Pain under the right ribs
Often after fatty meals; it can spread to your back or right shoulder.
Board-certified surgeon · Zona Río, Tijuana
General & bariatric surgeon in Tijuana, Mexico
Dr. Jorge Reyes Mendiola is a board-certified general and bariatric surgeon with more than 15 years of experience. He performs laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, hernia repair and weight-loss surgery at Surgery Room, in Tijuana’s Zona Río, about 10 minutes from the San Ysidro border. Start with a free virtual consultation.
- Board certified in General Surgery
- 15+ years · 5,000+ surgeries
- English & Spanish care
Board certifiedMexican Board of General Surgery
7 days · 8 am–8 pmPacific Time coordination
110+ reviewsVerified on Doctoralia
15+
Years of experience
5,000+
Surgeries performed
110+
Patient reviews on Doctoralia
10min
From the San Ysidro border
01Patients from the U.S. & Canada
Surgery in Tijuana with a clear plan: Board-certified surgeon, a written quote and patient coordination by 1andonly.care
Tijuana is one of North America’s leading medical travel destinations. With Dr. Reyes Mendiola you get specialized surgical care and a written plan and quote before you travel, coordinated from your first message by the 1andonly.care team.
≈10min
from the San Ysidro border crossing to Surgery Room, in Tijuana’s Zona Río.
Approximate drive time; varies with traffic and border wait times.How we plan your visit
- Free virtual consultation with a patient advisor before you travel.
- Your plan and total quote in writing, with no hidden fees.
- Surgery date coordinated with your trip.
- English-speaking support at every step: consultation, surgery and recovery.
- Follow-up in person or online once you are back home.
Patient coordination1andonly.careMedical travel team for patients from the U.S. and Canada
02Gallbladder surgery
Gallbladder surgery in Tijuana
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy removes the gallbladder when gallstones cause pain or complications. When surgery is indicated, the whole gallbladder is removed, not just the stones.
Dr. Reyes Mendiola operates with a camera and four small incisions. Most patients go home the same day or the next morning and return to light activities in about a week.
Learn more about cirugía de vesícula en Tijuana (in Spanish).
Signs your gallbladder needs attention
Nausea and bloating
Indigestion, gas or feeling too full after eating.
Attacks that come back
Episodes of pain that last from minutes to a few hours and keep returning.
Gallstones on an ultrasound
If they cause symptoms, the usual treatment is removing the gallbladder.
Sound familiar? An evaluation tells you if surgery is the right option.
Message us on WhatsAppA clear path, step by step
Every case is different. Your plan is decided at your evaluation, with an exam and your ultrasound.
Evaluation
Consultation, exam and a review of your studies. Patients from the U.S. can start with a free virtual consultation.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Under general anesthesia, through four small incisions with a camera. It usually takes one to two hours.
Back to your routine
You walk the same day, most go home the same day or the next morning, and return to light activities in about a week.
- Gallstones
- Biliary colic
- Acute cholecystitis
- Gallbladder polyps
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
03Before you decide
Common symptom or an emergency?: When abdominal pain or a hernia needs urgent care
Most gallbladder and hernia symptoms can be evaluated calmly and scheduled. But some signs point to a complication that should not wait. Knowing the difference protects your health.
| Symptom | Schedule an evaluation | Go to the ER now |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominal pain | Comes after meals and eases within a few hours. | Severe and constant, lasting more than 5 hours. |
| Fever | None. | Fever or chills with abdominal pain. |
| Skin and urine | No changes. | Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or pale stools. |
| Hernia bulge | Soft; it goes back in when you lie down. | Hard, very painful, red or dark, or won’t go back in. |
| Stomach | Bloating or indigestion. | Repeated vomiting, a swollen belly or you can’t pass gas. |
Guidance only
Your result
Check one or more symptoms to see instant guidance.
Send on WhatsAppGuidance tool only: it doesn’t replace a medical consultation or provide a diagnosis.
Signs it’s time to see a surgeon
- 1Gallbladder attacks that keep coming back
- 2Gallstones on an ultrasound and symptoms after eating
- 3A hernia that grows or hurts when you lift, cough or strain
- 4Heartburn or reflux that medication no longer controls
- 5Obesity with diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea
- 6You were told you need surgery and want a second opinion
I want an evaluation
Getting checked early keeps more options open.
04Hernia repair
Hernia repair in Tijuana: Inguinal, umbilical, ventral and hiatal hernias
A hernia happens when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Hernias don’t close on their own: the definitive treatment is surgical repair, usually reinforced with mesh and, whenever your case allows, done laparoscopically.
27%
of men will develop an inguinal (groin) hernia at some point in their lives.
Source: HerniaSurge Group, international guidelines for groin hernia management (Hernia, 2018).
Hernias Dr. Reyes Mendiola repairs
- Inguinal hernia: a bulge in the groin; laparoscopic or open repair with mesh.
- Umbilical hernia: a bulge at the belly button, common after pregnancy or weight gain.
- Ventral and incisional hernia: in the abdominal wall or at the scar of a previous surgery.
- Hiatal hernia and reflux: anti-reflux surgery when heartburn persists despite medication.
- Recurrent hernia: evaluation and a new repair plan when a hernia comes back.
How it works
No surprises: we explain every step before, during and after your surgery.
- Step 01
Evaluation
Exam and, if needed, an ultrasound. Patients from the U.S. can start with a free virtual consultation.
- Step 02
Plan & quote
Technique (laparoscopic or open), mesh, date and total cost in writing, with no hidden fees.
- Step 03
Surgery
At Surgery Room, Zona Río. Many hernia repairs are outpatient: you go home the same day.
- Step 04
Recovery
You walk the same day and resume light activities in one to two weeks, avoiding heavy lifting as instructed.
05Weight-loss surgery
Gastric sleeve & bypass in Tijuana
Bariatric surgery reduces the size of the stomach or reroutes digestion to help you lose weight and improve conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. It works best with a long-term nutrition and follow-up plan.
Gastric sleeve
A laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy removes about three quarters of the stomach, so you feel full with smaller portions.
Gastric bypass
Creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes part of the intestine. It is often considered with type 2 diabetes or severe reflux.
Gastric balloon
A temporary balloon placed by endoscopy, for patients who are not candidates for surgery or prefer a first step.
Who is a candidate?
- Body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more.
- BMI of 30 to 34.9 with type 2 diabetes or other metabolic conditions.
- You are ready to follow a nutrition and follow-up plan after surgery.
Your recovery, step by step
Everyone recovers at their own pace. These are typical ranges with follow-up from the team.
First steps
You walk within hours and start clear liquids, with pain under control.
Back to light activity
Most people return to desk work and daily walks.
Your new diet
You progress from liquids to purées and solid foods, step by step.
Lasting results
Most of the weight loss happens in this period, with follow-up and healthy habits.
06Your surgeon
Dr. Jorge Reyes Mendiola: Board-certified general, laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon in Tijuana
With more than 15 years of experience and over 5,000 surgeries, Dr. Reyes Mendiola focuses on gastrointestinal surgery: gallbladder and bile ducts, hernias, reflux, and bariatric and metabolic surgery.
He trained in Mexico and completed a training stay in colon and stomach surgery at Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barcelona, Spain. His patients highlight how clearly he explains each diagnosis and procedure. He sees patients in English and Spanish.
Surgery explained clearly, by a surgeon who stays with you.
- UPMedical degree (Médico Cirujano)Universidad Panamericana, 2004
- UAEMGeneral Surgery residencyUniversidad Autónoma del Estado de México, 2008
- SpainTraining stay in colon & stomach surgeryHospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona
- CMCGBoard certified in General Surgery (2010, recertified 2015)Consejo Mexicano de Cirugía General
- AMCGMember of the Mexican Associations of General Surgery, Endoscopic Surgery and HerniaAMCG · AMCE · Asociación Mexicana de Hernia
- Lic.Professional licenses (cédulas)4260559 · 6820564
07Where you’ll have surgery
Surgery Room, Zona Río: A surgical center in the heart of Tijuana
Surgery Room is a surgical center in Tijuana’s Zona Río, with operating rooms equipped for laparoscopic surgery and a recovery area. You’ll find it on the sixth floor, suite 601, minutes from the San Ysidro border.
- Operating rooms equipped for laparoscopic surgery.
- Recovery area with care from the surgical team.
- Bilingual patient coordination with 1andonly.care.
- About 10 minutes from the San Ysidro crossing.
Plan your visit
Consultations and surgeries by appointment.
Clear explanations
Patients say he explains the diagnosis and the procedure in detail, so they know what to expect.
Time and attention
Unhurried visits, with time to answer every question before deciding.
A caring team
Good care from the doctor and his staff, in excellent facilities.
- Doctoralia Best Quality 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2022
A summary of public patient reviews on Doctoralia. Read them all on the doctor’s profile.
09Where to find us
Surgery Room in Tijuana
Dr. Reyes Mendiola sees patients at Surgery Room, in Tijuana’s Zona Río: about 10 minutes from the San Ysidro border crossing, close to Paseo de los Héroes and the city’s main hospitals.
Surgery Room
Av. Diego Rivera 2311, suite 601, Zona Urbana Río, 22010 Tijuana, B.C., MexicoCross at San Ysidro
Surgery Room is about 10 minutes by car from the San Ysidro crossing. Bring a valid document to re-enter the U.S., such as a passport or passport card. We help you plan your arrival and transportation.Interactive map
It loads only when you need it, so the site opens faster.
10Cost & insurance
How much does surgery cost in Tijuana?
The cost depends on the procedure, the technique and your health. After your evaluation you receive a written, personalized quote with no hidden fees, typically a fraction of what the same surgery costs in the United States.
Patients from the U.S. & Canada
Free virtual consultation
A video call with a 1andonly.care patient advisor to review your case, your options and the next steps, at no cost.
Book my free consultation
Gallbladder · hernia · bariatric
Personalized quote
Everything your plan includes, in writing before you decide or travel. No surprises.
Get a quoteInsurance
Mexican major medical insurance is accepted, subject to your policy terms. Ask us about your insurer.
GNPAXASeguros AtlasMetLifeBupaAllianzSeguros MonterreyPlan Seguro
- Patients from the U.S.: typically a fraction of U.S. prices.
- Complete written quote with no hidden fees.
11Book your consultation
Take the first step with confidence
Leave your details and the team will contact you on WhatsApp to schedule your consultation, virtual or in person at Surgery Room.
Request your consultation
We reply 7 days a week, from 8 am to 8 pm (Pacific Time). Fields marked * are required.
We got your request!
The team will contact you on WhatsApp, 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm (Pacific Time).
12FAQ
Your questions answered: About gallbladder, hernia and weight-loss surgery in Tijuana
Can’t find your question? Message us and we’ll answer personally.
Who is a good general surgeon in Tijuana for gallbladder or hernia surgery?
Look for a surgeon certified by the Mexican Board of General Surgery (Consejo Mexicano de Cirugía General), with laparoscopic experience, who explains your options and gives you a written plan. Dr. Jorge Reyes Mendiola is board certified (2010, recertified in 2015), has more than 15 years of experience and is a member of the Mexican associations of General Surgery, Endoscopic Surgery and Hernia.
How much does gallbladder or hernia surgery cost in Tijuana?
It depends on the procedure, the technique and your case, and it is typically a fraction of U.S. prices. You receive a written, personalized quote after your evaluation. Message us on WhatsApp at +1 747 799 7107.
Can I start with a virtual consultation?
Yes. Patients from the U.S. and Canada can start with a free virtual consultation with a 1andonly.care patient advisor to review their case, options and next steps before traveling to Tijuana.
How many incisions does laparoscopic gallbladder surgery need?
It is usually done through four small incisions with a camera. Most patients go home the same day or the next morning and return to light activities in about a week.
Do hernias go away on their own?
No. A hernia does not close by itself and can grow over time. The definitive treatment is surgical repair, often laparoscopic and reinforced with mesh. A hernia that becomes hard, very painful or will not go back in is an emergency.
Am I a candidate for a gastric sleeve or bypass?
International guidelines (ASMBS/IFSO, 2022) recommend considering bariatric surgery with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more, or 30 to 34.9 with metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Your evaluation defines the best option for you.
How long do I need to stay in Tijuana?
It depends on the procedure. Many gallbladder and hernia surgeries are outpatient or need one night; bariatric surgery usually requires a few days. Your plan includes the dates before you travel.
How far is Surgery Room from San Diego?
Surgery Room is in Tijuana’s Zona Río, about 10 minutes by car from the San Ysidro border crossing. You will need a valid passport or passport card to return to the U.S.
Do you accept insurance?
Mexican major medical insurance is accepted, subject to your policy: GNP, AXA, Seguros Atlas, MetLife, Bupa, Allianz, Seguros Monterrey and Plan Seguro, among others. Ask us about your insurer.
Does Dr. Reyes Mendiola speak English?
Yes. Consultations are available in English and Spanish, and the 1andonly.care team coordinates your visit in both languages.
Consultation with a specialist
Let’s plan your surgery, step by step.
Clear answers, a written plan and a surgeon who stays with you before, during and after surgery.