🇲🇽 Mexico · Bariatric surgery
Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy) in Mexico
Weight-loss surgery that removes about 75–80% of the stomach, leaving a narrow 'sleeve' that restricts food intake and reduces hunger.
Researched & fact-checked by the MedTraveling editorial teamLast reviewed 21 June 202621 sourced referencesNo rankings or leads sold
Dr.jayesh amin / wikimedia · BY-SA- Typical price
- $4,762–$4,900
- Clinics tracked
- 18
- Recovery
- 2–4 weeks
- Final results
- 12–18 months
Why Mexico for gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy)
Mexico is the default medical travel destination for patients from the United States and Canada, for one decisive reason: proximity. A patient in California can cross to Tijuana in an afternoon; Los Algodones, on the Arizona border, has more dentists per square block than anywhere on earth. That geography makes Mexico the practical choice for treatments that need short travel and easy follow-up — bariatric surgery, dental implants and full-mouth restoration, and cosmetic surgery.
Proximity to the US
Border cities (Tijuana, Los Algodones) are reachable by car; Cancún and Guadalajara are short direct flights.
Bariatric and dental value
Mexico is the world's leading destination for weight-loss surgery and one of the cheapest for high-quality dental work.
US-trained surgeons
Many leading surgeons trained or are board-certified in the US and operate in accredited hospitals.
Easier follow-up
Proximity makes return visits for adjustments or aftercare far more feasible than transatlantic options.
Is gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy) in Mexico safe?
The single most-asked question — answered straight, with what to verify rather than reassurance.
Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy) carries the same core medical risks wherever it's performed — the variable that matters most is the provider, not the country. Verify the hospital's CSG accreditation (and JCI where claimed), and confirm the surgeon's board certification with the relevant Mexican consejo — for bariatrics, CMCBEOM; for plastics, CMCPER. Verify the surgeon on the national medical register, confirm accreditation in the issuer's public registry (we link it on every clinic profile), and get the complication and revision policy in writing. We flag what each clinic does and doesn't disclose.
What gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy) involves
A gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy) permanently removes around three-quarters of the stomach, leaving a slim tube. This restricts how much you can eat and, importantly, lowers levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin, which reduces appetite. It is now the most common bariatric operation worldwide and a leading reason patients travel to Mexico and Turkey.
It is major, irreversible surgery with serious potential complications — the most feared being a leak at the staple line — so the credentials of the bariatric surgeon and the standard of the operating hospital are paramount. Equally important is structured, long-term follow-up: nutrition, supplementation and aftercare determine whether weight loss is sustained safely.
Why people seek it
- Significant, durable weight loss
- Reduced appetite (hormonal)
- Improves diabetes and other conditions
- Lower cost abroad than at home
Techniques & options
Laparoscopic sleeve
Keyhole removal of most of the stomach — the standard, minimally invasive approach.
Robotic sleeve
Robot-assisted laparoscopy for enhanced precision in suitable centres.
Endoscopic sleeve (ESG)
A non-surgical, incisionless option that sutures the stomach smaller; less weight loss but lower risk.
The treatment process
- 1Medical workup, bloods, and dietary assessment
- 2Pre-op liver-shrinking diet
- 3Laparoscopic removal of ~75–80% of the stomach
- 41–2 nights' hospital stay with monitoring
- 5Staged diet progression (liquids → soft → solids) and supplements
Recovery timeline
Days 1–3
Hospital monitoring; liquids only; early mobilisation to prevent clots.
Weeks 1–4
Staged diet progression; fatigue common; light activity.
Months 1–12
Rapid weight loss; lifelong supplements and dietary habits established.
Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy) cost in Mexico
Published provider prices vary with technique, surgeon and what each package includes. Use these as a starting range — not a personalised quote.
Typical price range
$4,762–$4,900
Full spread $3,795–$15,220 across 18 provider quotes
Prices are published provider figures, not personalised quotes. Confirm inclusions directly.
Mexico (typical)
$4,830
$3,800–$15,220
Home (indicative)
$18,000
typical private price
You could save
$13,170
≈ 73% less
Home-country figures are indicative typical private list prices, not quotes. Destination figures are published provider prices we track. Add travel, accommodation and any revision cost before comparing — a low headline is not the full bill. Currency conversions are approximate.
| Provider | Published price (USD) | Typically includes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornerstone Bariatrics / Dr. Sandy Martinez | $3,795 | surgery, hospital, hotel | Reported |
| Lighter Dream Bariatrics | $3,898 | hospital, surgeon, aftercare | Reported |
| Tijuana Bariatric Surgery Center | $3,950 | surgery, hospital, consultations | Verified |
| Mexico Bariatric Center | $4,295–$4,795 | surgery, hospital, transportation | Verified |
| Mexico Bariatric Center (Dr. Louisiana Valenzuela) | $4,295–$5,495 | surgery, surgeon, hospital stay | Reported |
| ALO Bariatrics | $4,500–$4,700 | surgery, hospital, aftercare | Corroborated |
| VBariatric Surgical Center / Dr. Sergio Verboonen | $4,500 | surgery | Reported |
| Long Term WLS / Dr. Jorge Maytorena | $4,600 | surgery | Reported |
| Jet Medical Tourism | $4,625 | board-certified surgeon, 2 nights hospital, private room | Reported |
| Renew Bariatrics | $4,899 | hospital stay, recovery center night, pre-op exams | Reported |
| Hospital BC / Dr. Jalil Illan | $4,900 | surgery, hospital | Verified |
| Obesity Control Center (OCC) | $4,900 | pre-op testing, surgery, anesthesia | Reported |
| Pompeii Surgical | $4,900 | surgery, surgeon, anesthesia | Reported |
| Mexico Bariatric Services (Cancun) | $4,995 | hospital, hotel, airport transfers | Reported |
| Endobariatric (Dr. Guillermo Alvarez) | $4,999–$8,900 | surgeon fee, 3 nights hospital/hotel, anesthesia | Reported |
| Bariatric Health Monterrey | $5,100 | surgery | Corroborated |
| The Shape You Want (Monterrey Gastro & Bariatric Group) | $5,995 | pre-surgery exams, surgeon and anesthesiologist fees, 1-night hospital stay | Reported |
| Angeles Hospital Tijuana (Dr. Juan Lopez Corvala) | $6,500–$15,220 | surgery (standard to Da Vinci-assisted) | Reported |
What drives the price: Bariatric surgeon's certification and volume · Accredited hospital and ICU access · Length of hospital stay · Included follow-up and nutrition support · Country and clinic tier. See the full cost guide →
What's included in Mexico gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy) packages
Most providers quote all-inclusive packages — but inclusions vary. Here's what tracked clinics typically cover, and what to budget separately.
Typically included
- ✓surgery
- ✓hospital
- ✓aftercare
- ✓transportation
- ✓hotel
- ✓consultations
- ✓airport transfers
- ✓medical expenses
- ✓pre-surgery exams
- ✓surgeon and anesthesiologist fees
- ✓1-night hospital stay
- ✓pre-op testing
- ✓anesthesia
- ✓medications
- ✓5-year follow-up
- ✓surgeon fee
- ✓3 nights hospital/hotel
- ✓lifetime nutritional guidance
- ✓surgeon
- ✓2-3 hospital nights
- ✓hotel night
- ✓ground transport from San Diego
- ✓nutritionist
- ✓complication insurance
- ✓lifetime aftercare
- ✓board-certified surgeon
- ✓2 nights hospital
- ✓private room
- ✓anesthesiologist
- ✓pre-op and post-op labs
- ✓leak test
- ✓ground transport
- ✓hospital stay
- ✓recovery center night
- ✓pre-op exams
- ✓labs
- ✓post-op meds
- ✓nutritional counseling
- ✓4-star hotel
- ✓ground transfers
- ✓surgery (standard to Da Vinci-assisted)
Usually excluded
- ×flights
- ×hotel
- ×extended hospital stay
- ×Flights
Always confirm the exact inclusions in writing — a low headline price often excludes hospital stay, medication, aftercare or revision.
Clinics offering gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy) in Mexico
18 tracked providers. Profiles list accreditation, named surgeons and sources.
ALO Bariatrics
tijuana
ALO Bariatrics is a Mexican weight-loss surgery group directed by Dr. Alejandro Lopez-Ortega, with locations in Tijuana, Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. It performs minimally invasive bariatric procedures in accredited hospitals and advertises all-inclusive packages starting around $4,500.
- ASMBS member
- IFSO member
from $4,500–$4,700
Hospital BC / Dr. Jalil Illan
tijuana
Dr. Jalil Illan, a US board-certified bariatric surgeon (MD, FACS, FASMBS), operates at Hospital BC, an International Center of Excellence in Tijuana. The practice offers a full range of bariatric and revision procedures with published package prices.
- Joint Commission International Gold Seal
- Center of Excellence
from $4,900
Mexico Bariatric Center
tijuana
Mexico Bariatric Center is a US-based company (founded 2008) that coordinates all-inclusive bariatric surgery at accredited hospitals in Tijuana with a roster of contracted surgeons. It advertises high-volume, low-cost packages with lifetime post-op care and a US surgeon liaison.
- BBB A+ rating
from $4,295–$4,795
Tijuana Bariatric Surgery Center
tijuana
Tijuana Bariatric Surgery Center provides bariatric and general surgery led by board-certified surgeon Dr. Jorge Castillo, who is credited with thousands of procedures. It offers all-inclusive packages covering surgery, hospital care and travel logistics.
from $3,950
VBariatric Surgical Center / Dr. Sergio Verboonen
tijuana
Dr. Sergio Verboonen is a veteran Tijuana bariatric surgeon with 25+ years of experience and a past national role in Mexico's bariatric/obesity college. He operates at the VBariatric Surgical Center near the US border.
- ASMBS member
- IFSO member
from $4,500
Long Term WLS / Dr. Jorge Maytorena
tijuana
Dr. Jorge Maytorena leads Long Term WLS, a laparoscopic bariatric practice operating at Dream's Hospital in Tijuana. Certified by the Mexican Board of General Surgeons, he focuses on laparoscopic gastric sleeve and revision procedures.
- Certified by Mexican Board of General Surgeons
from $4,600
Cornerstone Bariatrics / Dr. Sandy Martinez
tijuana
Dr. Sandy Martinez operates a Tijuana bariatric practice (Cornerstone Bariatrics) offering all-inclusive weight-loss surgery packages performed by board-certified surgeons. Packages include virtual consultation, pre-op tests, hotel and a private hospital recovery room with bilingual care.
from $3,795
Mexico Bariatric Services (Cancun)
cancun
A bariatric medical-tourism provider operating in Cancun through a partner hospital, with surgery performed by board-certified surgeon Dr. Hector Perez Corzo. Packages are all-inclusive, covering hospital and hotel stays, transfers, tests and medications.
- Mexican Council of General Surgery certification (Dr. Perez)
- IFSO member (Dr. Perez)
from $4,995
Bariatric Health Monterrey
monterrey
A Monterrey bariatric surgery clinic offering gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and gastric balloon procedures to international weight-loss patients. Surgery is led by Dr. Ricardo Xavier Cuellar Tamez, a laparoscopic obesity surgery specialist.
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons
from $5,100
The Shape You Want (Monterrey Gastro & Bariatric Group)
monterrey
A Monterrey bariatric program operating as part of the Monterrey Gastro & Bariatric Group, led by Dr. Francisco J. Barrera Rodriguez. The team offers all-inclusive gastric sleeve and bypass packages for international patients with a bilingual surgical team.
- Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) certified
- IFSO member
from $5,995
Obesity Control Center (OCC)
tijuana
Tijuana bariatric center led by Dr. Ariel Ortiz, reporting over 26,000 patients and 20+ years of experience. It is known for the proprietary IGS Improved Gastric Sleeve technique and packages that include a five-year follow-up program. The center holds SRC Surgeon of Excellence recognition.
- SRC Surgeon of Excellence in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery
from $4,900
Endobariatric (Dr. Guillermo Alvarez)
monterrey
Bariatric practice founded by Dr. Guillermo Alvarez focused exclusively on the gastric sleeve. Dr. Alvarez is reported to have performed over 20,000 sleeve gastrectomies and holds SRC Master Surgeon designation. (Located in Piedras Negras, Coahuila; nearest configured city used.)
- Master Surgeon in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
from $4,999–$8,900
Pompeii Surgical
tijuana
High-volume Tijuana bariatric center reporting more than 30,000 surgeries over roughly 11 years and a team of board-certified surgeons led by Dr. Sergio Quinones. It markets fully transparent, all-inclusive pricing with the only exclusion being airfare to San Diego. Packages include complication insurance and lifetime aftercare.
from $4,900
Jet Medical Tourism
tijuana
Tijuana-based medical-tourism provider offering all-inclusive bariatric packages with board-certified surgeons and a partnership with CIBA Hospital. It publishes itemized inclusions for gastric sleeve and bypass and emphasizes affordable pricing versus US costs.
from $4,625
Renew Bariatrics
cancun
Medical-tourism bariatric group operating in Tijuana and Cancun with board-certified surgeons and anesthesiologists. Packages are all-inclusive, covering hospital and recovery-center stays, a 4-star hotel, nutritional counseling, and bilingual coordination.
from $4,899
Lighter Dream Bariatrics
tijuana
Tijuana bariatric provider (US office in Culver City, CA) offering all-inclusive gastric sleeve packages with hospital, surgeon, and aftercare included. It reports 10+ years of experience and a high Trustpilot rating.
from $3,898
Mexico Bariatric Center (Dr. Louisiana Valenzuela)
tijuana
Bariatric practice in Tijuana featuring double board-certified surgeon Dr. Louisiana Valenzuela, who trained under Dr. Juan Lopez Corvala and reports more than 5,500 bariatric surgeries. She offers gastric sleeve, RNY and mini gastric bypass, banding and revision.
- CMCOEM metabolic and bariatric board certification
from $4,295–$5,495
Angeles Hospital Tijuana (Dr. Juan Lopez Corvala)
tijuana
Bariatric program at Angeles Hospital Tijuana led by Dr. Juan Lopez Corvala, a high-profile surgeon with 30+ years of experience and a reported 10,000+ bariatric procedures. It offers conventional and Da Vinci robotic-assisted gastric sleeve and bypass at premium price points.
- Hospital Angeles network facility
from $6,500–$15,220
Surgeons & specialists
Named clinicians associated with this procedure, drawn from clinic and registry sources.
Dr. Alejandro Lopez-Ortega
Bariatric Surgeon, Medical Director · Bariatric surgery
ASMBS · IFSO
Dr. Jalil Illan
Bariatric Surgeon, MD FACS FASMBS · Bariatric surgery
American College of Surgeons · ASMBS
Dr. Jorge Castillo
Bariatric Surgeon, MD · Bariatric surgery
ASMBS · IFSO
Dr. Sergio Verboonen
Bariatric Surgeon · Bariatric surgery
ASMBS · IFSO · Colegio Mexicano para la Obesidad
Dr. Jorge Maytorena
Bariatric Surgeon, MD · Bariatric surgery
Mexican Board of General Surgeons
Dr. Sandy Martinez
Bariatric Surgeon · Bariatric surgery
Dr. Hector Perez Corzo
Bariatric Surgeon · Bariatric and general surgery
IFSO
Dr. Ricardo Xavier Cuellar Tamez
Bariatric Surgeon · Bariatric surgery
American College of Surgeons
Dr. Francisco J. Barrera Rodriguez
Bariatric Surgeon · Bariatric surgery
Surgical Review Corporation · IFSO
Dr. Ariel Ortiz
Medical Director / Bariatric Surgeon · Bariatric and metabolic surgery
Fellow, American College of Surgeons · Fellow, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Guillermo Alvarez
Bariatric Surgeon / Founder · Sleeve gastrectomy
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Sergio Quinones
Head Bariatric Surgeon · Gastric sleeve, bypass and revision
Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy) by city
What to verify before you book
Travelling shifts the burden of due diligence onto you. These are the checkable signals that matter most.
For this destination
- Uneven regulation. Quality varies sharply between accredited hospitals and unregulated clinics — verify accreditation directly.
- Border logistics. Plan border crossing times, recovery accommodation, and how you'll travel home safely after surgery.
- Surgeon vs facility. Confirm both the surgeon's certification (e.g. CMCBE for bariatrics) and that the operating hospital is accredited.
Questions to ask
- ›Is the surgeon board-certified in bariatric surgery, and what is their leak/complication rate?
- ›Is the hospital accredited, with ICU access if needed?
- ›What follow-up, nutrition and supplement support is included long-term?
- ›What is the emergency plan if a complication appears after I return home?
Accreditation context. Verify the hospital's CSG accreditation (and JCI where claimed), and confirm the surgeon's board certification with the relevant Mexican consejo — for bariatrics, CMCBEOM; for plastics, CMCPER.
Risks & complications
- Staple-line leak (serious)
- Bleeding or blood clots
- Acid reflux (can worsen or newly develop)
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Need for revision surgery
Take this with you
Everything to carry into a consultation — yours to print, no sign-up.
Patient decision kit
Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy) in Mexico — take this with you
Yours to keep. No sign-up, no contact details, nothing sold.
Questions to ask
- Is the surgeon board-certified in bariatric surgery, and what is their leak/complication rate?
- Is the hospital accredited, with ICU access if needed?
- What follow-up, nutrition and supplement support is included long-term?
- What is the emergency plan if a complication appears after I return home?
Get these in writing
- The exact named surgeon who will operate — and their registration number
- A full itemised quote: what is and isn't included, in your currency
- The complication and revision policy, including who pays if something goes wrong
- The aftercare plan once you are home, and how follow-up is handled remotely
- Accreditation certificates and their expiry dates
Walk away if you see
- The surgeon who operates won't be named or confirmed in writing
- Pressure to pay a large deposit fast, or a 'today only' price
- No written complication or revision policy
- Accreditation claimed but no certificate or registry you can check
- Reviews only on the clinic's own site, none independent
- A quote far below every other provider with no explanation of what's excluded
How to verify claims
- Verify the hospital's CSG accreditation (and JCI where claimed), and confirm the surgeon's board certification with the relevant Mexican consejo — for bariatrics, CMCBEOM; for plastics, CMCPER.
- Cross-check the surgeon on the national medical register, not just the clinic page
- Confirm accreditation currency in the issuer's public registry (we link to it on each profile)
- Ask for independent reviews and the source — not screenshots
MedTraveling is independent: we don't sell rankings or your details, and listing a provider is not an endorsement. This kit is decision support, not medical advice — confirm everything directly with a qualified clinician before treatment.
Frequently asked questions
What country is best for gastric sleeve?
We don't crown a single "best" or "cheapest" country — quality lives at the clinic level, not the border. For gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy), Mexico is a major destination with tracked prices of $4,762–$4,900; compare it head-to-head with other destinations on our comparison pages and rank individual clinics by the MedTraveling Transparency Index rather than trusting a national reputation.
Why is gastric sleeve so cheap in Mexico?
Across 18 published quotes we track, gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy) in Mexico runs $3,795–$15,220, with a typical range of $4,762–$4,900 — roughly 73% below an indicative US private price of about $18,000. Always confirm what a quote includes — the headline figure rarely covers everything.
How much weight will I lose?
Most patients lose 60–70% of their excess weight within 12–18 months, though results depend heavily on adherence to dietary changes.
Is the gastric sleeve reversible?
No — because most of the stomach is permanently removed, it cannot be reversed (unlike a gastric band).
Is it safe to have abroad?
It can be, at an accredited hospital with a certified bariatric surgeon and a real follow-up plan. The risks (especially leaks) make vetting essential, and you must arrange aftercare at home.