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Bariatric Surgery in Mexico
Medical tourism is undoubtedly one of the fastest growing industries in Mexico. Thousands of tourists, a majority of which come from North America, travel to Mexico each year to avail quality medical treatments at low prices. Weight loss surgery in Mexico is available at affordable prices in the following cities:
- Tijuana, Baja California (located very close to San Diego, CA)
- Monterrey, Nuevo León
- Hermosillo, Sonora
- Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua (located very close to El Paso)
- Mexicali, Baja California
- Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
- Guadalajara, Jalisco
- Cancun, Quintana Roo
The cost of medical care in countries like U.S. is very high. Moreover, many weight loss surgeries are not covered by insurance. Low cost of healthcare and easy approachability from the US are the two factors which make Mexico a popular destination for medical tourists. The average cost of weight loss surgery in Mexico would be 50% less than that in US, even after adding the traveling expenses.
Weight Loss Surgery
- Weight loss surgery is also called bariatric surgery or obesity surgery.
- It has become an option for people with problems of obesity, who tried various ways to lose weight, but were unsuccessful.
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends this for those who are at least 80 pounds overweight. Sometimes even lesser weight is accepted if the individual is suffering from conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc.
Obesity can complicate your life, and may give rise to other health issues like:
- Infertility
- Menstrual disorders
- Hormonal problems
- Fatty liver disease
- Depression
- Asthma
- Erectile dysfunction
These are just some of the problems overweight and obese people face every day, and so many of them are considering bariatric surgery procedures in Mexico. The various options in bariatric surgery are discussed below.
Types of Weight Loss Surgery Procedures
Gastric Banding
- Also called laparoscopic banding, lap band, or gastric band
- Minimally invasive
- Involves the placement of a band to separate the upper part of the stomach, creating a pouch
- Limits the entry of food into the stomach
- Creates a “full” feeling to a person, so food intake is also limited
- Very fast recovery time, people who go to Mexico for lap band procedures usually travel back to North America after a day or two (if no other tourist activities are scheduled)
- A port on the belly is where saline solution will be injected on succeeding visits (whether in Mexico or in local “filling” clinics) in order to tighten the band for adjustments
Gastric Bypass
There are two gastric bypass surgery procedures available in Mexico:
Traditional gastric bypass surgery:
- Requires general anesthesia
- The surgeon makes a large surgical cut (around 9inches) on the patient’s belly and will directly handle your stomach, small intestines, and other digestive organs
- In Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (the most common form), a smaller pouch is created out of the stomach using staples, and it is then connected directly to the farthest part of the small intestine. The upper part of the small intestine is reattached in a Y-shaped design.
Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery:
- The surgeon makes several tiny cuts (4-6 incisions). A laparoscope that has a tiny camera mounted can be inserted into one of them, and other thin instruments are inserted into the other incisions
- This is ideal for lesser pain and scarring issues
However, laparoscopic bypass surgery is not safe for people when:
- There is abdominal surgery history
- They have severe lung and heart diseases
- Their weight is more than 350 pounds
Gastric Sleeve
Also called sleeve gastrectomy, this is also offered by various weight loss surgery centers in Mexico.
- Does not involve cutting and reconnecting the small intestine
- Involves the removal of a large part of the stomach, leaving it about 25% of the original size
- Usually recommended for patients with severe obesity issues (40BMI or higher)
- A much simpler procedure than gastric bypass
- Fills or adjustments are not required like in the gastric band
- Does not require a band inside the belly or a port
About Mexico
- Officially called United Mexican States
- Borders: United States (North), Pacific Ocean (South and West), Guatemala, Belize, and the Carribean Sea (Southeast), and the Gulf of Mexico (East)
- The people of Mexico are known for their fun-loving nature, colorful traditions and extremely rich culture
- It is now considered as a newly industrialized country around the world, and one of the world’s fastest growing economies
- Has one of the world’s highest teacher-student ratio
Why Get Weight Loss Surgery in Mexico?
- The medical tourism industry of Mexico is now one of the fastest-growing and highest-earning industries in the country.
- Many hospitals have been accredited by JCI and are qualified to receive international patients.
- Surgeons are very highly-qualified, and most have received international training in US hospitals.
- Most hospitals have a medical tourism team to specially focus on taking care of medical tourists. Their agents are just a phone call away for any patient requests. Most hospitals have English speaking staff, which makes it easier for the medical tourists traveling here.
- For those interested in exploring the country or surrounding tourist spots in the area, there are numerous attractions for every whim of a tourist.
- The costs of weight loss surgery procedures in Mexico are usually 40-60% cheaper than in the US or Canada.
Challenges Encountered by Medical Tourists in Mexico
As with other things, there are some challenges when going to Mexico for bariatric surgery. Here are some of them:
- Travelling can be hard for a patient who just underwent a surgery.
- Money matters are best settled through cashier’s checks or credit cards, as large values of cash are not recommended to be brought.
- Going to a different country and city means having to make arrangements for transportation and accommodation.
- It will be hard to go back every time a patient is due for follow up checks.
Tips for Mexico Medical Tourists
To address the issues above, here are some pieces of advice for those travelling to Mexico for their medical trip:
- Look up the credentials of the hospital and surgeons you will be working with. Some patients even go as far as asking for references – talking to previous patients and asking them about their experiences.
- To settle accounts quickly and get help with accommodations and transport packages, contact a good medical tourism agency.
- Bring someone with you to assist you throughout the journey, especially during the travel.
- Ask for medical reports and records from the surgeon; you can use these to update your local doctor about your situation, and get necessary follow up checks in your home country instead.
- Share your experience with others. After getting a weight loss surgery in Mexico, you may help others considering the same journey, by sharing your personal experience with them. With your help, other people with obesity problems may be guided by your first-hand experience in order to formulate correct decisions of their own.
Medical Tourism Corporation facilitates affordable Weight Loss Surgery or Bariatric Surgery at various hospitals in Mexico & many other world class destinations abroad. Fill out the free estimate request form for a free quote & more information.
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