Popular Procedures Guide

Understand your options — from weight loss surgery to post-weight-loss contouring.

Procedures

Popular Procedures Guide

From weight loss surgery to post-weight-loss contouring, here's a plain-language overview of the procedures most US patients ask about.

Gastric Sleeve

The most popular weight loss surgery

A vertical sleeve gastrectomy removes roughly 75–80% of the stomach, creating a smaller banana-shaped stomach that limits food intake and reduces hunger hormones.

Tijuana price
$4,500 – $6,500
Typical recovery
2–4 weeks

Best for: BMI 30+ seeking strong, durable weight loss

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Gastric Bypass

Gold standard for higher BMI & diabetes

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes the small intestine, combining restriction with reduced absorption. Often recommended for severe reflux or type 2 diabetes.

Tijuana price
$6,000 – $9,000
Typical recovery
3–6 weeks

Best for: Higher BMI, GERD, or metabolic conditions

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Duodenal Switch (SADI-S)

Maximum weight loss for severe obesity

A two-part procedure that combines a sleeve gastrectomy with an intestinal bypass. It offers the most powerful and durable weight loss and strong type 2 diabetes remission, but requires diligent lifelong nutrition and vitamin follow-up.

Tijuana price
$7,000 – $11,000
Typical recovery
4–6 weeks

Best for: BMI 50+ or severe metabolic disease

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Gastric Balloon

Non-surgical, temporary weight loss

A soft silicone balloon is placed in the stomach endoscopically (no incisions) and inflated to reduce capacity for about six months. A reversible kickstart for lower-BMI patients not ready for surgery.

Tijuana price
$3,500 – $5,000
Typical recovery
3–5 days

Best for: BMI 27–35 wanting a non-surgical option

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Gastric Band (Lap-Band)

Adjustable, reversible restriction

An adjustable silicone band is placed around the upper stomach to create a small pouch. It's reversible and adjustable, though it generally produces slower weight loss than sleeve or bypass.

Tijuana price
$4,000 – $6,500
Typical recovery
1–2 weeks

Best for: Patients wanting an adjustable, reversible option

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Endoscopic Sleeve (ESG)

Incision-free, same-day weight loss

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) reshapes the stomach from the inside using sutures placed through an endoscope — no incisions. It's an outpatient, surgery-free option for patients who don't qualify for or prefer to avoid traditional surgery, with most patients discharged the same day.

Tijuana price
From $6,800
Typical recovery
1–3 days

Best for: Lower-BMI patients wanting a non-surgical option

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Magnetic Sleeve (Sleeve Plus™)

Sleeve + magnetic bipartition for diabetes

Sleeve Plus™ combines a gastric sleeve with a magnetic duodeno-ileal bipartition powered by the MagDI™ magnetic compression system. Magnets form a natural connection over several days — no extra staples or sutures — targeting both weight loss and type 2 diabetes control.

Tijuana price
Quote on request
Typical recovery
2–4 weeks

Best for: Patients with type 2 diabetes seeking strong metabolic results

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Magnetic Bypass (MagDI™)

Suture-free intestinal bypass with magnets

The MagDI™ (Magnetic Duodeno-Ileostomy) system uses magnetic compression anastomosis to create a staple-free, suture-free intestinal bypass. The magnets gradually form the new connection, reducing the risk of leaks and bleeding common with traditional bypass surgery.

Tijuana price
Quote on request
Typical recovery
2–4 weeks

Best for: Patients seeking a less-invasive malabsorptive bypass

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Gastric Sleeve Revision

Re-tighten or convert a prior sleeve

Sleeve revision (Sleeve Rescue™) addresses a stretched pouch, weight regain, or chronic reflux after a previous gastric sleeve. Depending on the case, the sleeve may be re-tightened or converted to another procedure, with traditional and robotic options available.

Tijuana price
$5,500 – $7,000
Typical recovery
~6 weeks

Best for: Weight regain or reflux after a prior gastric sleeve

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Gastric Bypass Revision

Repair or re-tighten a prior bypass

Bypass revision corrects a previous gastric bypass when the pouch or stoma has stretched, weight has been regained, or complications have developed. A custom surgical plan repairs or revises the original anatomy to restore results.

Tijuana price
$6,000 – $9,500
Typical recovery
~6 weeks

Best for: Weight regain or complications after a prior gastric bypass

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Body Contouring

Remove excess skin after weight loss

Post-bariatric body contouring (tummy tuck, arm lift, lower body lift) removes loose skin once weight has stabilized — completing the transformation journey safely under one coordinated team.

Tijuana price
$5,000 – $14,000
Typical recovery
4–8 weeks

Best for: Patients 12–18 months post weight loss

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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Flatten and tighten the midsection

Abdominoplasty removes excess abdominal skin and tightens the underlying muscles — a common next step after major weight loss to restore a firm, flat contour.

Tijuana price
$4,000 – $7,000
Typical recovery
3–6 weeks

Best for: Loose abdominal skin after weight loss or pregnancy

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Facelift & Facial Rejuvenation

Refresh facial volume after slimming

Significant weight loss can age the face. A facelift or facial fat transfer restores definition and youthful contour, available through the Ariel Center for Cosmetic Surgery.

Tijuana price
$4,500 – $8,500
Typical recovery
2–4 weeks

Best for: Facial volume loss after major weight reduction

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Why Mexico

Why Consider Bariatric Surgery in Mexico?

For thousands of US patients, Tijuana offers an affordable, accredited path to life-changing weight loss surgery — minutes from the California border.

Dramatic Savings

All-inclusive packages cost 60–75% less than equivalent US procedures — without compromising on quality.

Accredited Care

Leading Tijuana hospitals follow JCI-level safety protocols with board-certified bariatric surgeons.

Easy to Reach

A short flight to San Diego and a quick, coordinated border crossing — no long-haul travel required.

Shorter Wait Times

Skip months-long US waitlists and insurance hurdles. Most patients schedule within weeks.

Cost Comparison: USA vs. Tijuana, Mexico

Estimated all-inclusive ranges. Actual pricing depends on individual evaluation.

Gastric Sleeve
USA: $17,000 – $26,000
Mexico: $4,500 – $6,500
Gastric Bypass
USA: $23,000 – $35,000
Mexico: $6,000 – $9,000
Body Contouring
USA: $15,000 – $40,000
Mexico: $5,000 – $14,000

Average patient saves $15,000+ per procedure.

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