Metabolic surgery is performed laparoscopically at the Obesity Control Center®, and is proven to drastically improve Diabetes Mellitus Type II, often resulting in the normalization of blood glucose levels. This allows many patients to stop insulin therapy or stop taking oral hypoglycemic agents. Such remission of diabetes also avoids complications like blindness, renal insufficiency, apnea, and some types of cancer. In our experience, the improvements in overall health start immediately following surgery. 42, 43
Some of Our Patient Before & After Images
A metabolic surgery center just 30 minutes from San Diego Airport
OCC is one of the few hospitals in all of Mexico to be fully accredited by Joint Commission International, and has also been designated as a “Center of Excellence.” Our gleaming, state-of-the-art facility is just one mile south of the U.S./Mexico border. Our team of bariatric surgeons is world-renowned, and we deliver the most advanced treatments available worldwide. 30-32
A proven, sustainable result at OCC.
At the Obesity Control Center in Mexico, we believe that the only proven, sustainable cure for metabolic disease is through safe and effective metabolic surgery. With over a quarter of a century of experience and 26,000 successful surgeries, OCC is a world leader in safe and effective weight-loss surgery that will help you get your life back.
We are proud to have four full United States-based accreditations for health and safety in metabolic surgery. And with our innovative surgeries, we know how to help you safely and effectively defeat metabolic diseases. 42, 43
What is metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a set of symptoms that are linked to an increased risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. 63-65
Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases associated with obesity include:
- Type-2 diabetes mellitus
- Hypertension
- Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol or triglycerides)
- Coronary, cerebral and peripheral vascular disease
- Heart failure
- Atrial fibrillation
- Venous stasis disease and thrombotic disorders
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Chronic kidney disease
Patient Success Stories
Cameron
-185 lbs
I can never express enough how grateful I am for what OCC has done for me.
I was considered overweight and obese my entire life. At 35, after years of failed diets, therapy, and research, I realized that the only way for me to permanently loose weight was to have bariatric surgery. My doctors in the US wrote letters to my insurance, emphasizing the medical necessity of this surgery. But after a year of back and forth, my insurance turned me down. I thought all hope was lost until I heard about OCC from a friend. I’d never even heard of traveling to Mexico for surgery, but, after researching and talking to the OCC, I was all in. And I’m so glad I made this choice. The amount of guidance and care I received from OCC from the moment I called for information has been better than anything I’ve experienced in the US. The procedure was smooth—I felt safe and in good hands the entire time.
View all Before & After Patient Stories
Tricia
-100 lbs
It’s highly reputable reputation and accreditations.
I was sick of being sick. I suffered from type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. I have two small children and was sick of being tired all the time and sitting on the sidelines. I decided I didn’t want to live this life anymore. That’s when I reached out to OCC and it was the best decision I ever made. I am now actually living and making each day count.
View all Before & After Patient Stories
Celeste
-203 lbs
I needed a drastic change.
I had tried losing weight and failed on my own so many times before that I just knew I could no longer do it on my own. My health insurance benefits excluded weight loss surgery and I felt so defeated! I didn’t want the insurance companies to decide what I knew I needed. It wasn’t until I started searching for cash-pay costs that I ran across the OCC website (and several others). I looked at their testimonials and tried to find some of those people – I reached out to them on social media to get their thoughts. I started doing research on Dr. Ortiz. I researched the accreditations and certifications that the OCC held and was liking what I was learning. I looked into other facilities and Dr.’s, but none of them seemed to have as high of standards as OCC. After doing research and talking with others about their experiences both at OCC and at other facilities, I decided that it was time to get more information directly from OCC.
View all Before & After Patient Stories
Charlie
-155 lbs
OCC, you gave me not only my life back, you gave me my smile back…
I have struggled with my weight my entire life. In the long run it became not only emotionally, but also medically necessary to make a drastic change in my life. I was recommended by a family friend who is also a Nurse Practitioner and she recommended me to OCC, specifically Dr. Ortiz. Of course I was apprehensive of the thought of having surgery in Mexico but she reassured me that she took care of several of OCC’s patients right here in my hometown and that if anyone knew exactly what they were doing it was OCC. I researched OCC as well as others, both domestic and foreign, and came to the conclusion that OCC was without a doubt one of the best, if not the best. From the first call to the coordinator to the moment I left Tijuana headed back home, I was treated with support, kindness, compassion, and empathy.
View all Before & After Patient Stories
Jamie
-73 lbs
I did quite a bit of reading and felt OCC was the best choice and it was!
I have struggled with my weight for all of my adult years, my highest weight was 245 at one time. I maintained my weight loss around 165 lbs until about 2 years ago when my band started not holding any fluid and realized it had a leak. I started regaining weight and put on about 50 lbs. My experience with OCC and Dr. Ortiz was wonderful! I decided to revise to the gastric sleeve and everything was great, we stayed at a very nice hotel , and the staff there was just as good. I had excellent medical care from the start. I would absolutely recommend OCC to anyone who is struggling with their weight. I am now down about 80 lbs and have never felt better. I work out with a personal trainer and run 5ks!
View all Before & After Patient Stories
Elyse
-65 lbs
Safety, professionalism, knowledge, accreditation.
I was tired of being fat, and for most 215 isn’t that bad. But for me I felt disgusting. I’m use to bring the pretty sexy one. Not the chubby funny girl. I didn’t know that out of country surgery was even a possibility. I had a friend have it done in Mexico and I was like I want that. I booked with another company and after research I found that they had a death and complications. They also used drain tubes which did not sound like fun! Then I found OCC and saw all the great reviews, no deaths and no drain tubes. I was so nervous yet excited. My experience was nothing but positive. I even came home early I was doing so well. I have tried every diet, I exercised regularly and I just kept gaining. This tool has helped me so much. I still continue to eat healthy and exercise regularly but now I actually see results or my hard work. This isn’t the easy way out you still have to put the work in.
View all Before & After Patient StoriesWhat are the signs and symptoms of metabolic syndrome?
If you have three of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from metabolic syndrome:
- A large waistline
- More than 40 inches (94cm) in men
- More than 35 inches (88cm) in women
- High blood levels of LDL cholesterol or triglycerides
- Low blood levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)
- High blood pressure
- High fasting blood sugar
The OCC difference
Over a quarter of a century of experience and more than 26,000 patients is what sets OCC apart. We are a center of excellence in metabolic and bariatric surgery, giving us several unique advantages.
- A quarter-century specialized in the weight loss surgery field. We were some of the first to perform bariatric surgical procedures.
- Three Master Bariatric Surgeons caring for every patient. You’re always in the hands of a world-renowned and highly-trained surgeon. We are the only international team of bariatric surgeons, offering globalized bariatric healthcare and the best of the best to our patients. 30-32
- We have been fully accredited by Joint Commission International for two 3-year periods. JCI partners with hospitals, clinics, academic medical centers, health systems and agencies, government ministries, academia, and international advocates in over 100 countries to promote the strictest and highest standards of care.
- Fully accredited as an SRC Center of Excellence in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery. 30-32
- Pioneers in the field, including several registered techniques, patented devices, and many “firsts” in the field like teenage obesity treatments, the IGS Improved Gastric Sleeve® 7-9
- Stomach Sparing Gastric Sleeve, the Double-Buttress Sewing Technique and more.
- Faster recovery and better outcomes. Shorter times under anesthesia and a less-invasive abdominal wall preservation techniques.
- Unique patient pre-surgery education and preparation and 5 years follow-up program, an industry first!
Metabolic surgery FAQS
How much does metabolic surgery cost?
How much weight can I lose?
What are the most common complications?
Anesthesia and your recovery
Can I have a normal life after metabolic surgery?
How long is the recovery after metabolic surgery?
What happens if you overeat?
Metabolic surgery vs. bariatric surgery – What’s the difference?
How much does metabolic surgery cost?
Depending on the type of gastric surgery performed, the prices range from about $6,500 to $9,000. The savings by coming to OCC is around 50% of the cost in the US – with a health and safety record that outstrips most US hospitals. Your health and wellbeing must be protected when undergoing metabolic surgery, and our record of success is extraordinary. Trust the experts with one of the best success rates of any bariatric clinic in the entire world, the United States included! 63-65
How much weight can I lose?
Studies conducted on metabolic surgery patients show that after one year, weight loss can average more than 75% of excess body weight. One report found that gastric bypass surgery reduced the total number of serious health problems of participating patients by 96%. This level of weight loss can lead to the virtual elimination of a host of diseases, such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, which significantly lowers your chances of heart and kidney diseases. 63-65
What are the most common complications?
Complications are rare. Leaks, bleeding, hernia, and chronic heartburn can happen, however, with over 26,000 procedures, we have streamlined the entire process of weight loss surgery. Our complication rate is one of the lowest published in the literature, with a 0% leak rate. With the implementation of the new techniques designed at OCC, our patients are experiencing substantial and permanent weight loss without the undesirable symptom of heartburn. 63-65
Anesthesia and your recovery
There are symptoms after having any type of surgery that are related to general anesthesia (sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, etc.) and others directly associated with the gastric sleeve itself (cramping, abdominal tenderness, vomiting). Fortunately, these are kept to a minimum and medically treated early so most patients can be up on their feet in a couple of hours and discharged the morning after. Many actually feel well enough to go out shopping the day after surgery! 63-65
Can I have a normal life after metabolic surgery?
Your food consumption will start slowly with a totally liquid diet for a few days, then liquids including the Bariatric Protein Meals, and slowly move into soft food, and then the transition to a normal diet.
How long is the recovery after metabolic surgery?
The surprising fact is that most patients recover faster than expected, and their energy levels restored with a nutrition plan includes the Bariatric Multivitamin and Bariatric Protein Shakes recommended by our team of nutritional experts.
What happens if you overeat?
The only thing you can’t do after surgery is overeating without having severe discomfort, nausea, even vomiting. Ideally, most patients will return to three normal meals a day and three snacks between meals.
Metabolic surgery vs. bariatric surgery – What’s the difference?
Metabolic surgery is just another name for bariatric surgery. The difference is that this procedure not only targets obesity, but also metabolic syndrome conditions, such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. To learn more about metabolic surgery, visit ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Schedule your metabolic surgery procedure today
Call or email us here to start your weight loss journey. Call a US-based coordinator and learn how you can get the metabolic disease-free life you’ve wanted with the help of the Obesity Control Center.
References
Pories WJ et al. Who would have thought it? An operation proves to be the most effective therapy for adult-onset diabetes mellitus. Ann Surg. (1995)
Pareek M, Schauer PR, Kaplan LM, et a;. Metabolic Surgery. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018 Feb, 71 (6) 670-687.
Click here to see how OCC compares to other facilities in terms of surgical rates, infection rates, mortality rates, and more.
