Bariatric surgery assessment and requirements in Medellín
Consultation with the bariatric surgeon from COP 150,000 to COP 300,000, in person or by video
The assessment is the first step of any bariatric surgery: the surgeon reviews your BMI, your related conditions and your history, and determines whether surgery is an option and which tests you need. At MDE Care we show you the requirements and the cost of each consultation and test before you begin, and we coordinate the entire process with the team in Medellín.
BMI 35
or more, with a related condition
6 stages
from consultation to surgery
4 to 8 wks.
until your surgery date
4 tests
basic tests before surgery
In person or by video
the first assessment
Do you meet the requirements for bariatric surgery?
Compare your case with the criteria the bariatric surgeon uses. We show you what you already meet, what is missing and which tests your assessment usually requires.
1. Your height and weight
Your BMI
42.2
Class III obesity
2. Do you have any weight-related condition?
You can select several, diagnosed or suspected.
3. Do any of these situations apply to you?
They do not rule out the assessment, but they change the preparation or the technique.
4. Your age
5. Have you tried to lose weight before?
6. Can you commit to follow-up care?
Visits with the surgeon at months 1, 3, 6 and 12 and then every year, and with nutrition every 1 to 3 months.
7. Do you currently have any of these conditions?
These are the contraindications for bariatric surgery.
Your result
Your body mass index
42.2
Meets the criteriaYou meet the criteria for an assessment with the bariatric surgeon
According to the published criteria, your case meets what is needed for the bariatric surgeon to review it. The indication is confirmed at the assessment, with your test results.
What you already meet
- BMI of 42.2: you meet the weight criterion, which is 40 or more.
- Commitment to follow-up care.
- Age between 18 and 65.
- Previous attempts without lasting results.
What is missing or needs preparation
- Nothing from what you selected. The surgeon confirms it with your test results.
First step
COP 150,000 to COP 300,000
Assessment consultation with the bariatric surgeon, in person or by video.
Your assessment would include
Surgeon, nutrition, lab tests, electrocardiogram, upper endoscopy and anesthesia assessment.
* Guidance only, based on the published criteria for bariatric surgery. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace the judgment of the bariatric surgeon, who decides at the assessment based on your medical history and test results.
How much do the assessment and pre-surgery tests cost?
Each consultation and each test, with its reference cost in Medellín and the total. If you used the guide, the additional tests the surgeon could order are shown separately.
How would you prefer your first consultation?
The assessment with the surgeon, the nutrition consultation and the tests are coordinated in Medellín.
Do you already have any of these tests, done recently?
It is deducted from the total. The surgeon confirms at the assessment whether it can be used.
Who sees you at the assessment
Bariatric surgeon
Indicates the surgery and the technique
Nutrition
Pre-surgery plan
Internal medicine
If you have diabetes or high blood pressure
Anesthesiology
Anesthesia assessment
Afterward, surgery is priced separately
They include surgery, anesthesia, about one day in the hospital and post-surgery follow-up visits.
Your assessment
Consultations and tests, estimated cost
COP 1,015,000 to COP 1,365,000
Plus lab tests, which are defined at the assessment.
Between the first consultation and surgery there are usually 4 to 8 weeks.
* Reference costs in Medellín checked in October 2026; they vary by center. The tests you need are determined by the bariatric surgeon at the assessment, based on your case.
The 6 stages of the process, and what you can do remotely
If you are coming from another city or country, part of the process is handled before you travel. The stages marked in green can be done by video or telehealth.
- 1
Step 1 · Bariatric surgeon
Surgical assessment
The surgeon reviews your BMI, your related conditions and your history, and tells you whether surgery is an option and which tests you need.
Can be by video - 2
Step 2 · Nutrition
Nutritional assessment and pre-surgery plan
Body measurements and body composition, eating history, review of lab results and the diet plan for the 2 to 4 weeks before surgery.
Can be by telehealth - 3
Step 3 · Tests and anesthesiology
Pre-surgery tests
Lab tests, electrocardiogram, upper endoscopy and anesthesia assessment. Sometimes, an echocardiogram or a polysomnography.
Coordinated by the team - 4
Step 4 · Internal medicine
Medical optimization
If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, internal medicine adjusts your treatment so you reach surgery in the best possible condition.
Only if it applies to your case - 5
Step 5 · Surgeon and anesthesiologist
Surgery
Laparoscopic, under general anesthesia, at a high-complexity clinic. The hospital stay is usually about one day.
In Medellín - 6
Step 6 · Surgeon and nutrition
Follow-up
With the surgeon at months 1, 3, 6 and 12 and then every year; with nutrition every 1 to 3 months, plus follow-up lab tests.
By telehealth if you live elsewhere
Before traveling, from home: the 2 to 4 week pre-surgery diet, quitting smoking 6 to 8 weeks before and any medication adjustments the team indicates.
For your recovery in Medellín: you can stay at a recovery house with nursing care, from COP 759,900 per night or USD 270 at the international rate.
What a bariatric assessment is
It is the consultation in which the bariatric surgeon confirms whether surgery is an option for you. With your height and weight the surgeon obtains your BMI and reviews your related conditions, your previous attempts to lose weight and whether there is any contraindication.
If surgery is indicated, the surgeon explains which technique suits your case and orders the pre-surgery tests. The assessment is not just a consultation: it is the start of teamwork with nutrition, internal medicine and anesthesiology that continues after surgery.
Reflux also matters
Severe reflux does not rule out the assessment, but it guides the technique: with severe reflux the surgeon usually suggests a gastric bypass instead of the sleeve. If you already had bariatric surgery, the assessment is for revision surgery.
Bariatric surgeon
Performs the surgical assessment, defines the technique, operates and handles the follow-up visits at months 1, 3, 6 and 12, and then every year.
Nutrition
Measures your body composition, reviews your eating history and lab results, and builds the plan before and after surgery. Learn about bariatric nutrition.
Internal medicine
Optimizes the treatment of diabetes or high blood pressure before surgery.
Anesthesiology
Performs the anesthesia assessment, because bariatric surgery is done under general anesthesia.
Requirements for bariatric surgery
Body mass index is the first criterion, but not the only one. These are the ones the surgeon reviews.
BMI 40
or more
Meets the weight criterion even without related conditions.
BMI 35
or more, with a related condition
Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea or another.
BMI 30 to 35
with a metabolic disease
Evaluated individually, for example with type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol or triglycerides.
The 2022 joint ASMBS/IFSO guideline recommends surgery with a BMI of 35 or more, with or without related conditions, and considering it with a BMI of 30 to 34.9 if there is metabolic disease.
Besides BMI
- Previous attempts to lose weight without lasting results.
- Age between 18 and 65; other cases are evaluated.
- Commitment to follow-up with the surgeon and with nutrition.
It may be ruled out by
- An active eating disorder.
- An uncontrolled psychiatric illness.
- Active use of alcohol or other substances.
- Inability to comply with follow-up.
Do not meet the criteria? Learn about non-surgical weight loss treatment.
Which tests are required before bariatric surgery
Four tests are required for all patients. Two others are added only in some cases, when the surgeon orders them.
Lab tests
Always
Blood tests defined by the surgeon.
Defined at the assessment
Electrocardiogram
Always
Recording of the electrical activity of the heart.
COP 30,000 to COP 55,000
Upper endoscopy
Always
Examination of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum with a camera, under sedation.
About COP 550,000
Anesthesia assessment
Always
Consultation with the anesthesiologist before general anesthesia.
COP 100,000 to COP 180,000
Echocardiogram
Sometimes, depending on your case
Ultrasound of the heart.
COP 180,000 to COP 280,000
Polysomnography
Sometimes, depending on your case
Sleep study that records your breathing during the night.
COP 650,000 to COP 950,000
With diabetes or high blood pressure, optimization with internal medicine is added. See the details of the sleep study, the electrocardiogram and the endoscopy in Medellín.
How to prepare and which risks are reduced
Preparation begins after the assessment and is part of the safety of surgery.
Pre-surgery diet for 2 to 4 weeks
Low in calories and high in protein, to reduce fatty liver by 20 to 30%.
Medication adjustments
Blood thinners, anti-inflammatories and some diabetes medications are stopped, as indicated by the team. Do not stop them on your own.
No smoking for 6 to 8 weeks before
Smoking increases the risk of leaks and lung complications after surgery.
About the assessment and the requirements
How much does a bariatric surgery assessment cost in Medellín?
What are the requirements for bariatric surgery?
Which tests are required before bariatric surgery?
How long does it take from the consultation to surgery?
Can I have the assessment by video call?
What prevents someone from having bariatric surgery?
How should I prepare for bariatric surgery?
What happens if I do not meet the requirements for surgery?
Do you meet the requirements and want to know which technique suits you?
The bariatric surgery guide compares your case with every option, with and without surgery.
The options the surgeon may recommend
Request your bariatric assessment in Medellín
Tell us your height, your weight, your related conditions and whether you prefer the consultation in person or by video. We coordinate the assessment with the bariatric surgeon and the tests you need.