When considering gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana, or any surgical procedure, it is normal to have safety concerns, especially when having the procedure done away from home. Your friends and family may ask about it too.
There are two questions to answer: is the surgery safe, and is the trip safe? Here, we look at both, including what the U.S. State Department says about Tijuana, how to choose a bariatric center and how Renew Bariatrics plans your trip, to help you decide if gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana is right for you.
Why Tijuana?
Tijuana has become a leading choice for many people looking to have gastric sleeve surgery. The city’s medical tourism industry has grown quickly, thanks to skilled bariatric surgeons and hospitals that focus on patients traveling from the United States and Canada.
Tijuana is also easy to reach. It sits just across the border from San Diego, and the San Ysidro crossing between the two cities is the busiest border crossing in the United States. Officers there process almost 100,000 people a day, about 1 in every 10 people who enter the U.S., according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The cost of surgery in Tijuana is also much lower than in the United States or Canada. More on that below.
What the U.S. State Department says
The State Department’s Mexico travel advisory, last updated May 29, 2026, rates Mexico overall at Level 2, “Exercise increased caution.” Baja California, the state Tijuana is in, is rated Level 3, “Reconsider travel,” due to terrorism, crime and kidnapping. The advisory says:
- There are high homicide numbers in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana.
- Most homicides appear to be targeted, but violence between criminal groups can injure or kill bystanders.
- Travelers should stay on main highways and avoid remote locations.
- There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Tijuana. The only restrictions in Baja California are in the Mexicali Valley.
The advisory also has a section on medical tourism. It notes that quality of care varies widely in Mexico, and advises confirming that emergency medical facilities are available and that your doctors are accredited and qualified before you plan any surgery.
Other governments rate Tijuana differently. Canada advises a high degree of caution across Mexico and has no separate advisory for Baja California (Government of Canada, updated October 1, 2026). The UK advises against all but essential travel to the city of Tijuana, except for transit through the Tijuana airport, the Cross Border Xpress bridge and the toll roads through Tijuana to the border (UK Foreign Office, updated October 20, 2026).
The biggest safety risks for visitors are going to non-tourist areas, going to bars, nightclubs and casinos (especially late at night) and getting involved in illegal activities. Renew patients travel with a private driver between the airport, the hospital and the hotel, and we ask patients not to go out at night during their stay.
How Renew keeps your trip safe
Renew Bariatrics uses a dedicated transportation, hospital and hotel network built for patients traveling for surgery.
- Private transportation. A professional driver handles every ride between the airport, the hospital and your hotel, for you and your companion. In Tijuana, you cross the border in the medical lane. Your coordinator confirms your pickup before you travel. Private transportation.
- Hospital. Surgery takes place at SER Hospital in Tijuana’s Zona Río, about a mile from the U.S. border. It is a stand-alone hospital focused on bariatric and plastic surgery, with bilingual nurses, doctors and staff.
- Hotel. After the hospital, you recover at a hotel included in your package, such as the Real Inn Tijuana. Hotel accommodations.
- Coordinators. Your patient coordinator stays in touch with you before, during and after your trip, and our team is available 24/7 in English and Spanish.
Staying safe in Tijuana
Like any large city, Tijuana has crime. Most of what affects visitors is petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching in crowded places like markets, bus stations and tourist areas. A few simple steps go a long way:
- Don’t display expensive jewelry, electronics or large amounts of cash.
- Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowds.
- Avoid bars, nightclubs and casinos, especially after dark. Visitors should also avoid the Zona Centro area known as the red light district, and take care in Playas de Tijuana after dark.
- Use private transportation instead of public transportation. Don’t accept rides from strangers or give rides to others.
- If you drive, use toll roads, stay on main highways and avoid driving at night.
- Watch your cards and statements for fraud, and use ATMs inside hotels or banks.
- Be aware of “virtual kidnapping” calls, where a caller claims a family member has been taken and demands payment. These calls are usually false. Hang up and contact your family member directly.
Getting to Tijuana
Most visitors from the U.S. and Canada need only a valid passport to enter Mexico. Check the entry rules for your country before you travel.
- San Diego International Airport (SAN). The most common option for U.S. patients. Your driver meets you at the airport and takes you across the border to the hospital, about 25 minutes away.
- Tijuana International Airport (TIJ). Your driver meets you at the airport and takes you directly to the hospital. If you’re flying out of Tijuana, the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) is an enclosed pedestrian bridge that connects a terminal in San Diego to the Tijuana airport, with an average crossing time of about 15 minutes.
- Your San Diego hotel. Flying in the day before? We can pick you up at your San Diego hotel, with approval from your coordinator.
See our travel FAQs for more.
What to look for in a Tijuana bariatric surgery center
The safety of your surgery depends far more on your surgeon and hospital than on the city. When choosing a center in Tijuana for gastric sleeve surgery, check:
- The hospital. Make sure the hospital is fully licensed by the Mexican government. Some hospitals also hold international accreditation, such as Joint Commission International (JCI). Ask what emergency care is available on site.
- The surgeon. Research the surgeon’s qualifications, board certification and experience. Look for a strong track record and positive reviews from past patients, on the center’s website and on independent review sites. Meet our surgeons.
- The package. A good center offers a complete care package, including pre-operative tests, a hospital stay and follow-up care, so you have support from preparation through recovery.
The CDC also recommends seeing your doctor or a travel medicine clinician at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to talk about the procedure and travel.
Consultation and pre-screening
Your gastric sleeve journey begins with a detailed consultation and pre-screening, so you are carefully evaluated before surgery. The first consultation can be done virtually. Our team gathers information about your weight history, health conditions, lifestyle, diet and past weight loss attempts.
Based on this review, your surgeon makes a treatment plan that takes your health conditions, risks and weight loss goals into account. Meeting with your surgeon before surgery helps make sure you are a good candidate. Apply for gastric sleeve in Mexico.
Risks and complications
As with any surgery, risks include infection, bleeding and reactions to anesthesia. For gastric sleeve surgery, the risks include leakage at the staple line, nutritional deficiencies and, in rare cases, blood clots or pulmonary embolism.
Long-term complications can include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), strictures and weight regain if diet and lifestyle recommendations are not followed. You will receive detailed guidance on your diet and lifestyle after surgery to lower these risks.
These risks exist wherever you have surgery, in the United States or in Mexico. Learn more about gastric sleeve side effects and gastric sleeve leaks.
Cost comparison
At Renew, the gastric sleeve costs $4,899 all-inclusive in Tijuana. Packages include surgeon and anesthesia fees, the hospital stay, hotel accommodations and private ground transportation.
In the United States, the average cost of weight loss surgery for self-pay patients ranges from $17,000 to $26,000, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, as cited by Norton Healthcare. Those prices often cover only the surgery, with travel, hotel and some pre- and post-operative care extra.
See our bariatric surgery cost guide.
What patients say about safety in Tijuana
Hearing from people who have already had gastric sleeve surgery with Renew in Tijuana can be very helpful. Here is what a few 5-star Google reviewers said:
“I had my gastric sleeve at CER in Tijuana and had a great experience! The staff, nurses, doctors and everyone did a great job of making me and my mom feel comfortable and well taken care of. The have a wonderful transportation team that made us feel completely safe at all times. I would highly recommend going to this facility and was very impressed overall! Thanks Renew Bariatrics!”
Jessica S., gastric sleeve
“I had a gastric sleeve procedure done Renew Bariatrics CER Hospital In Tijuana. The professional care I received was phenomenal! From the time I was packed up from the airport, I was treated with the upmost respect and kindness. I stayed at the Real Inn Hotel my first night. … The Hospital was very xlean, never had to wait on assistance. I highly recommend Dr. Green and his staff here at CER Hospital. I felt very safe, and comfortable.”
Mindy S., gastric sleeve
“I just had my procedure in Tijuana of the gastric sleeve! The staff is wonderful to work with and make you feel so safe and care for!”
Janine W., gastric sleeve
Read all patient reviews. Renew is rated 4.9 from 850+ reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to go to Tijuana for gastric sleeve surgery?
For most patients, yes, with the right planning. The State Department rates Baja California Level 3, “Reconsider travel,” and notes that most violence happens in non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Choosing a qualified surgeon and hospital, using private transportation and avoiding nightlife and non-tourist areas lowers your risk. With Renew Bariatrics we use a closed-network of transportation, hotels and hospitals for your entire trip. Learn more about your trip.
Is gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico riskier than in the U.S.?
The surgical risks, such as bleeding, infection, leaks and blood clots, are the same wherever you have surgery. What matters most is the surgeon’s experience and the hospital’s standards, so research both before you book.
Do I need to drive in Tijuana?
No. With Renew, a private driver takes you between the airport, the hospital and your hotel. In Tijuana, you cross the border in the medical lane.
Can I bring a companion?
Yes. Rides for one companion are included in your package.
Do I need a passport?
We encourage passports, but it is not required for Tijuana. Most visitors from the U.S. and Canada need only a valid passport to enter Mexico via Cancun, Mexico. Learn more here.
What should I avoid during my stay?
Avoid non-tourist areas, bars, nightclubs and casinos, and going out at night. Keep valuables out of sight, and don’t accept rides from strangers.
Plan a safe gastric sleeve trip with Renew
Renew Bariatrics offers an all-inclusive gastric sleeve in Tijuana for $4,899, with double board-certified surgeons who have performed more than 9,000 surgeries. Our team handles your transportation, hospital stay and hotel, so you can focus on your surgery and recovery. Get your free quote or call (844) 736-3963.
