The ultimate guide to Bariatric Surgery in Cancun

Website accessed: 25 August 2020

Want to turn your life around with bariatric surgery but can't afford the costs in the US or Canada? Then consider doing what thousands do every year by heading to Mexico for affordable, high-quality weight loss treatment.

We have partnered with world-class facilities in Cancun, Mexico's most popular coastal resort destination, where you can undergo various types of bariatric surgeries for thousands less. 

Why Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is an increasingly popular option for those who are overweight. As waistlines increase around the globe, more people are turning to weight loss surgery to help them shift the pounds and get their lives back on track.

Bariatric surgery is an umbrella term used to describe a number of surgical procedures also known as weight loss surgery. These procedures limit the amount of food that can be put in the body, thereby reducing calorie content and leading to weight loss. If you have a BMI above then it’s likely that you may be a good candidate for the surgery.

There are some caveats, however. You must be in generally good health to undergo the surgery and you will also need to adjust your lifestyle significantly afterward.

What Are the Different Bariatric Surgery Procedures and How Do They Work?

Your surgeon will discuss with you the options and the long-term goals you have, as well as the pros and cons of each type of weight loss procedure. The most common bariatric surgeries are outlined below:

Gastric Bypass

The gastric bypass and the small intestine are divided. The bottom end of the small intestine is joined to the smaller stomach pouch, which effectively means that any food passing into the stomach bypasses the larger part of the stomach and small intestine. This works to achieve weight loss in two ways: the stomach is smaller so less food is consumed before feeling full and the shortened small intestine means that fewer calories are absorbed.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

The sleeve gastrectomy also restricts calorie intake, but around 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a small tubular pouch.

Gastric Band

This is the only reversible bariatric procedure. An adjustable band is inflated to section off part of the stomach to create a smaller opening, which means less food can be eaten, and fewer calories consumed. The band can be adjusted to make the opening smaller.

Why Have Bariatric Surgery in Cancun?

As obesity rises, so too does the need for bariatric surgery procedures. Unfortunately, for many North Americans, their insurance either does not fully cover this procedure, or requirements prohibit many patients from participating. In any case, weight loss procedures in North America and other countries is too expensive for too many. Mexico offers a lifeline for these people and Cancun is only a few hours' flight away.

Already a popular holiday destination, this destination has all the amenities and services visitors need, and its medical tourist facilities are among the best anywhere. Contemporary, modern hospitals and clinics offer excellent services, while surgeons and doctors are well-trained, many having done at least part of their training in the US, are US board members and also have verifiable international professional memberships with, for example, organizations like the IFSO.

Booking with Medical Departures: Recommended Facilities in Cancun

Booking with Medical Departures can provide you an additional layer of protection. We have performed our own background checks on doctor qualifications, visited clinics and we publish verified former patient reviews. Alongside price information, maps and color photos which you can find under each clinic listing on our website, you can achieve an accurate assessment of the credentials of each clinic, enabling you to make an informed choice.

Below, find three of our top-rated partner facilities in Cancun that offer different types of bariatric surgery to international patients:

• Sergio Verboonen - Cancun
• Dr. Hector Joaquin Perez Corzo
• Dr. Fernando Ceron Rodriguez

How Long Does Bariatric Surgery Take to Carry Out?

Most bariatric surgery is performed laparoscopically (keyhole surgery). Recovery time using this technique is quicker as there are not long incision wounds to recover from.

The surgery generally takes a few hours although you will need to spend some time in the hospital afterward, as well as including an initial consultation/planning stage with your chosen surgeon in Cancun.

What Is the Recovery Time from Bariatric Surgery?

Depending on what procedure you elect, you may be discharged from the hospital or clinic within 24 hours. Increasingly the procedure is treated as outpatient, with precautions. Your doctor will provide details, once you have decided on the exact treatment.

After surgery, your digestive system will be given time to settle down and so you will not be able to eat anything for a day or two. Food will be reintroduced slowly, starting with liquids, then pureed and soft food before you can resume normal intake.

You will be given dietary advice and an exercise program to follow. This is when you will need to radically alter your mindset in order to achieve your weight loss goals. It won’t be easy for the first month or so after surgery. Your body will have massive adjustments to make and you will feel tired, and possibly a little depressed.  You will be advised to participate in various post-op weight loss programs.

However, as you begin to feel healthier and the weight starts to drop off you will join others like you who have changed their lives with weight loss interventions.

How Much Can I Save on the Cost of Bariatric Surgery in Cancun Compared to the US or Canada?

The cost of bariatric surgery in Mexico varies depending on the exact procedure, but on average it costs US $5,400 (CAN $7,000; UK £3,700; EURO €4,800; AUS $7,200).

This can be compared to, on average, $22,000 (CAN $28,000; UK £15,000; EURO €19,000; AUS $29,00) in the United States. [Please note: these prices are approximate estimates based on international data, calculated at the time of writing.]

Next Steps

You can get started now by searching our listings to find your surgeon in Cancun.

See below for ways to arrange an appointment or get in touch with our Customer Care Team for more information about undergoing bariatric surgery in Cancun.

Sources:

International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). Website accessed: 35 August 2020. https://www.ifso.com/about-ifso/

Da Silva, Chantal. Thousands Of Americans Are Crossing The Border Into Mexico Every Year To Get Affordable Medical Treatment. News Week. 18 May 2019. https://www.newsweek.com/thousands-americans-cross-border-mexico-affordable-medical-treatment-each-1426943

Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y). Mayo Clinic. 28 December 2017.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/gastric-bypass-surgery/about/pac-20385189

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