Medical tourism is on the rise. One study published in the American Journal of Medicine estimated that, as of 2017, more than one million people travel overseas for medical care. People travel overseas because medical care is too expensive in their home countries or they can’t get treatment as quickly as they would like.
Rising Demand for Medical Tourism in Tijuana
Tijiuana, in particular, has seen a surge in medical tourism. The high cost of healthcare in the United States brings patients south of the border for bariatric and other surgeries. Thousands of Americans and Canadians flock to Tijuana for medical care that is 40 to 70 percent less expensive than in their home countries. In the United States, bariatric surgery can be incredibly expensive. Even if a person has insurance, they may be facing high out-of-pocket costs for bariatric surgery. Fortunately, Tijuana has become a beacon of hope for U.S. patients who face high costs or stringent insurance barriers for bariatric surgery.
The San Diego-Tijuana Region
The rapidly growing medical tourism industry in Tijuana, especially for bariatric surgery, is reshaping the dynamics of healthcare and economy in the San Diego-Tijuana region. At the forefront of this change is Renew Bariatrics, a healthcare facility credited with over 8,000 successful surgeries.
The San Diego airport is the gateway to Tijuana’s medical tourism. Patients often prefer flying into San Diego Airport due to its convenience and proximity to Tijuana. The alternative, flying directly into Tijuana, typically involves a stopover in Mexico City, resulting in longer flights and a more complex immigration process.
This travel pattern presents a significant economic opportunity for San Diego, as patients frequently spend several days to weeks in the city either before or after their surgery
Medical Tourists Support The Local Economy
Medical tourism visitors support Tijuana’s local economy: shops, restaurants, hotels, and liquor stores all benefit from medical tourism. A downturn in medical tourism means lost money and lost jobs for many residents.
Medical tourism also benefits San Diego’s local economy. Patients often prefer flying into San Diego Airport due to its convenience and proximity to Tijuana. Patients contribute to San Diego’s economy by spending on accommodations, dining, and entertainment. Many patients extend their stay to explore San Diego’s famous attractions, such as the renowned zoo, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Old Town, enhancing the cultural and recreational appeal of the region.
Patient’s also often visit Tijuana’s many cultural attractions, including Tijuana’s Zona Rio and new wineries in Baja’s hot grape-growing district Guadalupe Valley. In addition, the many local salons and spas offer unique experiences, contributing to the region’s appeal as a medical tourism destination.
Medical Community’s Growth in Tijuana
The demand for bariatric surgery has resulted in a number of state-of-the-art medical facilities and improvements in Tijuana. Medical tourism has spurred a number of new hospitals and facilities. In addition, a special medical lane was recently opened at the border for medical tourists. This lane allows patients of Tijuana doctors to pass through the border in a special fast lane, avoiding long lines.
The demand for medical treatment has also attracted global medical professionals to Tijuana, seeking training and career opportunities. Dr. Hector Perez, a renowned surgeon at Renew Bariatrics, is a key figure in this growth, training medical professionals and contributing to the city’s rising status in the global medical community.
Tijuana hosts several annual medical bariatric conferences, with Dr. Perez often playing a significant role, including his position as this year’s scientific coordinator for the IFSO.
Why Do People Travel To Tijuana For Medical Procedures?
Bariatric surgery can be life-changing for patients who are obese. It can treat diabetes, sleep apnea, and other obesity related conditions. Most patients say that they have no regrets.
So, why do people travel south of the border for bariatric and other surgeries? Why not just have the surgery at home? Here are some of the top reasons why patients choose Mexico for surgery.
High Quality Care
According to the New York Post, more than 90 percent of people who cross the border in California for medical services say that the medical care they received in Mexico was the same or better quality than that received in the United States.
World-Renowned Surgeons
Medical tourism provides patients with access to leading bariatric surgeons in Mexico, like Dr. Hector Perez, who is a key figure in the bariatric surgery space. Dr. Perez is a board-certified bariatric surgeon who has performed thousands of bariatric surgeries.
Healthcare Bargains
The more than one million people who travel to Mexico for medical care save 40 to 70 percent less on their treatment. If you desire great medical care and want to get surgery at a fraction of the cost, Tijuana is the way to go. The price of bariatric surgery in Mexico can start at under $5,000.
Final Thoughts
Tijuana is fast becoming one of the most popular places in the world for medical tourism. Patients choose to have procedures done in Tijuana due to the high quality of medical care and chance to spend time exploring Tijuana before or after their procedures.