Healthy travels

For decades, people have travelled to the US for access to the latest in medical procedures. Many have come to avoid long waiting lists in countries that have government-run healthcare or socialised medicine. A growing medical problem, and one that can be reversed, is obesity. More people are discovering their journeys towards better health – and more fulfilling lives – begin at Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas, Nevada.

People travel from all over the US, Canada and the world to see Thomas Umbach MD for many reasons. One big reason is that Dr Umbach is passionately devoted to helping them regain a higher quality of life through overcoming obesity and keeping their weight off long-term.

National acclaim
Dr Umbach is a nationally recognised, board-certified and fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon. He’s been recognised as one of the nation’s top bariatric surgeons by Newsweek. Dr Umbach’s other notable achievements include being named America’s Top Surgeon by the Consumers Research Council of America in 2008, 2009 and 2010, and several Who’s Who listings.

“Bariatrics has always been my passion,” says Dr Umbach. “My practice is 100 percent devoted to helping obese clients achieve healthier lifestyles. It brings me great pleasure to see my clients shed their excess weight and enjoy the simple pleasures of life again – playing with their children or grandchildren, riding a roller coaster for the first time, or dating.”

In addition to his experience, skill and surgical expertise, Dr Umbach offers his clients something they cannot get anywhere else – his personal cell phone number and an offer to call him anytime, day or night.

“I want my clients to be able to reach me 24/7 with any questions or concerns they have before surgery and for as long after surgery as they feel they need me,” says Umbach. “Most of them are amazed when I hand them my cell phone number and even more amazed when I answer their calls and treat them as friends.”

Always in
Jodi Dore of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada appreciates Umbach’s philosophy and that was a big part of her decision to travel to the US for the latest in bariatric surgery techniques and select Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas.

Dore had an adjustable gastric band procedure performed in Canada, lost 90 pounds and continued with her new lifestyle until complications from illness led to a 35 pound weight gain and the need for another procedure. She decided to seek another option.

“Dr Umbach has a very good reputation as a surgeon. This was my number one criteria,” Dore said. “My final decision was made after he personally called me to answer all my questions.”

Dore would recommend Blossom Bariatrics to friends considering the same kind of surgery. Her advice to other Canadians needing this procedure is: “We now have the option of bariatric surgery in Canada and it is covered by most province healthcares. The wait time is long and there are pre-op programmes with diets. If this is not for you, and you can afford to look at travelling to the US for surgery, do your research, don’t make decisions based only on the price and embrace this as an option.”

I want my clients to be able to reach me 24/7

Dr Umbach offers his experience and expertise in gastric banding, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, gastric sleeve resection and revisional surgery. Dr Umbach operates out of a state-of-the-art, fully equipped, JACO-certified surgery centre. He uses special protocols to achieve exceptional pain control for his clients, which increases their comfort and helps them enjoy their Las Vegas experience even more.

As a result of Blossom Bariatrics’ international reputation, the practice moved to a larger facility to accommodate patients and still maintains its high standards and personalised care.

Comfort and convenience
Visiting clients can relax and enjoy the warm, friendly atmosphere at Blossom Bariatrics. Dr Umbach and his entire care team take as much time as clients need to feel comfortable. His staff help clients with travel and hotel reservations.

Umbach offers every client comprehensive pre- and post-surgical programmes. His pre-surgical programme is aimed at maximising client safety and increasing their chances of excellent surgical results. His post-surgical programmes include nutrition (Blossom Bites) and fitness counselling (Blossom Bodies), support groups (Blossom Buddies) to help them adjust to life after bariatric surgery, and psychological and emotional counselling (Blossom Beauty) to help empower them towards a better quality of life.

A nutritionist and fitness counsellor is now part of the team – an important component in maintaining weight loss after surgery. Wellness counsellor and client Mindi Percell can relate to those coming for surgery since she has experienced it herself. She battled her weight for decades and admits her life has changed since her surgery.

When Percell’s family practice physician told her she was in “perfect health”, she asked him to repeat his words. “I’d never heard that I was perfectly healthy, so I wanted to hear it again and again.”

From all over the world
Many of Dr Umbach’s out-of-state and foreign clients combine their surgical procedures with a fun-filled vacation in Las Vegas. Thanks to the advanced technology and surgical techniques used by Dr Umbach, most procedures do not require lengthy recovery periods.

As a result, Dr Umbach’s bariatric surgery clients – especially those who travel from other states or countries – often celebrate the blossoming of their new lives by enjoying the exciting thrills of Las Vegas after surgery. Clients can experience some of the finest entertainment in the world, with lavish performances by Cirque du Soleil, Celine Dion, Tony Bennett and other world-class entertainers.

Since most of Dr Umbach’s procedures require short recovery times, it’s typical for clients to have their procedure and then celebrate with a vacation as a new beginning
for a new life.

Telephone: 702-463-3300
Website: www.blossombariatrics.com