The ultimate guide to Bariatric Surgery in Costa Rica

Last fact-checked: 23 July 2020

Bariatric surgery in Costa Rica can not only dramatically change your life—but also save you thousands of dollars compared to the cost of this procedure back in the US or Canada. 

Learn more about what kinds of weight loss procedures are available in this safe, lovely Central American country and book with Medical Departures to save as much as 60% on your treatment. 

Why Bariatric Surgery?

If you have been fighting a losing battle with obesity; if you have medical reasons for needing to lose weight; if you are fed up with being overweight and wish there was something you could do…now there is. Weight loss surgeries typically restrict your ability to eat as much, leaving you feeling full after sometimes only a few mouthfuls. With a reduced stomach capacity, you will lose weight, initially rapidly, then at a slower, steadier pace in the years after. 

Obesity is one of the biggest killers around the world because it is a contributory cause of lifestyle diseases, heart problems, cancer, and deadly disorders like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This risk can be significantly reversed or mitigated when you lose weight. You will also feel more active and energetic, as well as look better since you can wear all kinds of clothes. This can have a positive effect on your mental and emotional health, as well as giving you a much-needed confidence boost.  

Why Consider Bariatric Surgery in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is a prime Latin American medical tourism destination, with excellent quality medical care, well-trained doctors and medical facilities that rival those in the U.S. and Canada. It offers all these facilities at affordable rates, with short waiting times. And since the country has a largely temperate climate, you can go almost all year round, though some places may be somewhat hotter in May and summer months.

Costa Rica has a great deal to offer the tourist including volcanoes, mountains, rain forests, waterfalls, rivers, beaches and sun. You can choose what kind of holiday you would like to have and plan your surgery in Costa Rica accordingly. It borders both the Caribbean and the Pacific. It is an important nature and ecotourism destination because of its biodiversity, protected areas and unique species.

Popular tourist destinations include the Poas Volcano National, Arenal Volcano National Park, Celeste River, Corcovado National Park, Tortuguero National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest, La Fortuna Waterfall and many others. Most of these places are some distance away from San Jose. It also has UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Cocos Island, Área de Conservación Guanacaste and La Amistad International Park that are worth a visit.

If you are going for surgery and want to experience the many sites this incredible country has to offer, make sure you fly well before your surgery date to give yourself enough time. That said, many of the tourist destinations in Costa Rica also have modestly priced recovery retreats; if you are going for bariatric surgery, then you can recuperate there until you get the clearance to go back home.

Why Should I Book with Medical Departures?

For increased safety, best price guarantee and minimal risk, it is always worth booking through Medical Departures. 

We ensure safety by checking the personal and professional background, qualifications and credentials of the doctors attached to the hospitals and clinics we list on our website. We verify doctors’ accreditations to, for example, relevant reputable international organizations. We also see to it that the medical centers offer good quality facilities. 

How Long Does Bariatric Surgery Take and What Is the Approximate Recovery Time?

There are many different procedures that fall under the umbrella of bariatric surgery. Most aim to reduce the size of your stomach one way or the other. You can opt for temporary methods or permanent, irreversible methods, depending on how much weight you need to lose. Of course, a qualified bariatric surgeon will guide you as to what procedure will be right for you.

Among the procedures available is the intragastric balloon, which is minimally invasive and normally carried out as an outpatient procedure. When inflated, it occupies space in your stomach and reduces its size. However, this can only be left in for six months so may not be suitable for all. 

Alternatively, the gastric band is an adjustable device that can be made bigger or smaller and is placed across the stomach, again reducing its capacity.

Other methods include the gastric bypass (Roux en Y procedure) and biliopancreatic diversion and duodenal switch (BDDS). While relatively complex, these can effectively reduce the size of the stomach and bypass part of the intestine. 

A permanent weight-loss surgery is sleeve gastrectomy; this procedure cuts the stomach, leaving only a sleeve behind.

Different methods have their pros and cons and it is important that you and your specialist reach an informed decision before surgical intervention. The procedures can take between half an hour to three hours. After surgery, you can spend two to three nights in hospital and will require a lengthy recuperation period as your stomach gets used to your new diet. You can expect a recovery period of three to six weeks.

You will also need to strictly follow the advice of your surgeon in terms of what you should and should not eat in the days, weeks, months and even years following surgery, as well as other important items like exercise and vitamin supplementation. 

What Is the Cost of Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery procedures vary a great deal in cost depending on the procedure. On an average, In the US, the surgery will cost US$10,000 (CAD 17,295, £10,612, €11,920, AUD 17,000, NZD 18,138). 

In Costa Rica the prices will be significantly lower; most of our clients find that they can save between 50% and 70% when booking through Medical Departures. Our Customer Care Team can help you identify the best clinics and work up accurate price quotes.

What Now?

Look below for ways to contact us. Our Customer Care Team is also available to answer any questions or help you with booking bariatric surgery in Costa Rica. Or if you are ready to book your appointment you can do so right here any time of the day or night, at no charge to you.

Sources: 

Statistics About Diabetes. American Diabetes Association. 2016.  https://www.diabetes.org/resources/statistics/statistics-about-diabetes" target="_blank

Costa Rica. UNESCO. 2019.  http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/cr" target="_blank

International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). Website accessed: 26 January 2019.  https://www.ifso.com/about-ifso/" target="_blank

Obesity 'now a leading cause of death; especially in men'. NHS. 14 July 2016.  https://www.nhs.uk/news/obesity/obesity-now-a-leading-cause-of-death-especially-in-men/" target="_blank

Vitamin and mineral supplements after weight loss surgery. NHS. PDF accessed: 26 January 2019.  https://www.sth.nhs.uk/clientfiles/File/PIL1716%20vitamins%20and%20minerals.pdf" target="_blank

What Is Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Surgery? WebMD. 25 December 2018.  https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/what-is-gastric-sleeve-weight-loss-surgery#1" target="_blank