Exceptional, Affordable Medical and Surgical Care
“My job is the surgery; my calling is the patient.”
Dr. Juan Lopez CorvalaWeight Loss Surgery at Hospital Angeles Tijuana is a team endeavor led by internationally renowned gastroenterologist surgeon Dr. Juan Lopez Corvala, who works with a highly credentialed support team that has worked together as a professional family for years.
Dr. Lopez Corvala and his team bring a remarkable depth of experience, sensitivity and dedication to the treatment of obesity disease. In the past two years alone, his team has helped nearly 2,000 American patients reclaim their lives through weight loss surgery.
An Interview with Dr. Juan Lopez Corvala, Gastroenterologist Surgeon
“My Patients Are My Patients For Life: Why I Am An Obesity Surgeon”
An Interview with Dr. Carmen Calleja, Physician Nutritionist
“This team is my family”
Begin your journey back to health!
Over the years we’ve noticed many patients considering LAP-BAND® choose to have their procedure during the holidays, when it can be easier to find two days away from work. Hospital Angeles would like to make it even easier for you to make the decision that will change your life: that’s why we’ve temporarily lowered the price of our LAP-BAND® medical travel package to $5,995. That’s a savings of more than $500 with one of the most renowned obesity surgery teams in the world, at state-of-the-art private Hospital Angeles. But hurry—this price is only good through the end of the year. Book by December 31st with a deposit and you reserve this special price.
| Package Price Includes | Not Included in Package | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procedure | Nights in Hospital | Nights in Hotel | plus... | Required Hotel Stay* | Airfare** | Your Estimated Total Cost | |
| LAP-BAND® Realize Band™ | $5,995 | 2 | 1 | 1 yr free refills | $450 | $6,625 | |
| Gastric Bypass | $10,950 | 4 | 10 | $450 | $13,500 | ||
| Gastric Sleeve | $9,995 | 4 | 4 | $450 | $12,310 | ||
| Intragastric Balloon | $4,000 | outpatient | 1 | $450 | $4,950 | ||
* the surgeon requires a minimum hotel stay prior to release for travel
** final airfare depends on origination city and time of year of travel
Your Patient Facilitator will handle all arrangements for you free of charge, and provide you will a full itinerary that tells you exactly to expect every step of the way on your medical travel trip.
There are several types of weight loss surgery available from the Hospital Angeles Tijuana team: gastric by-pass, gastric band (including LAP-BAND® and Realize Band™), gastric sleeve and intragastric balloon. Each procedure is associated with different ideal candidates, risks and benefits. Request our detailed information packet and we'll send it to you within 24 hours. Click here to download the LAP-BAND® Patient Book.
The Gastric Bypass RNY is considered by the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons and the National Institutes of Health to be the gold standard of weight loss surgery, and the single most successful procedure for excess weight loss and long-term weight control. The surgery has been performed by laparoscopic method since 1997, which results in smaller incisions, less pain and scarring, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and reduced risk of internal organ damage and infection when compared to the traditional open incision technique.
Gastric Band surgery is an adjustable surgical treatment for morbid obesity. It induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach, which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed and increases the time it takes for food to be digested.
Dr. Lopez Corvala is a surgical proctor for both Johnson & Johnson's Realize Band™ Personalized Banding Solution and Allergan's LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System. He has performed LAP-BAND® surgery at mor than 100 U.S. hospitals, including the first ever LAP-BAND® surgery at UCLA School of Medicine.
The sleeve gastrectomy is a procedure that induces weight loss by restricting food intake. With this procedure, approximately 80-85 percent of the stomach is removed laparoscopically so that the stomach takes the shape of a tube or "sleeve.“ The Gastric Sleeve procedure is a relatively new approach to bariatric surgery and is usually performed on morbidly obese or high risk patients with the intention of performing another surgery such as the gastric by-pass at a later time. This combined approach has dramatically decreased the risk of weight loss surgery for certain types of weight loss surgery patients, even when the risk of the two surgeries is added.
The Intragastric Balloon as a treatment for obesity and morbid obesity has been in place in the early 1980s in Europe, India, Mexico and the United States. The balloon is placed endoscopically (via the mouth and esophagus), then inflated with saline or water and hermetically sealed, reducing the patient’s capacity to consume food and fluid and providing the patient with a sensation of satiety. The procedure is generally considered a short- to medium-term solution for high risk morbidly obese patients (BMI > 41) who need medical assistance reaching a weight level appropriate for more permanent weight loss surgery procedures (e.g. gastric sleeve, band or bypass). This procedure is also used for patients who have struggled long-term to cope with moderate weight loss challenges. Surgeons typically prescribe medication to reduce stomach acid production while the balloon is in place. The maximum time the balloon can remain in place is six months, when it is removed during a second endoscopic procedure.
The necessary tests often include blood tests, electrocardiograph (EKG), chest X-rays, sleep apnea screening, and an echocardiogram. If you have other health problems you may need to provide lab results from your last diagnosis (e.g. chronic Hepatitis C sufferers must know their live enzyme levels and CHILD stage). Your physician will discuss all necessary pre-op tests in your consultation, which Hospital Angeles Tijuana will arrange.
Dr. Lopez Corvala adheres to the U.S. National Institute of Health requirement that a patient must have a BMI of 30 or higher before candidacy for LAP-BAND® or other bariatric surgery is approved. A Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40 or greater than 35 with associated medical problems means you have clinically severe obesity. Calculate your BMI.
You may be a candidate if you're less than 100 pounds overweight and also have significant health problems due to your weight, such as Type 2 diabetes.
Not everyone who meets the criteria for weight loss surgery is psychologically or medically ready for the surgical procedure. Your willingness and ability to follow through with the recommendations made by your health care team, and to carry out prescribed changes in your diet and exercise routine will help determine your readiness for surgery. The surgery may not be recommended or may be postponed if there's concern that you aren't psychologically or medically ready for such surgery.
It is important to follow the surgical team’s directions in preparing for weight loss surgery. These may include restrictions on eating and drinking, limiting or stopping the use of nicotine products, and starting a physical activity program. Failure to follow your surgeon’s instructions could result in a delay or even cancellation of your surgery.
Weight loss following bariatric surgery varies by individual. Most patients lose between 50%–70% of their excess body weight over a 1-1 ½ year period.
Age is one factor that needs to be considered together with all other aspects of a person's health; for this reason, most gastroenterologist surgeons will not set an arbitrary or absolute cut off. Surgeries have been done on patients from their teens to late 60s/ early 70s, with excellent results.
LAP-BAND® takes less than 30 minutes.
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass usually takes between 2 and 4 hours.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery takes about 1 hour.
Please consult the package price table for the total time needed for your medical travel trip.
LAP-BAND® surgery typically requires a 1–2 night hospital stay; the patient will be asked to remain in the Tijuana/San Diego area for 1–2 additional nights for Dr. Lopez-Corvala to appropriately track your progress and release you for travel. Many patients go to work their first day home from surgery.
Gastric Bypass typically requires a 4 night hospital stay, with the patient remaining in the Tijuana/San Diego area for an additional 10 days before cleared for travel. Recovery usually requires between 2 and 6 weeks before returning to work.
Gastric Sleeve surgery typically requires 4 nights in the hospital and an additional 2-3 nights before release for travel. Recovery time is similar to that of the Gastric Bypass.
Weight-loss success after bariatric surgery depends on your commitment to making lifelong changes in your eating and exercise habits. But the feeling of accomplishment as you lose weight and your improved health are also significant benefits and are well worth your efforts.
Well over 70%–80% of patients who undergo bariatric surgery discontinue hypertension medication; well over 90% of patients with type II non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus discontinue medication. In addition, many obesity-related health issues improve dramatically or disappear, including high blood cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) asthma, joint pain, arthritis, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
It is important that you discuss bariatric surgery risks directly with your surgeon and that you have a clear and thorough understanding of what your risks are before you decide to undergo bariatric surgery.
The risks of bariatric surgery differ depending on the method used — i.e. LAP-BAND® surgery risks are different from gastrectomy risks — and you and your surgeon can find the method that best mitigates your risks based on your health and weight loss needs.
Risks can include general risks associated with anesthesia, infection of incisions, bleeding, complications related to your heart and lungs, hernia at incision site, rejection of sutures, adhesions resulting in obstructed or blocked intestines, and general anesthesia risks.
Smokers and patients taking medication for arthritis may experience ulcers. “Dumping” may occur — patients may develop loose stools and/or abdominal cramps shortly after eating certain types of foods. These symptoms can be avoided by not eating the offending foods. Diarrhea is uncommon after gastric restrictive surgery and can be successfully treated with medication.
Vitamin and/or iron deficiency. may occur in mild form in as many as 40 percent of patients after gastric bypass. Iron and some vitamins are primarily absorbed in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine which is bypassed. Both the vitamin and iron deficiencies are easily treated by either oral supplementation or injections. Hair loss due to vitamin deficiency may be a temporary problem for some patients within the first six to twelve months after the operation.
Staple disruption can occur at any time after these operations but is uncommon. If staples pull out, the feeling of fullness will probably disappear. A second operation may be required (restapling).
I have been a surgeon for twenty-five years, and began to specialize in obesity surgery more than 15 years ago. We started the program in Hospital Angeles Tijuana two years ago, and I have personally operated on more than 3,000 American patients.
We are in touch with almost all of our patients. Our support team is large. We have patients from Alaska, New York, Hawaii - all over the world. We keep data on all of our patients - not just the number of pounds lost, but also changes in life, changes in self esteem.
Success for the obesity surgery patient is about much more than weight loss - it is about changing your entire life. Our goal at Hospital Angeles Tijuana is to help the patient achieve weight loss as well as improved self esteem. Both are essential to experience true quality of life.
My philosophy is, when I operate on a patient, that patient is my patient forever. When a surgeon removes the stitches from a gall bladder surgery you say “I am finished.” But removing the stitches is only the beginning of the journey for the obesity patient.
It is so important for the patient to understand that my goal - the goal of my team - is not to only to remove tissue or to fix a problem. Our goal is to work with the patient as a person, to understand them, and help them have real success.
This cannot be done only by the surgeon - you need a team, and each person on the team must understand the uniqueness of the obesity patient. The psychologist, cardiologist, nutritionist - even the hospital director needs to understand the special needs of the patient who suffers from obesity, as well as the anesthesiologist.
Most patients want to change. They are here to change, and they know that change will be difficult. They need help and they know it. We are here to help them understand that surgery Is not the success, but rather the tool for success.
We are here to help them understand that the surgery is on the body, which is only the beginning - the difficult part is to change the head, the lifestyle. We are dedicated to helping the patient find it in themselves to succeed. I believe every patient has this capability.
My most important message to the patient is that they are part of the team. A patient must understand that we are going to work together. They are here because they know that they need help.
“You will be my patient and I have responsibility to you... but you as a patient need to take responsibility as well. It is impossible for the doctor to do everything for you. I will do the surgery. My team will help you to help yourself have success. You, as the patient, are part of the treatment and part of the team.”
My job is the surgery. But my calling is the patient. To be a surgeon specializing in obesity, one must realize that it is not enough to think you can ‘fix’ the patient through surgery; one must also to know how the patient feels, how they will live after the surgeon is finished with the surgery. Surgery is not the answer. Even perfect surgery is not enough. Ultimately, success is in the patient’s hands.
I love my work at Hospital Angeles Tijuana - I work with the obesity surgery team like a family. It is a great privilege to work with a team like this, with such a well known respected surgeon as Dr. Lopez Corvala. I feel very proud to work on this team; we really know how to sit down and work together, and this helps us help the patient.
Our work is our life, and we love it very much. I enjoy my job so much, it does not feel like work. Even if we have no patients, I come here - the people on this team are my best friends. We spend all of our time together.
I have worked with 3,000 American bariatric patients. Learning how to understand the specialness of the obesity patient is critical. A doctor must be able to put themselves in a patient’s shoes, to be patient and understanding. We must be able to empathize with their worries. Patients get anxious, and you have to help them get over these barriers.“
Fill out this medical evaluation form to see if you qualify for surgery.
Because you’re ready to live a healthy life.
| New LAP-BAND® price | $5,995 |
|---|---|
| temporary price reduction | |
| Gastric Sleeve | $9,995 |
| Gastric Bypass | $10,950 |
| Intragastric Balloon | $4,000 |
See a step-by-step review of our medical travel process developed especially for American patients.
English / Español
Hear this US LAP-BAND® patient describe his experience with Hospital Angeles Tijuana—just hours after his surgery!
| New LAP-BAND® price | $5,995 |
|---|---|
| temporary price reduction | |
| Gastric Sleeve | $9,995 |
| Gastric Bypass | $10,950 |
| Intragastric Balloon | $4,000 |
In the past 3 years, our weight loss surgery team has helped more than 3,000 Americans reclaim healthy lives.
