South America

Patients from Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and across South America see Dr. Nestor de la Cruz-Muñoz in Miami, with care in Spanish.

Besides Colombia, Venezuela and Bolivia, which have their own pages, Dr. Nestor de la Cruz-Muñoz also sees patients from other South American countries. Flight times range from about four hours to nine, so care is organized around one trip to Miami, with the consultation and follow-up done by video.

Why patients travel from South America

Revisions. Weight regain, reflux, ulcers or other problems after an earlier operation, including surgery done in another country. See revisional bariatric surgery.
Weight-loss and metabolic surgery. Sleeve, bypass, SADI-S and duodenal switch. See bariatric and metabolic surgery.
Reflux and hiatal hernia. Anti-reflux surgery, hiatal and paraesophageal hernia repair and redo and revisional foregut surgery.
Care in Spanish. Dr. de la Cruz-Muñoz is fluent in Spanish and our office team speaks Spanish. Patients from Brazil, Guyana and Suriname can be seen in English or Spanish.
Experience. More than 25 years in practice, more than 9,000 bariatric operations and over 15,000 minimally invasive procedures.

Countries covered by this page

Ecuador. Quito and Guayaquil, about 4 hours nonstop.
Peru. Lima, about 5½ to 6 hours nonstop.
Brazil. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities, about 8 hours nonstop from São Paulo.
Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Buenos Aires, Santiago and Montevideo, about 8½ to 9 hours nonstop or with one connection. Chilean citizens may be able to travel with an ESTA instead of a visa.
Paraguay. Asunción, usually with one connection.
Guyana and Suriname. Georgetown and Paramaribo, with nonstop or one-stop flights.

Flight times are approximate; check current schedules with your airline.

How the process works

Video consultation. In Spanish or English. Send your history and any prior operative reports first.
Testing at home. Labs, imaging and clearances with your doctors at home whenever possible, so you only travel once; our team sends orders and reviews results.
Passport and visa. You need a valid passport and, depending on your nationality, a U.S. visa or ESTA. The B-2 visitor visa covers travel for medical treatment.
7 to 9 days in Miami. Arrive the day before surgery, spend one night in the hospital, and plan 7 to 9 days in Miami in total (3 to 5 days for a shorter procedure), with a follow-up visit before your flight home once you are cleared. Bring a companion for the first 24 to 48 hours.
Follow-up from home. Video visits at about 1 week, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and then yearly, with labs coordinated through your local doctor.

If you have a problem after you return home, go to the nearest hospital and ask them to contact our team. See the out-of-town patient guide and the Miami Bariatric Destination Program.

Insurance and payment

Most patients from South America pay directly (self-pay), and our team provides a quote before you travel. If you have international health insurance, check whether it covers surgery in the United States and whether pre-approval is needed; we provide the documentation for reimbursement. Contact our office about payment options.

Contact our office

Book a video consultation in Spanish or English. Our office team speaks Spanish, and Dr. de la Cruz-Muñoz is fluent in Spanish, so you can call and write in whichever language you prefer.