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Dr. Ariel Ortiz Lagardere is internationally recognized as one of the leading authorities in the surgical treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases. His career has been marked by an unwavering dedication to saving lives, transforming bodies, and dignifying those struggling with obesity.
With over 25 years of surgical experience and thousands of procedures performed, his ethical, humanistic, and deeply scientific approach has positioned him as a pioneer in his field, an outstanding physician, and a mentor to generations of bariatric surgeons across the continent.
From the beginning of his training, Dr. Ortiz stood out for his commitment to medicine. He graduated with honors from the Faculty of Medicine at the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), earning the top rank in his class and receiving the prestigious A.H. Robbins Award, presented by the President of Mexico to the top-performing medical student nationwide.
He later specialized in General Surgery at IMSS Regional Hospital No. 1 in Sonora, followed by advanced studies in laparoscopic and bariatric surgery in Mexico City and the United States.
Dr. Ortiz is certified by the Mexican Board of General Surgery and the Mexican College of Surgery for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases, and he is a distinguished member of multiple prestigious international organizations.
As the founder and director of the Obesity Control Center® (OCC) in Tijuana, Mexico, Dr. Ortiz has transformed his center into a world reference for safe and ethical medical tourism, treating thousands of patients from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Latin America.
His center has been awarded the "Center of Excellence in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery" certification, helping position Mexico as a global leader in weight-loss surgical procedures.
Dr. Ortiz also serves as Medical Director of the International Institute of Metabolic Medicine (IIMM) and Director of the Academy of Surgical Innovation (ASI), leading high-impact educational and technological projects.
Among his major contributions to bariatric surgery, Dr. Ortiz has:
Developed the “Stomach Sparing Gastric Sleeve®” technique, which eliminates the need for staples or implantable devices, offering a less invasive and safer solution.
Pioneered the swallowable gastric balloon, a technique now widely adopted worldwide as a non-surgical weight-loss method.
Was the first to perform the placement of a gastric band over a failed bypass, which has since become an internationally standardized technique.
Served as a scientific and clinical advisor for leading medical companies, including Medtronic, Ethicon, Obalon, Karl Storz, and Allergan.
Dr. Ortiz has been a professor at UABC’s Faculty of Medicine and a guest lecturer at renowned universities, including Mount Sinai, NYU, UCLA, Cleveland Clinic, and Mayo Clinic.
He has trained over 400 bariatric surgeons across the Americas, many of whom now lead specialized obesity clinics and hospitals.
Additionally, he acts as an evaluator and clinical mentor for certification and standardization programs in bariatric surgery in both Mexico and the U.S.
Dr. Ortiz doesn’t just operate on stomachs—he transforms lives. His humanistic approach places the patient at the center of every decision. He firmly believes that obesity is a disease that deserves respect, science, and compassion, and that every surgical intervention is an opportunity for a human being to regain their health, self-esteem, and life purpose.