'Botched Bariatrics' finale: Where is Christina now? Dr Rao repairs failed lap band surgery in patient ahead of wedding
SARASOTA, FLORIDA: Christina has been mixing her meals for more than ten years after a botched lap band surgery rendered it hard for her to swallow solid food. But she gave up blended meals entirely not long after her encounter with Dr Arundathi Rao in the 'Botched Bariatrics' finale.
Compared to traditional surgery, robotically assisted bariatric revision surgery is less intrusive. Healing durations are significantly accelerated by smaller incisions and more deliberate actions.
Christina's hospital stay was reduced thanks to a faster recovery, which also allowed her to begin her weight loss plans sooner. A few months after the surgery, Christina could be seen going out to taste the menu for her future wedding.
Who is Christina in 'Botched Bariatrics'?
When Christina's family used all of their credit cards to pay for her weight-loss surgery, unthinkable things happened that would forever alter their way of life. When she woke up from the operation, she was sore but hopeful that she had made the right decision on something that would transform her life for the better.
Unfortunately, she wasn't pleased with the outcome. Not a single minute.
Christina really gained weight, reaching 380 pounds. The first evident issue she saw was the food being stuck.
She could sense a constriction in the food stream as if there was a cork in there and nothing would come down. She tried to contact doctors multiple times but was greeted with disappointment.
Christina felt entirely disregarded and sidelined by the physicians. Digestive issues should subside three to four weeks following surgery.
Christina's has been going on for more than ten years. She's been coping with all of this for the better part of 12 years.
She's been mixing down all her meals. Every time she goes out to lunch with her family, she needs to excuse herself to the restroom to remove the food that has become trapped.
Christina has tried for over a decade to correct her weight loss surgery. She then contacted Dr Rao, a top bariatric surgeon, who agreed to handle her case.
Christina's family maxed out their credit cards for her weight loss surgery, only for unimaginable consequences to change their lives forever. The season finale of #BotchedBariatrics is tonight at 10/9c. pic.twitter.com/62GnuniHWR
— TLC Network (@TLC) May 29, 2024
What happened to Christina in 'Botched Bariatrics'?
One of the most cutting-edge and efficient ways to replace a broken or malfunctioning Lap-Band and switch to a vertical sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass is through robotic revision of a Lap-Band or gastric band. The Lap-Band was a highly-liked operation for treating patients who suffered from obesity over ten years ago.
Since then, more effective techniques have been developed, including sleeve surgery, with noticeably improved outcomes and a significantly lower rate of total problems.
Dr Rao is a robotic surgery leader in the region of Florida. Because robotically assisted surgery is so precise, her patients are able to recover faster and with less discomfort.
Dr Rao was able to perform Christina's bariatric revision surgery with increased control and precision thanks to robotic assistance. Small instruments that are operated by a console that is positioned directly next to her in the operating room are part of the customized system.
Dr Rao discovered some of the most severe scar tissue she has ever seen in Christina. She observed the completely adjustable gastric band.
Dr Rao thought Christina's body's reaction to the band was strange. Her scar tissue resembled plastic.
Dr Rao could see Christina's body in three dimensions because of the high-tech device, which made her work more efficiently. The tools deliberately bend and rotate since their range of motion is greater than that of a surgeon's hand.
Who is Dr Arundathi Rao in 'Botched Bariatrics'?
Dr Rao is the Medical Director of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Bariatric and Metabolic Health Center. She is a board-certified bariatric surgeon with fellowship training. As a result, she is in charge of all medical, surgical, and support services that the hospital's bariatric team provides.
Her practice and areas of expertise are advanced surgical weight loss procedures such as robotic bariatric surgery, da Vinci-assisted bariatric surgery, roux-en-y gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding (lap banding), sleeve gastrectomy, and complex revisions or repairs of prior bariatric procedures.
Check out the full season of 'Botched Bariatrics' only on TLC