Trust & Credentials

How to Evaluate a Gastric Sleeve Surgeon in Tijuana

Choosing a bariatric surgeon is a serious medical decision. This page outlines the credentials, accreditation, and outcome reporting patients should look for, and describes the documented background of Obesity Control Center (OCC) and its medical director, Dr. Ariel Ortiz.

Dr. Ariel Ortiz, MD, FACS, FASMBS

Dr. Ariel Ortiz is the founder and medical director of Obesity Control Center in Tijuana, Mexico. He is a board-certified general surgeon focused on bariatric and metabolic surgery, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (FASMBS). His program is widely cited in bariatric publications and professional society activity.

Inclusion of credentials is informational. Patients should independently verify any surgeon's licensure and current standing.

Obesity Control Center — clinical history

  • 25+ years of focused bariatric and metabolic surgery experience
  • 30,000+ procedures reported by the program
  • Dedicated bariatric hospital and clinical team
  • Robotic and laparoscopic bariatric surgery capability

Accreditation & quality recognition

  • JCI — Joint Commission International accredited hospital
  • SRC — Surgical Review Corporation Center of Excellence
  • GHA — Global Healthcare Accreditation for medical travel

Verification links: Sources & Verification → Accreditation.

Published outcomes

A peer-reviewed presentation at the ASMBS scientific meeting reported on 19,801 bariatric surgery patients treated at OCC, with 1.2% 30-day morbidity and no mortalities in the analyzed cohort. Published outcomes reflect that specific population, time period, and protocol. Individual outcomes vary and cannot be guaranteed.

Citation: Sources & Verification → Published OCC data.

Questions every prospective patient should ask

  • Is the hospital accredited by JCI or an equivalent body?
  • Is the program an SRC Center of Excellence?
  • How many sleeve gastrectomy procedures does the surgeon perform annually?
  • What complication and re-operation rates are reported?
  • What follow-up and aftercare are included?
  • What is the protocol if a complication occurs after returning home?

Request a Consultation

Speak with the program's patient education team to review your medical history, answer questions, and discuss next steps. Educational only — not a guarantee of candidacy or outcome.

Request Consultation

Submitting a request is not a guarantee of treatment, candidacy, pricing, or outcome.

Educational content only. This page does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations and does not guarantee any specific outcome. Individual results vary. Candidacy for any medical, surgical, endoscopic, or medication-based treatment must be determined by a qualified healthcare professional after individual evaluation.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Ariel Ortiz, MD, FACS, FASMBS. Last reviewed: June 2026.