A new opportunity to win the fight against excess weight and obesity.
LIMARP International Center of Excellence for Obesity and Dr. Liza María Pompa make history by surgically placing the first BariClip in Baja California.
Advances in science and in the treatment of obesity have created a new and effective alternative to combat the disease. This innovative device is known as the BariClip.
Master Surgeon Liza María Pompa became the first female surgeon in the world and the first surgeon in Baja California, to surgically place a BariClip in a patient; a modern, safe and reversible device that can help transform the lives of thousands of patients that have not been able to reach a healthy weight and who wish to improve their quality of life.
In order to execute the procedure, doctor Pompa and her team trained extensively, but the execution had been delayed due to the pandemic.
This fist BariClip was placed in the presence and with the participation of Dr. Natan Zundel, who represents the company which manufactures the innovative device. He travelled from the United States to certify and be part of the historical procedure, which was performed in one of the modern operating rooms of LIMARP, in Tijuana Baja California Mexico.
The placement of this first BariClip in Baja marks the beginning of a new era of opportunity, which will enable countless patients that are eager to improve their health and find a long-term solution to obesity to do both.
It must be said that obesity is a disease that has reached epidemic proportions worldwide in the last few decades, and it is responsible for an important proportion of the most recurrent chronic diseases of today, such as high blood pressure, type II diabetes, sleep apnea and certain types of cancer. In addition, this disease takes a toll on some patients’ productivity and presents a tremendous challenge for the medical system.
The BariClip device was designed for patients with a body mass index of 29 or above, which places them in the overweight category. This lower indication (compared to those for bariatric surgery) means that a larger population can benefit from this safe, viable option. It has the potential to help people who have not been able to achieve a healthy weight through diet, exercise or medication, but that do not qualify for a more elaborate weight loss procedure.
It is not rare for a BMI of 29 or more to be accompanied by medical conditions related to obesity, and many patients that live under these conditions have been unable to reach a healthy weight, which is essential in preventing their health from deteriorating any further. The BariClip represents a new option for this type of patients, who are likely feeling despondent due to the situation they are experiencing.
Some of the great advantages of the BariClip are that it is completely reversible and that no part of the stomach is cut off. The BariClip reproduces the effect of the gastric sleeve but with no risk of leakage, while minimizing the occurrence of postoperative reflux because its capacity to reduce intragastric pressure.
The procedure also rectifies the stomach by preventing acid from coming up, which makes it an effective option to treat conditions such as gastro esophageal reflux.
Weight loss results are similar to those afforded by the gastric sleeve, with a loss of excess weight of 60% or more, but without a gastrectomy or the risk of leakage or reflux. Everything through the convenience of a safe and completely reversible procedure. It should be noted that in the case of the BariClip, as with every bariatric intervention, it is necessary for a certified surgeon to evaluate each patient’s individual case and then decide if it is an adequate option for them. In any case, the device must be part of an integrative program, which should encompass changes in eating habits, lifestyle and physical activity.
Without a doubt, the BariClip represent another important achievement of modern medicine in the fight against one of the most threatening diseases for modern life: obesity.
Dr. Pompa is a graduate of the Autonomous University of Baja California, specializing in general surgery, advanced laparoscopy and bariatric surgery. She is certified in Surgical Leadership by Harvard School of Medicine and holds a Master’s Degree in Hospital Management.