I Had Weight Loss Surgery in Costa Rica

This story is part of a series on The Brave New World of Middle-Age Medical Tourism, from stem cell treatments to complex dentistry. Read the rest of the stories here.

“I’VE HAD A weight problem my whole adult life and spent years yo-yoing up and down. I tried dieting and exercising more. I gained and lost 100 pounds a couple of times. At 40, it was time to consider weight-loss surgery to remove part of my stomach. I did all the pre-op evaluations and scheduled a sleeve gastrectomy, but about three weeks before my surgery date, my insurance company sent me a denial letter. After doing some research, it looked like it was going to cost me $30,000 or more. I was nervous that I could experience a complication and end up in the intensive care unit. That could be a life-changing financial hit.

“I started looking into other options on Reddit, Google, social media, and I watched YouTube videos from people who had the procedure done abroad. I learned that many Americans have had this procedure in Costa Rica, where there are high-quality hospitals and practitioners that treat American expats. I opted for Clínica Bíblica in San José. It’s a full-service hospital, so if something were to go wrong, they would be equipped to handle it. A couple of weeks before I traveled, I spoke in English with my surgeon, Jacobo Zafrani, MD, who reviewed my medical records and prescribed my pre-op routine, including a regimented low-calorie diet that is high in protein and vegetables, low in carbs and sugar.

“When I got to Costa Rica, we did a half-day medical exam. My surgery was two days later. The procedure lasted about 90 minutes. I had pain, but it was manageable. I spent two more days in the hospital and five days in a hotel before flying home. I even had enough energy to walk around San José before I left. Even with travel expenses, the procedure cost about a third of what it would have cost in the U.S. I still see a dietitian virtually through Clínica Bíblica to help me eat well with my smaller stomach. My only regret is not doing this surgery earlier. I have lost 130 pounds, and my resting heart rate and blood pressure have dropped into healthy ranges and my quality of life is much improved.”

ESTIMATED SAVINGS: 60%

Second Opinion

Costa Rica’s life expectancy is 77, the same as in the United States, and it’s known for the high quality of its health care, ranking above the U.S. in a 2023 report by the Prosperity Institute, a London think tank. While GLP-1s and other new drugs show great promise, new research reveals that minimally invasive bariatric surgery is the lowest-cost, most effective long-term treatment for obesity, according to Ann Rogers, MD, a professor of surgery at Penn State College of Medicine. She cautions that follow-up care, both a month after the surgery and annually for five years, is important.

Know Before You Go

Consider the $8,000 Rule

A good barometer of whether your medical trip is financially worthwhile is the $8,000 rule, says Josef Woodman, CEO of Patients Beyond Borders. If your total quote for U.S. treatment (including consultations, procedure, and hospital stay) is $8,000 or more, you will probably save money traveling abroad for your care. If it’s less, you’re likely better off having your treatment at home.

Check Credentials

Research clinics on websites such as medicaltourism.com, dentaldepartures.com, patientsbeyondborders.com, and the Medical Tourism section of the CDC’s Yellow Book. Three accreditations that indicate high quality are the Joint Commission International, Temos International, and Global Healthcare. Also, look up doctors and clinical research at clinicaltrials.gov, says Jonathan Edelheit, cofounder of Global Healthcare Resources.

Ask for Patient References

It’s best to speak with patients in your age range and at least one-year post-treatment, says Edelheit. If a clinic rejects a request for references, avoid it. Discuss any complications, post-treatment care, lasting effects, and whether they did anything else that might have impacted their results.

Get Everything in Writing

Did you have a great call in which you were promised five-star accommodations, smoothies on demand, and post-op care? Ask for a list of all services and costs in writing. Also note that you might not be able to sue the clinic or doctor for malpractice. (Depending on the treatment, a corrective procedure may be available.)

Be Smart About Money

Don’t wire money. Pay with a credit card, which will better ensure you have recourse, such as seeking a refund, says Edelheit.

Arrange Your Follow-Up Care in Advance

Before you go, alert your primary care physician (in case something goes wrong) and also be sure to have a detailed follow-up plan with the appropriate paperwork, records, and/or imaging.

This story appears in the March-April 2025 issue of Men’s Health.