Metabolic Surgery Tijuana | Metabolic Surgery Mexico

What is metabolic surgery?

Metabolic surgery refers to bariatric procedures performed not only to support weight loss, but also to help improve metabolic conditions associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It describes an approach to treatment rather than a single operation. Depending on each patient’s needs, it may be performed as a gastric sleeve or a bypass-based procedure, including the Mini Gastric Bypass (also known as OAGB). The right procedure is determined after evaluating the patient’s medical history, BMI, anatomy, eating habits, and long-term goals.

Some of Our Patients’ Before & After Images

View All Results

A metabolic surgery center just 30 minutes from San Diego Airport

OCC is one of the few hospitals in all of Mexico to be fully accredited by Joint Commission International. Our gleaming, state-of-the-art facility is just one mile south of the U.S./Mexico border. Our team of bariatric surgeons is world-renowned, and we deliver the most advanced treatments available worldwide.

What does metabolic surgery treat?

The increasing worldwide epidemic in obesity has been related to the increasing burden of type-2 diabetes and other obesity-related diseases. Obesity is associated with a chronic inflammatory state and insulin resistance so it will increase the risk of developing various diseases (diabetes, heart disease, etc.) or worsen others (arthritis, PCOS, various veins, etc.). This is also known as “metabolic syndrome.”

What is metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a set of symptoms that are linked to an increased risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

A proven, sustainable result at OCC.

At the Obesity Control Center in Mexico, we believe that one of the most effective, sustainable treatments for metabolic disease is safe and effective metabolic surgery. With over a quarter of a century of experience and more than 26,000 successful surgeries are what set OCC apart.

We are proud to have four full United States-based accreditations for health and safety in metabolic surgery. And with our innovative surgeries, we know how to help you safely and effectively improve your metabolic health.

Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases associated with obesity include:

✓Type-2 diabetes mellitus

✓Heart failure

✓Hypertension

✓Atrial fibrillation

✓Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol or triglycerides)

✓Venous stasis disease and thrombotic disorders

✓Coronary, cerebral and peripheral vascular disease

✓Obstructive sleep apnea

✓Chronic kidney disease

Why choose OCC for metabolic surgery?

OCC has international recognition, holds U.S. certifications, and an impressive track record of successful obesity treatments. We offer exceptional care and support throughout the journey, including a 5-year follow-up program. Our treatments are customized for the individual patient and can help improve metabolic health risks. If you have concerns about traveling to Mexico for surgery, we can help. We are located just one mile from the US/Mexico border, and you will be transported in our private, luxury van to our exclusive, state-of-the-art clinic.

Virtual meetings

For more information, read our reviews and speak to patients in our support group, and other OCC patients. We can arrange phone or zoom consultations with our surgeon. Our goal is a happy, successful, healthier patient that refers their friends and family to OCC and shares their experience with others. There is no greater compliment than when an OCC patient refers their friends, family, or associates to us, and it happens every day. Metabolic syndrome can be treated with the most advanced surgeries that deliver improved outcomes and a shorter recovery time.

Patient Success Stories

Before & After — Real Transformations, Real Stories

Before After

185 lbs

I can never express enough how grateful I am for what OCC has done for me.

Cameron

I was considered overweight and obese my entire life. At 35, after years of failed diets, therapy, and research, I realized that the only way for me to permanently loose weight was to have bariatric surgery. My doctors in the US wrote letters to my insurance, emphasizing the medical necessity of this surgery. But after a year of back and forth, my insurance turned me down. I thought all hope was lost until I heard about OCC from a friend. I’d never even heard of traveling to Mexico for surgery, but, after researching and talking to the OCC, I was all in. And I’m so glad I made this choice. The amount of guidance and care I received from OCC from the moment I called for information has been better than anything I’ve experienced in the US. The procedure was smooth—I felt safe and in good hands the entire time.

Before After

100 lbs

It’s highly reputable reputation and accreditation’s.

Tricia

I was sick of being sick. I suffered from type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. I have two small children and was sick of being tired all the time and sitting on the sidelines. I decided I didn’t want to live this life anymore. That’s when I reached out to OCC and it was the best decision I ever made. I am now actually living and making each day count.

Before After

203 lbs

I needed a drastic change.

Celeste

I had tried losing weight and failed on my own so many times before that I just knew I could no longer do it on my own. My health insurance benefits excluded weight loss surgery and I felt so defeated! I didn’t want the insurance companies to decide what I knew I needed. It wasn’t until I started searching for cash-pay costs that I ran across the OCC website (and several others). I looked at their testimonials and tried to find some of those people – I reached out to them on social media to get their thoughts. I started doing research on Dr. Ortiz. I researched the accreditations and certifications that the OCC held and was liking what I was learning. I looked into other facilities and Dr.’s, but none of them seemed to have as high of standards as OCC. After doing research and talking with others about their experiences both at OCC and at other facilities, I decided that it was time to get more information directly from OCC.

Before After

155 lbs

OCC, you gave me not only my life back, you gave me my smile back…

Charlie

I have struggled with my weight my entire life. In the long run it became not only emotionally, but also medically necessary to make a drastic change in my life. I was recommended by a family friend who is also a Nurse Practitioner and she recommended me to OCC, specifically Dr. Ortiz. Of course I was apprehensive of the thought of having surgery in Mexico but she reassured me that she took care of several of OCC’s patients right here in my hometown and that if anyone knew exactly what they were doing it was OCC. I researched OCC as well as others, both domestic and foreign, and came to the conclusion that OCC was without a doubt one of the best, if not the best. From the first call to the coordinator to the moment I left Tijuana headed back home, I was treated with support, kindness, compassion, and empathy.

Before After

73 lbs

I did quite a bit of reading and felt OCC was the best choice and it was!

Jamie

I have struggled with my weight for all of my adult years, my highest weight was 245 at one time. I maintained my weight loss around 165 lbs until about 2 years ago when my band started not holding any fluid and realized it had a leak. I started regaining weight and put on about 50 lbs. My experience with OCC and Dr. Ortiz was wonderful! I decided to revise to the gastric sleeve and everything was great, we stayed at a very nice hotel , and the staff there was just as good. I had excellent medical care from the start. I would absolutely recommend OCC to anyone who is struggling with their weight. I am now down about 80 lbs and have never felt better. I work out with a personal trainer and run 5ks!

Before After

65 lbs

Safety, professionalism, knowledge, accreditation.

Elyse

I was tired of being fat, and for most 215 isn’t that bad. But for me I felt disgusting. I’m use to bring the pretty sexy one. Not the chubby funny girl. I didn’t know that out of country surgery was even a possibility. I had a friend have it done in Mexico and I was like I want that. I booked with another company and after research I found that they had a death and complications. They also used drain tubes which did not sound like fun! Then I found OCC and saw all the great reviews, no deaths and no drain tubes. I was so nervous yet excited. My experience was nothing but positive. I even came home early I was doing so well. I have tried every diet, I exercised regularly and I just kept gaining. This tool has helped me so much. I still continue to eat healthy and exercise regularly but now I actually see results or my hard work. This isn’t the easy way out you still have to put the work in.

View Patient Results

Gastric bypass

Gastric bypass (also known as the Biliopancreatic diversion or Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch): Because gastric bypass is one of several effective procedures performed at the Obesity Control Center in Mexico.

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve or the Ileal Interposition): Featuring OCC’s patented “Improved Gastric Sleeve,” the safest and most effective sleeve procedure on the market with a 0% failure rate. The IGS uses the Double-Buttress Technique to create a leak-proof procedure that minimizes complications and maximizes positive results. The gastric sleeve initially began as a procedure specially formulated for the treatment of type-2 diabetes.

Gastric sleeve remains an appropriate first option for many patients. A bypass-based procedure may be recommended in selected cases. The best procedure depends on each patient’s medical history, BMI, anatomy, eating habits, and long-term goals.

What are the signs and symptoms of metabolic syndrome?

If you have three of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from metabolic syndrome:

A large waistline

More than 40 inches (94cm) in men

More than 35 inches (88cm) in women

High blood levels of LDL cholesterol or triglycerides

Low blood levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)

High blood pressure

High fasting blood sugar

The OCC difference

Over a quarter of a century of experience and more than 26,000 patients is what sets OCC apart. A quarter-century specialized in the weight loss surgery field. We were some of the first to perform bariatric surgical procedures.

Three Master Bariatric Surgeons caring for every patient. You’re always in the hands of a world-renowned and highly-trained surgeon. We are the only international team of bariatric surgeons, offering globalized bariatric healthcare and the best of the best to our patients.

We have been fully accredited by Joint Commission International for two 3-year periods. JCI partners with hospitals, clinics, academic medical centers, health systems and agencies, government ministries, academia, and international advocates in over 100 countries to promote the strictest and highest standards of care.

Pioneers in the field, including several registered techniques, patented devices, and many “firsts” in the field like teenage obesity treatments, the IGS Improved Gastric Sleeve®

Stomach Sparing Gastric Sleeve, the Double-Buttress Sewing Technique and more.

Faster recovery and better outcomes. Shorter times under anesthesia and a less-invasive abdominal wall preservation techniques.

Unique patient pre-surgery education and preparation and 5 years follow-up program, an industry first!

FAQ

Depending on the type of gastric surgery performed, the prices range from about $6,500 to $9,000. The savings by coming to OCC is around 50% of the cost in the US – with a health and safety record that outstrips most US hospitals. Your health and wellbeing must be protected when undergoing metabolic surgery, and our record of success is extraordinary. Trust the experts with one of the best success rates of any bariatric clinic in the entire world, the United States included!

Studies conducted on metabolic surgery patients show that after one year, weight loss can average more than 75% of excess body weight. One report found that gastric bypass surgery reduced the total number of serious health problems of participating patients by 96%. This level of weight loss can lead to the significant improvement in a host of conditions, such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, which significantly lowers your chances of heart and kidney diseases.

Complications are rare. Leaks, bleeding, hernia, and chronic heartburn can happen, however, with over 26,000 procedures, we have streamlined the entire process of weight loss surgery. Our complication rate is one of the lowest published in the literature, with a 0% leak rate. With the implementation of the new techniques designed at OCC, our patients are experiencing substantial and permanent weight loss without the undesirable symptom of heartburn.

There are symptoms after having any type of surgery that are related to general anesthesia (sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, etc.) and others directly associated with the gastric sleeve itself (cramping, abdominal tenderness, vomiting). Fortunately, these are kept to a minimum and medically treated early so most patients can be up on their feet in a couple of hours and discharged the morning after. Many actually feel well enough to go out shopping the day after surgery!

Your food consumption will start slowly with a totally liquid diet for a few days, then liquids including the Bariatric Protein Meals, and slowly move into soft food, and then the transition to a normal diet.

The surprising fact is that most patients recover faster than expected, and their energy levels restored with a nutrition plan that includes the Bariatric Multivitamin and Bariatric Protein Shakes recommended by our team of nutritional experts.

Every bariatric procedure requires a long-term commitment to nutrition and follow-up. Depending on the procedure, patients may need ongoing vitamin and mineral supplementation, adequate protein, and periodic laboratory monitoring, guided by our nutrition and aftercare team.

The only thing you can’t do after surgery is overeating without having severe discomfort, nausea, even vomiting. Ideally, most patients will return to three normal meals a day and three snacks between meals.

Metabolic surgery is just another name for bariatric surgery. The difference is that this procedure not only targets obesity, but also metabolic syndrome conditions, such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. To learn more about metabolic surgery, visit ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Schedule your metabolic surgery procedure today

Call or email us here to start your weight loss journey. Call a member of our personal concierge team and learn how you can get the healthier life you’ve wanted with the help of the Obesity Control Center in Tijuana, MX.