Bariatric & Metabolic
Surgeon in Mexico
Meet Dr. José Antonio Castañeda Cruz
With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. José Castañeda has helped patients from Mexico, the
United States, Canada, and around the world achieve safe, lasting weight loss and improve their
overall health.
His approach combines surgical precision, international training, and compassionate care,
supporting each patient throughout their entire journey.
International Experience
& Professional Affiliations
Dr. Castañeda is a member of some of the world’s leading medical and surgical organizations:
30,000+
More Than 30,000 Patients Treated
Throughout his career, Dr. Castañeda has performed more than 30,000 weight-loss procedures, helping thousands of people improve their health, mobility, and quality of life.
A Case That
Made History
Dr. Castañeda led the surgery of the world’s heaviest recorded man, who weighed 595 kg (1,311 lbs). This highly complex case received international attention and became a landmark in the field of bariatric surgery.
Biography & Experience
A Life Dedicated to Transforming Health
Dr. Castañeda has dedicated his professional life to helping patients overcome obesity and
diabetes—two of the most challenging health conditions of our time.
His training includes international education alongside leaders in bariatric and laparoscopic
surgery, including an advanced fellowship in Barcelona under the guidance of Prof. Carlos
Ballesta, a world-renowned pioneer in minimally invasive surgery.
Education & Specialized Training
International Training
Medical Degree — Universidad de Guadalajara (1994–2000)
Bariatric Surgery Training in Barcelona, Buenos Aires, and Brazil (gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric bypass)
Residency in General Surgery — Hospital General Dr. Salvador Zubirán (2000–2005)
Advanced Bariatric Surgery Course — IFSO World Congress, Buenos Aires (2008)
Diploma in Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery — Hospital Torre Médica, Mexico City (2005–2006)
Advanced Endoscopic Surgery — Ethicon Endosurgery Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio (2008)
Advanced Fellowship in Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery — Centro Laparoscópico de Barcelona (Teknon), Spain (2006)
Biography & Experience
A Life Dedicated to Transforming Health
Dr. Castañeda has dedicated his professional life to helping patients overcome obesity and
diabetes—two of the most challenging health conditions of our time.
His training includes international education alongside leaders in bariatric and laparoscopic
surgery, including an advanced fellowship in Barcelona under the guidance of Prof. Carlos
Ballesta, a world-renowned pioneer in minimally invasive surgery.
Education & Specialized Training
Medical Degree — Universidad de Guadalajara (1994–2000)
Residency in General Surgery — Hospital General Dr. Salvador Zubirán (2000–2005)
Diploma in Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery — Hospital Torre Médica, Mexico City (2005–2006)
Advanced Fellowship in Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery — Centro Laparoscópico de Barcelona (Teknon), Spain (2006)
International Training
Bariatric Surgery Training in Barcelona, Buenos Aires, and Brazil (gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric bypass)
Advanced Bariatric Surgery Course — IFSO World Congress, Buenos Aires (2008)
Advanced Endoscopic Surgery — Ethicon Endosurgery Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio (2008)
Patient Transformation
Changing Lives, One Step at a Time
Throughout his career, Dr. Castañeda has supported thousands of patients through profound
transformations—not only physically, but also in their overall health and emotional well-being.
His commitment goes beyond surgery. His focus is on achieving sustainable results and helping
each patient improve their quality of life.
- Personalized support
- Better quality of life
Real Stories. Real Results.
Explore the stories of patients who have improved their health, well-being, and quality of life with the support and guidance of Dr. Castañeda.
Important Notice: Before-and-after images are provided for informational purposes and feature actual patients who have provided consent for their use. Results may vary from patient to patient. All surgical procedures involve risks and require a medical evaluation by a qualified specialist.
Medical tourism
Specialized Care for Local & International Patients
Dr. José Castañeda provides safe and effective solutions for weight loss and diabetes treatment,
with a personalized approach and compassionate support throughout every stage of the process.
His team works to ensure that every patient feels informed, supported, and confident, with the
goal of achieving lasting results and a better quality of life.
Featured Clinical Case
One of the Most Complex Obesity Cases in the World
Dr. Castañeda is internationally recognized for treating Juan Pedro Franco, a Mexican patient
who was reported by the media as the world’s heaviest man.
Through multiple bariatric procedures, he achieved significant weight loss, demonstrating the
medical, technical, and human expertise of the team in managing highly complex cases.
Note: Information presented from media reports and external publications is provided for
informational purposes only.
Hospital & Medical Care
Experience, Precision & Confidence in Every Procedure
With more than 20 years of experience and thousands of patients treated, Dr. Castañeda provides care built on real-world results, safety, and ongoing support.
Every procedure reflects years of specialized experience and continuous refinement, with a
commitment to providing the highest level of care at every stage of the patient journey.
Advanced Treatments for Your Health
Effective Solutions to Help You Lose Weight and Improve Your Quality of Life
Location
Obesity Center at Hospital CMQ Riviera Nayarit
Located in Bahía de Banderas, Hospital CMQ Riviera Nayarit is one of the region’s most modern
medical facilities.
The hospital offers 24/7 medical care, bilingual staff, an emergency department, an intensive care
unit, and private rooms with ocean views, providing a safe, comfortable, high-quality environment for both local and international patients.