Skin Removal After Weight-Loss Surgery in Tijuana, Mexico
The doctors, nurses and staff are amazing. Angels on earth, or very close. I’m glad I chose them again to help me. I know I’m in good hands.
— John S., Ariel Center patient
- Hospital
- Hospital Cyntar and Obesity Control Center, Zona Río
- Price
- Written quote, all-inclusive
- Signature variant
- Tailored to your anatomy on your video call
Why have your post-bariatric body contouring at The Ariel Center?
The operation is the same one you would get in the US. The difference is how it is planned and priced: a board-certified surgeon, all logistics handled for you, and one written price before you book.
Board-certified surgeon
Certifying body and credentials listed in full so you can check them yourself.
15 minutes from San Diego
Airport pickup, border crossing, hotel and transfers — all arranged by your coordinator.
One written all-inclusive price
Surgeon, anesthesiologist, hospital, nursing, recovery stay, transfers and follow-up in a single figure.
Post-bariatric body contouring before and after photos
Before-and-after photos for this procedure are not published yet. We add them only with each patient’s written consent.
What can post-bariatric body contouring fix?
Remove the overhanging abdominal apron
Remove the belt of loose skin around the waist and back
Lift loose skin on arms, thighs and breasts in later stages
Plan every stage with your bariatric records
Planning your post-bariatric body contouring with Dr. Martín Morales
Your surgeon walks you through the procedure, the plan and the recovery on your video call before you book.
Which type of post-bariatric body contouring do I need?
Lower body lift (belt lipectomy)
Removes the circumferential 'belt' of skin: abdomen, flanks, lower back and outer thighs in one operation.
Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck
Horizontal plus vertical incision for large central excess; trades a midline scar for a flatter result.
Panniculectomy
Removal of the overhanging apron only, sometimes done first for hygiene and mobility.
Arm lift, thigh lift, breast lift/reduction
Usually staged 3–6 months apart. Two procedures per trip when safe.
Am I a good candidate for post-bariatric body contouring?
- 12–18 months after sleeve, bypass or SADI, with weight stable for at least 6 months
- BMI under 32 for most procedures; some patients benefit from a panniculectomy first
- Nutrition labs (protein, iron, B12, vitamin D) within range — we check these before scheduling
- Able to take 3 weeks off work and arrange help at home for the first 10 days
How much does post-bariatric body contouring cost in Tijuana?
Your price is given in writing before you book and covers the surgeon, anesthesiologist, hospital, nursing, your recovery stay, airport transfers and follow-up visits. The final figure depends on your medical evaluation.
Price by written quote
Included in the price
- Video call and written surgical plan
- Surgeon, anesthesiologist and hospital fees
- Pre-operative labs and cardiology clearance when indicated
- Private pickup at San Diego International Airport and all local transfers
- Hospital stay as indicated for the procedure
- Compression garment and first set of post-op supplies
- In-person post-op checks before you travel home
- Remote follow-up with your coordinator and surgical team
- Coordination with your bariatric surgeon's records (OCC patients: automatic)
- Nutrition review before surgery
US average: varies widely US average: American Society of Plastic Surgeons statistics report
Financing: United Medical Credit, eFinance Solutions and PayPal Credit
What happens on surgery day and during recovery?
- Labs and nutrition review
- Markings and anesthesia evaluation
- Stage 1 surgery (4–6 h)
- Two nights in hospital with ICU access
- Recovery house with 24-hour nursing
- When can I fly home?
- Set by your surgeon in your written plan
- Nights in Tijuana
- 7
Months before
Video call with photos and your bariatric history. Staged plan with written quote for each stage.
Day −2
Arrive; labs and nutrition review; markings and anesthesia evaluation.
Day 0
Stage 1 surgery (4–6 h). Two nights in hospital with ICU access.
Days 2–6
Recovery house with 24-hour nursing. Walking, drain management, protein-focused meals.
Day 7
Clearance and travel home.
Months 3–6
Stage 2 trip (arms/breasts or thighs) once fully healed.
Scroll sideways on mobile. Days are typical and set individually by the surgeon.
What are the risks of post-bariatric body contouring?
- Bleeding, infection, fluid collection (seroma) and delayed wound healing
- Scarring — every incision leaves a permanent scar; placement is planned to be hidden by clothing where possible
- Asymmetry or contour irregularities that may need a revision
- Changes in skin sensation, usually temporary
- Blood clots (DVT/PE) — risk is reduced with early walking, compression devices and, for some patients, anticoagulants
- Anesthesia-related risks, reviewed with you by the anesthesiologist
- Travel-specific considerations: we require a minimum stay in Tijuana before clearing you to fly, and we coordinate aftercare with your home physician
- Higher wound-healing complication rate than in non-bariatric patients, mainly from nutrition; we screen for it and may postpone surgery to correct it
How we manage them: surgery in a hospital with ICU support, a dedicated anesthesiologist, DVT precautions before and after surgery, and in-person follow-up before you are cleared to fly home.
Complication protocolHow long do post-bariatric body contouring results last?
Later stages are spaced 3–6 months apart, once each one has fully healed. [VERIFY: surgeon’s wording on how long results last]
Individual results vary.
Who performs my post-bariatric body contouring?
Dr. Martín Morales
Reconstructive plastic surgeon · post-massive-weight-loss contouring
- Certified by the Consejo Mexicano de Cirugía Plástica, Estética y Reconstructiva (CMCPER)
- Body contouring training — Dr. Raul Gonzalez clinic, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Post-massive-weight-loss reconstruction — Dr. Carlos Roxo clinic, Rio de Janeiro
- Professor, UNAM-endorsed postgraduate courses in reconstructive plastic surgery
- Anesthesiologist: named in your written plan
- Hospital Cyntar and Obesity Control Center in Zona Río, Tijuana. Ask your patient coordinator for facility accreditation details.
Post-bariatric body contouring in Tijuana: your questions answered
Often combined with post-bariatric body contouring
Procedures after weight loss
The Ariel Center at a glance
- Price range
- All-inclusive, in writing before you book
- Nights in Tijuana
- Depends on the procedure — listed in your plan
- Back to work
- Depends on the procedure — listed in your plan
- Distance
- 15 minutes past the San Ysidro border, in Zona Río
- Who operates
- Dr. Martín Morales
The Ariel Center is the plastic-surgery practice of the Obesity Control Center group in Zona Río, Tijuana. Most of our patients come from the US and Canada for surgery with a board-certified surgeon, 15 minutes from the San Diego border.
Affiliations and accreditations
Hospital Cyntar and Obesity Control Center in Zona Río, Tijuana. Ask your patient coordinator for facility accreditation details.
Where to find us
The Ariel CenterPaseo de los Héroes 9111, Suite 100
Zona Río, Tijuana
Baja California, MX
(866) 936-1786
Outside the US and Canada: +1 (415) 738-8100
15 minutes from the San Ysidro border
Get directions