Bariatric surgery in Tijuana

What bariatric surgery is, and who it is for

Bariatric surgery covers the procedures that modify the digestive tract to treat obesity and the diseases that come with it: type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea, fatty liver, joint pain from overload and dyslipidaemia. It works by restricting how much food can be eaten and, in some procedures, by also changing the hormonal signalling of the gut.

It is not for anyone who simply wants to lose weight. The indication is established with clinical criteria — body mass index, associated disease, history of previous weight-loss attempts — and with a multidisciplinary assessment. A patient unwilling to change habits or to attend follow-up is not a good candidate, however well they meet the weight criterion.

The procedures performed

Sleeve gastrectomy removes a significant portion of the stomach and leaves a narrow, sleeve-shaped tube. It is the most performed procedure today: it reduces gastric volume by roughly 70 %, produces early satiety and does not alter the path of the intestine.

The mini gastric bypass (one-anastomosis bypass) creates an elongated gastric pouch and connects it to a loop of small bowel, adding a malabsorptive component and a favourable hormonal effect on diabetes to the restrictive one. The gastric band places an adjustable ring around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch that limits the amount of food taken in; it is reversible and is indicated today in selected cases.

The result depends on what happens afterwards

Surgery is the beginning of treatment, not the end. With a gastric sleeve and a proper nutritional plan, patients are estimated to lose up to 80 % of their excess weight within 12 to 18 months, with the improvement in health and quality of life that brings. But that result depends on the follow-up visits, on adherence to the eating plan and on supplementation.

After bariatric surgery, vitamin and mineral supplements are needed for life — iron, vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D — along with periodic lab work. The way of eating has to change too: small portions, chewing thoroughly, separating liquids from solids and prioritising protein. None of this is optional.

Patients from the United States

Tijuana is thirty minutes from San Diego airport, and a large share of bariatric patients arrive from that side of the line. For them there is a published gastric sleeve package that includes ground transport to and from the airport, hotel, hospital fees, pre- and post-operative tests, nutritional guidance before and after, medication related to the surgery and medical follow-up.

The standard stay is four days: arrival and transport on day one; pre-op checks, consultation and surgery on day two; recovery with dedicated medical support on day three; discharge and departure on day four. Airfare is not included in the package price. The practice's medical office coordinator gives the associated costs when scheduling.