Bariatric Surgery in Mexicali, Mexico

Are you tired of trying to lose weight? Don’t lose hope as bariatric surgery in Mexicali can help you shed those extra pounds.

Dr. Marco Sariñana: Bariatric Surgeon in Mexicali

Cost of Weight Loss Surgery in Mexicali

If you are wondering, “What is the cost of weight loss surgery in Mexicali?”, then bariatric surgery here range between $3,200- $4,100 only.

This means you end up saving nearly 70% of the cost back in the USA or Canada.

Why is Bariatric Service in Mexicali Cheaper?

There are many reasons why weight loss surgery in Mexicali is cheaper than in the US and Canada.

• Stronger position of US Dollar in Mexico^[1]Pacific Standard
  Medical Tourism is Booming in Mexico
  “…Mexicali and other border towns continue to be popular for medical tourism…Americans crossing the border—especially because they’re taking advantage of the strong dollar…”
  View in Article
• Low cost of living in Mexico than in the USA^[2]Expatistan
  Cost of living in the United States compared to Mexico
  “…The cost of living in the United States is 138% more expensive than in Mexico…”
  View in Article
• Unlike in the USA, there is no student loan on the doctors. So, the doctor’s fee is relatively low as they do not pass on their mortgage to the patients.

The cost of weight loss surgery in the United States and Canada can be prohibitive, especially if you have a limited insurance cover. Therefore, many Americans and Canadians explore the option of having weight loss surgery in Mexico.

Why Choose MTC?

Medical Tourism Corporation (MTC) is an international medical travel facilitation company registered in the State of Texas. Over 14 years, we have facilitated 4500+ patients in achieving their health goals.

Our key features include:

• Screening doctors for credentials, experience, and past patient records
• Ensuring world-class treatment options at affordable rates
• Arranging shuttle and accommodation services
• Post-treatment follow-up

Is Mexicali Safe for Medical Tourism?

According to the USA travel advisory, Baja California comes under Level 2, where you need to follow extreme caution while traveling.

Although Mexicali is not in the unsafe city list, however, the highway connecting Mexicali and Tijuana are marked risky because of poor cellular and poor road conditions.^[3]Travel.State.Gov
Mexico Travel Advisory
“…Due to poor cellular service and hazardous road conditions, …
There are no additional restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Baja California…”
View in Article

Weight Loss Surgery Options in Mexicali, Mexico

Obesity means having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more.^[4]The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Definition & Facts for Bariatric Surgery
“…Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. BMI is a measure of your weight in relation to your height…”
View in Article.

An ideal candidate for weight loss surgery is if the BMI is ≥40. Or those who are obese and have comorbidities like diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea^[5]Mayo Clinic
Bariatric Surgery
“…bariatric surgery could be an option for you if: Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (extreme obesity). Your BMI is 35 to 39.9 (obesity), and you have a serious weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea…”
View in Article.

Following weight loss surgery options are available in Mexicali:

Gastric Sleeve in Mexicali

• The doctor removes 15-20% of the stomach
• Remaining portion of the stomach resembles a banana 
• The patient feels full sooner with less food intake
• According to a study in 2017, nearly 73.0% of the patients had an excess weight loss after five years^[6]World Journal of Gastroenterology
  Five-year outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a primary procedure for morbid obesity: A prospective study
  “…The overall success rate, defined when %EWL is > 50%, …82.1% after 4 years and 73.0% after 5 years…”
  View in Article.
• Advantages: Less appetite due to loss of ghrelin hormone
• Disadvantages: Irreversible, leakage^[7]Journal of Heliyon
  The advantages and disadvantages of sleeve gastrectomy; clinical laboratory to bedside review
  “…Bleeding, leakage and gastric fistulae are the most common intraoperative complications and postoperative complications after sleeve gastrectomy…”
  View in Article.

Gastric Bypass in Mexicali:

• During gastric bypass surgery in Mexicali, a small stomach pouch by stapling
• The lower section of the small intestine is attached directly to the newly-created small pouch
• Fewer calories are absorbed as food bypasses the upper portion of the small intestine
• Advantages: Long term weight loss^[8]Journal of F1000Prime Reports
  Quick fix or long-term cure? Pros and cons of bariatric surgery
  “…Weight loss averages 65% for most patients with over 85% of patients losing and maintaining 50% initial excess weight loss…”
  View in Article, reduced food intake.
• Disadvantages: Dumping Syndrome, Malnutrition, Low blood sugar, Vomiting, Hernia

Intragastric Balloon in Mexicali

• A silicone balloon filled with saline is placed in the stomach
• This balloon occupies space, making the patient feel full faster
• Advantages: Reversible procedure, no need for surgery^[9]Gatroenterology & Hepatology
  Intragastric Balloons for Obesity Management
  “…The major advantage of intragastric balloons is that they preserve the anatomy of the stomach…”
  View in Article, non-invasive procedure.
• Disadvantages: Gives results in some patients only^[10]Gatroenterology & Hepatology
  Intragastric Balloons for Obesity Management
  “…Although these procedures are safer than surgery, not everybody will respond…”
  View in Article.

Duodenal Switch Surgery in Mexicali

• Two-part surgery: Gastric Sleeve + Duodenal Switch

Gastric Sleeve

• First, the surgeon removes 80% of the stomach.

Duodenal Switch

• Next, the end of the small intestine is joined with the stomach.
• The food then bypasses most of the small intestine.
• Advantages: less food intake due to reduced stomach size and reduced absorption by the intestine, higher weight loss than gastric bypass^[11]Annals of Surgery
  Duodenal Switch Provides Superior Weight Loss in the Super-Obese (BMI ≥50kg/m2) Compared With Gastric Bypass
  “…We demonstrate that DS provides a significant advantage over RYGB when comparing weight loss, percentage of excess body weight lost…several series have demonstrated that heavier patients tend to lose more absolute weight…”
  View in Article.
• Disadvantages: Irreversible surgery, reflux, diarrhea, fecal incontinence, etc^[12]Journal of Obesity Surgery
  Duodenal Switch Is Superior to Gastric Bypass in Patients with Super Obesity when Evaluated with the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS)
  “…reflux, diarrhea, fecal incontinence, and problems with malodorous flatus were more common after BPD/DS…”
  View in Article.

Bariatric Surgery Hospital in Mexicali

Our partner weight loss surgery hospital in Mexicali is Hospital de la Familia. It was founded in 2003 and is located just 200 yards from the California East border gate. Nearly 60% of its patients are from the USA.

The weight loss surgery hospital is equipped with state of the art facilities. The hospital offers:

• Twenty-three private patient rooms
• Five surgery, pre-operative and recovery rooms
• 24-hour intensive care and emergency unit
• Cutting edge technology in radiology, hemodynamic and ultrasound, tomography, and gynecology-obstetrics.

Bariatric Surgeon in Mexicali, Mexico

Dr. Marco Sariñana is the leading weight loss surgeon in Mexicali. His training includes:

• Graduate from University of Baja California, Mexicali
• Trained in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery and Bariatric Surgery in Tijuana
• Fellowship in Gastric Banding and Gastric Balloon in Tijuana
•  Advanced training of cosmetic surgery in Veracruz, Mexico

Patient Review

Peggy King from New Zealand came to Mexicali for her gastric sleeve surgery. She is delighted with the treatment provided at the Hospital de la Familia. Other facilities like clean rooms, wifi, Netflix, polite staff also impressed her a lot.

Peggy King, New Zealand- Gastric Sleeve in Mexicali

Medical Tourism in Mexicali, Mexico

Mexicali is an industrial town situated on the border of California, USA. It is the capital city of Baja California in Mexico.

How to Reach Mexicali, Mexico

By Road

As Mexicali is a border city, one can quickly drive across via Calexico, California.

Traveling by road takes approximately 2 hours from San Diego. You can also park your car at the airport if you choose to drive down.

Check out the airport parking fee description here.

Road Map for USA-Mexicali, Mexico

US-Mexico Border Crossing

You can also cross the US-Mexico border as a pedestrian. Check out the border cross-time on US Customer and Border Protection official page here.

By Air

One can also fly down to Mexicali via the General Rodolfo Sánchez Taboada International Airport (IATA- MXL), which is located 12 miles from the border.

However, air travel is not very popular as there are no direct international flights.

Travel Tips:

Currency: Mexican Peso

Language: Spanish

Weather:

• Summer lasts from April to October. The temperature during summer is very high and can go up to 42°C.
• Winter lasts from November to March, and the average temperature is 27°C.
• It is useful to pack clothing based on the season you are traveling in.

Food:

• Mexicali is famous for craft beers and wines.
• Apart from the local Mexican cuisine, Mexicali is home to many Chinese restaurants that provide excellent Chinese cuisine options.

Some Common Spanish Words

Learn some quick spanish here:

Video Courtesy: Learn Spanish with SpanishPod101.com

References:

1. Pacific Standard: Medical Tourism is Booming in Mexico
2. Expatistan: Cost of living in the United States compared to Mexico
3. Travel.State.Gov: Mexico Travel Advisory
4. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Definition & Facts for Bariatric Surgery
5. Mayo Clinic: Bariatric Surgery
6. World Journal of Gastroenterology: Five-year outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a primary procedure for morbid obesity: A prospective study
7. Journal of Heliyon: The advantages and disadvantages of sleeve gastrectomy; clinical laboratory to bedside review
8. Journal of F1000Prime Reports: Quick fix or long-term cure? Pros and cons of bariatric surgery
9. Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology: Intragastric Balloons for Obesity Management
10. Annals of Surgery: Duodenal Switch Provides Superior Weight Loss in the Super-Obese (BMI ≥50kg/m2) Compared With Gastric Bypass
11. US Embassy & Consulates in Mexico: Find Your Consular Location
12. Journal of Obesity Surgery: Duodenal Switch Is Superior to Gastric Bypass in Patients with Super Obesity when Evaluated with the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS)