When considering bariatric procedures, you can start by researching information that helps you to know more about the process. You can look for one specific weight loss surgery, but in the end, it will depend on what’s best for you, your health, your medical history, and what your surgeon tells you.
If that is the case, you will find everything about gastric sleeve surgery in this article.
Especially why patients go to have surgery in Tijuana, Mexico, how convenient and safe it is, who qualifies for the surgery, and how much it costs.
Is a gastric sleeve procedure for you?
This life-changing bariatric surgery is recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, circulatory system problems, respiratory system problems, and other complications such as type two diabetes and systemic arterial hypertension. Still, even in this scenario, you must consult your surgeon first to determine if that is an ideal alternative.
Who Qualifies for Gastric Sleeve in Mexico?
Gastric sleeve surgery is typically recommended for individuals who have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher, or a BMI of 30 or higher with obesity-related health issues. These health issues may include high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease.
It’s important to note that candidates for gastric sleeve surgery must have previously attempted other weight loss methods, such as diet and exercise, without success. Although BMI can be a helpful tool, patients must undergo a thorough evaluation first to determine if this procedure is appropriate for them.
Why having a gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico, Tijuana could be your best option
Mexico is an excellent choice for a weight loss center, especially in Tijuana, because it is located just south of the U.S. border. It has become a popular destination for people seeking affordable weight loss surgery, including gastric sleeve surgery.
Getting a gastric sleeve procedure in Tijuana, Mexico
It is an alternative that some people consider due to the potential cost savings compared to having the surgery in the United States or other countries with higher healthcare costs.
Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Safe in Tijuana, Mexico?
While some people may have concerns about the safety of undergoing weight loss surgery in Mexico, the reality is that many bariatric surgery centers in Tijuana provide high-quality care and adhere to the same safety standards as those in the United States.
It is essential to do your research and choose a reputable and certified bariatric surgery center and board-certified surgeons.
Tijuana is one of the most preferred destinations for Medical Tourism
Tijuana has many reputable hospitals and clinics that offer bariatric surgeries like gastric sleeve surgery and board-certified bariatric surgeons who can provide you with the best treatment and the ideal solution.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Tijuana, Mexico
In Vida Wellness and Beauty, located in Tijuana, your journey begins by filling out a questionnaire so we can learn all your medical history and give you a personalized weight loss solution.
This includes a free consultation with our bariatric surgeon, Dr. Gabriela Rodríguez Ruiz, who will clarify any questions about your bariatric procedure.
What does gastric sleeve surgery consist of?
And, if you’re wondering more about sleeve gastrectomy, we’ll tell you all about it. Gastric sleeve surgery, also called vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), is a bariatric surgery that helps patients lose weight by reducing the size of their stomach.
This medical procedure involves removing a portion of the stomach tissue to create a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach that can hold less food, resulting in a feeling of fullness after eating.
Percentage of stomach removed during gastric sleeve surgery.
In this bariatric surgery, 70 to 85% of the stomach is removed, making it 25 to 30% smaller and thinner from its original size.
It’s essential to mention that gastric sleeve works through 4 mechanisms, the ones we are going to say below:
Restriction
This occurs because the stomach will be much smaller after the bariatric surgery, resulting in feeling full much faster. After all, the stomach will tolerate less food.
Decreased appetite
This occurs due to the removal of a stomach segment, which eliminates a substantial portion of the cells responsible for producing the hormone known as ghrelin, often called the “hunger hormone” because it stimulates appetite.
In the case of vertical sleeve gastrectomy, the reduction in ghrelin production leads to a marked decrease in appetite.
Increased metabolism
Cellular metabolism increases or accelerates immediately after surgery, mainly by eliminating the hormone ghrelin, which also decreases the body’s metabolism.
In the gastric sleeve procedure, the basal metabolism increases when the hormone ghrelin production is removed.
Increased satiety
Food swiftly moves into the intestine within the sleeve gastrectomy, a phenomenon called “enhanced gastric emptying.” This swifter transition is attributed to the pressure exerted by the smaller stomach.
The rapid passage of food into the intestine triggers the release of additional hormones, including GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and PYY (peptide YY), heightening the sensation of fullness. Consequently, patients experience a quicker sense of satiety or satisfaction.
Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery: What are its advantages?
Gastric sleeve surgeries offer several advantages for individuals struggling with obesity and related health issues. Some of the critical advantages of gastric sleeve treatment include:
Significant Weight Loss
Gastric sleeve surgery typically results in substantial and sustained weight loss. Many patients lose a significant portion of their excess body weight within the first year after surgery.
Improved Health & Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Weight loss achieved through gastric sleeve surgery often leads to improved obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and joint pain.
Excess weight loss can minimize the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
Minimally Invasive Procedure
Gastric sleeve is usually performed with a laparoscopic surgery, which means smaller incisions, minimally invasive techniques, less pain, briefer hospital stays, and quicker recovery compared to open sleeve gastrectomy.
Improved Quality of Life
Most patients experience improved physical and emotional wellness, increased mobility, and more self-confidence after losing weight; they are comfortable in their skin.
No Need for Unfamiliar Objects Inside Your Body
Unlike gastric lap-band, gastric sleeve surgery does not require placing a foreign device in the body.
Fewer Dietary Restrictions
While dietary adjustments are necessary after surgery, patients can usually eat more foods than gastric bypass surgery.
Reduced Long-Term Complications
Vertical sleeve surgery has a lower risk of long-term complications related to nutrient deficiencies than other weight loss surgeries, like gastric bypass procedures.
Simplified Post-Operative Care
Patients typically do not need to worry about ongoing adjustments or maintenance procedures required with gastric bands.
Boosting Your Physical Activity
Weight loss often leads to increased physical activity and the ability to engage in activities that were previously difficult due to obesity, and so does the healing of severe health conditions.
Reduced Medication Dependence
Many patients can reduce or eliminate entirely the need for medications for conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Absorption of Vitamins and Minerals
The Gastric Sleeve is a restrictive technique that does not affect the absorption of nutrients at the intestinal level.
Reduced Hunger
We mentioned this already: removing a portion of the stomach reduces the production of ghrelin (hunger hormone), helping patients control their appetite and food intake.
Rapid Weight Loss
You will notice how your body changes one week after gastric sleeve surgery.
VSG is considered a less invasive surgery
It is less invasive because a gastric sleeve does not rearrange the digestive system. On the other hand, the surgery removes part of the stomach rather than readjusting its size, which is a permanent decision.
This restrictive procedure has become increasingly popular as a minimally invasive option for obesity and related health conditions.
How does the procedure typically work when it is a laparoscopic surgery?
- Preparation: Before the surgery, patients undergo thorough lab tests, including medical history assessments and various medical tests.
- Anesthesia: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is performed under general anesthesia, so the patient is unconscious during the surgery and feels no pain.
- Surgery: During the sleeve gastrectomy, the surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdomen and inserts a laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera) and specialized surgical instruments. The laparoscope allows the surgeon to see the inside of the stomach on a monitor.
- Stomach Resection: The surgeon removes approximately 75-85% of the stomach, leaving a narrow, banana-shaped tube or sleeve.
- Stapling and Sealing: The remaining portion of the stomach is stapled and sealed, creating a new, smaller stomach.
- Closure: The incisions are done with sutures or surgical staples.
This is how it is usually done, but this bariatric procedure varies significantly in Vida Wellness and Beauty.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery at Vida Wellness and Beauty: What makes us different
Dr. Gabriela Rodriguez Ruiz ensures that this bariatric surgery has many benefits in our weight loss center, which we will tell you about below:
Double-buttress technique
Dr. Rodríguez performs a technique that a few surgeons use: the “Double-buttress technique.”
In this technique, Dr. Rodríguez sutures over the staple line of your gastric sleeve, making it leak-proof and reducing the risks of complications such as hernia and reflux. It also improves the durability of your gastric sleeve. There are two reasons why this method is preferred:
1. Painless technique
Bariatric surgery patients who went through this procedure wake up without pain; for them, it seems like they didn’t have surgery.
2. Drainless
The patient will be comfortable; there will be no need to remove sutures, and a surgical glue will be placed over the incision.
Given the benefits of gastric sleeve and this technique, it’s one of our most recommended bariatric surgery procedures.
Gastric Sleeve Recovery: Pain Management Protocol
At VIDA, we follow a protocol to neutralize the pain, and the patients can be discharged the next day; they can even go home on their own feet with only some minor cramping. Also, they receive pills in case of pain and nausea from the anesthesia.
Other Reasons Why People Come to Tijuana for Gastric Sleeve Surgery
There are several reasons why people choose to have a gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana:
Cost Savings
One of the most significant advantages of getting gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana is the cost savings. The procedure cost in the United States can be prohibitively expensive, ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 or more, depending on the location and the surgeon’s expertise.
In contrast, the cost of vertical gastrectomy in Tijuana can be as low as $4,300 to $7,000, making it a much more affordable option.
Financial Options
In Vida, we also help you to afford your surgery; it’s just that there are situations that can wait, and your wellness can’t wait, so we make it easier for you to begin your journey.
Access to Experienced Bariatric Surgeons
Tijuana has become a hub for medical tourism, with many experienced surgeons specializing in weight loss surgery. These surgeons are often trained in the United States and speak fluent English, making it easy for American and Canadian patients to communicate with them.
They are experts in their field and seek to provide their best service at all times, such as the surgeons we have in Vida.
Shorter Wait Times
In the United States, patients may have to wait several months to undergo gastric sleeve surgery due to high demand and long wait times. In contrast, patients who travel to Tijuana for surgery can often be scheduled within a few weeks, allowing them to start their weight loss journey sooner.
Only remember to have your passport updated.
Combined Travel and Medical Experience
For many patients, traveling to Tijuana for gastric sleeve surgery provides a unique opportunity to combine their medical treatment with a travel experience.
A Unique Experience
Tijuana is located just a short distance from San Diego, California, and patients can easily fly in and out of the San Diego International Airport. Actually, at Vida Wellness and Beauty, we can pick you up from 3 locations in San Diego to make your process easier for you.
After their surgery, patients can enjoy a few days of rest in Tijuana before returning home.
But How Much Does Gastric Sleeve Cost in Tijuana?
The cost of a gastric sleeve procedure in Tijuana can change depending on several factors, such as the surgeon’s experience, the location of the surgery center, and the specific services included in the package.
The average cost of gastric sleeve bariatric surgery in Tijuana
On average, however, the cost of a gastric sleeve in Tijuana ranges from $4,000 to 7,000 dollars compared to the United States, where prices range from $15,000 up to 25,000 dollars.
Another benefit of gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana is the availability of highly experienced bariatric surgeons who are board-certified and qualified in the latest techniques, like the one we mentioned before, performed by Dr. Rodríguez.
Many surgeons in Tijuana have extensive experience performing bariatric surgeries, including gastric sleeve procedures, and have an excellent track record of successful surgeries and satisfied patients.
Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery worth it?
For those considering gastric sleeve surgery, it is essential to note that the procedure is not a magic solution for weight loss. Patients who undergo gastric sleeve surgery must be willing to make significant lifestyle changes to maintain their weight loss over the long term.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery, in comparison with other bariatric procedures
Whether gastric sleeve is better than other bariatric procedures depends on individual factors, including a person’s specific health condition, goals, and preferences. Still, we must admit it is one we recommend the most.
Choice of bariatric surgery
There is no one solution, as the choice of bariatric surgery should be made in consultation with your surgeon, who can assess the patient’s unique circumstances. However, other strong points to consider in gastric sleeve procedure are:
- Simplicity: The gastric sleeve is less complex than other bariatric procedures, such as gastric bypass.
- Effective Weight Loss: This helps individuals feel complete with smaller portions.
- Reduced Risk of Nutritional Deficiencies: Vertical sleeve gastrectomy has a lesser risk of nutritional deficiencies than other procedures because it does not involve rerouting the digestive tract.
- Fewer Long-Term Restrictions: A gastric sleeve usually allows for a more normal diet after recovery.
- Maintain a healthy diet: This includes adopting a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and attending follow-up appointments with their surgeon.
- Lower Risk of Dumping Syndrome: The gastric sleeve does not typically cause dumping syndrome, which is a common side effect of gastric bypass that can be uncomfortable.
What else do you need to expect?
In addition, gastric sleeve patients must follow a strict pre-op diet before their surgery and a post-op diet to aid in their recovery and ensure optimal results. Your bariatric surgeon in Tijuana will provide detailed instructions and support throughout your weight loss journey to ensure your success.
Overall, gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana can provide an affordable weight loss solution for those seeking to improve their health and quality of life. With the availability of highly trained and experienced bariatric surgeons, state-of-the-art medical facilities, and easy access to the San Diego airport, medical tourism for weight loss surgery is a well-liked choice for many patients.
Gastric Sleeve Revision
It is essential to mention that, as with any surgery, there can be risks related to gastric sleeve surgery. Some potential complications include bleeding, infection, blood clots, and gastric sleeve complications. However, the risk of those complications can be minimized with proper pre-operative evaluation, education, and post-operative care.
You must remember to undergo the gastric sleeve revision to check if everything is okay and if the stomach has spread; this applies approximately three years after your surgery.
Also, choosing a certified weight loss surgery center in Tijuana with a certified bariatric surgeon and adequate medical facilities is essential to ensure a safe and successful procedure.
That is correct; it is vital to carefully research and select a qualified weight loss surgery center with a bariatric surgeon who can offer you the more convenient treatment that can help you transform your life.
It’s important to mention that gastric sleeve surgery is not Tijuana’s only weight loss surgery. Other popular bariatric surgery options include gastric bypass, duodenal switch, mini gastric bypass, and gastric banding.
Your bariatric surgeon will work with you to decide which is the best weight loss procedure for your needs and medical history.
In conclusion, gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana can provide a life-changing solution for those struggling with excess weight and obesity. With highly experienced and trained bariatric surgeons, affordable weight loss surgery, and state-of-the-art medical facilities, Tijuana has become a popular destination for those seeking weight loss surgery.