Gastric sleeve in Costa Rica can be a great option for people seeking an economical and effective weight loss surgical solution abroad. Every year scores of obese people who have failed to lose weight using non-surgical means (aka diet control and workouts) undergo low cost, high quality bariatric surgery in countries such as Costa Rica.

As per PROMED, promoters of medical tourism in Costa Rica, the health tourism sector in the country was projected to reach $100 million in 2011. According to government estimates, 30,000 foreign nationals visited Costa Rica for medical treatments in 2009. Approximately, 85% of medical tourists are from the United States. Apart from bariatric surgery, orthopedic surgeries and dental procedures like dental bone grafting, full mouth restorations, and traditional and same day dental implants in Costa Rica are quite popular among overseas patients.

What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

• Gastric sleeve surgery, also called sleeve gastrectomy (SG), vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) and gastric sleeve resection, is a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure for weight loss in which the stomach is reduced to about 25% of its original size by removing a large section of it surgically.

• The open edges are then appended together generally by using surgical staples to create a banana-shaped tube or sleeve.

• The sleeved stomach makes one feel full quicker and therefore, food consumption is reduced, which leads to weight loss.

Advantages of Gastric Sleeve in Costa Rica

There are many benefits of opting for gastric sleeve operation in Costa Rica. These include the following:

• Laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery in Costa Rica can be relatively inexpensive. Gastric sleeve surgery cost in Costa Rica can be 40% to 60% less than the prices charged in the US, Canada and the UK.

• Reputable hospitals for medical tourism in Costa Rica provide world-class healthcare.

• Leading hospitals in Costa Rica are equipped with ultra modern equipment and use the most advanced techniques to perform weight loss surgeries.

• Well-established medical facilities for sleeve gastrectomy surgery in Costa Rica have surgeons with globally respected credentials. Many of them have trained and practiced at renowned medical institutes in the United States, Canada and even Europe.

• Although Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica, English is widely spoken throughout the country, allowing overseas patients to easily communicate with surgeons, support staff and locals.

• Ease of travel makes Costa Rica a preferred medical tourism destination for U.S. patients. The country can be reached from most of the American cities within 5 to 7 hours by air.

• There is negligible or zero waiting time for vertical gastric sleeve in Costa Rica.

Thinking About Gastric Sleeve WLS in Costa Rica? Some Handy Tips

There are some important factors that you should take into account before opting for gastric sleeve surgery in Costa Rica. A few of these are:

• The procedure is irreversible. Once the operation is performed, there is nothing one can do to restore the stomach to its original size.

• Seek advice from your local doctor to determine if sleeve gastrectomy surgery in Costa Rica is the right option for you.

• Besides gastric sleeve prices in Costa Rica, consider the cost of traveling and taking someone along with you.

• Always select a reputable medical facility to get first class healthcare in Costa Rica.

• Check out the credentials of the bariatric surgeon who will be performing sleeve gastrectomy in Costa Rica on you. Ask for referrals and read patient testimonials.

Medical Travel in Costa Rica – Places to Visit

There are many exotic places for medical tourists to explore during their stay for gastric sleeve surgery in Costa Rica. These include:

• Arenal Volcano National Park – Great for viewing lava gushing down the slopes of the eponymous Arenal Volcano.

• Rincon de La Vieja National Park – Famous for waterfalls, volcano geysers, thermal waters and Costa Rican wildlife.

• Templo de la Música – Costa Rica’s take on the Temple of Love and Music in Versailles, the temple should figure on the list of must-sees of music lovers. The temple is the oft-chosen venue of mesmerizing performances by the San Jose City Band and the National Symphonic Orchestra.

• Dominical – A well-kept secret of Costa Rica and is known for rainforests and serene, scarcely crowded beaches.

Costa Rican hospitals are well-known all through the globe for providing top-quality weight loss surgeries at reasonable costs. Economical gastric sleeve in Costa Rica can be considered by those struggling to get rid of excess weight.

If you suffer from severe pains, debilitating stiffness and limited movement caused by arthritis of or injury to your knee, undergoing knee replacement in Tijuana, Mexico can be an alternative worth giving a shot, especially if affordability is a key criterion for you. With its world-renowned medical facilities and highly trained surgeons, Tijuana has become a chosen destination for medical treatments including knee replacement surgery

According to a 2011 article published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, over 500,000 persons undergo knee replacement surgery each year. As patients, both young and old, seek remedies for their damaged knees, the low cost of knee replacement surgery in Tijuana, Mexico makes it a viable option.

While there are no established statistics for the number of Americans heading to Mexico for treatments, a 2009 study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research estimated that nearly one million people from California alone chose Mexico as their medical tourism

What is Knee Replacement Surgery?

Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure that replaces severely damaged knees to relieve pain and stiffness. In this surgery, the affected knee’s cartilage and bone is replaced with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic.

There are different kinds of knee replacement surgeries that depend on the extent of damage. Advanced surgical hospitals offer different procedures of orthopedic knee replacement in Tijuana, Mexico that include total and partial knee replacement, minimally invasive replacement and revision knee replacement.

Why Tijuana, Mexico for Replacement Knee Surgery?

Some of the advantages of opting for orthopedic knee replacement surgery in Mexico are:

• Affordable surgical procedures: Whether you go for single or bilateral knee replacement in Tijuana, Mexico, all you would be paying is a small percentage of the prices charged for like-procedures in the US. Low cost is not only restricted to orthopedic procedures such as knee and hip resurfacing in Mexico’s medical tourism behemoth. Be it getting a facelift or dental implants and crowns in Tijuana, you can avail easy on the pocket procedures.

• Top notch surgical facilities: The renowned hospitals in Mexico are comparable to their counterparts in the developed countries of the world. Adhering to international standards, surgeons use state-of-the-art technology and high-quality surgical equipment to perform partial and total knee replacement surgery in Tijuana, Mexico.

• World class surgeons: Mexico is home to a number of highly trained surgeons, many of whom are board-certified and widely published. Additionally, a large percentage of Mexican doctors are trained in the United States and speak English fluently.

• Minimal or zero waiting period: Patients can schedule their knee replacement surgery without waiting for long periods since surgeons and operating theaters are easily available.

• Low travel costs: Being geographically close to the US further cuts costs, making it even more attractive for getting otherwise pricey procedures such as arthritis knee surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. Tijuana is located only 17 miles from San Diego, California.

• Travel opportunities: With its friendly people and warm hospitality, there is an added advantage for undergoing surgical procedures in Tijuana, Mexico. The border town is known for its numerous charming touristy spots visiting which can allay any preoperative nervousness and speed up convalescence.

Preparing for Orthopedic Knee Replacement in Tijuana

• Most knee replacement surgeries require an average hospital stay of three to five days.

• Postoperative ambulation requires a walker or crutches until the knee heals. This process can take up to six weeks.

• Physical rehabilitation therapy is recommended for up to ten days after the surgery. Patients traveling for orthopedic knee replacement surgery to Tijuana, Mexico should bear in mind that they will be required to remain in the country for postoperative therapy.

Safety Tips on Medical Trip to Tijuana

• Before traveling for your medical treatment, do extensive research on the hospitals and surgeons in Tijuana.

• Medical tourists are spoilt for choices since a large number of world class hospitals have been built to meet the demands of patients seeking cheaper options for medical procedures including orthopedic treatments, cosmetic surgeries and even weight loss surgeries such as lap band and gasrtic bypass in Tijuana Mexico, among others.

• While traveling to and in Mexico, be cautious about your safety. Limit the amount of expensive jewelry and valuables you carry and wear.

• Most Mexican businesses accept the US dollar and major credit cards. Remember to notify your credit card company about your travel to Mexico.

• Do not use or carry illegal drugs.

• If you intend to rent a car, be aware that a valid driver’s license will be required. Additionally, the person renting the vehicle needs to be atleast 25 years old.

With its highly-rated medical centers, well-experienced surgeons, and low procedural costs, Tijuana, Mexico is a viable choice for knee replacement surgery. Add to this, the tourist attractions of the Mexican border town such as the Revolution Avenue and Arguello Square, the pristine beaches, and bullfight arenas, and you have an attractive surgical tourism package. Patients who seek orthopedic knee replacement surgery in Tijuana, Mexico can look forward to a restorative holiday after which they can return home with a spring to their step.