Da Vinci Robotic Bariatric Surgery in Bogotá
The 3-incision robotic technique pioneered in Colombia — performed by the only two bariatric surgeons in the country trained on the Da Vinci surgical system. At Country Hospital since 2018.
What is Da Vinci robotic surgery?
Da Vinci is a surgeon-controlled robotic system — not an autonomous robot. The surgeon sits at a console a few meters from the operating table, with hands on two master controls that translate every motion into the movement of four articulated arms inside the patient's abdomen. The system filters out involuntary hand tremor and scales movements down to millimeter precision.
For bariatric surgery, this means the same procedures you would have done laparoscopically — gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, revision — performed through smaller incisions, with finer instrument control, and a 3D high-definition view that magnifies tissue up to 10×.
Why 3 incisions matters — and why only we do it in Colombia
Traditional laparoscopic bariatric surgery requires 5 incisions. The 3-incision Da Vinci technique pioneered by our surgeons reduces that to three small ports — without compromising surgical access or safety.
Traditional laparoscopic
Five incisions across the upper abdomen, ranging 5-12mm each. Standard worldwide.
Da Vinci 3-incision (our technique)
Three small ports. Same surgical access, less tissue trauma, less visible scarring, less pain at incision sites in the first 48 hours.
This 3-incision approach to robotic bariatric surgery has been our standard at Country Hospital in Bogotá since 2018 — making us pioneers of this technique in Colombia.
Two surgeons in Colombia trained on the Da Vinci system
Da Vinci certification is not standard in Colombian bariatric training. Both of our certified surgeons trained internationally and have been performing robotic bariatric procedures together at Country Hospital for over six years.
Dr. Rubén Luna
- Da Vinci training at Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX
- 18+ years and 2,000+ bariatric procedures
- Head of General Surgery and Renal Transplant at Clínica Shaio
- Pioneer of the 3-incision Da Vinci bariatric technique in Colombia
Dr. Felipe Bernal
- Da Vinci certified robotic bariatric surgeon
- 10+ years and 1,000+ bariatric patients
- Associate professor at Universidad El Bosque, leading the GICS minimally invasive surgery research line
- Robotic bariatric program at Country Hospital since 2018
Bariatric procedures we perform with the Da Vinci system
Every primary bariatric procedure in our program is available in laparoscopic and Da Vinci robotic versions. Same outcomes, different precision and pricing tier — the choice is yours, made together with the surgeon.
Gastric Sleeve (Robotic)
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy performed through 3 ports. Same restrictive mechanism (75-80% stomach removed), with millimeter-precise stapling and a 3D view of the gastric anatomy.
Learn about gastric sleeve →Gastric Bypass (Robotic)
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with robotic stapling and suturing of the gastric pouch and intestinal anastomosis. Robotic precision is most visible at the anastomosis level.
Learn about gastric bypass →Revision Bariatric Surgery (Robotic)
This is where the Da Vinci shines. Revision surgery means working through scar tissue from a previous operation — the robotic articulation and 3D vision make a real surgical difference in these cases.
Learn about revision surgery →What changes for you with Da Vinci
Robotic surgery is not magic and not for every patient. But for the patients it fits, here is what tends to improve.
Faster physical recovery
Less tissue trauma at the abdominal wall. Most patients walk within 6 hours of surgery and are discharged after 1 night in hospital. Return to light activity in days, not weeks.
Smaller, less visible scars
Three small ports instead of five. The difference is visible even at the one-month follow-up — most scars fade to thin pale lines under clothing within a year.
Less postoperative pain
Less abdominal wall trauma generally translates to less pain at the incision sites in the first 48 hours. Most international patients describe it as "manageable with oral medication" rather than "narcotic-level".
Enhanced precision in tight anatomy
The wristed instruments and 10× magnification matter most in revision cases, high-BMI patients where intra-abdominal space is limited, and any anatomy that needs careful dissection.
Same surgeons, full multidisciplinary team
You don't get a different program because you choose robotic. Same surgeons, same anesthesia team, same 12-month post-op follow-up with nutrition, psychology and medical support.
Laparoscopic vs. Da Vinci robotic — pricing
Robotic surgery has a higher tier than laparoscopic. The price difference reflects the cost of the Da Vinci system, instrument disposables, and the surgical time premium. Same surgeon, same hospital, same 12-month accompaniment in both versions.
| Procedure | Laparoscopic (USD) | Da Vinci robotic (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Gastric Sleeve | $7,800 | $10,300 |
| Gastric Bypass | $7,800 | $12,000 |
| Revision Surgery | $7,800 | $12,500 |
All prices are all-inclusive packages covering surgeon and anesthesia fees, 1 night private hospital, pre-op evaluation, and the 12-month follow-up program. Flights and hotel are separate.
Yes, robotic surgery has risks too. No, you won't face them alone.
Robotic precision reduces some specific complications (less tissue trauma, less bleeding at the abdominal wall, fewer marginal ulcers in bypass) but it does not eliminate surgical risk. The risk profile of robotic bariatric surgery is comparable to laparoscopic — what changes is what surrounds the procedure.
Frequently asked questions about Da Vinci bariatric surgery
Is robotic surgery actually safer than laparoscopic?
Who is the ideal candidate for robotic versus laparoscopic?
Why is robotic more expensive?
How many surgeons in Colombia perform Da Vinci bariatric surgery?
Is the robot doing the surgery autonomously?
Will the scars really be smaller?
Does Da Vinci affect the long-term weight loss outcome?
Can I choose between laparoscopic and Da Vinci?
Ready to discuss whether Da Vinci is right for you?
One private virtual consultation. We review your medical history, BMI, and anatomy — and recommend the procedure and technique that fits, with transparent pricing both ways.
Book my virtual consultation →