Healthcare professionals under our network in Mexico are well qualified and some of them are foreign trained. The cost of healthcare in Mexico is significantly low as compared to that in western countries. Comparable medical treatments at low costs are fueling medical tourism in Mexico, as many Americans prefer to go south of the border for healthcare, which is out of their financial means otherwise.

Submit the free request quote form on the right for more information on healthcare in Mexico.

Lap Band in Tijuana, Mexico is emerging as a lucrative option for people unable to bear the cost of weight loss surgery in their native countries. The cost of bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery in Mexico is estimated to be 30-40% of that in the first world countries.

According to a report by Horowitz, Rosensweig & Jones approximately 750,000 Americans traveled abroad for medical treatment in 2007.

More and more people are flocking to this Latin American region, attracted by the sophisticated infrastructure, world class surgeons, reduced costs and negligible waiting periods.

Getting a lap band in Tijuana also gives tourists an opportunity to experience the rich culture and serenity of this beautiful Latin American city.

What is Lap Band Surgery?

Nearly 12 million Americans suffer from clinically severe obesity, a chronic disease which can lead to various health risks and complications. Dietary and behavioral modifications may not be sufficient for such patients to lose weight, which is where surgery comes into play.

• Lap Band surgery involves the placement of an inflated silicone band on the upper part of the stomach.
• This results in the stomach being compartmentalized into a smaller upper pouch which stores the food and a larger lower pouch.
• The tightness of the band limits the food intake and hence the patients eat less and stay full for long, after the surgery.
• The band is inserted by a minimally invasive Laparoscopic procedure under general anesthesia, with the entire operation lasting for between 30mins to 1 hour.
• This band is adjusted via a subcutaneous port and saline injections can be used to alter the size of the stoma subject to the weight loss goals of the patients.

Alternate names for Lap Band Surgery – Laparoscopic Gastric Banding, Gastric Banding Surgery, LAGB, Laparoscopic adjustable Gastric Banding.

Selection Criteria for Lap Band in Tijuana

Since FDA approved the procedure in 2001, approximately 300,000 Lap Band surgeries have been performed worldwide. The American Society of Bariatric Surgery Consensus defined the selection criteria for gastric banding to include the following:

• BMI (Body Mass Index) of over 40 or patients weighing 100 pounds more than their ideal body weight.
• BMI between 30-40 in the presence of co morbidities which may improve with weight loss like diabetes, high blood pressure, painful arthritis etc.
• Patients between the ages of 18-55 years.
• Failure of weight loss through dietary modifications despite trying for a year.
• Stable obesity for over five years.
• Comprehension of procedure by the patient and willingness to go ahead with it.
• No history of alcohol or tobacco addiction.
• Acceptable operative risks.

It is estimated that an average of 40-60% of weight can be lost through this procedure in a span of 2 years.

This surgery is however contra indicated in patients with the following ailments:

• Glandular diseases such as hypothyroidism.
• Inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract like inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn’s disease.
• Cardiopulmonary illness.
• Allergic reaction to implants.
• Mentally retarded individuals.

Gastric Band Surgery – Pros and Cons

Pros

• Minimally invasive technique with lower mortality rates (0.1%) than any other bariatric procedure.
• Does not involve cutting or stapling of any part of the gastric tract.
• Fully reversible procedure. The stomach returns to its normal size once the band is removed.
• Short hospital stay and patients can return to their normal activities within a week of the surgery.
• The band can be adjusted without any additional surgery.
• Fewer malabsoprption issues and vitamin deficiencies.
• Absence of anemia.
• Absence of dumping.

The Risks

• Nausea, vomiting.
• Minor complications of surgery like infection or bleeding.
• Band related complications like erosion, slippage etc.
• Gastric perforation.
• Incisional hernia.

Gastric Banding After Care

• Following the placement of a gastric band in Tijuana, you may need to re-visit the clinic, or ask your surgeon for local follow-up care.
• A number of precautions need to be taken to prevent infections and other complications from setting in.
• A multi disciplinary team of doctors comprising of endocrinologists, nutritionists, psychologists and general physicians are required to carefully monitor the patient.
• The doctors guide the patients through the entire post surgical period step by step and also provide intensive follow-up care as well as information for home care.
• This surgery should however be considered as the first step towards their ideal weight by the patients, who should augment their weight loss procedure by adopting healthy eating and exercise habits.

Why Lap Band Surgery in Tijuana – Mexico?

According to a report by the Health Digital System 50,000 medical tourists sought treatment in Mexico in 2009 and this number has been increasing annually at the rate of 25%. The total revenue from this sector, which was $650 million in 2009, is expected to cross $1 billion in the coming years.

There are a number of reasons why medical tourism in Mexico is on the rise, a few of which are mentioned below:

• The cost of lap band surgery in Tijuana is estimated to be less than half the cost of similar procedures in the first world countries, even after airfare and accommodation expenditure has been taken into consideration. You can even ask for a quote to plan your itinerary.
• The leading hospitals in Mexico have state of the art infrastructure and technology and are affiliated to various organizations like the Health Council of Mexico and JCI (Joint Commission International).
• International accreditation makes it imperative for these hospitals to observe rigorous standards of healthcare and hygiene.
• Physicians, surgeons and nurses are highly qualified & experienced and provide a high level of medical care at par with that delivered in US, UK or Canada.
• The health personnel are fluent in both English and Spanish, which contributes to the comfort and peace of mind of medical tourists in Mexico.
• The negligible waiting period for scheduling any surgery in Mexico is a real boon for medical tourists flocking to Mexico from countries with overburdened healthcare systems where patients have to wait for weeks at a stretch to merely be able to consult a specialist.
• The increased number of daily flights has made traveling to Mexican cities like Tijuana both easy and inexpensive.

Combining Sightseeing with Healthcare in Mexico

• Mexicans are warm and welcoming people and you can expect a comfortable stay in the country.
• Before and after the Lap Surgery in Tijuana, medical tourists get a chance to experience the rich culture, ancient heritage, warm hospitality and traditional food of the Mexicans.
• Right from the flea markets to the shops at El popo market and Cira’s arcade, shopping in Tijuana is a unique experience, not to be missed.
• Amigos del Artes and the Tijuana Cultural Centre both provide an insight to the city’s intriguing past.
• One can also relive the days of yore in Teotihuacan and marvel at the architectural splendor of the Guadalajara Cathedral.
• A medical vacation in Mexico gives tourists an opportunity to travel and enjoy the beauty and splendor of this vibrant country, while at the same time experience high quality affordable medical care.

Tips for Medical Tourists in Mexico

• Those traveling for lap band in Tijuana must carry their passport and all documentation necessary to travel to any other country by air or road.
• Beyond the border zone (20-30km strip of land along the American border), US citizens need to obtain a tourist card to facilitate their stay.
• Tourists should get in touch with a reliable medical tourism agency or a hospital in Mexico to clear all their doubts regarding the procedure prior to their arrival in the country.
• Take extra care of belongings and valuables at crowded places.
• Tourists must take care to respect the traditions of the city and its people.
• Smuggling of drugs is a serious offence in Mexico. Avoid dealing in any such activities while there.

The reduced prices of Lap Band in Tijuana, Mexico coupled with the high quality of care administered have all contributed towards making Mexico a hub for patients seeking bariatric surgery from all over the world.

People from the US, the UK and Canada, disheartened by the long waiting list and the high cost of medical procedures are increasingly flocking to hospitals in Mexico for treatment. The high quality infrastructure, world class surgeons, reduced cost and waiting periods all contribute towards making Mexico a hub for medical tourists from all over the world. No wonder, patients from all corners of the globe are flocking to Mexico for plastic surgeries, bariatric surgeries, dental and other medical treatments.

Private hospitals in Mexico provide medical treatment at 30-40% the cost in the Western countries without compromising on the quality of care administered.

According to a report by the Deloitte Centre for Health Solutions, the average number of Americans seeking medical tourism should increase to 16 million by the next decade.

Many of the medical facilities in Mexico are close to the border towns in America like Texas and San Diego and provide a high standard of medical care at an affordable price.

Medical Tourism in Mexico

Health Tourism in Mexico is on the rise and a report by Horowitz, Rosensweig & Jones claimed that as many as 750,000 Americans opted out for medical treatment abroad in 2007. Mexico is the 12^th largest economy in the world in terms of purchasing power parity.

The close proximity of some hospitals in Mexico to the border cities in the USA is attracting a large number of medical tourists particularly the uninsured and underinsured.

The Health Digital System pointed out that a total of 50,000 medical tourists were treated in Mexico in 2009, generating an income of $650 million. This number has been increasing at a rate of 25% annually, so much so that the revenue from this sector is expected to cross $1 billion in the coming years.

Private hospitals in Mexico provide a repertoire of medical procedures, which spurs medical tourists from all over the world. A few of them are as follows:

• Dental Surgery
• Eye Surgery
• Cosmetic Surgery
• Heart Surgery
• Joint Replacement Surgery
• Hysterectomy

Lap banding and vertical sleeve gastrectomy in Mexico are some of the other popular procedures. Many mommies travel to Mexico for plastic surgery after childbirth.

Healthcare system in Mexico is a combination of the public and the private undertakings, with the country spending 6.6% of its GDP on this sector and the level of care delivered par excellence.

Medical Tourism in Mexico- Pros and Cons

Health tourism in Mexico has been steadily increasing since the last couple of years, with Americans comprising 80-85% of the medical tourists in the small border towns of the city.

The Pros

• Medical treatment in the top hospitals in Mexico, in Tijuana, Monterrey to name a few is a fraction of the cost in US, UK or Canada.
• Even after the accommodation and travel expenditure is taken into consideration, the total cost of medical procedures in Mexico is estimated to be 1/10^th of that in the first world countries.
• The doctors and surgeons are well qualified, experienced and provide a high level of medical care and expertise. Physicians in the leading hospitals in Mexico see an average of 10 patients a day and specialists spend 30 minutes to 1 hour with the patient as opposed to a couple of minutes in countries with overburdened health systems like US and UK.
• The nurses and paramedical staff are extremely caring and treat all patients with respect and empathy, providing a high level of individualized comprehensive patient care.
• Medical centers in Mexico are equipped with cutting edge technology and all amenities to make the stay as comfortable as possible.
• Accreditation by The Health Council of Mexico and the JCI (Joint Commission International) ensures stringent compliance with the hygiene and safety protocol to meet with international standards.
• English is the medium of communication for most health personnel and translators may be provided if the need arises.
• The large capacity of multi specialty hospitals makes sure that there is almost no waiting period to schedule any surgery in Mexico.
• How about picking a book from the library of a Tijuana hospital or rewinding in a restaurant in a Guadalajara hospital; Mexican hospitals are known for their patient-friendly ambiance and give plenty of rejuvenation options to their patients and their accompanying guests to choose from .

The Cons

• Weak malpractice laws as opposed to those in the western countries.
• With medical tourists being increasingly targeted, hospitals are being accused of showing fewer concerns to cater to the local population.
• Sometimes the insurance companies do not pay for the procedures conducted.
• Any complication which may arise after the patients have returned to their native countries is the responsibility of healthcare there.

Traveling to the Major Hospitals in Mexico

Its proximity to the US has made Mexico an attractive location for medical tourists with as many as 40,000- 80,000 people seeking medical and nursing care there. People are thronging:

• Hospitals in Tijuana
• Hospitals In Guadalajara
• Hospitals In Cancun
• Hospitals In Monterrey

Traveling to Mexico is easy and convenient. There are a number of flights which connect the major cities of Mexico to different corners of the globe.

• Foreigners must carry valid passport & all documentation necessary to travel by air to another country.
• US citizens do not require a visa for a stay of up to 72hrs in the “border zone”. For movement beyond this strip of 20-30kms near the border, a tourist card is required.

Things to do in Mexico

• Mexico, with its culture and ancient charm, has something to suit every palate. The essence of medical tourism in Mexico lies in combining high quality healthcare with visits to scenic locations in the country.
• Public transport has made it easy and convenient for tourists to move around in the different cities in the country.
• As the leading hospitals in Mexico are located in the large cities, medical procedures give tourists a chance to experience and bask in the glory of the rich past and present of this exotic country.
• A medical vacation in Mexico may enhance the healing process and leave you feeling completely refreshed and relaxed.

Tips for Medical Tourists in Mexico

• Although Mexico is by and large a safe country, it is advisable for medical tourists to take certain precautions to avoid being victimized by petty crimes such as pick pocketing or purse snatching.
• Avoid crowded places like restaurants or take extra care of valuables while there.
• Tourists should avoid travelling to remote places alone at night.
• Possession of drugs warrantees very severe penalties in Mexico. Tourists must avoid getting involved in any such activities there.
• It is advisable for tourists to have their complete itinerary chalked out before their arrival in the country.

Treatment from the private Hospitals in Mexico is emerging as viable option for people from all over the world attracted by the high quality medical care, reduced prices and negligible waiting periods in this Latin American country.

Mexico Health  facilitates affordable medical treatments at various hospitals under our network in Mexico. For more information and FREE quote, submit the estimate–request form on the right.