Gastric Bypass in Mexicali, Mexico
Gastric bypass in Mexicali, Mexico is a cost-effective solution to excess weight and various obesity-related conditions.
Gastric Bypass In Mexicali-Hospital
As of 2015-2016, obesity has affected approximately 93.3 million U.S. adults.[1]
Cost of Gastric Bypass in Mexicali
$6,495 $5,950
Comprehensive Gastric Bypass Package Inclusions
- Hospital/Surgical team
- Aftercare/diet
- Pre and post-op lab work
- US-RD diet program
- Loan facility
- Hospital stay (3 nights)
- 1-week medications
- Phone calls
- Ground transfer
- Companion stay
Gastric Bypass Price Comparison – Mexicali vs. the USA
Below is the chart comparing gastric bypass costs in Mexicali with the US:
| Location | Gastric Bypass Cost |
|---|---|
| Mexicali | |
| US | $25,000 |
| Canada | $22,000 |
Gastric Bypass Price Comparison
One of the primary benefits of having gastric bypass in Mexico is the cost savings. Individuals can save thousands of dollars by choosing Mexicali as their medical tourism destination.
What Explains the Cost Difference?
There are many reasons why gastric bypass in Mexicali is more affordable than in the US and Canada, including:
- Lower staff salaries and real estate costs
- Lower costs for malpractice insurance
The cost of weight loss surgery in the United States and Canada can be prohibitive, especially if you have a limited insurance cover. Therefore, many Americans and Canadians explore the option of having weight loss surgery in Mexico.
Watch a leading bariatric surgeon in Mexicali discuss various weight loss surgeries.
Is your insurance cover limited? Learn how to finance your bariatric surgery abroad
Online Bariatric Support Groups
The decision of undergoing a weight loss surgery is a commitment to self and a healthier lifestyle. The transformation that occurs is not limited to the body alone. Instead, it also affects the mental well-being of an individual.
Therefore, we offer free admission to online support groups, where individuals can connect with other people who’ve had gastric bypass and other bariatric surgeries and share their experience.
These groups are moderated by a US-registered bariatric dietitian, who has an experience of more than eight years in the field of bariatrics.
How It Works
Here’s is a detailed itinerary of your gastric bypass trip to Mexicali:
Before the Trip
Our nutritionist will contact you regarding your pre-op diet for gastric bypass surgery.
On Reaching the Destination
Day 1: Arrival and free pick-up from the airport or the border
Day 2: Surgery day and pre-op tests including
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Blood work
- Tests by nutritionist
- Chest x-ray
- Medical evaluations
- Psychiatric evaluation
Day 3/4: Check-out of the hospital and post-op tests, including leak test
Mexicali’s Leading Bariatric Surgeon
- We have on board one of the leading bariatric surgeons in Mexicali, Mexico with vast experience in the field of weight loss surgery.
- He is an active member of the Mexican Association of Endoscopic Surgery and has attended several international conferences on bariatric surgery.
Certification - Dr. Marco Antonio - Best Bariatric Surgeon in Mexicali
Full-Service Bariatric-Specific Hospital
Specializing in various weight loss surgeries with over 14 years of successful track record and over 60% clientele from the US, the hospital in Mexicali is at the forefront of patient-centric medical care.
The Mexicali based hospital is the only one in the region that is wholly owned and operated by the same set of doctors that can perform your surgery. It boasts of the following facilities:
24-Hour Intensive Care & Emergency Unit
The hospital has a 24-hour emergency unit which is well-equipped and ready to provide service at any time.
State-of-the-Art Operating Rooms
The hospital has five surgery rooms and twenty-three private rooms, which are staffed by doctors and specialized personnel.
Mexicali Hospital Room
Cafeteria
It has an in-house cafe.
Cafeteria
In-house Imaging Services
The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technology in areas including radiology, homodynamic and ultrasound.
Hi-Tech Equipment
Five American states, namely West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, have an adult obesity rate of 35% or higher.[2]
Mexicali Travel Information
Our network hospital in Mexicali, Mexico is strategically located at just 200 yards from Calexico, CA East Border entry. The city can be reached by either of the two options:
From the US side of the border, the Imperial County Airport (IPL / KIPL) is approximately 15 miles from Mexicali. The closest major airport to the city is the San Diego International airport (IATA: SAN) which is 140 miles away.
Calexico
The border town is easily accessible by car (from the US) through Calexico. Once you reach the US/Mexican border, you can either park your car there or take it along into Mexico.
Some of the US cities which are close to Mexicali and are easily reachable by road include:
| US Cities | Distance |
|---|---|
| Calexico | 6 miles |
| El Centro | 18 miles |
| Imperial Valley (IATA: IPL) | 38 miles |
| Salton Lake | 70 miles |
| Palm Springs (IATA: PSP) | 125 miles |
| Riverside County | 178 miles |
| Phoenix (IATA: PHX) | 204 miles |
| Tucson (IATA: TUS) | 294 miles |
| Los Angeles (IATA: LAX) | 237 miles |
International Border
Know More About Your Bariatric Surgery Trip to Mexicali
The best time to visit Mexicali is the winter season (from December to February) when the temperature averages between 65.2°F (18.4°C) and 75.6°F (24.2°C).
US dollar is widely used and accepted here.
- Border Crossing at Calexico East is open from:
- Mon-Fri: 3:00AM to Midnight
- Sat/Sun: 6:00AM to Midnight
- Border Crossing at Calexico West is open 24*7
Entry/Exit Requirements
The US Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs, state the following entry/exit requirements for US nationals:
- Carrying a valid passport is mandatory.
- An entry permit Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM) is required if you enter by land and plan to travel further than 25 kilometers into Mexico.
- You do not require a visa to enter Mexico as tourists for up to 180 days.
- It is mandatory to carry Mexican insurance if you travel by car or a rented vehicle.
Re-entering the US/Canada
For the American and Canadian citizens re-entering the US or Canada by land or sea, a valid WHTI-compliant (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) document along with passport and passport card is required.
In some cases, it is recommended to carry the following:
- Enhanced Driver’s Licenses
- Trusted Traveler Cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
Enjoy a Baja California Vacation
A visit here can be combined with sightseeing. Some of the must-visits of the city are:
Sol del Niño
- Sol del Niño is an interactive center of science, art, technology, and environment. It has an IMAX room with a 16 x 22-meter screen. Permanent exhibitions related to science, earth, and art are also part of the museum.
- The museum is at a distance of fewer than 7 miles from the hospital.
- Open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Monday and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.
Mexicali Zoo
- One of the preferred places for families visiting Mexicali is the zoo and its forest area. It encloses the Museum of Natural History, the botanical garden, and the lake. The zoo has 25 different species of mammals and a serpentarium.
- The zoo is less than 30 mins drive from the hospital.
- Charges: $1 USD
- Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
State Center of the Arts
- State Center of the Arts is a place where cultural events of the city are showcased. It also has the largest exhibition gallery. Entrance is free.
- Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, from 8 to 20 hrs and Sundays from 11 to 18 hrs.
- The Center is just 7 miles away from the hospital.
In 2017, 228,000 bariatric procedures were performed and RYGB was the second most preferred bariatric surgery after gastric sleeve.[3]
What is Gastric Bypass?
Gastric bypass, also known as a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), helps in losing weight by changing the way how the stomach and small intestine handle the food one consumes.
Subsequently, the stomach becomes smaller, and an individual feels full with less food.
Roux-en-Y Gastric-Bypass Explained
The surgery has two main steps:
Step 1 – Reducing the Stomach Size
The first step makes your stomach smaller by dividing it into a small upper region and a larger bottom part. The upper part of the stomach is called the pouch and holds the food consumed. The pouch holds about 1 ounce (oz) of food.
Step 2 – The Bypass
The second step is the bypass, which connects the smaller stomach to the small intestine (the jejunum). Thus, bypassing the remaining stomach.
Benefits of RYGB
Benefits of RYGB
Reduction in Comorbidities
According to Kafalı ME and colleagues, the following was reported:[4]
- A significant decrease in BMI was reported (Figure 1); it decreased from 48.6 to 34.6 at one-year follow-up.
- Pre-op cholesterol levels were 199.5 and decreased to 178 after surgery.
Have a look below for more information on the decrease in other comorbidities:
| BMI | Insulin | Glucose Levels | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Op | 48.6 | 56 | 183 |
| 1 Year | 34.6 | 8 | 114 |
| 2 Years | 30 | 0 | 101.5 |
BMI in kg/m2, insulin dosage in units, and glucose levels in mg/dl
Excess Weight Loss
Percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) was 79.3%[4]
Reduction in BMI after Gastric Bypass
To calculate expected weight loss after bariatric surgery, check out this article.
Improved Self-Esteem
Weight loss can lead to a positive body image and sense of well-being, therefore, yielding high satisfaction outcomes.
Alternatives to Gastric Bypass Surgery
Alternatives to gastric bypass surgery include:
Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy)
Gastric sleeve surgery reduces the size of the stomach by nearly 75%. The stomach is stapled and vertically divided, leaving a banana-sized stomach sleeve.
In this process, the appetite-regulating hormone- ghrelin is also removed. Unlike the adjustable gastric band, no foreign body is implanted, and there is no altering of the digestive tract.
Gastric Bypass Alternatives
Mini-Gastric Bypass
The mini-gastric bypass or single anastomosis gastric bypass is achieved by:
- Dividing the stomach into two pouches – an upper pouch and lower pouch
- The lower part of the small intestine is attached to the smaller upper pouch
Mini gastric bypass surgery is easier and takes less time to perform than conventional laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Click here, to know more about the outcomes of mini-gastric bypass.
Gastric bypass in Mexicali can translate to significant cost-savings. Get started now by filling in your details in the contact form.
References
- CDC: Overweight & Obesity
- Funding Opportunity: Addressing Childhood Obesity and Health Inequities: The State of Childhood Obesity.
- ASMBS: Estimate of Bariatric Surgery Numbers, 2011-2022
- NCBI: The effects of bariatric surgical procedures on the improvement of metabolic syndrome in morbidly obese patients: Comparison of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy versus laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
