One of the most prominent reasons that people choose duodenal switch surgery in Tijuana is the lower price than the United States. This doesn’t mean that the surgery is any less important or that it requires less qualified professionals for the job. You want to be sure that you are getting the very best care available.
When searching for a quality facility for your duodenal switch surgery in Tijuana, be sure that the facility is affiliated with a professional association such as the Joint Commission International. The JCI holds the facilities that it accredits to the highest of standards. They require that each facility passes a test on nearly 300 standards. They require that the facilities are providing high-quality patient care to everyone, that they have patient safety at the top of the list, the surgical outcomes are good and that the facility is well maintained and cared for. Selecting one of these facilities will ensure that you are getting the best care for your surgical procedure.
What To Consider
As with any surgical procedure, there are several things that you want to consider when you are deciding whether duodenal switch surgery in Tijuana is the best choice for you. You want to be sure that you are a surgical candidate. Discussing the surgery options with your primary care physician is going to be an important part of this process.
You want to select a professional that has the experience that is necessary for the work and that have the credentials you are looking for. They should be affiliated with one of the associations in the field such as the Mexican Association of Endoscopic Surgery or the Mexican Association of Obesity Surgery and Metabolic Disorders. You should also consider whether you can manage the travel and the time off you will need to recover. Remember that you will also need to make some additional lifestyle changes after the surgery.
Planning Your Trip
Preparing for your surgery is vital if you want it to be successful. Remember that you need to stop smoking if you are a smoker before your surgery. Smoking can make the recovery process much slower and can even cause some complications during and after the surgery. You will need to be prepared to stay for several days and perhaps have some help while you are there and traveling home. Bring someone with you that can be this support system. Be prepared to make some lifestyle changes with regard to how you approach food and exercise in your life.
Cost
The biggest reason that individuals travel to Tijuana for duodenal switch surgery is the low cost. Bariatric surgery in the area typically runs between $4,000 and $8,000 depending on the situation. The low cost is due to several factors including an overall lower cost of living, lower overhead on maintenance of the facilities, and lower costs of malpractice and other forms of insurance.
The cost of the surgery typically includes such items as the cost or fees of the facility, the fees for the surgeon, fees for the anesthesiologist, fees for a nutritionist, fees for medication, travel, and in some cases, counseling. Some things that are not typically included are additional surgeries, follow-up appointments, medication after the surgery, and fees related to complications during the surgery.
The Process
When you are planning to have duodenal switch surgery in Tijuana you will want to talk to your physician first. This will ensure that you are healthy enough for surgery and that you are selecting the right surgery for your needs. Then you will want to contact an agent that handles this type of medical process or a surgeon. The surgeon will go over what you are interested in and look at your medical history. He or she will want to contact your primary care physician and they will quote you a price for the surgery. After this point, you will need to make travel arrangements, often with the help of the surgical facility.
After your surgery, the doctor will want to keep an eye on you for a few days to make sure you are doing well. When you go home you will follow up with your physician and likely meet with a nutritionist to discuss how you will proceed with your health and approach to food.