Gastric Sleeve Surgery Cost Abroad
Gastric Sleeve Surgery Cost: 4,400 ~ 12,650 USD
Gastric sleeve surgery abroad is a good choice for people who can’t afford the treatment in their home country. You’ll be glad to know that Americans and Australians can save around 40 - 75% in Mexico, India, and Costa Rica. This article will help to explore your options for medical tourism for gastric sleeves.
Before & After Gastric Sleeve
Patient Testimonial: Gastric Sleeve Abroad
Cost of Gastric Sleeve Surgery
The gastric sleeve cost is exceptionally high in developed countries like the US and Australia. If you choose gastric surgery abroad, you’ll save up to 75%.
For instance, the average cost of a gastric sleeve in Mexico is around $4,400, whereas it is about $20,000 in the US. Find out the sleeve gastrectomy prices of popular medical tourism destinations from the table below.
| Country | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Australia | $21,000 |
| United States | $20,000 |
| United Kingdom | $13,800 |
| Costa Rica | $12,650 |
| India | $6,500 |
| Mexico | $4,400 |
*Prices are subject to change. Fill out our online quote form for the latest prices and specials.
Compared to other countries, Mexico is the cheapest. Americans and Canadians can also save on their flight ticket since it’s close to the US.
India and Costa Rica are also affordable countries for gastric sleeves but not as cheap as Mexico. However, they offer some of the best surgeons in the world.
Note that the prices listed above cover your hospital stay, which is typically two nights. The cost may also include local transportation and initial consultation, depending on the hospital. You’re responsible for the cost of your:
- Flight
- Hotel
- Prescription drugs
Keep in mind that the cost of gastric sleeve surgery may be higher if your body mass index (BMI) is more than 50.
It is obvious that gastric sleeve cost without insurance is unaffordable. That's why many people are drawn to much cheaper surgery options abroad.
Paying for Gastric Sleeve Surgery Out-of-pocket
Health insurance can make the cost of gastric sleeve surgery more manageable. However, not all insurance providers cover weight loss operations.[1]
Moreover, approximately 28 million US residents do not have health insurance. That’s 8.6% of the population.[2]
Medical tourism is an appealing option for those who have to self-pay for gastric sleeve surgery.
Americans and Australians can save around 76% in Mexico, 70% in India, and 40% in Costa Rica.
Gastric Sleeve Abroad Cost Savings
So if you lack insurance and can’t afford gastric sleeve in your country, traveling abroad is a practical option.
Best Countries for Bariatric Procedures
Mexico, Costa Rica, and India are three of the top medical tourism destinations in the world.[3]
Each has an efficient, reliable healthcare system with world-class hospitals and doctors. They offer high-quality care on par with the US and other Western nations, but at a fraction of the cost.
Because of its location, most of Mexico’s medical tourists come from the US. Mexico is easily reached from Texas, Arizona, California by car, and every major American city by plane.
Did you know?
Nearly 1 million Americans go to Mexico for medical treatment each year.[4]
Costa Rica appeals to North American patients for the same reasons Mexico does, namely:
- Low healthcare costs
- High standard of care
- Convenient location
- Timely treatment
Medical tourism is a rapidly growing sector in Costa Rica, bringing in well over $400 million per year.[5]
The leading private hospitals are certified by international organizations, including JCI.
San Jose is Costa Rica’s top city for medical tourism. The average cost of gastric sleeve surgery is $12,650.
Costa Rica Location
India’s medical tourism industry is one of the largest in the world.
Currently valued at over $5 billion,[6] it draws in hundreds of thousands of international patients every year.
Common treatment categories include weight loss, dental, cosmetic, and orthopedic. In terms of medical tourism, India’s leading cities are:
- Delhi
- Chandigarh
- Mumbai
- Chennai
Healthcare in India is affordable, especially relative to Western countries.
The average cost of gastric sleeve surgery in India is $6,500, compared to $20,000 in the US.
India Location
Best Gastric Sleeve Surgery Hospitals Abroad
We’ve compiled a list of the best hospitals for gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico, Costa Rica, and India.
These medical centers feature ultramodern facilities, advanced equipment and technology, and highly skilled surgeons. Many of them have separate departments catering to medical tourists.
Mexico
Features
- Founded in 2006
- 100+ beds
- 20 minutes from San Diego by car
- 1.5 hours from Los Angeles by car
- Internationally certified
Hospital Galenia
Features
- Internationally certified
- 6 operating rooms
- 55 private rooms
- Special room for bariatric surgery
- 20 minutes from Cancun International Airport
Features
- Founded in 2003
- 23 private rooms
- 5 operating rooms
- 24 hour intensive care unit
- Medical tourism department
- 2 hour drive from San Diego
Costa Rica
Features
- Founded in 1929
- Largest private hospital in Costa Rica
- Accredited by JCI
- Private rooms with bathroom, phone, and internet
- 40-minute drive from Juan Santamaria International Airport
India
Max Smart Super Specialty Hospital
Max Healthcare is the largest private hospital network in India. Altogether they operate 17 facilities in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra.
The Max Super Speciality Hospital in South Delhi is one of the finest medical centers in India. It has:
- 530+ beds
- 450+ doctors
- 920+ trained staff
- Certification from Joint Commission International
- Advanced bariatric surgery department
Best Gastric Sleeve Surgeons Abroad
The gastric sleeve surgeons profiled here have exceptional credentials and reputations. They also have a wealth of experience treating foreign patients.
Dr. Hector Perez
15+ Years of Experience
MD Bariatrics
Expertise
Gastric sleeve, bypass, plication, and lap band
University
Mexican Faculty of Medicine, La Salle University, Mexico City
- Mexican board-certified
- Performed 3000+ weight loss surgeries
- Certified by Mexican College of Surgery for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases AC (CMCOEM)
- Certified by Mexican Council of General Surgery (CMCG)
Dr. Luis Cazares
15+ Years of Experience
MD Bariatrics
Expertise
Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass, MGB, Revision WLS
University
University of Nuevo Leon
- Certified gastric sleeve surgeon
- Performed 3000+ weight loss surgeries
- Certification: International Federation Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO)
Dr. Guillermo Lopez
38+ Years of Experience
MD Bariatrics
Expertise
Laparoscopic stomach surgeries
University
Medical School from Mexico’s Autonomous University
- Mexican board-certified
- Performed 5000+ weight loss surgeries
- Certification: Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Dr. Galileo Villarreal
13+ years
MD
Expertise
Advanced Laparoscopy & Obesity Surgery
University
Medical School Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León
- Performed 4000+ weight loss surgeries
- Certified by Mexican Council of General Surgery (CMCG)
- Certification: Advanced Laparoscopy endorsed by ECFA (Mexican Association of Endoscopic Surgery)
- Member of American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
- Member of Mexican College of Surgery for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases
Dr. Marco Sarinana
15+ years
MD
Expertise
Gastric bypass, gastric lap band, gastric sleeve, duodenal switch
University
UABC Faculty of Medicine , Mexicali
- Performed over 2,000 weight loss surgeries and 1,000 cosmetic procedures
- Certifications: Gastric Band Placement and Intragastric Ball, Guadalajara
- Member of the Mexican Association of Endoscopic Surgery
- Member of the Consejo Mexicano de Especialistas de Cirugia Estetica (CMEQCE)
Dr. Gustavo Adolfo Jiménez Ramírez
30 + years
Expertise
General Surgery, Advanced and Bariatric Laparoscopy
- Member of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
- Member of Association of Doctors and Anesthesiologists of Costa Rica (AMACR)
Dr. Jessica Gutierrez
10+ years
Doctor in Medicine and Surgery
Expertise
Minimally invasive surgery for overweight, appendix, colon, reflux, gallbladder and hernias.
University
University of Medical Sciences. USA
- Specialist in General Surgery. Hennepin County Medical Center. University of Minnesota, USA
- Sub specialist in Minimally Invasive Surgery. Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Hennepin County Medical Center Minneapolis, Minnesota: Completed residency in General Surgery, Board Certified FACS
Dr. Pradeep Chowbey
45+ years
MBBS, MS
Expertise
Bariatric Surgery
University
Jabalpur Medical College
- Lifetime Achievement award by IAGES in February, 2015 for his significant contributions to Endoscopic surgeries in India
- First to perform MAFT (Minimally Invasive Fistula Technology) in Asia Pacific Region
- Member of European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES)
- Member of International Medical Science Academy (FIMSA)
Dr. Rajesh Khullar
37+ years
M.S. (Gen. Surgery)
Expertise
Hepatobiliary Surgeries Upper GI Surgeries, Obesity Surgery
University
Poona University, India
- Member of International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity & Metabolic Disorders (IFSO)
- Member of Society of Endoscopic & Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia (ELSA)
- Member of Association of Surgeons of India (ASI)
- Member of Indian Medical Association (IMA)
- Member of Indian Society of Surgical Gastroenterology (ISG)
Gastric Sleeve Abroad Patient Reviews
Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy Abroad
Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Abroad
Gastric Sleeve Surgery Abroad
Sleeve Gastrectomy Abroad
About Gastric Sleeve Procedure
Other Names for Gastric Sleeve: Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG), Sleeve Gastrectomy, Gastric Reduction.
During the procedure, around 80% of your stomach is surgically removed. This has the effect of “shrinking” your stomach, thereby limiting the amount of food you can eat.
The procedure is minimally invasive.[7] The surgeon makes several small incisions to access your stomach instead of one large incision.
You will be under general anesthesia for the duration of the operation.[8]
Ordinarily, patients spend 2 - 3 days in the hospital following surgery.[9]
After your discharge, you will have to adhere to a special diet for two months. You will also have to follow up with your doctor regularly.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Generally speaking, people with a BMI of 40 or higher are candidates for gastric sleeve surgery. You may also qualify if your BMI is 35-39 and you have health problems caused by excess weight.[10]
Tips to Beat a Weight Loss Stall After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery
The main objective of gastric sleeve surgery is to assist in weight loss. Patients often lose 60% of their excess body weight within two years.[11] and 80% in the long term.
By losing that much excess weight, you reduce your risk of numerous medical conditions, such as:
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Stroke
- Heart disease
Source: NCBI[12]
Gastric sleeve surgery is most effective when combined with long-term changes to your diet and lifestyle. That means getting regular exercise and eating healthy, nutritious foods.
Conclusion
Gastric sleeve surgery can help you lose weight, improve your overall health, and turn your life around. Going abroad for the procedure makes sense if you intend to pay out-of-pocket.
Mexico, Costa Rica, and India are the most affordable countries for gastric sleeves. Thanks to the efficiency and affordability of their private healthcare networks. If you are interested to know about the best doctors and hospitals for gastric sleeve surgery abroad, feel free to contact us.
FAQs
It is safe to have your gastric sleeve surgery done abroad. The important thing is to choose a reputable hospital and surgeon. Many overseas clinics have medical tourism departments that cater to foreign patients. They offer all-inclusive packages for bariatric surgery.
Gastric sleeve surgery is cheaper in places like Mexico, Costa Rica, and India because the cost of living in those countries is relatively low.
Doctors there can afford to charge less because it doesn’t cost them as much to maintain a clinical practice. As a result, gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico costs about 76% less than in the US.
Those with a BMI of 40 or higher are good candidates for gastric sleeve surgery. Your doctor may also recommend the procedure if your BMI is 35-39 and you have weight-related health problems.
Most gastric sleeve patients spend 2-3 days in the hospital. You must consume a liquid diet for several weeks after the surgery. Patients usually resume eating solid foods after one month. You will have to see your doctor regularly for check-ups, lab work, and follow-up exams.
References
- Carecredit: Gastric Sleeve Costs, Financing, and Insurance Explained
- US Census Bureau: Health Insurance Coverage in the US: 2020
- Verywellhealth: Why Patients Are Turning to Medical Tourism
- PR Newswire: Medical Tourism Mexico: High Quality, Affordable Prices
- Tourism Review: Medical Tourism Generated $437 Mn in Costa Rica
- Hindustan Times: Medical tourism companies turn to telemedicine
- SpringerLink: Identification of technical errors and hazard zones in sleeve gastrectomy using OCHRA
- Online Library Wiley: Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Bariatric Surgery Patients
- EKB journal: Effect of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on Serum Lipids
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Gastric Sleeve Surgery
- Mayo Clinic: Sleeve gastrectomy
- NCBI: The advantages and disadvantages of sleeve gastrectomy