Is There an Ideal Age for Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
At Oasis Bariatrics in Tijuana, Mexico, my team and I have helped thousands of patients from all walks of life experience the joy of better health through bariatric surgery. Gastric sleeve (also known as sleeve gastrectomy) is one of the most popular weight loss surgeries we offer, and interested patients come to us with all kinds of questions, including: Is there an ideal age for gastric sleeve surgery?
I’ll explain how the ideal gastric sleeve patient age is determined below, as well as other factors that affect candidacy and how surprisingly affordable this weight loss solution can be.
What’s the Right Age for Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Generally speaking, the right candidates for gastric sleeve surgery are older than 14 and younger than 65.
Why Older Than 14?
With childhood obesity at high levels in the United States, many people who contact our Tijuana practice are parents looking for options to help their children with their weight struggles. We are pleased to tell them that gastric sleeve is an option as long as their child is older than 14 and has not achieved significant weight loss through traditional methods.
It’s important to remember that bariatric surgery can be a significant undertaking and lifestyle adjustment for patients of any age. They must be committed to a carefully selected diet for life to enjoy lasting results.
Because of this, bariatric surgeons prefer to wait until a patient has reached a certain level of physical and emotional maturation before performing surgery. Still, this early intervention can make a world of difference for the right young candidates.
Why Younger Than 65?
While there is technically no upper age limit for gastric sleeve surgery, the risks for any surgery increase for older adults. Surgical recovery can be more difficult for patients older than 65. This age group also tends to present more comorbidities and medical conditions that could make surgery or drastic physical changes more hazardous.
Still, each candidate is unique. If you are over 65 and interested in gastric sleeve surgery, we would be happy to perform a thorough physical examination and consultation to assess your candidacy.
Are There Other Requirements for Surgery?
Yes, there are a few important criteria that you should know about:
- BMI Range: Ideal gastric sleeve patients have a BMI over 30 and under 50.
- No Previous Gastric Bypass: If you have previously undergone gastric bypass surgery, you are not a good candidate for gastric sleeve.
- Cardiovascular Health: If you have a history of heart attack, stroke, heart disease, or another heart condition, gastric sleeve surgery may not be right for you.
We want everyone to have a chance at the healthier futures they want. Even if gastric sleeve isn’t the best choice for you, we are committed to helping you realize your goals. Get in touch to talk about your options.
Wondering How Much Gastric Sleeve Costs?
We’re Transparent With Our Pricing — And Much More Affordable Than U.S. Practices
Our Tijuana bariatrics practice charges $4,299 for gastric sleeve surgery. This is approximately 22% of average U.S. pricing.
Even better, this fee covers your entire experience at our state-of-the-art Tijuana facility. It includes private transportation between San Diego International Airport and Tijuana, three nights at our hospital, all pre-operative examinations, hospital and physician fees, post-operative examinations, nutritional counseling, follow-up support, and more.
One Phone Call Can Change Your Life — Reach Out About Gastric Sleeve Surgery
If you’ve been struggling to control your weight through diet and exercise, right now is the best time to take back control and make a change toward a better quality of life. Gastric sleeve surgery can truly transform your health, activity, and outlook — all you have to do to get started is send our Tijuana weight loss surgery center a message or give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you.