Frequently Asked Questions

Commonly Asked Questions and Answers:

How long have you been a bariatric surgeon?

• I have been practicing bariatric and metabolic surgery for over 11 years.

How many surgeries have you performed?

• Over the past decade, I have performed about 5,000 bariatric procedures, including gastric sleeve surgery, rny gastric bypass, and lap band.

I’ve read studies showing that smaller bougie sizes (28F-32F) are associated with high leak rates, strictures, and GERD. Sizes above 34F-36F seem to be tolerated better with the same amount of weight loss. Therefore, I’m wondering what size bougie you use?

• Dr. Ismael Cabrera uses 34 fr bougie in all patients.

What is your goal for the final stomach capacity in ounces?

• The final goal Is between 3 and 4 ounces

Do you oversew the staple line?

• Yes, we do with a prolene string.

How many sleeves have you performed? Have you had any complications? Leaks? Deaths?

• Around 2700 and we had 4 wound infections that require curations, we had no leaks, we transfuse blood to 2 patients but no require reoperation. No deaths at this time.

I hear it is common for the sleeve to swell after surgery which may lead to nausea and vomiting. Can anything be done prophylactically to prevent this?

• Yes, we use 2 medicines to avoid nausea and sometimes we use steroids very useful in those patients.

Do you place patients on blood thinners to prevent pulmonary embolisms?

• Just in BMI up to 50.

 I tend to scar very easily and so I am wondering how you close the incisions. Do you use subcuticular suturing that eventually dissolves with Dermabond/glue over the incisions?

• Yes, we use subcuticular absorbable sutures.

 I’ve never had surgery before but I am worried about post-surgery nausea and vomiting. I have a very low threshold for nausea and easily get nauseated. If possible, can an anti-emetic be given before surgery or even during surgery via IV to prevent nausea after the surgery?

• Of course, we will give you 2 medicines to avoid nausea.

How many leak tests are done?

• Two leak tests. One operative room and the second one the next day after surgery.