The ultimate guide to Gastric Bypass in Mexico

Last fact-checked: 4 October 2020

Undergo gastric bypass surgery in Mexico, with quality-checked surgeons who have the experience and expertise to handle even the most problematic cases.

One of the most popular weight-loss surgeries currently performed, this is a drastic solution to obesity that has helped millions of people around the world shed the pounds. 

Find out more and discover bariatric specialists in Mexico with Medical Departures. 

Why Consider Gastric Bypass Surgery in Mexico?

Mexico has gained a superb reputation as a medical tourist destination, particularly for US citizens who are able to fly or even drive across the southern border. Savvy Americans and Canadians have been coming to Mexico for more affordable pharmaceuticals and medical care for a while, although the results haven’t always been reliable.

While Mexico is still a developing nation by Western standards, there is a growing number of world-class facilities throughout the length and breadth of the country that offer services that are equal, if not better, than some facilities you’d go to at home. If you are thinking about going to Mexico for gastric bypass surgery, then make sure you choose to go to somewhere that has a good reputation and a surgeon who has verifiable qualifications and professional memberships.

Finding a Specialist with Medical Departures

Booking through Medical Departures takes the guesswork out of it. We quality-check our surgeons and clinics, confirming qualifications, professional memberships and visiting clinics to see if we would be happy going there ourselves. We also think patient testimonials are important, which is why we publish them on our website.

This information is all freely available to any visitor to our site, so they can make their own decision, and choose accordingly.

What Does Gastric Bypass Surgery Involve and How Long Does it Take?

Also known as a Roux-en-Y, gastric bypass procedure is carried out under a general anesthetic. It usually takes around an hour, but it can take several hours, although this is rare.

The surgery is performed by a laparoscope (which is a long thin tube). This is inserted into small cuts that are made across the abdomen in strategic places so the surgeon can access your organs with the tube, which has a camera, and see your insides on a monitor. This means the long scars that surgery like this needed before the advent of ‘keyhole surgery’ are a thing of the past, allowing for speedier recovery times.

The surgeon will make a small pouch at the top of your stomach by dividing the stomach and stapling it. The small pouch is then connected to a piece of the small intestine, at the bottom. When food enters the pouch, it bypasses the main stomach and a large part of the small intestine as it is digested. Because the pouch is so small, patients feel full and cannot eat as much, which means fewer calories, which equals dramatic weight loss.

The incisions are stitched and clipped together to complete the procedure.

What Is the Recovery Time?

Following surgery, prospective gastric bypass patients should take note of the following:

• You should be permitted to leave the hospital after two or three days.
• In order to give your stomach and digestive system time to heal, you won’t be allowed to eat anything for a few days.
• After this, you will start on a liquid diet before being given the go-ahead for pureed food, and then normal food again.
• You will probably need to be in Mexico for around two weeks following surgery
• Be prepared to be monitored regularly to ensure blood tests are fine, and there are no problems with your weight loss.

Patients who have any form of bariatric surgery must be willing to undergo huge lifestyle changes – in the kinds of food they eat, as well as taking up an exercise regime (which will help to build muscle as well as help even further with weight loss.

How Much Can I Save on Gastric Bypass Surgery in Mexico?

The cost of gastric bypass surgery in Mexico costs, on average $7,500 (CAD $9,000; £5,000 GBP, €6,500, AUD $9,500) compared to an average of $24,000 in the United States (CAD $20,000; £15,000 GBP, €21,000, AUD $17,000). 

Note: these are approximate prices calculated at the time of writing. Check out some of the latest prices on offer, as well as photos, reviews and surgeon profiles at these top clinics in Mexico that offer gastric bypass surgery to international patients:

• Dr. Sergio del Hoyo (Puerto Vallarta)
• Sergio Verboonen - Tijuana
• CIBAJO (Mexico City)

What Next?

Find out more about our quality-checked providers in Mexico and what they offer.

Book an appointment online or call our toll-free number. If you’d like to discuss gastric bypass surgery in Mexico or have any questions, do get in touch with our Customer Care Team at no cost to you.

We guarantee you the best prices – so get a free quote today.

Sources:

Estimate of Bariatric Surgery Numbers, 2011-2018. American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Website accessed: 4 October 2020. https://asmbs.org/resources/estimate-of-bariatric-surgery-numbers

Anglis, Jaclyn. 20 Inspiring Gastric Bypass Before-and-After Transformations. First for Women. 12 June 2019. https://www.firstforwomen.com/gallery/diet/gastric-bypass-before-and-after-118490

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