Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Tijuana Mexico

Perhaps the most vital decision you will make when having gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana is choosing the right facility. The most vital accreditation agency in the United States is the Joint Commission International. They have the highest requirements, and certification requires that the facility passes on nearly 300 standards and 1,200 data points regarding how they care for patients. When searching for the best facility for your gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana is sure that they are JCI accredited. The surgeon should also be accredited by an association such as the Mexican Association of Obesity Surgery and Metabolic Disorders or the Mexican Association of Endoscopic Surgery. You will know you are getting the highest level of service, safety, and care from this facility.

Things to Understand Before Undergoing Gastric Sleeve Surgery

When setting out to have gastric sleeve surgery, even out of the country, you should always touch base with your primary care physician to make him or her aware of your plans. This should be done regardless of whether the facility is associated with a US-based facility or not. You want to be sure that you are preparing for the surgery and that your primary care physician feels that you are healthy enough for such a surgery.

What To Consider

As with all major decisions, there are many aspects to consider before having gastric sleeve surgery. The first thing to consider is whether or not you are healthy enough for such surgery. You will also need to consider time to recover, the travel necessary, and the cost of the surgery. This includes your travel, the surgery itself, the facility costs and any time away from work you need to recover.

Planning Your Trip

Before you start out on your trip it is important that you are as healthy as possible. Stop smoking well before your surgery as tobacco in the blood can make it harder for the body to heal properly and can even increase blood clot risks. Be sure that you allow time both before and after your surgery for the flight because flying right before or after can increase your risk of DVT and other types of complications from surgery. Your physician may also recommend that you stop taking various over-the-counter medications and some non-essential prescriptions that can cause the blood to thicken.

Cost

Many patients travel to Tijuana in order to save money on surgery as it is much cheaper than in the United States. Some are concerned that this lower cost of surgery means that the level of care being received is less. This is not the case, and the lower costs are associated with a lower cost of living in the area. In addition, the associated cost of doing business in the area as it relates to insurance rates is lower in areas such as Tijuana, Mexico than in many other countries. The average cost of gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana is $8,000.

While every facility and surgeon is different, the typical costs associated with gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana include more than just the surgery itself. They also include pre-operative test such as urine tests, CBC, chest x-ray, evaluations, travel costs, hospital fees, international telephone calls, medications, anesthesiologist fees, nutritionist fees, and surgeon fees. Not everything is covered in the fees associated with the surgery and costs such as additional prescriptions, costs related to complications, food for any guests, hotel costs, and airfare.

The Process of Medical Tourism

Gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana starts with contacting a health travel agent or even a surgeon in Tijuana directly. A review of the patient’s medical history and current medical status follows. A telephone call will likely be arranged between the surgeon and the primary care physician to go over the situation. If all of the parties agree that the patient is a good candidate the surgeon will develop a price for the surgery. This will be all-inclusive and could include everything from the surgery and after surgery to guest accommodations. It is also likely that the patient will return to the United States and have their follow-up visit with their own primary care physician as well as meetings with nutritionists to keep them on track. The surgery is only one part of the process and follow-through is vital. It is vital that a gastric sleeve surgery patient is committed to making a commitment and some lifestyle changes. The decision to have this type of surgery should be made with these facts in mind.