Last fact-checked: 23 September 2020

Sleeve gastrectomy is just one of the most effective bariatric (weight loss) procedures available for obese patients looking to lose a considerable amount of weight, changing their life forever.

Also known as a gastric sleeve or lap-band, this is now becoming more popular than the gastric band for achieving dramatic, long-lasting weight loss. Unlike the gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy is a permanent, irreversible procedure, and this is something you should bear in mind when you are considering your options.

It is important to note that a sleeve gastrectomy, in common with other forms of bariatric surgery, is a major surgery, and therefore you should weigh up the practicalities of undergoing surgery abroad as an overweight patient. You may also have to consider how easy it is going to be for you to go for check-ups, which is why many Americans and Canadians having weight loss surgery tend to travel not too far away – and why Mexico fits the bill.

As a medical tourist destination, Mexico has been popular with those from North of the US-Mexico border for quite some time. By Western standards, it may well be looked upon as a developing nation, but Mexico is fast becoming a major economy with investment in newer and better services plain to see.

Particularly in the field of medical tourism, which is a growth area, consistently positive reports from patients about the high standards of care they have received ensures that more patients are encouraged to try the services for themselves, especially because they can save many thousands of dollars.

With regard to having any medical procedure abroad, our advice is always to do your homework. Find out all you can about the procedure, and assess how feasible traveling is for you. If surgery abroad is the right option, use our website to search destinations and reputable surgeons.

Although no medical procedure can ever be guaranteed 100%, choosing a quality-checked surgeon mitigates your risk substantially. Look at their qualifications, and see what professional memberships and affiliations they have, such as with the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO).

If you are going to Mexico for sleeve gastrectomy, booking with Medical Departures ensures you will be seen by a dependable clinic and surgeon, whose credentials have been verified by us and where clinic visits, gathering of patient testimonials and legal/criminal records checks are part of our corroboration process.

Check out the quality on offer in Mexico with these medical facilities for bariatric surgery.

Surgery for sleeve gastrectomy typically takes between one and two hours. You will usually be given a general anesthetic, although these days most operations are done via a laparoscope, rather than by traditional surgical techniques. A laparoscope is a tiny camera, and passed through a small incision in your abdomen, beams a picture of the operating area to a monitor, so the surgeon can perform the procedure without having to make large incisions across the tummy.

Between two and five small incisions are made, which allow the camera and surgical instruments to access the appropriate areas underneath the incisions. The removal of around 75% of your stomach will be done this way, with the remainder stapled to form a tube, about the size of a banana. After the procedure is performed the incisions are stitched closed.

You will be in hospital for a couple of days, and maybe a little longer. To allow your digestive system time to recover, you won’t be permitted to eat anything for a couple of days, and once you can you will start off gently, on liquids. After that, you will move on to pureed and very soft foods before you can begin eating solids again.

You will need to take things gradually over the next few weeks and you will be given diet and exercise guidelines, although it will take around a month before you can start exercising.

Read more about what to expect following gastric sleeve surgery here. 

In Mexico, the average price for a sleeve gastrectomy is generally around 60% less than the price it is in the US and Canada.

For instance, you can expect to pay approximately $8,000 (CAD $10,000; £5,000 GBP, €7,000, AUD $10,500) in Mexico compared to around $19,000 in the United States (CAD $23,400; £12,000 GBP, €17,000, AUD $24,500).

These prices are averages at the time of writing. See some of the latest prices, as well as surgeon profiles, photos, patients reviews and more at these three recommended clinics in Mexico for gastric sleeves:

• Dr. Sergio del Hoyo (Puerto Vallarta)
• Advanced Health Medical Center (Tijuana)
• Dr. Antonio Giovanni Spaventa Ibarrola (Mexico City)

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

To book, see below for easy ways to arrange an appointment, or to get in touch with our Customer Care Team if you’d like to discuss sleeve gastrectomies in Mexico in greater detail.

Sources:

What to Expect After Weight Loss Surgery. WebMD. Website accessed: 23 September 2020. https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/what-to-expect-after-weight-loss-surgery#1

Zuckerman, Diana, Ph.D.; Carroll, Jenna. Gastric Lap-Bands: What You Need to Know. National Center for Health Research. 2019.
http://www.center4research.org/gastric-lap-bands-need-know/

MacGill, Markus. How does a gastric band work? Medical News Today. 24 May 2018. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/298313

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