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A Trusted and Effective Bariatric Option for San Diego Patients

Carrying excess weight can significantly impact your health, raising the risk of conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and other long-term illnesses. Beyond health risks, obesity can take a toll on your quality of life, self-esteem, and ability to engage in daily tasks or enjoy physical activities.

Located just minutes from the city, our facility offers a convenient and powerful solution for San Diego residents looking to lose weight. We specialize in gastric bypass surgery for patients in San Diego, a procedure that reduces stomach capacity and limits calorie absorption — making it one of the most trusted and successful options for addressing obesity.

Gastric Bypass Surgery: An Overview

Gastric bypass is highly effective because it uses both restrictive and malabsorptive techniques. The surgeon divides the stomach into a small upper pouch and a larger lower section, limiting food intake to around one cup. This helps patients feel full with much smaller meals.

In the second part of the surgery, the small intestine is rerouted to bypass a large portion of the digestive tract. This reduces the number of calories and nutrients absorbed by the body, contributing to significant and lasting weight loss.

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Discover Our Bariatric Procedures

Meet Dr. Fernando Garcia

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Why San Diego Patients Choose Tijuana Bariatric Center

  • Exceptional Experience: Our skilled surgeons, including Drs. García and Olague, have performed thousands of successful gastric bypass surgeries, helping patients throughout San Diego achieve lasting change.
  • Comprehensive Support: From pre-surgery consultation to post-op follow-up, we guide you through every step of your transformation.
  • Advanced Technology: Our modern surgical facility is fully equipped for safety, precision, and comfort.
  • Personalized Treatment Plans: We tailor your care to your specific health needs and weight loss goals.
  • Straightforward Pricing: We offer transparent, affordable pricing with financing options available for San Diego patients.

We combine extensive surgical experience with compassionate, patient-focused care to deliver truly life-changing results.

What Makes Gastric Bypass Effective?

For many patients, San Diego gastric bypass surgery leads to dramatic weight loss—often 10 to 20 pounds per month in the first year—and helps them lose 60% to 70% of their excess body weight. It is widely regarded as the gold standard for bariatric procedures, offering high success rates and a lower risk of complications.

In addition to weight loss, gastric bypass can reduce or even resolve chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea—improving both longevity and quality of life.

Gastric Bypass Surgery Before & After

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Dr. Fernando García: A Leader in Gastric Bypass Surgery

Dr. García brings more than a decade of specialized experience in laparoscopic gastric bypass. Having completed over 10,000 procedures and undergone his own weight loss journey, he is deeply committed to patient success, offering not only surgical excellence but also nutritional support and long-term follow-up.

He holds a Licensed Physician Degree from Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo and completed his residency in General Surgery at Hospital General, endorsed by Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC). He currently teaches Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery and has been on staff at Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social for over a decade.

Learn More About Dr. Fernando Garcia

Dr. García’s Surgical Approach

Using laparoscopic methods, Dr. García creates smaller incisions for faster healing and less visible scarring. His approach emphasizes precision and patient safety, and is complemented by personalized aftercare, including diet counseling and recovery planning.

What Happens During Surgery?

The procedure involves separating the stomach into a small pouch and rerouting the small intestine to reduce calorie absorption. This dual approach—restriction and malabsorption—enhances weight loss by minimizing food intake and reducing the absorption of fats and carbohydrates.

How Long Does the Procedure Take?

Most gastric bypass surgeries are performed laparoscopically and take about 90 minutes. Patients are placed under anesthesia, and our experienced surgical team uses small incisions to complete the procedure safely and efficiently.

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Who Qualifies for Gastric Bypass in San Diego?

Candidates for gastric bypass surgery near San Diego typically have a BMI over 40 or a BMI between 35 and 39.9 with obesity-related conditions like diabetes or hypertension. Most patients are at least 100 pounds over their ideal body weight. A full evaluation ensures the procedure is safe and appropriate for your health profile.

Dr. Jose Luna Checking patient's weight

Are There Potential Risks?

Like all surgeries, gastric bypass involves risks such as infection, blood clots, or nutritional deficiencies. At our facility near San Diego, we take every precaution to minimize these risks:

  • Laparoscopic techniques reduce complication rates
  • Comprehensive nutrition guidance helps prevent deficiencies
  • Support with eating habits minimizes risks like dumping syndrome
  • Follow-up care helps manage long-term health and healing

Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery

To help minimize risks and enhance your recovery, we perform most gastric bypass procedures using advanced laparoscopic techniques. These minimally invasive methods offer several important benefits:

  • Less postoperative pain
  • Faster recovery and mobility
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Quicker return to daily routines
  • Smaller, less visible scars

Planning for Recovery

Most patients resume normal activity within three to five weeks. Recovery success depends on following medical advice, including:

  • Getting adequate sleep
  • Staying hydrated
  • Following the post-op diet
  • Taking prescribed vitamins

Always report symptoms like bleeding or signs of infection immediately.

Gastric Bypass Recovery Timeline

  • Day 1: Closely monitored in the recovery room
  • Days 2–3: Hospital stay continues; begin clear liquid diet
  • Week 1: Continue clear liquids, begin light walking
  • Week 2: Add pureed foods, resume light activities
  • Weeks 3–4: Begin soft foods and increase physical activity
  • Month 2: Introduce solid foods; resume normal routines
  • Months 3–6: Normalize your diet and maintain follow-ups
  • Month 12: Major milestone; review your journey and continue routine check-ins
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Affordable Bariatric Surgery for San Diego Patients

In the U.S., gastric bypass can cost over $30,000—far beyond what many can afford. Our facility, located just outside San Diego, offers the same quality of care starting at $6,350 USD. You receive comprehensive care, including consultation, surgery, nutritional support, and follow-up.

What to Expect During Your Consultation

We’ll walk you through every aspect of the procedure and recovery process, review your goals and medical history, answer your questions, and explain costs, scheduling, and aftercare. Our goal is to ensure you leave your consultation feeling informed and confident. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

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Gastric Bypass Surgery FAQ

How Does Gastric Bypass Affect Alcohol Absorption?

Can Gastric Bypass Affect Mental Health?

Is Hypoglycemia A Concern After Surgery?

Are There Medication Restrictions?

What Follow-Up Testing Is Needed?

How Does Gastric Bypass Affect Alcohol Absorption?

Alcohol is absorbed more quickly after surgery, increasing intoxication and related risks. Limit use and consult your doctor.

Can Gastric Bypass Affect Mental Health?

Some patients may experience emotional changes as their body transforms. Ongoing mental health support is recommended.

Is Hypoglycemia A Concern After Surgery?

Some patients experience blood sugar drops after eating. Meal timing and composition help manage this. Ask your doctor for specific guidance.

Are There Medication Restrictions?

NSAIDs and other medications may irritate the stomach. Your provider can advise on dosage or alternatives.

What Follow-Up Testing Is Needed?

Regular bloodwork (e.g., for nutrient levels) is essential. Testing is typically done every few months, then annually.

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