Surgical therapies are the definitive answer to obesity and its underlying medical conditions. The cost of weight loss surgery can be prohibitive depending on the type of procedure and the geographic location.

Popular surgeries, such as gastric sleeve and gastric bypass, in the United States and Canada can range from 11,500 to 25,500.

If you are uninsured or underinsured and unable to pay out-of-pocket for the operation, you should consider medical tourism. Going abroad to countries like Mexico offers affordable yet reliable services to patients to receive this life-saving procedure.

We will break down the cost of weight loss surgery in Mexico compared to the rest of the world.

Cost of Being Overweight and Obese

The direct, indirect, and personal costs of obesity puts additional strain on your wallet far more than the price of weight loss surgery. The unexpected cost of obesity can impact you in various ways:

  • 1

    Increased expenditure on healthcare – Obese patients spend about $4,800 more on healthcare annually than non-obese individuals. [Stop Obesity Alliance]

  • 2

    Lower wages – Obese women earn up to 6% less than their normal-weight coworkers. Obese men, on the other hand, earn 3% less. [Obesity Action Coalition]

  • 3

    More sick leave – Obese men take 5.9 more days away from work than normal-weight men per year. Similarly, obese women take 9.4 more days away from work.

  • 4

    Higher clothing costs – Plus-sized clothing is typically more expensive and harder to find, especially for women.

  • 5

    Increased fuel economy – Fuel consumption goes up by 2% for every extra one hundred pounds in the vehicle.

Cost of Weight Loss Surgery Around the World

First-world countries, like the United States or Canada, are 4 to 5 times the costs for weight loss surgery compared to countries of lower economic class, like Mexico.

DestinationSleeveBypassDuodenal SwitchBalloon
Mexico$4,395$5,795$6,695$3,295
India$10,000$11,000$11,500$4,600
Thailand$11,000$12,000$12,500$8,000
Costa Rica$10,000$13,000$13,500$7,200
Austrilia$14,000$16,000$19,500$11,500
Canada$18,000$24,000$27,000$7,500
United States$19,000$25,000$31,000$8,000

+Estimates of the average cost of weight loss surgery for the most common bariatric procedures based on Geographical Location.

Bariatric Insurance Coverage

The U.S. insurance plans from Medicare, Medical, private, or employer-provided, may not cover bariatric surgery. To receive approval for surgical treatment, you must have a BMI above 40 and undergo a diet and psychological evaluation.

If you do not have insurance coverage and cannot afford to undergo weight loss surgery, then don’t worry. You can get affordable self-pay weight loss surgery in Mexico. Mexico Bariatric Center’s weight loss solutions are within reach and offer the best patient care, optimal outcomes, and complete aftercare support.

Contact the MBC family today to get transparent pricing!

Low-Cost Weight Loss Surgery in Mexico

The cost of weight loss surgery in Mexico is discounted up to 70% of the average price in the United States. Typical packages for weight loss surgery in Mexico include ground transportation, pre-operative lab work, hotel accommodations, hospital stay, and post-op tests.

Why is Mexico Medical Costs Lower?

  • The cost of living in Mexico is, on average, 46.4% lower than in the United States, resulting in lower salaries for surgeons and their staff.
  • The average monthly salary in Mexico is 26% of the average in the United States.
  • The Mexican currency (peso: MXN) holds significantly less value than the U.S. dollar.
  • High-volume discounts with hospitals and doctors offering specialized services result in lower expenses and prices.
  • Malpractice insurance costs are significantly lower in Mexico as patients are not motivated to file lawsuits.
  • Low barriers to entry into Mexico’s medical tourism industry create competitive pricing.
Weight Loss Surgery Costs and Pricing Comparison Table

Mexico Bariatric Center® is the Clear Choice

Mexico Bariatric Center is the number one operator in Tijuana and Guadalajara, offering the most affordable, all-inclusive packages for laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures. We have negotiated the costs of weight loss surgery in Mexico since 2012, locking in state-of-the-art hospitals and top-rated hotel accommodations in Tijuana.

Only minutes away from the US border and the San Diego airport, our surgery center is one of the newest high-tech hospitals in Tijuana. Tijuana, Mexico, for bariatric surgery can save you thousands of dollars and will lead to better results from our certified hospital and highly experienced and academically trained surgeons. We take the stress out of your trip to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.

All Inclusive Bariatric Services - Weight Loss Surgery Costs and Pricing

MBC Weight Loss Surgery Packages

MBC offers Gastric Sleeve Gastrectomy or VSG, RNY Gastric Bypass, Mini Gastric Bypass (MGB), Lap-Band, Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS and SADiS), Gastric Balloon, Endoscopic Sleeve (ESG), and Revision Surgeries. All packages include everything except your airfare.

  • Pre-Operation Tests (lab work, blood test, eval.)
  • Antibiotics, Pain, and Take-Home Medication
  • Pre-Op (one night) Hotel Stay
  • Hospital Stay & Fees (two nights)
  • Nutritionist Program & Post-Op Care
  • Private Transportation Airport / Hotel / Hospital
  • Surgeon & Anesthesiologist Fees
  • Post-Op Leak Test/x-ray
  • Private Support Group
  • Optional Medical Tourism Insurance Coverage

MBC is your connection to a healthy you!

Affordable Gastric Sleeve Pricing starting at $4,395

The average cost of gastric sleeve surgery can range from $10,000 to $20,000 in the United States. Our best-value, self-pay gastric sleeve pricing starts at $4,395! This includes all the necessary components for your trip, such as an extended stay in the hospital (two nights), free ground transportation, and 24/7 nursing care.

Save your date for $350 down. Call 855.768.7247 to check availability.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery Costs
Gastric Bypass Surgery Costs 5,995

Affordable Gastric Bypass Pricing starting at $5,795

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the second most popular bariatric surgery worldwide, costing from $15,500 to $30,000 in the United States. We provide the RNY Bypass and Mini Bypass starting at a fair price of $5,795 in Mexico. Gastric bypass pricing & gastric mini bypass pricing includes all the necessary components of your travel while you are down there with an extended stay in the hospital (three nights).

Save your date for $350 down. Call 855.768.7247 to check availability.

Affordable Gastric Balloon Pricing starting at $3,295

The average cost of Gastric Balloon can cost $9,000 to $14,000 in the United States. Having the endoscopic, non-surgical procedure in Mexico will be an inexpensive alternative, $3,295, and the entire amenities listed below are all included in the package. We offer both the Orbera and Spatz3 Gastric Balloon procedure. Gastric balloon pricing includes all the necessary components of your travel while you are down there with an extended stay in the hospital (two nights).

Save your date for $350 down. Call 855.768.7247 to check availability.

Gastric Balloon Costs - Mexico Bariatric Center
Affordable Duodenal Switch Surgery Costs in Mexico - $7,995

Affordable Duodenal Switch Pricing starting at $6,695

The average price of duodenal switch surgery in the United States can cost $25,000 to $30,000. Having the surgery performed in Mexico will be an inexpensive alternative, $6,695, and the entire amenities listed below are all included in the package. Duodenal switch pricing includes all the necessary components of your travel while you are down there with an extended stay in the hospital (three nights).

Save your date for $350 down. Call 855.768.7247 to check availability.

Affordable Revision Surgery Pricing starting at $5,090+

The average cost of bariatric surgery revision can cost $20,000 to $30,000 in the United States. Having the surgery performed in Mexico will be an inexpensive alternative, $5,090, and the entire amenities listed below are all included in the package. Revision surgery pricing includes all the necessary components of your travel while you are down there with an extended stay in the hospital (two nights).

Revision Surgery Procedures

Save your date for $350 down. Call 855.768.7247 to check availability.

Revision Surgery Costs $5,145 Lap Band to Gastric Sleeve
Financing Options for Weight Loss Surgery in Mexico

Medical Tourism Payment Options

Mexico Bariatric Center® helps thousands of medical tourists who cannot afford the procedure in their hometown yearly. We have several flexible payment options, including credit cards, money orders, bank transfers, Zelle, and inexpensive financing options.

You can secure a loan if you do not have enough savings to cover the operation and travel. MBC offers well-established financing companies to fund your surgery with a monthly payment to fit your budget through a simple process.

Things to Consider When Opting for Mexico Bariatric Surgery

Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry – hospitals and doctors in countries like Mexico are geared to offer excellent healthcare at fair prices. Tijuana, Mexico, is close to the U.S. border and becoming a major bariatric surgery and plastics hub. Patients crossing the border to seek surgical treatment can avoid long waits and save money, about 50% to 70%. Medical travelers need to research and ensure the facility they choose has all the right combinations, as most bariatric providers do not offer the same level of service.

Check out the 8 factors to consider when shopping for bariatric surgery in Mexico!

Reviewed by Dr. Kimberly Langdon, M.D. September 2018

Edited by Ron Elli, Ph.D. Jan 2023