Frequently Asked Questions

Safety depends on the surgeon and hospital, not the country. Our program operates at Hospital Ángeles Pedregal, which holds Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation — the same standard required of US hospitals. Our surgeons trained at UNAM and completed fellowship programs in minimally invasive surgery. Complication rates for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy are comparable to US benchmarks when performed at accredited facilities.

Hospital Ángeles Pedregal holds Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. This is the international equivalent of The Joint Commission in the US and covers surgical safety, infection control, patient rights, and quality management. The hospital also participates in the IFSO (International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity) quality framework.

You're never alone after surgery. Your surgeon provides direct messaging access for 90 days post-op — most questions are answered within hours. We also coordinate with a network of US and Canadian bariatric physicians who can provide local follow-up if needed. Our $1,000,000 GMM international coverage applies for the first 30 days. We provide your complete surgical record in English for any domestic provider.

The difference is structural, not quality-related. Mexico doesn't have the same billing infrastructure overhead, malpractice insurance costs, or insurance middlemen driving up prices. Surgeons here earn competitive salaries by Mexican standards — which are significantly lower in USD. Hospital stays are priced at local market rates. The procedure itself, the equipment, and the skill are equivalent; the price stack is just different.

Most US insurance plans do not cover elective surgery abroad. Some PPO plans with international provisions may reimburse a portion — your policy's Summary of Benefits and Coverage will specify. We provide complete itemized invoices and ICD-10 codes for those who want to submit for reimbursement. HSA and FSA funds can generally be used. Many patients find the total out-of-pocket cost — even paying 100% — is lower than the US out-of-pocket with insurance.

We partner with US-based medical financing providers including CareCredit and United Medical Credit. These programs offer 6–24 month payment plans, often at 0% promotional APR for qualified applicants. We also accept wire transfer and major credit cards. We do not require payment in full until your pre-operative workup is complete.

Plan for 7 nights total: you arrive 1–2 days before surgery for pre-op labs and your in-person surgical consultation, you spend 2 nights in the hospital, and then 3 nights recovering at the Hotel Camino Real (5 minutes from the hospital). On day 7, you're cleared to fly home. We do not rush discharge — if your surgeon needs you to stay an additional night, we accommodate it at no extra cost.

We strongly recommend bringing a companion — a spouse, adult family member, or close friend. They provide emotional support and help you manage airport logistics on the return trip. Our coordinator assists with all in-city transportation, so language is not a barrier. About 70% of our patients travel with a companion; the rest come solo and do fine with our team's support.

The neighborhoods where you'll spend your time — Pedregal de San Ángel (hospital), Santa Fe (hotel), and the airport corridor — are among the safest and most modern areas of the city. We coordinate all ground transportation with vetted drivers. Most of our patients say Mexico City exceeded their expectations. The US State Department's Level 2 advisory for Mexico City is the same as for France and the UK.

This depends on your BMI, medical history, and weight-loss goals. As a general guide: Sleeve Gastrectomy is appropriate for BMI 35–50 without severe metabolic disease. Gastric Bypass is often recommended for patients with Type 2 Diabetes or significant GERD, as it has the strongest metabolic effect. SADI-S is considered for BMI 50+ or patients who need maximum weight loss. Your surgeon will recommend the appropriate procedure after reviewing your labs and history — no pressure to choose before your consultation.

Average excess weight loss at 12 months: Sleeve ~60–70%, Bypass ~70–80%, SADI-S ~80–90%. These are population averages — individual outcomes depend on your starting weight, adherence to the post-op diet and lifestyle, and metabolic factors. Surgery is a powerful tool, but it works best with behavioral support. We include nutritional counseling and a 12-month follow-up schedule in every package.

For desk work or remote roles: most patients return in 10–14 days. For physically demanding jobs (standing all day, heavy lifting): 3–4 weeks. Laparoscopic surgery leaves 5 small incisions — most patients are surprised at how manageable the discomfort is by day 5–7. Your surgeon provides a formal work clearance letter for your employer.

All bariatric surgery carries risk. The most common short-term complications are nausea, dehydration, and minor wound issues. Serious complications — leaks, blood clots, anastomotic stricture — occur in roughly 1–3% of cases at accredited centers. The mortality rate for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is approximately 0.1%, similar to gallbladder removal. Long-term considerations include nutritional deficiencies (managed with supplements) and, for bypass/SADI, dumping syndrome with certain foods. We discuss all of this in detail during your surgical consultation.