How Much Does Bariatric Surgery Cost?
Cost is a common concern and for many patients in the U.S., it is simply prohibitive. The low-cost procedures available through Tijuana Bariatric Center include gastric sleeve surgery starting at $4,580, gastric bypass surgery starting at $6,500, and LAP-BAND® surgery starting at $5,000.
How Do I Know if I am a Good Candidate?
Prior to gaining approval for any type of surgery or making travel arrangements, each patient will undergo a thorough evaluation to determine their candidacy. Important considerations include age, body mass index (BMI), overall health, and your expectations regarding the results that can be achieved through weight loss surgery.
How Will Surgery Help Me Lose Weight?
Bariatric surgery helps patients lose weight using two different techniques: restrictive surgery and malabsorptive surgery. In some cases, procedures which combine both restrictive and malabsorptive techniques may be performed.
- Restrictive Surgery: Weight loss surgeries such as gastric sleeve and SILS work by limiting the amount of food that can enter the stomach. By physically restricting the size of the stomach, the number of calories a patient can consume is limited.
- Malabsorptive Surgery: This technique, which includes gastric bypass surgery, changes the way food is absorbed by the digestive system. By removing part of the intestine and rerouting the gastrointestinal tract, the body absorbs fewer of the ingested calories.
How Long Will the Results Last?
According to the National Institutes of Health, as long as patients remain compliant with healthy dietary and exercise habits, most will sustain long-term weight loss. Following the procedure, patients will receive a list of instructions which will outline steps and practices that should be followed in order to promote lasting results. Ongoing nutritional counseling is also recommended.
How Many Days of Work Will I Miss?
Various factors will play a role in determining how long the recovery process will take, including the type of bariatric surgery that you undergo, your work duties, and your body's natural ability to heal. Following the surgery, most patients will remain in the hospital for one to three days. According to the ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery), most patients are able to return to work within one to two weeks following the procedure.
How Long Do I Need to Wait to Exercise?
The primary goal during the recovery period is to ensure that patients heal in a timely manner, suffer no complications, and can return to their regular activities as quickly as possible. Although we understand you may be anxious to become more active, it is typically recommended that patients first only perform low-impact exercises, such as walking for 20-30 minutes a day. The Bariatric and Metabolic Institute recommends that the intensity of your workouts can slowly increase beginning six weeks after your procedure.
Learn More
If you have additional questions regarding whether bariatric surgery is right for you, please use the online contact form or call (877) 638-9417. A member of the team at Tijuana Bariatric Center will assist you and can help guide you through the medical tourism process.
