Obesity does not just affect one’s physical appearance; it may also lead to numerous life-threatening health problems. While exercise and diet are crucial for effective weight loss, often, they alone are not enough to achieve sustainable results. For highly obese or overweight individuals struggling to lose weight, bariatric surgery may be the ideal solution.
Bariatric Surgery Market Analysis in Mexico, 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic put a halt on bariatric surgery procedures during 2019-2000. However, the market is getting steady at a rapid pace. The global weight-loss surgery market is poised to grow from $1.64 million in 2021 to $3.12 million by 2031. This will register a CAGR of 6.6% between 2022 and 2031. Several countries have come into the limelight for their efficacy in bariatric surgery. However, Mexico stands ahead.
According to the Mexican Council for the Medical Tourism Industry in 2022, Mexico is one of the most popular destinations for healthcare tourism Another report published by the Allied Market Research indicates that North America, including Mexico, had the highest bariatric surgery market share in 2021. It is also projected that Mexico will keep its lead during the forecast period of 2021-2031.
Mexico is a popular destination for bariatric surgery due to its board-certified surgeons, high success rates, and affordable prices. In fact, the demand for bariatric surgery in Mexico had reached its highest in 2022. According to Global Data, the total number of weight-loss surgery procedures performed was 13,265. The demand is at its peak, attracting patients from all over the world, especially the USA.
The study also highlights some of the common bariatric surgery procedures performed in Mexico during this time. This includes sleeve gastrectomy, gastric banding, Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass, and gastric balloon. Of these, sleeve gastrectomy was the most-performed weight surgery procedure in 2022.
To understand the efficacy and safety of bariatric surgery in Mexico, 500 patients were studied of whom 83.2% were women. As per the study report published in the National Library of Medicine, 85.8% of the patients underwent laparoscopic gastric bypass in 2022. On the other hand, 13% had sleeve gastrectomy surgery. Early complications accounted for 9.8%, while no deaths were reported during this time.
The percentage of overall weight loss at 12 and 24 months was 76.9% and 77.6% respectively. 68.7% of the patients with Type 2 diabetes witnessed complete remission of the disease, while 9.3% had partial remission. On the other hand, 11.4% of patients reported that they had treatment failure.
Why is the Demand for Bariatric Surgery in Mexico Rising?
The demand for obesity-related bariatric surgery in Mexico peaks – and for good reasons. The country is globally reckoned for its high standards of medical care, and weight loss surgery is no exception. The surgeons here are highly experienced, trained, and board-certified to perform various bariatric surgery procedures.
Mexico also has state-of-the-art facilities and modern equipment that ensure a high success rate. The surgeries are performed in a sterile and safe environment, ensuring reduced risks of infection and complete peace of mind. Another reason is their all-inclusive packages. These packages typically include pre- and post-operative consultation, nutrition support, surgery, hospitalization, and post-surgery care.
However, one of the primary reasons is that the average cost of bariatric surgery in Mexico is almost 70% lower than in the United States or other countries. For instance, the typical cost of a gastric sleeve procedure starts from $4299 in Mexico, whereas it stands at a whopping $21,000 in the USA and $14,400 in the UK.
Similarly, the cost of gastric bypass surgery in Mexico is only around $5,495. However, in countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK, the cost may range between $16,000 and $23,000. This is one of the major reasons why more and more patients are traveling to Mexico to undergo weight loss surgery.
The Medical Tourism Industry in Mexico is Booming
It isn’t just bariatric surgery, but the entire medical tourism industry in Mexico is booming. According to Healthcare.com, more than 780,000 U.S. people were estimated to travel to Mexico for healthcare purposes. Medical care in the United States is incredibly expensive and this is one reason why more and more people travel to Mexico.
“Since I’ve been in the medical tourism industry for over 20 years, I’ve never seen the demand for bariatric surgeries,” says Dr. Hector Perez of Renew Bariatrics. Dr. Hector Perez is a board-certified bariatric surgeon based in Tijuana and Cancun. “It’s not just bariatrics, but the entire medical tourism industry in Mexico during the past few years has exploded – it’s the most I’ve ever seen,” says Dr. Hector Perez.
The most common procedures that fuel the growth of medical tourism in Mexico are cosmetic surgery, dental care, cancer treatment, stem cell therapy, and infertility treatments. In no time, the North American country may emerge as a powerful healthcare destination in the world.
