How to Find Affordable Bariatric Surgery

Getting a Gastric Sleeve or a Gastric Bypass is a step in the right direction for many patients who haven’t been able to beat obesity. We always refer to Bariatric Surgery as life-changing. For our patients, it gives them a new start and hope for the future.

But, when your insurance doesn’t cover a bariatric procedure because it is considered experimental or elective, would you consider giving up on it? Or, if your home state doesn’t have trained laparoscopic bariatric surgeons with experience with patients like you, what can you do to keep pricing affordable? Does your insurance cover out-of-state surgery?

Affordable Bariatric Surgery

We know that the price of Bariatric surgery can be a substantial amount for some. Still, as our thousands of happy patients can tell you, pricing shouldn’t be an obstacle to getting Bariatric Surgery. Especially not when you choose Vida Bariatrics at VIDA Wellness and Beauty Center. To sum it up, we offer some of the most experienced doctors in the world who operate in internationally accredited facilities and a realistic price tag for your budget.

Low-cost bariatric surgery in Tijuana

Finding an affordable place to get bariatric surgery is possible in Tijuana, Mexico. With some of the top bariatric programs in the country, being treated by an affordable provider doesn’t mean sacrificing quality.

While Tijuana has positioned itself as the world’s second most popular medical tourism destination for cosmetic procedures, Bariatric Surgery is not far behind. One of the main reasons is the qualified laparoscopic surgeons you can find here. We are proud to say that when you choose VIDA, you’ll be treated by the best and most caring doctors.

Another huge factor? The final price! When making a cost-by-cost comparison between bariatric procedures in Mexico and the United States, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t think of us in the first place.

Have a look at this comparison:

 Gastric SleeveGastric BypassLap Band
United States*$16,800 usd$25,571 usd$14,532 usd
VIDA Bariatrics**$4,790 usd$6,600 usd$5,500 usd

*Prices obtained from Obesity Coverage, https://www.obesitycoverage.com/insurance-and-costs/how-much/

**Average total price at VIDA Bariatrics, performed by a board-certified bariatric surgeon.

A Cheap Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Having affordable bariatric surgery with us does not mean it is “cheap.” We offer the best standards in healthcare and patient experience. Also known as a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, this procedure is preferred by patients with an extremely high body mass index (BMI). Our skilled surgeons operate on bariatric patients daily and are constantly updated on the latest advances in bariatrics. Fewer incisions mean a faster recovery if the patient is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery.

The Top 3 of Medical Tourism and Bariatric Surgery: Safety, Affordability, and Convenience

Safety

Choosing a certified surgeon and a hospital that exceeds international standards means ensuring your safety. Mexico has some of the most qualified doctors. Still, it also boasts a very convenient location for North American patients, care in their language, and unbelievably affordable pricing.

Affordability

A Gastric Sleeve at VIDA includes the following: all of your surgeon fees, the pricing of anesthesia and your anesthesiologist fees, all necessary lab work, post-op x-rays, medication while you’re here, and 2 nights stay, one at the hospital and one at our luxurious recovery boutique, with wi-fi and 24/7 nursing staff.

Convenience

The basis of all that we do, from scheduling the surgery to your consultations is patient satisfaction! We want to make everything convenient and as stress-free as possible for you. Your price includes all ground transportation, pick-up, and drop-off at the San Diego International Airport or the US border. We can coordinate a one-night stay at the nearby Marriott hotel if you wish to arrive a night before your weight loss surgery. We aim to help patients with their weight loss goals and return to enjoying their lives.

Low-Cost Bariatric Surgery FAQs

Where’s the cheapest place to have bariatric surgery?

VIDA Wellness and Beauty in Tijuana, Baja, California, Mexico, emerges as a hope for individuals seeking affordable pricing without compromising their weight loss journey.

How do people afford weight loss surgery?

Exploring beyond the home country for affordable financing for weight loss. The approval process for health insurance can cover weight loss surgery. Some individuals save money for weight loss surgery or use personal and self-pay options.

Where’s the cheapest place to get the gastric sleeve?

Mexico, particularly cities like Tijuana and Monterrey, are well-known for providing cost-effective gastric sleeve surgery and other weight loss surgeries.

What’s the lowest weight to get a gastric sleeve?

Weight loss surgery for a gastric sleeve has a BMI of 35 or a BMI of 40 or higher without significant health conditions. Gastric sleeve surgery may be possible if a BMI is between 30 and 35.

What’s the least expensive gastric surgery?

The least expensive gastric surgery typically includes gastric banding or lap band surgery.

How much does a gastric sleeve procedure cost?

Gastric sleeve prices in the United States are between $10,000 and $20,000 or more. Mexico, India, Thailand, and Turkey might range from $4,000 to $10,000.

Scheduling Your Bariatric Surgery

In the months following the procedure, bariatric patients can see their bodies, health, and self-esteem change in ways they didn’t think possible. It will help them lose weight and manage or eliminate obesity-related illnesses, diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease, and hypertension. Let’s take “unaffordable” out of the equation and provide you with a cost-effective and excellent bariatric experience. We are leaders in weight loss and post-weight-loss procedures. Ready to take the next step? Call us 619-610-1667 or info@vidawellnessandbeauty.com.

Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Bypass

You may be considering bariatric surgery if you’ve struggled to reach and maintain a healthy weight or if you suffer from obesity-related health problems. When combined with a comprehensive weight-loss program, bariatric surgery is extremely effective.

Since there is more than one option for Bariatric Surgery we’ll explain the difference between Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Bypass.

It can not only facilitate you in losing weight, but it can also assist in the improvement or complete elimination of obesity-related conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.  Gastric bypass and gastric sleeve are two of the most successful types of bariatric surgery. While both procedures can result in significant weight loss within 1-2 years of surgery, there are some differences.

What’s the difference between these two surgeries?

Gastric sleeve surgery

The surgeon permanently removes about 80% of your stomach during gastric sleeve surgery. What’s left is packed into a stomach tube. There are no other changes.

Gastric bypass surgery

During this procedure, a small portion of the stomach is isolated, and the end of the small intestine is connected to the new stomach pouch, rerouting food around a large portion of the digestive system.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Is there a difference in recovery?

Gastric bypass surgery is more time-consuming to perform than gastric sleeve surgery. This is because gastric bypass requires more modifications to the digestive system than the sleeve.  Both gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery are generally performed through laparoscopic surgery. To perform the surgery, lighted scope with a camera called a laparoscope and other tools are inserted through several small incisions in your abdomen. After gastric sleeve surgery, you should be able to return home in one or two days.

Who is a good candidate for this surgery?

CRITERIAGASTRIC BYPASSGASTRIC SLEEVE
BMI 40+✔️✔️
BMI 35-39.9 and additionally 2 or more related metabolic conditions✔️✔️
Metabolic syndrome✔️✔️

*Gastric sleeve is recommended to patients with metabolic syndrome

Do I need to make dietary changes?

YES. Dietary changes before and after either surgery are required. Dietary changes after gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery are essentially the same.

Timeline:

  • You will need to be on a liquid diet for about 2 weeks after your surgery.
  • You will need to eat pureed food and soft food for the next 2 weeks, then  softer food.
  • You’ll be able to eat normal food 30 to 40 days after surgery. 

The size of your stomach pouch, which affects how much you can eat, is the most significant difference in your postoperative diet. The pouch created by either gastric sleeve or bypass surgery holds about 3 ounces.

Following are some important dietary guidelines to follow after your gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery:

  • Eat small portions and stop when you’re satisfied.
  • Thoroughly chew your food
  • Eat slowly and take time to digest 
  • Take vitamins and supplements that are recommended by your doctor
  • Drink enough water to stay hydrated
  • Avoid difficult-to-digest foods like tough meat and bread
  • Carbonated beverages should be avoided 

Over time, your stomach pouch will stretch. After bariatric surgery, it’s critical not to overeat because your pouch can stretch to allow you to regain the weight you lost.


What are the pros and cons?

Pros and cons of gastric sleeve surgery

PROS

  • Up to 65 percent of your excess body weight can be lost.
  • Compared to gastric bypass, recovery time is shorter.
  • Absorption of nutrients and vitamins is not impaired.
  • Dumping syndrome is not as common

CONS

  • In comparison to gastric bypass, less weight is lost.
  • It can’t be reversed 


Pros and cons of gastric bypass surgery

PROS

  • Up to 80% of your excess body weight can be lost.
  • Bypassing the small intestine, fewer calories are absorbed.
  • It is possible to reverse the process, though it is difficult.

CONS

  • Since it implies more anatomical changes, there’s a higher chance of complications.
  • Intestinal bypass causes nutrient and vitamin malabsorption, which can lead to deficiencies.
  • Dumping syndrome is more common.
  • Risk of internal hernias, intestinal obstruction, or ulcers.

A gastric sleeve is a procedure that involves removing a portion of the stomach. A gastric bypass involves the creation of a small gastric pouch and the rerouting of the small bowel. Because the small bowel is rerouted, it is more invasive than the sleeve. Have an open and honest discussion with your surgeon about your fears and your goals. You should walk away confident that you chose the best procedure for you.

DISCLAIMER

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider.