not least because secondary infection rates average less than 0.5% compared with around 10% in the UK.

The high level of Belgium’s surgical expertise comes from many years of training imparted to its doctors: all doctors are trained for a minimum of seven years and specialists for 12 years.

• Follow-up care: Many Belgium doctors have a follow-up network in neighboring countries like UK and Ireland. Hence, do check if your doctor or hospital offers such a service.

• No queues: Forget the long waiting lines of NHS. For a weight loss surgery in Belgium, you choose the date for the operation after all initial screenings, and get yourself banded. As simple as that.

• Proximity to UK: You can choose to go to Belgium by air, road or rail. There is the fast and convenient Eurostar train service from London (all tickets from London allow you free onward travel within Belgium) and an easy-to-navigate public transport network in Belgium. Major European highways like the E-19, E-17, E-40, E-411 and E-313 pass through Belgium. You can also get to Belgium from all over Europe on Eurolines coaches.

• Climate and language: The climate is similar to UK’s, with slightly hotter summers and colder winters. The official languages spoken are Dutch, French, and German, but many people speak English, too.

All in all,  getting gastric lap band surgery in Belgium is a good option for someone looking for a high quality and affordable weight loss procedure in Europe.

Related link:

Lap band in Mexico