SAVE $20K+ Gastric sleeve in Mexico — $4,900 all-inclusive · 20,000+ procedures +1 (619) 874-9663
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Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy · VSG

The gastric sleeve, perfected over 20,000 procedures.

The world's most-requested bariatric procedure, performed in Tijuana by board-certified surgeons. ~80% of the stomach removed to dramatically reduce hunger and portion size — with the most durable, safest results in modern bariatrics.

All-inclusive · from
$4,900
vs $15,000–$23,000
self-pay in the U.S.
Signup to Apply Am I a candidate?
Gastric sleeve surgery patients at Pompeii Surgical
~80%
of the stomach removed — banana-sized sleeve remains
$4,900
All-inclusive
20,000+
Sleeve procedures
60–70%
Excess weight loss
1–2 hrs
Procedure time · laparoscopic
The procedure

What is the gastric sleeve?

The gastric sleeve — or Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) — is a minimally invasive bariatric procedure that permanently reduces your stomach to roughly 20% of its original size. Think of it as sculpting a thin, banana-shaped stomach out of what was there before.

Because the outer portion of the stomach is removed, your body produces dramatically less ghrelin — the hormone that triggers hunger. Smaller portions, smaller appetite, and real, lasting change to the way your body signals food.

Permanent
Unlike the lap-band, the sleeve can't be "undone" — which is why results last.
No intestinal bypass
Your digestive tract isn't re-routed — meaning fewer long-term nutrient concerns.
1–2 hour surgery
Laparoscopic, small incisions. Home in 4–5 days, back to desk work in a week.
Hunger hormone reset
Removing the fundus slashes ghrelin — the biological reason willpower finally feels different.
~80% smaller
Gastric sleeve anatomical diagram: before and after the stomach is reshaped
Candidacy

Is the gastric sleeve right for you?

If the bullets below describe you, you're almost certainly a candidate. Your coordinator will confirm the details after you apply — and we only approve patients who are medically safe to proceed.

You're likely a strong candidate if…

  • BMI of 35+ (roughly 70+ lbs overweight)
  • BMI of 30–34 with type-2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or hypertension
  • You've tried diets, exercise, and medications without lasting results
  • You're committed to lifelong dietary changes and supplementation
  • You're between 18 and 70 years old (exceptions by case)
  • You don't have uncontrolled severe heart, lung, or liver conditions
Not sure where you stand? Our coordinators review every application with our surgical team — if the sleeve isn't right for your body, we'll recommend the bypass or revision instead. Take the 2-minute quiz for an instant suggestion →
Realistic results

What the first 18 months actually look like.

The sleeve works in phases. The first 3 months are dramatic — your body is adjusting, portions are tiny, and weight drops fast. From 6 months onward, you're in the long, steady glide path to your goal weight. These are averages from 20,000+ Pompeii patients.

What affects your results

  • Following our post-op diet progression (liquid → puree → soft → regular)
  • Daily protein targets and vitamin adherence
  • Walking early, building to strength and cardio
  • Staying engaged with coordinators & the community
Estimate your results

Enter your height and current weight to see a personalized projection based on average outcomes from 20,000+ Pompeii sleeve patients.

—
Projected weight at 12–18 months
—
Estimated total weight lost
Now3 mo6 mo9 mo12 mo18 mo

EWL = Excess Weight Loss, measured against a healthy target weight. This is an estimate for illustration — individual results vary based on starting BMI, adherence, and lifestyle. Not a medical guarantee.

Beyond the scale

The gastric sleeve isn't just weight loss. It's a health reset.

Bariatric surgery is one of the most medically-documented interventions in modern medicine. For most patients, the co-morbidities that felt permanent begin to resolve within weeks.

80%

Type-2 diabetes remission

Most patients see complete resolution within weeks — often eliminating diabetes medications entirely.

~60%

Heart & blood-pressure improvement

Dramatic reductions in hypertension, LDL cholesterol, and cardiac risk markers — many patients reduce or eliminate meds.

85%

Sleep apnea resolution

The vast majority of patients with obstructive sleep apnea see dramatic improvement or complete resolution of symptoms.

4x

Joint pain relief

Every pound you lose removes ~4 lbs of pressure from your knees. Back, hip, and knee pain often transform within months.

+

Mental wellbeing

Reduced depression and anxiety, restored self-esteem, and the profound confidence that comes with reclaiming your health.

↑

Restored fertility

Weight loss restores hormonal balance in both men and women — many patients conceive after years of struggling with fertility.

All-inclusive pricing

One price. Everything included. No surprises.

U.S. self-pay gastric sleeve averages $15,000–$23,000 — often with add-on charges layered on top. At Pompeii, what you see is what you pay.

Gastric Sleeve · VSG
All-Inclusive Package
$4,900 USD
vs $15,000–$23,000 self-pay in the U.S.

What's included

  • Pre-op testing & consultation
  • Surgery with our board-certified surgical team
  • 2 nights hospital + 1 night hotel
  • Anesthesia & all medications
  • Ground transport (airport / border)
  • On-site nutritionist visits
  • Complication insurance
  • Lifetime aftercare & community
Signup to Apply See financing
Complication insurance included Full refund if ineligible Same-day financing available Surgery in 2–4 weeks
Your 5 days in Tijuana

The day-by-day, minute-by-minute plan.

From the moment you land in San Diego to the plane ride home — here's exactly what happens. A coordinator guides you every step.

1
Weeks Before · Application & Approval

Apply in 5 minutes, approved in 2–3 days

Complete our online application — we review your medical history and call you within one business day. Financing (if needed) is set up, pre-op labs scheduled, surgery date locked. Most patients fly in 2–4 weeks after approval.

2
Two Weeks Before · Pre-Op Prep

The pre-op liquid diet & final labs

You'll start a 2-week protein-shake based liquid diet that shrinks your liver and makes surgery safer. We send detailed daily instructions, shake recommendations, and your nutritionist is on-call for questions.

3
Day 1 · Arrival

San Diego pickup & hospital admission

We pick you up from San Diego (SAN) airport and drive you across the border to Tijuana. You meet your surgical team, complete final labs and EKG, and settle into your private room. Tonight: rest.

4
Day 2 · Surgery Day

Your 1–2 hour laparoscopic sleeve

Your bariatric surgeon and surgical team perform your gastric sleeve laparoscopically — just 4–5 small incisions. You're in the OR 1–2 hours. Within a few hours of waking, you're walking the hallway (yes, really — early movement prevents clots and speeds healing).

5
Days 2–3 · Hospital Recovery

24/7 nursing, pain management, first sips

Two nights with 24/7 bariatric nurses monitoring you. Gentle walking, sips of clear liquids, and personalized pain management. Your surgeon checks in personally. Your coordinator is with you through every step.

6
Day 4 · Hotel & Discharge

One night in a luxury recovery hotel

Once cleared by your surgeon, you transfer to a luxury hotel near the hospital for one more night under observation — comfort, rest, and a final check-in before you fly home. (An extra hospital night is always an option if you need it.)

7
Day 5 · Fly Home

Ground transport back across the border

Our driver picks you up at the hotel and takes you back across the San Ysidro border to San Diego airport. You're home that evening. Desk workers return to work in days; physical jobs, 2 weeks.

8
Weeks & Years After · Lifetime Aftercare

Never on your own again

Weekly coordinator check-ins during your diet progression. Access to on-call nutritionists. The 70,000+ member private Facebook community for real-time support. Monthly group calls. Years after your surgery — we're still here.

Risk, reversed

If anything goes wrong, we own it.

Complication insurance is included at no extra cost with every sleeve. If complications arise while you're in our care — surgical costs, extended hospital stays, additional nursing, even flight and hotel rebooking — we cover it. And if you're not eligible to safely have surgery after testing, we issue a full refund.

  • All surgical costs & additional procedures covered
  • Extended hospital stays & nursing covered
  • Flight & hotel rebooking paid for
  • Full refund if you're medically ineligible
See full coverage
Pompeii complication insurance protects every sleeve patient
Sleeve patient stories

Real sleeve patients. Real transformations.

Verified Google reviews from gastric-sleeve patients at Pompeii. 4.9-star average across 5,000+ reviews.

"Over 100 lbs in 5 months."

Incredible facility, fantastic staff. The weekly check-ins and supportive Facebook group have been invaluable to my journey.

Heather Applegate
Verified Google review · Gastric Sleeve
Read →

"From start to finish — 10 out of 10."

The staff, drivers, doctors and nutritionists were all amazing. The recovery beach house was relaxing. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Coriss Ambady
Verified Google review · Gastric Sleeve
Read →

"I cried when it was time for me to leave."

The staff are friendly, compassionate, bubbly with joy. The facility is clean and spacious. Honestly, there aren't enough words.

Rissa Showers
Verified Google review · Gastric Sleeve
Read →

"Honestly, better than the U.S."

Everyone gives 110%. The nurses are always attentive. My only regret? I wish I had done this surgery sooner.

A. I.
Verified Google review · Gastric Sleeve
Read →
Honest answers

Everything else patients ask before they fly.

Real questions. Honest answers. No marketing fluff.

Is the gastric sleeve safe in Mexico?
Yes — when performed at the right facility by experienced, board-certified surgeons. Pompeii's complication rates are comparable to or better than U.S. averages. Our surgical team has performed thousands of bariatric procedures; our Tijuana surgical center meets international standards, with 24/7 nursing, modern laparoscopic equipment, and the same medications used in American hospitals. Every sleeve is also backed by included complication insurance.

How much weight will I actually lose?
Most patients lose 60–70% of their excess body weight within 12–18 months of surgery. If you're 100 lbs overweight, that's typically 60–70 lbs lost. Weight comes off fastest in the first 3–6 months. Your actual results depend on starting BMI, how well you follow the diet progression, activity level, and consistency with follow-up.

How long is the recovery, and when can I work?
You'll spend 2 nights in our hospital and 1 night in a luxury hotel before flying home — about 4–5 days total in Tijuana. Desk workers can return to work within a few days of getting home. If your job requires lifting over 20 lbs, plan for 2 weeks off. Most patients feel significantly better within the first week.

What can I eat after surgery?
You'll follow a progressive post-op diet: clear liquids for the first few days, then full liquids for 2 weeks, pureed foods for 2 weeks, soft foods for 2 weeks, then regular foods. Long-term, you'll eat 3–4 oz per meal and focus on protein first. Most patients can eventually eat a wide variety of foods — some find dense meats, bread, or rice more challenging.

Will I have to take vitamins forever?
Yes — daily vitamins for life, typically a bariatric multivitamin, calcium with vitamin D, and B12. With a smaller stomach, food alone can't provide enough of everything you need. We send you home with a detailed vitamin protocol, and our nutritionists help you build the routine.

Can the sleeve be reversed?
No — the sleeve is permanent. The portion of stomach that's removed cannot be reattached. That's a feature, not a bug: the permanence is part of why the sleeve delivers lasting results where reversible procedures like the lap-band did not. If more weight loss is ever needed, the sleeve can be converted to a gastric bypass.

Will I have excess skin?
Most of our patients don't need skin-removal surgery. How much you'll have depends on age, amount of weight lost, genetics, and skin elasticity. Younger patients and those who lose weight gradually tend to have better skin retraction. Staying hydrated, eating protein, and building muscle through strength training help significantly.

What about financing? Can I afford it?
Yes. We offer in-house financing with same-day approval, $0 down for many patients, and an average down payment of $1,800. We hold our own loans, so we set fair, transparent terms. We also partner with United Medical Credit for larger balances. See financing options →
The first step

Your new chapter starts with a 5-minute application.

No payment now. No insurance hassles. A real coordinator reaches out within one business day to walk you through everything — pricing, financing, and scheduling your sleeve.

Signup to Apply Call +1 (619) 874-9663
Board-certified 20,000+ sleeves Complication insurance Full refund if ineligible
Call Signup to Apply