We are located in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, just minutes across the US-Mexico border from San Diego, California. We operate in world-class, certified medical facilities tailored for international medical tourism.

While it is an important document, many of our patients from the United States do not require any specific documents to enter Mexico. For your return to the U.S., a valid passport, driver's license, original birth certificate, or other international crossing documents are gladly accepted.

Yes, we provide complimentary VIP ground transportation. Our designated driver will pick you up from the San Diego International Airport (SAN) and drive you safely across the border to our hospital or your hotel, and return you to the airport after your discharge.

Absolutely. We allow one adult companion to accompany you. They can stay with you in your private hospital room. Please note that companion food and personal expenses are not included in your surgical package.

Typically, you will have 2 hospital nights for a Sleeve, Bypass, or Mini Bypass, and 1 night of complimentary hotel accommodation. Your doctor and medical coordinator will always keep you informed and updated on your specific itinerary. If you ever have any doubts, please consult with them.

The Gastric Sleeve removes approximately 80% of the stomach, leaving a narrow, banana-shaped pouch. This restricts the amount of food you can eat and significantly decreases the hunger hormone (ghrelin), leading to rapid weight loss.

Remember that your doctor will always give you the best recommendation and together you will determine your ideal surgery and the right procedure for you.

A standard Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass involves creating a small stomach pouch and making two connections to the intestine. A Mini Gastric Bypass (MGB) involves creating a longer tube-like pouch and only making one connection (single anastomosis), making it a shorter, simpler procedure with powerful weight-loss results.

Remember that your doctor will always give you the best recommendation and together you will determine your ideal surgery and the right procedure for you.

SASI-S stands for Single Anastomosis Stomach-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy. It combines a gastric sleeve with an intestinal bypass. It creates a "dual pathway" for food (some travels normally, some is bypassed), offering massive weight loss while lowering the risk of severe malnutrition.

Remember that your doctor will always give you the best recommendation and together you will determine your ideal surgery and the right procedure for you.

Revision (or conversion) surgery is for patients who had a previous bariatric procedure but experienced weight regain, inadequate weight loss, or complications like severe acid reflux. Common methods include converting a Gastric Sleeve to a Gastric Bypass.

Remember that your doctor will always give you the best recommendation and together you will determine your ideal surgery and the right procedure for you.

Yes. Dr. Cervantes performs these surgeries using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques. This involves small incisions, which result in less pain, minimal scarring, and a much faster recovery time.

Remember that your doctor will always give you the best recommendation and together you will determine your ideal surgery and the right procedure for you.

Yes. Depending on your BMI, you will be required to follow a specific pre-op diet (ranging from a few weeks to a few days). This diet consists mainly of protein shakes, clear liquids, and lean proteins.

The liver sits directly over the stomach. In patients with obesity, the liver is often enlarged (fatty liver). The pre-op diet shrinks the liver, making it much safer for the surgeon to lift it and access the stomach, reducing the risk of complications.

Cheating on the pre-op diet can lead to an enlarged liver. If Dr. Cervantes determines that your liver is enlarged, he may need to make a "fifth incision"—an extra incision required to safely maneuver the liver and perform the surgery securely. Conversely, patients who do an excellent job on their pre-op diet may even qualify for single-incision surgery! More importantly, the pre-op diet is the beginning of your new lifestyle. It prepares you for the post-op diet and your overall commitment to maintaining a healthier life, including better nutrition and regular exercise. Remember, this is a commitment to yourself for a life-changing journey.

You must disclose all medications to our medical team. Some medications, especially blood thinners, aspirin, and certain supplements, must be stopped several days or weeks before surgery. Our internal medicine team will give you specific instructions.

Yes. Standard pre-op tests (blood work, EKG, etc.) are required. These are typically performed at our facility on the day of or the day before your surgery, depending on your itinerary.

Surgical pain is generally minimal and well-managed with IV medications while in the hospital. The most common discomfort is caused by gas trapped in the abdomen from the laparoscopy, which feels like bloating or shoulder pain. Walking frequently helps resolve this gas quickly.

You will start on a Clear Liquid Diet (broth, water, sugar-free popsicles) for the first few days, advancing to Full Liquids (protein shakes, thin soups) for about two weeks to allow your stomach to heal.

Our nutritionist will always visit you after your surgery, before you head home, to provide specialized care, share detailed information about your post-op diet, and guide you on achieving the best possible nutrition.

You will transition to a Soft/Puréed diet around weeks 3-4, and usually return to a regular (but portion-controlled) solid diet around weeks 5-6. Our nutritional team will guide you through this transition.

Our nutritionist will always visit you after your surgery, before you head home, to provide specialized care, share detailed information about your post-op diet, and guide you on achieving the best possible nutrition.

Using straws causes you to swallow air, leading to painful gas build-up in your newly reduced stomach. Chewing gum tricks your stomach into producing gastric juices on an empty stomach, increasing the risk of ulcers and acid reflux.

Mostly common in Gastric Bypass patients, dumping syndrome occurs when foods high in sugar or fat move too quickly from the stomach into the small intestine. This can cause nausea, sweating, diarrhea, and a rapid heart rate. The best prevention is avoiding high-sugar and high-fat foods.

Yes. Because you will be eating much smaller portions, and procedures like Bypass and SASI-S reduce nutrient absorption, you must take bariatric-specific multivitamins, Calcium, and Iron for life. For the first few months, these must be in chewable or liquid form.

Results vary based on your starting BMI and dedication to the post-op lifestyle. On average, Sleeve patients lose 60-70% of their excess weight, while Bypass and SASI-S patients can lose 70-80% of their excess weight within 18-24 months.

While we don't use the word "cure," bariatric surgery (especially Gastric Bypass and SASI-S) has incredibly high rates of Type 2 Diabetes remission. Many patients find they can drastically reduce or completely stop taking their diabetic medications shortly after surgery.

Yes, we work with trusted medical financing partners to help you afford your journey. Options currently available include PayPal Credit, HEVA Financial, Klarna, and Afterpay.

Once your consultation is secured and your ideal procedure is determined, you will be informed of the exact total cost. Aside from that, there are no additional charges. Our surgical packages are all-inclusive regarding your medical care, hospital stay, and ground transportation. The only outside expenses are your flights, companion meals/needs, post-op medications to take home, and small amounts of cash for tips (drivers, nursing staff). You can check our additional information on financing and costs here: Financing Options.