Mexico Bariatric Center Deaths and Complication Rates

Background

Mexico Bariatric Center® is the number one provider of laparoscopic and endoscopic weight loss surgery in Mexico. The procedures MBC offers vary in complexity, from less complicated surgeries like gastric sleeve surgery to more complex procedures like duodenal switch surgery.

Mexico Bariatric Center’s intraoperative death rate is zero – while the overall complication rate is 0.4% for non-fatal.

To outline the statistics of Mexico Bariatric Center’s® medical team, we will be going over our complication rates†: leak rates, success rates, and death rates. We have spent time gathering this data to show our success and safety to both past patients and future patients.

Timeline

The data is collected from the surgeons and staff of Mexico Bariatric Center emphasizing the years 2017 thru 2018.

For the year 2018, Mexico Bariatric Center reported a 0.62% complication rate. 95% of all complications are discovered and fixed before patients even leave Tijuana, Mexico.

List of Bariatric Complications in 2018

This ranges from the mildest complications to more serious complications. Out of all the complications in 2018, here is the overall percentage based on the number of surgeries performed in 2018.

Overall Complication Rate and Death Rate in 2018

The overall complication rate of bariatric surgery at U.S. centers of excellence for obesity treatment, with serious surgical difficulties, ranges from 1% to more than 10%[1]. MBC bariatric surgeons are the most exclusive and sought-after doctors in Tijuana, Mexico, having a combined average of 0.62% in 2018.

In the United States, a large study found a mortality rate (death rate) for any bariatric procedure to be 14%. Mexico Bariatric Center has zero surgery-related deaths.

Additional Analysis

• Near misses or sentinel events that occurred within the facility: Less than 1%.
• Complication rates for all surgeons (all-time): 0.4% – 0.8%.

Long-Term Success Rates and Aftercare

In terms of weight loss, Mexico Bariatric Center maintains extremely successful patient results and success.

• Out of 100 patients, we interviewed 1 year post-op, 90 of them lost over 100 pounds in the first year.
• 5 patients adapt to the new stomach differently and lose weight at a much slower rate.
• 5/100 patients lost between 40 and 100 pounds in the first year.
• 3 patients lost less than 40 pounds.
• 2 patients had difficulty and after losing weight, regained it back.

Outcome and Results [Year 2017]

Below are the surgeon’s complication and death rate in 2017.

Overall Complication Rate and Death Rate in 2017

This ranges from the mildest complications to more serious complications. Out of the 0.04% complication rate, here is the percentage of types of complications patients face. (Out of 100%)

Overall complication rate: 0.63%

List of Bariatric Complications [2017]

Leakage: Leakage can occur from technical, mechanical, or ischemic issues after surgery when fluid leaks out of the staple line.[1]

• 40% of all complications are short-term leak problems. These are almost always fixed before the patients leave the hospital during post-op testing.

Internal bleeding: Internal bleeding is bleeding inside the body and can occur in tissues or organs.

• Any organ injury (spleen, etc.)
• Stricture

Stomach or intestine ulceration: Stomach/intestine ulceration is when stomach acid damages the digestive system causing soreness and pain.

Internal or wound infection: Internal or wound infection include any type of internal or external body parts that get infected due to the surgical operation.

Skin separation (outer bleeding):

• Band slippage

Overall Complication Rate and Death Rate in 2017

Dr. Valenzuela: 1 reintervention for bleeding “she was the only complication” (gastric sleeve) – 1/460 = 0.22%

Dr. Rodriguez: 2 bleeding (gastric sleeve); 2 leaks (gastric sleeve); 1 obstruction (RNY bypass) – 5/629 = 0.810%

Dr. Cabrera: 2 bleeding (RNY), 1 obstruction (RNY), 2 bleeding (sleeve “because of hiatal hernia repair”) 5/499 = 1.002% or 0.60% without hernia

Dr. Gutierrez: 2 bleeding complications (sleeves) – 2/485 =  0.41%

Overall Complication Rate = 13/2073 = 0.63%

According to a study by Stanford University, 96% of patients did not experience any surgical difficulties at all with VSG surgery. The study looked at 16,000 different sleeve patients in a pool of 270,000 bariatric surgery and metabolic patients. The same study found that the mortality rate for this surgical procedure was just 0.08% after 30 days. While the overall mortality rate for most weight loss surgeries is low (0.14%), sleeve gastrectomy mortality rate numbers are much lower than that low average.[1]

Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

How long is each surgery? 

They do about 3 surgeries per day. ~2 hours for each patient. Total of approximately: 6-8 hours.

How many times do I meet with the surgeon before the procedure? 

The patient will meet with the surgeon once before the surgery, however, they can ask to speak with the surgeon at any time. After the surgery, the patient won’t be meeting with the surgeon, but they are always free to reach out if they have any questions.

How many times do I meet with the anesthesiologist before the procedures? 

Not standard to meet the anesthesiologist, but it is possible. All they have to do is ask at the hospital before their procedure to meet the anesthesiologist.

Will I have a translator available to me as I speak incredibly limited Spanish? 

Our nursing and surgeon staff speak English.

What does the after-care look like in terms of monitoring, pain control (if needed), suture/staple removal? 

Nothing needs to be removed. If a patient needs pain treatment or antibiotic treatment beyond what is given at discharge (rare) they will have to obtain it from a local provider as the surgeons do not have prescriptive authority outside of Mexico.

Near misses or sentinel events (deaths within the hospital) that occurred within the facility? 

Less than 1% for the entire facility. 0% sentinel events for Mexico Bariatric Center. There is a certified ICU in the hospital.

Mexico Gastric Sleeve Horror Stories Archives?

Individuals with weight problems need to learn about the pros and cons of weight loss surgery as a tool. They also need to research the medical tourism company they are choosing.

References

All the information listed on this page are all facts and based on real-life scenarios. For more information regarding our surgeries please don’t hesitate to contact us at 1-855-768-7247.

Dr. Louisiana Valenzuela – Certified Bariatric & Metabolic Surgeon Advanced Laparoscopy and Bariatric Surgery – Hospital Angeles Tijuana.

Dr. Alejandro Gutierrez – FACS – Board Certified by CMCG & CMCOEM General Surgery Residency at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social.

Dr. Rodriguez Lopez – Hospital Angeles Tijuana under Associate professor: Dr. Juan Antonio López Corvala – Has specialized in bariatric surgery since 2014.

Dr. Ismael Cabrera – Certified Bariatric & Metabolic Surgeon – (2011) Certification of participation in observation in obesity surgeries at Fresno heart and surgical hospital

† Complication Rate is the number of complications divided by the number of patients.

More Reading:

• Studies Weigh in on Safety and Effectiveness of Newer Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Procedure
• Gastric leaks post sleeve gastrectomy: Review of its prevention and management
• Advisory Board