Inside Tijuana's Medical Tourism Industry 🇲🇽

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Tijuana, Mexico is one of the most popular medical tourism locations in the world.

It’s said that some 14 million people travel around the world seeking specialized and low-cost medical treatments, and among them, 1.2 Million Americans who visit Mexico for “Medical Tourism” each year. Tijuana medical tourism focuses on dental, bariatric surgery, plastic surgery, and general healthcare. It's proximity to San Diego and high quality healthcare make it a highly desired location in the medical tourism industry in Mexico.

On average, Americans can save between 30 to 70% across many of the most common procedures. The #1 over-the-border, out-of-pocket medical tourism category in Tijuana is dental - my first stop of the day is to my dentist office in Tijuana.

When I saw the prices for a dentist in San Diego, I quickly opened up to the idea of getting dental treatment in Tijuana, because I don't have dental insurance.

In my experience, one of the best aspects, aside from quality care is Dental Studio shows their prices directly on their website, and the dentist actually goes through costs before he does anything.

My second stop was to speak with a certified Plastic Surgeon and Dermatologist in Tijuana.

Doctor Salvador Medina is a plastic surgeon that specializes on post-bariatric surgery, rhinoplasty, cosmetic, and plastic surgery.

Dr. Daniela Gutiérrez Mendoza is a certified dermatologist who focuses on everything to do with skin, hair and nails.

My last stop of the day is to meet with the President of Plastic Surgery in the Mexican State of Baja California, Dr. Ricardo Vega, to better understand what to actually look out for when you’re trying to find the right healthcare provider down here.

Dr. Vega specializes in bariatric surgery as well as "mommy makeovers," breast and body surgery, and other cosmetic and plastic surgery.

*PLEASE DO YOUR OWN MEDICAL TOURISM RESEARCH.*
**I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.**

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——— WHO IS GARETH LEONARD? ———

Hi! My name is Gareth Leonard, an American Travel YouTuber with a passion for slow, meaningful solo travel. I have spent the past 13+ years traveling around the world while creating travel vlogs to help educate and inspire people to “Travel Deeper.”

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#tijuana #medical #medicaltourism #medicaltourismmexico #medicalstudent #tijuanabajacalifornia #mexico #traveldeeper #garethleonard #bajacalifornia #sandiego #dentist #plasticsurgeon #plasticsurgerymexico #bariatric #postbariatric

[GarethLeonard]

THANKS FOR WATCHING ❤ I would love to hear about your experiences or questions in the comments. Have you tried medical tourism? Would you try it?

[babypapaya]

I had a lot of medical treatments in Querètaro by very reputable doctors this year. I had the best experience ever. No waiting no insurance. I had every doctors whatsapp and could talk to them anytime. The care I received was a hundred times better than my dad got here recently for a knee replacement

[TheRachelPhelps]

I took my dog to Tijuana for an ACL repair surgery. They did a great job, and my Daisy had no complications. The cost was about $800 USD and in the US it was going to be over $3K. The following pin removal surgery was less than $100 about 6 months later. The vet called regularly when we got home to check in on her recovery. I would go back in a heartbeat if my pup ever needed another surgery like this.

[erikschmitz]

I live in Arizona, and I've had some dental work done in Nogales, Mexico. I've saved thousands getting my work done in Mexico. The dentist office I visited in Mexico was literally right on the street that I entered on when walking into Nogales, so didn't even need a taxi.

[joshuaowens]

Amazing, modern, and very clean facilities especially compared to the United States! 😮 Much better than upwards of $10, 000 per night for a hospital stay over here.

[ejohnson]

Aww Gareth sorry to hear about your health issues! It is disheartening to find out that our health system in America sucks the hard way. We work so hard, pay our taxes and insurance only to find out that someone may or may not approve your case and you might not be eligible for healthcare even after paying for years.

[ShadyMickhail]

This was awesome! As a San Diego resident that goes to TJ for dentistry all the time, I really appreciate the clean direction you provided.
Just an extra hint: I personally use Uber in TJ, never felt unsafe and cheaper than local taxis.
I've done a lot of work with my knee there as well. I really love the communication/hospitality that every office offers.
Wonderful video thank you so much for making that! Would love to meet you one day!

[DanielleGlick]

This is the video I needed a few months ago when I was in Playa del Carmen, Mexico and walked past a dentist office. I'd heard stories about medical, but not dental, stuff in Mexico being cheap. I was due for a regular cleaning, so I popped in to ask if they spoke English (yes, of course), when their next opening was (in a few days), and how much it costs (~$46 USD). I went back to my hotel and did some research, checked reviews, etc. before deciding to do it. That dentist cleaned better than some I've had in the US and spoke perfect English! Turned out he had lived in the US for a few years and had many U.S. patients in Playa. He had a solo practice and did everything himself, including my basic cleaning! In the US, that never happens unless they're short staffed. The best part was no new patient Xray requirement that costs an arm in the US. I saved so much money with that dentist, it practically paid for my flights!

I had a very similar experience with a dental cleaning in Budapest, Hungary, where I learned Hungary is the choice destination for medical and dental tourism for people in neighboring European countries. I think that cleaning was ~$35 USD in 2017. Hope my stories encourage others to consider this.

And Gareth, I'm blown away you haven't had travel insurance! I have used World Nomads for years and have had many claims paid. It covers all travel and medical incidents for less than medical insurance alone costs in the US!

[travelingdude]

Medical tourism is HUGE in Colombia and very safe. I do all my medical needs in Colombia and it's very affordable. Most of my doctors are American trained. I started going 3 years ago because I was so broken health wise and couldn't afford treatment in the United States. I'm currently in the process of selling my property in the USA and relocating full time to Colombia

[cynthiao]

What a wealth of information! It brings piece of mind for those who would be hesitant to seek medical treatment outside of the U.S. Thank you Gareth! On a side note, I am sorry to hear that your health was compromised while visiting the Amazon. Stay well and be well. ❤

[estherford]

My son gets Physiotherapy through Fisiosport in TJ. As a native San Diegien I have never driven across the border. I also haven’t been here in 30 years. We now go every week for the past month. The benefits of going to TJ for the treatment of rehabilitation for my sons ankle injury has been well worth it. I just wish I saw this video prior to going . Finding an orthopedist would have been my next step a few months ago

[tabithavigliotti]

I just had plastic surgery at New City Medical Plaza's hospital on Dec 5. It was the largest surgery I've ever had and the best care I've ever received. Unlike in the states, it's not considered an ambulatory surgery. I stayed overnight at the hospital (very reasuring to me).

Then, the best part, I was able to go to a care house where I had 24/7 nurse support and three hot meals a day with two snacks, vitals monitored, medicines distributed, help showering and dressing my incisions, and even post surgical lymphatic drainage massage. They were in constanst communication with my surgeon as I healed and I could ask follow up questions any time. Plus I had transport to and from the care house to my post op follow up. It was cheaper than staying at a nice hotel! I can't say enough good things about my experience. Even my primary care doctor back home commented on the fantastic work.

[laurafontenot]

I have been to Guadalajara with my daughter for a procedure and Tijuana with my sister. Both times were excellent experiences. Also there is a delicious steak house in Tijuana that is absolutely amazing. It is right across the street from the big hotel we stayed at.

[tanyabormann]

Thank you for making these videos! I live in Mexico (city) and unfortunately our country used to have (or still has) terrible fame for doing "botched" surgeries because as the doctors told you, that's what makes the news. In most countries you will have good and bad doctors and people fail in doing the proper research and just focus on the price. But Mexico has really incredible and world trained and respected doctors, specialists and surgeons. And theres also the aspect of "accessibility to anyone"... anyone who can pay for it or has proper insurance can go directly to the specialist and be treated effectively and on time. I can't imagine having to wait years for treatment if my general practitioner would't or couldn't sent me to a specialist. I've had both plastic and functional/medical surgeries here in mexico City and my doctors are increible. I hope many people see this video!

[pat.l.h.]

New City Medical Center is bringing in highly talented Doctors, a well respected ophthalmologist from the state of Jalisco just opened up her office here in Tijuana.

[truckingwithtobee]

Thank you for making this video. My husband is actually from Mexico but he’s very worried about going down there because of the cartels. But we both need a lot of dental work. We do have dental insurance but as you know $1500 a year per person in our family doesn’t cover much maybe a couple cavities. I just had two root canals done and needed two crowns, and between the cost of the two crowns, and the two root canals with insurance I was still out of pocket almost $4000! No more I think we’re going to come to the clinic, so thank you so very much for making this video. It put my mind at ease.

[norcalrob]

Wow! I had no idea. I am in California so that looks like an option I might consider. Especially for dental services. Thanks, Gareth!

[toms]

So glad you did this video. I have been going to Mexico for years for my Dental. I live in North Dakota and will
take a trip in the winter to go down for what I need to have done. I also get my pharmacy needs there also and have never ever had any problems at all and have met some wonderful people.

[frandohe]

I went to Tijuana 7/8 years ago for gastric sleeve surgery. 4000 paid to a us company to set it up. Got tired of regular health insurance making me jump through so many hoops to try and get the surgery done. All went well. 100 plus lbs still gone all this time later.

[JustGettinBy]

I know someone who had gastric bypass surgery in TJ. She had a great experience, & it was much cheaper than in the US, even including airfare for herself & a friend to look after her.