What Are the BMI Limits for Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Mexico?

June 13, 2023 Bariatric Surgery

Protocols and standards for medical care in Mexico are nearly identical to the rules in place in the United States and Canada. Like the United States and Canada, Mexico also places restrictions on who can get gastric sleeve surgery. A minimum BMI (body mass index) is needed to be approved. 

What are the BMI limits for gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico? Keep reading to learn what you need to know if you’re considering using medical tourism to have bariatric surgery in Tijuana, Mexico.

What Is BMI?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “body mass index” (BMI) is a person’s weight divided by their height. The purpose of BMI is to indicate what the CDC calls “high body fatness.” BMI is something that we put a lot of focus on here at Renew Bariatrics because it helps us assess each patient when determining if weight-loss surgery is an appropriate option.

Why a High BMI Is Dangerous

A high BMI puts you at risk for a variety of diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, gallstones, high blood pressure, and breathing issues, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH). People who are obese face serious health risks tied to hypertension, high cholesterol, and high blood glucose (sugar). In many cases, a high BMI can be a life-threatening issue. We know that losing even a small amount of weight can help to cut risk factors for developing obesity-related diseases.

Of course, we cannot discount the personal and emotional benefits of feeling free in your body, liking the way you look, and having the energy to be active after losing weight with help from bariatric surgery. Next, we’ll discuss the specific BMI needed to be approved for gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico.

BMI Requirements for Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Mexico

First, let’s start the discussion by talking about the BMI requirement for gastric sleeve surgery in the United States. American doctors and clinics generally require a BMI of 35 or 40 to be approved for surgery. Most insurance companies will only approve surgery for patients with minimum BMIs of 35 or 40. Exceptions will often be made for patients with BMIs between 30 and 35 who have health complications or conditions related to obesity. Qualifying conditions can include severe sleep apnea, uncontrolled acid reflux, debilitating joint pain, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

In Mexico, a minimum BMI of 30 is required for gastric sleeve surgery, while the maximum BMI is 65. In addition to faster approval, there are many compelling reasons why someone seeking weight-loss surgery should consider using a clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. Here’s a look:

• There’s no need for constant in-person consultations prior to surgery. For American and Canadian patients, the approval process for gastric sleeve can be grueling. You may need to travel many miles multiple times just to see a doctor while being evaluated. Patients who choose medical tourism in Mexico enjoy 100% virtual visits with their care teams until they arrive in the country for surgery.
• Gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico costs a fraction of what patients in the United States pay. At Renew Bariatrics, our rates for bariatric surgery start at $4,399. A gastric sleeve procedure in America can cost between $15,000 and $30,000.
• Pricing is all-inclusive when traveling to Mexico for weight-loss surgery. While surgical costs in America range from $15,000 to $30,000, this estimate does not cover additional costs related to hospital stays, recovery care, or medications.
• Luxurious accommodations! When patients book their all-inclusive packages with Renew Bariatrics at our world-class surgical clinic at Tijuana, they don’t have to stay in the hospital during recovery. Patients are moved to a resort-like setting located just minutes from the Mexico-United States border.
• World-class care from top-notch surgeons and doctors. Bariatric surgeons in Mexico undergo essentially the same education and training as doctors in the United States and Canada. Our clinics are at the same level as world-class facilities throughout North America.
• No long waiting periods. Unfortunately, patients in the United States and Canada can wait years to be approved for surgery. When you make the decision to travel to Mexico for gastric sleeve surgery, you get to decide your surgery date.

If you’re a person with a BMI of 30 or higher who is considering gastric sleeve surgery, it’s time to discover Renew Bariatrics. Nearly 1.3 million Americans are traveling to Mexico for medical procedures every year precisely because of the perks listed above. Get your quote for affordable weight-loss surgery in Mexico from the world-class team at Renew Bariatric today!

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