Who Qualifies for Bariatric Surgery?

Candidates for Gastric Sleeve Surgery Candidates for Gastric Sleeve Plication Candidates for SADI-S (Duodenal Switch) Candidates for SILS

Discovering the Best Solution for Your Needs

Patients who have struggled to meet their weight loss goals can undergo bariatric surgery to achieve their target weight, improved aesthetics, and better overall health. The doctors at Tijuana Bariatric Center offer procedures classified as malabsorptive, restrictive, or combined techniques.

During a consultation and full evaluation with one of the doctors, malabsorptive and restrictive weight loss procedures will be fully explained. The doctors in Tijuana, Mexico, will provide a full evaluation and then help you decide which option is best for you.

Requirements and Qualifications for Weight Loss Surgery in Tijuana, Mexico

The preferred surgeon network of Tijuana Bariatric Center in Tijuana, Mexico, can help determine if you meet the requirements for weight loss surgery. Candidacy is primarily determined by your weight and any health conditions that have developed as a result of obesity. The doctors make safety their first priority and will only recommend bariatric surgery if they determine it is in your best interest. In general, if you are over 18 and are more than 100 pounds over your ideal weight, bariatric surgery may be right for you. In some cases, bariatric surgery can benefit senior patients and adolescents as well.

Restrictive Weight Loss Techniques

By decreasing the size of the stomach while leaving the rest of the gastrointestinal tract intact, patients will feel full quicker and consume less food. Ultimately, the inability to eat larger portions in a single sitting will result in weight loss. The two most common types of restrictive surgeries are:

Sleeve Gastrectomy

A laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy involves the removal of up to 80 percent of the stomach, including ghrelin cells that produce a hunger-promoting hormone.

LAP-Band Surgery

A small part of the stomach is separated from the main part using gastric banding to limit the amount of food that enters. This reversible technique does not require the removal of any part of the stomach.

Each technique offers unique benefits that can dramatically change a patient's lifestyle by improving health, physical appearance, and self-esteem.

Malabsorptive Weight Loss Techniques

By rerouting the intestines so that the upper section is bypassed, fewer nutrients are absorbed, resulting in additional weight loss. Unlike restrictive techniques, malabsorptive weight loss techniques address the issue of calories and nutrient absorption. Two of the common types of malabsorptive weight loss techniques are:

Duodenal Switch

This technique is a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive practices that uses staples to reduce the size of the stomach and reroute food to a point further down the intestine. The combination of both techniques results in the malabsorption of calories and subsequent weight loss.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

This commonly performed bariatric surgery involves the separation of the stomach and the creation of a gastric pouch, along with a rerouting of the intestines.

Which Bariatric Surgery Option is Best for Me?

Each technique offers unique benefits that can dramatically change a patient's lifestyle by improving health, physical appearance, and self-esteem. During a full evaluation, your doctor will learn more about your desired lifestyle, current habits, and what you would like to achieve through bariatric surgery. Based on your answers and what the doctor finds in the evaluation, recommendations will be presented to you.

I had a fantastic experience with Dr. Garcia at Tijuana Bariatric. Great staff and care! I feel better than ever at 6 months post-op and down 65 pounds.

— Jennifer Dobachesky

Determining Your Candidacy

Bariatric surgery has helped thousands of patients achieve improved health in addition to a renewed sense of self-confidence. Patients suffering from type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, and other conditions relating to obesity can experience significant benefits by undergoing surgery. However, to ensure optimal safety, patients must meet a number of qualifications.

Candidates must be:

Between the ages of 18 and 65, although surgery is appropriate for adolescents in some cases
More than 100 pounds over ideal weight for age and height
Dealing with a body mass index (BMI) over 40 or have a BMI between 30 and 39.9 if they have health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
Unable to lose weight and achieve a healthy weight for any sustained period of time
Free from dependency on drugs and alcohol
Committed to making healthy lifestyle changes, which include following proper nutritional guidelines and exercise programs
Realistic in their goals and expectations for the outcome of the procedure

During your evaluation prior to traveling to Mexico, the team at Tijuana Bariatrics Center, along with a surgeon within the network, will verify these qualifications along with other specific factors.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Before you decide to undergo weight loss surgery, it is important to ask yourself a few important questions:

Have I tried various non-surgical approaches, such as a change in my diet, additional exercise, and other lifestyle changes?
Do I have a clear understanding of what is involved with the surgery and the recovery process?
Am I committed to changing my eating habits, increasing my physical activity, and following up with my doctor after the procedure?
Do I understand the process of traveling to Mexico for the procedure and part of my recovery?

Patients suffering from type II diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, and other conditions relating to obesity can experience significant benefits by undergoing weight loss surgery.

Why Choose Tijuana Bariatric Center?

At Tijuana Bariatric Center, our team of outstanding, board-certified bariatric authorities boasts a 98% success rate across all treatments, thanks to its unwavering commitment to safety, cutting-edge techniques, and continuous learning. With over 25,000+ procedures performed, we stand as proven leaders in the weight loss industry.

Our holistic approach extends far past our state-of-the-art surgeries. We offer in-depth education to patients as they begin their wellness journey, constant nutritional guidance and individualized meal plans, access to our online Facebook support group, and comprehensive follow-up via email and phone. We want our patients to feel that the sky's the limit when it comes to achieving their weight loss vision.

Finally, Tijuana Bariatric Center offers patients from the U.S. and abroad the chance to undergo life-saving procedures at a fraction of the cost, helping them to begin enjoying life today rather than tomorrow. We include medical tourism insurance with every surgery, and we are the only practice in North America to do so.

Contact Us to Verify Your Candidacy

The best way to determine if weight loss surgery is right for you is to contact Tijuana Bariatrics Center and schedule an evaluation. Since everyone is different and each may have different health concerns or goals, patients are individually examined to determine their candidacy. Surgery is only recommended if it is determined to be entirely safe and beneficial for you. If you are approved, we can help you compare gastric bypass surgery with gastric sleeve and other options. To learn more, please reach out online or call 1-800-970-0577.