US Certified Facility | Joint Commission Certified |  US Standard of Care

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International Center of Excellence
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Global Healthcare Accreditation
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Gold Seal Of Approval For Joint Commission
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Global Healthcare Accreditation
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Quality Management Solutions
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UCSD Partnership
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25,000+

Over 25,000 successful surgeries

50

Over 50 years' combined experience

250,000+

Over 250,000 pounds lost forever

*Individual Results May Vary

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Safety and Innovation

Obesity Control Center (OCC) maintains the highest US medical safety standards, boasting a remarkable 20+ year track record with the lowest complication and infection rates. Pioneering globally recognized techniques, such as the IGS Improved Gastric Sleeve® and the OCC Double Buttress Technique™, OCC has performed over 25,000 successful procedures. With comprehensive 5-year post-op care, including online support groups and a dedicated #OCCFamily community, OCC ensures ongoing patient well-being.

Your Path to Weight Wellness

Your journey to safe, effective weight loss begins at the Obesity Control Center, just a few miles beyond the USA border. Recognized globally as a leading weight loss surgery hospital, our sparkling facility holds the esteemed title of a Center of Excellence in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Awarded the rare Gold Seal of Approval by the Joint Commission International, we ensure the highest safety standards, minimal complications, and an unmatched 5-year follow-up program for our patients.

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Our Weight Loss Procedures

Internationally renowned, our bariatric surgeons are celebrated for their contributions to the evolution of weight loss surgeries, establishing themselves as leaders in the field. 

The appropriate surgery will be chosen to address your individual condition, safely and effectively.

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Meet Dr. Ariel Ortiz

Dr. Ariel Ortiz is a General Surgeon with a specialty in bariatric surgery. He has almost two decades of experience in the field of advanced weight loss surgeries. He is double board-certified in general surgery and board-certified in bariatric surgery. He holds two professional licenses: a general medical license, as well as a general surgery license (#2526822). Dr. Ariel Ortiz gained a reputation for excellence early in his career as a bariatric surgeon back in 1997, when only a handful of surgeons achieved a specialty in this field. He is also among the very few surgeons that hold the certificate of Master Surgeon of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery by Surgical Review Corporation.

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Highest Safety Standards

Obesity Control Center is fully accredited and follows the highest US medical safety standards and has the lowest complication and infection rate with a 20+ year track record of successful surgeries.

Cutting-Edge Innovation & Experience

We have pioneered multiple techniques used around the world, such as the IGS Improved Gastric Sleeve®. We also co-developed the gastric balloon & The OCC Double Buttress Technique™, and have performed over 25,000 successful procedures.

Comprehensive 5 Year Post-Op Care

OCC guides you through five years of post-op care through our online support groups and US-based on-call patient coordinators. You become part of the #OCCFamily for life.

All-Inclusive Concierge Service

Includes service to and from the airport, guidance over the border, and five-star accommodations. OCC is your partner from initial consultation to five years of post-surgery follow-up.

International Certification

OCC has been fully certified by the Joint Commission International (JCI) three times by adhering to a strict set of international standards. OCC is licensed to provide care and treatment as a hospital and offers a complete range of acute care clinical servicesdiagnostic, curative, and rehabilitative.

A state-of-the-art clinic, just 1 mile south of the border.

OCC has international recognition, holds U.S. certifications, and an impressive track record of successful obesity treatments, and we deliver exceptional care at every step of your journey – along with a 5 year follow up program. Our treatments are customized for the individual patient and can resolve obesity-related health issues that make life challenging.

If you have concerns about traveling to Mexico for surgery, read our reviews, meet patients in our support group, and speak with other OCC patients to find out about the overall experience. We can set up phone or zoom consultations with our surgeon.

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A Look at Our State of the Art Facility | Obesity Control Center

Doctors performing bariatric surgery

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Bariatric Surgery Patient Success Stories

*Individual Results May Vary

Cameron's patient journey before gastric bypass surgery in Tijuana, MX at OCC
Cameron's patient journey after

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.

Lorena's patient journey before
Tricia's patient journey after

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.

Celeste's patient journey before
Celeste's patient journey after

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.

Charlie's patient journey before
Charlie's patient journey after

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.

Jamie's patient journey before
Jamie's patient journey after

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!

Elyse's patient journey before
Elyse's patient journey after

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.

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