Last fact-checked: 13 September 2020

A gastric bypass in Mexico City may be a solution if you are obese and have been trying (and subsequently failing) to slim down for some time. Effectively restricting the total amount of food that the stomach can contain, this surgical procedure promotes rapid weight loss.

The process falls under the broad category of bariatric surgery and is considered to be the most popular among people willing to lose weight surgically.

In general, doctors will consider a patient eligible for a gastric bypass if they meet any one of these three categories:

1. Have a Body Mass Index greater than or equal to 40 and are over 100 pounds overweight.
2. Have a Body Mass Index equal to or greater than 35 and have at least two co-morbidities related to obesity, including sleep apnea, respiratory disorders, Type II diabetes and hypertension, or any of from the following: lipid abnormalities, heart diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, gastrointestinal disorders, or osteoarthritis are also eligible for undergoing a gastric bypass.
3. Have been unable to achieve and sustain a healthy level of weight loss over a significant time period despite attempting to do so multiple times, then a gastric bypass may be considered the only possible logical solution.

Undergoing a gastric bypass is no small procedure, and is one that definitely requires follow-up care. Some patients are required to regularly consult a specialist or a physiologist/mental healthcare professional after their surgery.

If you are considering having this procedure overseas, you might be deterred after calculating the potential traveling expenses. However, for people residing within the United States and Canada, traveling to Mexico City can be less expensive than traveling within their respective regions. Thus, Mexico’s proximity to the two countries means that people can easily fly or drive for the procedure and subsequent follow-up meetings with the doctors although if flying you may need to first determine whether you are fit for air travel.

Generally, Mexico City offers excellent quality facilities and surgeons who are well-qualified to offer this procedure. As obesity is becoming an increasingly common problem, we are seeing the rise of specialist weight loss surgery clinics throughout Mexico, with surgeons who are discrete, well-established and committed to staying on top of their game with affiliations to professional international groups such as the International Federation of Surgery for Obesity. 

It is natural for patients to be concerned about the standards when traveling abroad, which is why Medical Departures conducts our own screening checks to verify credentials, including professional memberships and qualifications, as well as legal/criminal record searches. We also publish real patient reviews and do our own onsite visits. If we aren’t happy about a clinic or its practitioners, we don’t list.

During the surgery, the top part of the stomach is separated from the rest, thereby creating a tiny pouch. The small intestine is also divided, with its lower end being joined to the small pouch that has just been created. This results in less absorption of food materials due to a decreased surface area.

The upper part of the small intestine is then connected downward to itself, allowing for the digestive juices to mix into the food and aid digestion.

Read more in detail about what a gastric bypass involves here. 

After the surgery, patients may experience stomach ache, which can be controlled with painkillers, and soreness at the point(s) of incision. Since food passes quickly through the digestive system without much absorption, patients may initially experience issues such as shakiness, nausea, and diarrhea.

After surgery patients will not be allowed to eat for a few days, to give the digestive system time to heal. Then foods will be introduced slowly, starting with liquids, then liquidized food before progressing to solids. Gentle physical exercise is encouraged during this period.

If all these precautions and any other additional advice from the doctors is followed properly, the patient may expect to resume his or her normal life after around a month or slightly longer.

In terms of how long you'll need to stay in Mexico City after your surgery, we suggest talking to your chosen surgeon before booking your flights. You will be advised to rest in a comfortable environment (such as a well-equipped, air-conditioned hotel room or under the shade by the pool) near to your clinic or hospital for a number of days following surgery. 

Gastric bypass surgery in Mexico City costs around $6,000 (CAN $7,800, UK £4,100, EUR €5,300, AUS $8,300). This is compared to $24,000 in the United States (CAN $31,000, UK 16,500, EUR €21,300, AUS $33,000).

Please note: These are estimated prices at the time of writing. Check out updated prices, as well as photos, surgeon profiles, patient testimonials and more at these leading clinics in Mexico City that provide gastric bypass surgery to international patients:

• Dr. Antonio Giovanni Spaventa Ibarrola
• CIBAJO

You can begin by learning what's available at our top-quality facilities in Mexico City.

If you’re ready to book an appointment, then follow the links below. For further information call our toll-free number to speak to our Customer Care Team about a gastric bypass in Mexico City. Or if you are ready to book your appointment, you can do so right here any time of the day or night, at no charge to you.

Sources:

Gastric bypass surgery. Medline Plus. 21 June 2018. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007199.htm

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

International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). Website accessed: 17 March 2019. https://www.ifso.com/about-ifso/

Murray, Don. Mexican Healthcare Is Excellent and Affordable. International Living. 2018.  https://internationalliving.com/countries/mexico/health-care