Duodenal Switch Surgery in Tijuana, Mexico

For those struggling with morbid obesity (BMIs of over 40), Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD-DS) can be the life-changing answer you’ve been searching for. Duodenal Switch surgery in Mexico is highly effective because it alters how the body processes food. The classical DS/BPD procedure works by rapidly channeling food into the ileum (the final section of the small intestine).

The rapid passage of food from the stomach to the distal ileum triggers the natural, immediate secretion of key satiety hormones, specifically GLP-1 and PYY. In contrast, medications utilize a synthetic version of GLP-1, requiring patients to maintain a lifelong, indefinite injection schedule to sustain results.

Having performed more duodenal switch surgeries than any other center in the United States and South America, Mexico Bariatric Center® (MBC) is a world leader in Hypoabsorptive procedures: classical BPD/DS and its variations, SADI and SASI. MBC offers affordable, all-inclusive packages in Tijuana and Guadalajara that can save you up to 75%* compared to U.S. prices—without compromising on safety, care, or results.

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Duodenal Switch Schematic Mexico Bariatric Center

Maximum Weight Loss

Offers substantial long-term weight loss with a lower risk of weight regain.

Minimally Invasive

Utilizes laparoscopic methods, reducing recovery time and scarring.

Boosts Metabolism

Body absorbs less food and improves conditions like diabetes.

Affordable Pricing

Competitive duodenal switch packages available in Mexico.

How Duodenal Switch Surgery Works

Duodenal Switch Surgery combines two powerful approaches to achieve significant weight loss by reducing stomach size and altering nutrient absorption. Approximately 70% of the stomach is removed through a sleeve gastrectomy, which limits food intake and decreases the production of hunger hormones (Ghrelin). Then, the intestines are rerouted to reduce calorie absorption by bypassing a large portion of them. This dual-action helps patients feel full sooner while absorbing fewer calories, resulting in highly effective weight control.

Removes about 70% of the stomach, reducing size and hunger hormone production.
Reroutes intestines to bypass part of the small intestine, cutting calorie absorption.
Alters digestion to reduce nutrient absorption by nearly 80%.
Combines stomach restriction and intestinal malabsorption for strong weight loss.
Influences your metabolism and causes hormonal changes to increase satiety and feeling full.

Starting at $8,995 $6,795*

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Duodenal Switch Mexico: Travel Itinerary

Mexico Bariatric Center® is a trusted leader in providing affordable, life-changing Duodenal Switch (DS) surgery for U.S. patients seeking weight loss solutions in Tijuana, Mexico. Our team of board-certified bariatric surgeons, many of whom have received training in the United States, deliver world-class care that meets—and often exceeds—U.S. safety and quality standards.

Day 1. Fly to San Diego

Our Private Drivers will be waiting. ~20 minute drive across the border. Get pre-op testing and stay at the Hotel.

Day 2. Surgery Day!

You will be picked up from the Hotel early in the morning for your surgery. Stay the Night in Hospital.

Day 3. Hospital

Recover in Hospital Azar. Post-op testing and 24/7 Care. Make sure you walk around and drink a lot of water!

Day 4. Departure

Released from the hospital and drop-off at the airport. Plan departure flight after 2:00 pm Pacific Time.

View Patient Process

We Provide Affordable, All-Inclusive Packages

Mexico Bariatric Center stands out as one of the few providers offering duodenal switch surgery in Mexico. Our team features some of the most skilled surgeons in the country, including Dr. Alejandro Gutierrez, Dr. Jacqueline Osuna, Dr. Jesus Ceja, and Dr. Miguel Ángel Zapata, who are exclusively specialized in BPD-DS and SADI-S procedures.

With an outstanding record for successful patient outcomes, our surgical team is ready to provide you with the top-notch care you deserve. Discover the many benefits of the Mexico duodenal switch by getting approved today.

Pre-Operative Tests and Evaluation
Airport / Hotel / Hospital Transportation
Hospital Fees
Surgeons Fees
Anesthesiologist Fees

Antibiotics and Pain Medicine
Nutritionist Program
2 Nights at Hospital
1-night, Pre-Op at Hotel/Hospital
Bring a Companion (additional charge)

WI-FI in Hospital and Hotel
Phone to Call the U.S. at No Charge
Private Support Group (12k+ Members)

LEARN MORE ABOUT MBC COSTS

Duodenal Switch Weight Loss Timeline

On average, patients lose 78% of their excess body weight due to the duodenal switch’s dual weight-loss mechanisms. In the first 3 months, typical weight loss is ½ to 1 pound per day, with the rate slowing between 6-9 months. Maximum weight loss is achieved between 12-18 months post-surgery. By 2 years, most patients can lose all their excess weight with proper diet, exercise, and vitamin intake. For super-obese patients, skin removal surgery may be necessary. Long-term weight regain is less common in BPD-DS patients compared to RNY gastric bypass.

At 3 months post-op: Expect to lose 34% to 39% of your excess weight.
At 6 months post-op: Expect to lose 50% to 58% of your excess weight.
At 12 months post-op: Expect to lose 68% to 79% of your excess weight.
At 18 months post-op: Expect to lose 79% to 88% of your excess weight.

These numbers represent average outcomes; achieving 100% excess weight loss is possible, but individual results may vary.

Why Choose Mexico Bariatric Center?

FDA Approved Surgical Equipment

By only working with advanced, FDA-approved surgical equipment & medical techniques, Mexico Bariatric Center has maintained low complication rates and greater surgical outcomes. We also adhere to strict safety standards and bariatric guidelines.

Surgeon's Load Management

Patient safety and comfort are non-negotiable at MBC. To maintain high success rates, we’ve built a Load management program to manage our doctor’s load based on the surgery type, it’s level of complexity, as well as the total surgeries scheduled for that day.

Bariatric-Specialized Hospital Facility

Our world-class success rates are a testament to the safety protocols we follow, our team of the best bariatric surgeons in Mexico, as well as health protocols followed by our hospital, nurses, and staff.

Our Hospital Facility

Duodenal Switch Surgery Before and After Photos

Tiara

Taylor

Barbara

Jamie

AJ

Meagan

Skyler

Ross

Kate

Christian

Kim

Roshni

Justin

Tiffany

Christopher

David

Michelle

Sapp

Is Duodenal Switch Right for Me?

Duodenal Switch is a bariatric surgery that can produce the greatest overall sustainable weight loss. BPD/DS has higher success rates for patients who are super morbidly obese or at greater risk of life-threatening diseases than other surgeries. Patients must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Patients typically are needed to have a body mass index of 45 or more.
Patients with a BMI of 40 can be candidates for the duodenal switch as long as they have co-morbidities, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, or other diseases.

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Surgery Duration
3 – 4 Hours

Hotel Stay
1 Night Pre-Op

Hospital Stay
2 Nights

Back to Work
3 – 4 Weeks

Pros and Cons of Duodenal Switch Surgery

The BPD+DS can yield a substantial reduction of body fat, in many cases 150 pounds or more. It reduces your stomach’s capacity and detours fat and calorie absorption achieved by intestinal reconfiguration. Extreme weight loss is followed by many years of weight maintenance compared to any other bariatric operation.

Duodenal switch is so efficacious that 98% of patients with type II diabetes are “cured” after surgery.

The duodenal switch surgery dramatically improves and cures more obesity-related health issues in the long run, even better than gastric bypass or vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Some of these comorbidities include type 2 diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, depression, and many more.

98% of patients with type II diabetes cease diabetic medications by 12-36 months
70% of hypertensive patients with high blood pressure will be cured, and 10% improved
75% of patients with high cholesterol are in remission or even cured after the surgery
90% of patients with obstructive sleep apnea will be relieved[3]

Another significant benefit of the duodenal switch procedure is the preservation of the pyloric valve – leaving the bile and pancreatic fluid intact. This prevents marginal ulcers and dumping syndrome experienced by patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Advantages of Duodenal Switch

The duodenal switch procedure is an effectual weight loss surgery that benefits life-threatening obesity conditions.

Partially Reversible: The malabsorptive aspect can be reversed, acting as a standalone gastric sleeve.
Eat Broad Range of Foods: Patients can consume a broad range of foods, similar to gastric sleeve and bypass.
Dumping Syndrome is Uncommon: We are one of the few U.S. companies with multiple surgeons on our team specializing in Mexican duodenal switch surgery.
Improve Health: A benefit of duodenal switch surgery is that it has high rates to improve or cure the most severe obesity-related health problems.
Obesity-Related Health Issues: Type 2 diabetes, High blood pressure, Sleep apnea, Dyslipidemia, Hypertension, Lung disease, Arthritis, Headaches and migraines, High cholesterol, Infertility/PCOS syndrome, Cardiovascular disease, Back and joint pain, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Before and After Pictures

Disadvantages of Duodenal Switch

Due to intestinal re-routing, stools tend to be stronger smelling similar to gastric bypass. The stool becomes loose if too much fat is consumed. Consuming excess carbohydrates, fiber, or carbonated drinks can also worsen flatulence.

Requires Vitamins: Requires close nutritional surveillance and following strict vitamin and supplementation in order to combat nutrient deficiencies. Protein-calorie malnutrition can cause loss of lean body mass.
No Revision Options: If the duodenal switch was not successful, there are no available revision options that have a high chance of success.
May Cause Anemia: Lack of iron after BPD/DS can cause anemia. This is why vitamins are so essential after surgery.
Risk of Gallstones: Gallstones are a common risk factor caused by losing weight after the operation.

Learn About Complications, Risks

About the Common Channel (CC)

The common channel is the section of the small intestine where food and digestive juices mix. The alimentary limb (digestive loop) carries food from the stomach to the common channel, while the biliary limb (biliopancreatic loop) transports bile and pancreatic enzymes from the liver. This is where digestion and absorption of fats, proteins, and nutrients primarily occur, just before entering the large intestine.

At Mexico Bariatric Center, surgeons typically use a 100-cm (40-inch) common channel.

Many bariatric surgeons determine limb and common channel lengths using the Hess Method. This method measures the total length of the small intestine and allocates 50% for the biliopancreatic limb, 40% for the alimentary limb, and 10% for the common loop.

Surgical Steps of the DS/BPD Procedure

The Duodenal Switch BPD-DS/SADI-s procedures take around 3 hours from start to finish. The operation time depends on the patient’s BMI, pre-op diet, and the surgeon’s skillfulness as well as experience. Patients’ healing is rather fast, and patients can return to work after two to three weeks following the surgery in Mexico. Mexico Bariatric Center keeps the patients for 2 nights in the hospital for safer recovery.

These are the specific steps the surgeons use to ensure the highest level of patient safety and outcomes. After the patient is placed on the surgical table with their face up and the arms spread apart. This procedure is performed in two stages: First, the gastric volume reduction is similar to sleeve gastrectomy to lose weight (about 60 to 80 lbs). Second, rerouting the intestines creates two pathways and a common channel to induce malabsorption and, therefore, additional weight loss.

1. Anesthesia Administered

General anesthesia is administered by the anesthesiologist and a breathing tube (endotracheal tube) is inserted into the esophagus.

2. Cut 5 Laparoscopic Incisions

Surgeon makes 3 to 5 laparoscopic incisions in the abdomen and trocars (hollow steel tubes) are placed through as a passageway for surgical instruments.

3. Abdomen Filled and Liver Lifted

The abdomen is filled with CO2 to separate stomach wall from the small intestine. The liver is gently pushed aside with a retractor by the assistant surgeon.

4. Removing the Stomach

The greater curvature is released starting from the antrum to approximately two inches from the pylorus and an endoscopic cutter/stapler then cuts and staples the stomach along the bougie inserted through the mouth as a guide.

5. Duodenal Switch

The GI tract is diverted into the [1] jejunum (60% of the small intestine which then hooks up with the ileum) and the [2] duodenum. The small intestine is then detached from the new stomach, 3 cm below the pyloric valve, and attaches to the last 40% of the small intestine (ileum).

6. Biliopancreatic Diversion

The remaining small intestine is reconnected back to itself approximately 5 feet from its entrance back to the colon. Upon completion, the small incisions are closed by dissolvable sutures. The surgeon leaves a drain in the abdominal cavity to detect any possible leaks after surgery.

Is BPD/DS in Mexico Safe?

Mexico Bariatric Center® offers Duodenal Switch in Tijuana starting from only $9,600 $6,795! This saves patients over 70% of the price that you can expect to pay in the United States and Canada.

1
We are the most qualified provider of duodenal switch surgery in Mexico. Our team of highly trained bariatric surgeons has successfully completed hundreds of successful DS procedures.
2
Out of the dozen or so weight loss surgery providers in Tijuana, none are as experienced as super surgeon Dr. Jacqueline Osuna.
3
We work in a high-volume hospital that specializes in bariatric surgery. Our private facility that goes above and beyond safety to practice under strict COVID-19 protocols and always using personal protective equipment.

Cost of Duodenal Switch Surgery in Mexico

Duodenal switch surgery is the most intricate procedure, which only a small percentage of medical tourism companies offer. The cost of duodenal switch surgery in Tijuana, Mexico, however, is considerably less expensive than that of the U.S. and Canadian counterparts.

Mexico Bariatric Center has established itself as the center for DS surgeries worldwide. MBC is proud to be one of the few select centers in Mexico to offer duodenal switch surgery. Mexico Bariatric Center has priced its all-inclusive DS packages well below the competition, from $9,600 to $6,595.

Pricing and Costs

Consulting with Medical Professionals

Consider speaking with:

Receive complimentary consultations with our experienced Bariatric Surgeons to discuss your specific health profile, the pros and cons of the procedure for you, success rates, and potential risks.
Your Primary Care Physician to get their perspective on your overall health and the suitability of weight-loss surgery.
A Registered Dietitian, preferably one who specializes in bariatric patients, should understand the significant and permanent dietary changes required.
A Mental Health Professional to discuss the psychological aspects of undergoing major surgery and the lifestyle transformation that follows.

Duodenal Switch Surgical Procedures

Hypoabsorptive procedures like BPD/DS, SADI, SASI, and MagDI are the most effective bariatric surgeries for long-term weight control. Still, their complexity means only a select few surgeons have mastered them. With over 13 years of dedicated experience, the surgical teams at Mexico Bariatric Center are part of that elite group, making us the trusted leader in weight loss surgery in Mexico.

Duodenal Switch Surgical Procedure: Open vs. Laparoscopic

Duodenal Switch surgery can be performed open or laparoscopically. In open (traditional) duodenal switch, a long incision is made in the abdomen area. Open bariatric procedures are no longer performed by surgeons in the U.S. and Mexico.

Laparoscopic surgery is a modern surgical technique that helps faster healing, less trauma to the body and fewer complications. In the laparoscopic duodenal switch procedure, also called Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), five small incisions are made in the abdomen.

*Prices are subject to change. Not valid on blackout dates. Prices depend on the surgeon, surgery, additional fees, and schedule. Prices may rise due to BMI levels and prior abdominal surgeries. All of the testimonials are covered in our disclaimers. Individuals’ results may vary. There is no guarantee made by statements on this website.

Last Updated: March 2026, by Dr. Ron Elli, Ph.D.

Medically Reviewed by:

Kimberly Langdon, M.D. August 2018

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