Angels Abroad

Angels Abroad is a Guatemala City-based medical tourism coordination company that helps international patients — primarily from the United States and Canada — access high-quality, affordable medical procedures in Guatemala. As an active member of the Medical Tourism Association (MTA), Angels Abroad operates to established professional standards in medical travel facilitation, providing guidance, logistics support, and in-country care coordination for patients who wish to undergo surgery or other medical treatments in Guatemala.

The company was founded with an understanding of the concerns that prospective medical tourists feel when planning a treatment trip abroad — concerns about quality, safety, language barriers, and logistics. Angels Abroad positions itself as a full-service concierge operation that removes those barriers by handling every aspect of the medical travel experience, from initial consultation and surgeon selection through post-operative recovery and return-home planning.

Guatemala has emerged as a practical destination for US-based medical tourists, particularly for bariatric surgery, cosmetic procedures, dental work, and orthopedic care. Its proximity to the southern United States (approximately 3–5 hours by air from Miami, Houston, Dallas, or Los Angeles), combined with healthcare costs that are typically 50–70% lower than equivalent US prices, make it an appealing option for self-pay patients and those with high deductibles.

Angels Abroad is based in Guatemala City and provides its coordination services for a range of facilities in the city, including Las Americas Hospital, which serves as a key partner for surgical procedures. The company serves as a trusted point of contact for international patients before, during, and after their medical trip, including post-trip follow-up coordination with US-based physicians.

Angels Abroad facilitates access to a broad range of medical and surgical procedures for international patients in Guatemala City. Bariatric and metabolic surgery is a primary area of focus, with the company coordinating gastric sleeve (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy), gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y), mini gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band (lap band), and duodenal switch procedures through its accredited bariatric surgeon partner, Dr. Rodrigo Gonzalez — a US board-certified bariatric surgeon supported by a US board-certified multidisciplinary bariatric team.

Cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures coordinated include rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, facelifts, liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), breast augmentation, breast reduction, and gynecomastia surgery. Dental procedures include dental implants, crowns and bridges, veneers, full-mouth reconstruction, and orthodontic treatments.

Orthopedic procedures including knee and hip replacement, joint arthroscopy, and spine surgery are available through partner hospitals in Guatemala City. Ophthalmology services including LASIK and cataract surgery, as well as gynecological procedures, are also coordinated where patients require them.

The company provides patients with detailed information about their chosen procedure, introduces them to the specific surgeon who will perform their surgery, and facilitates direct communication — including free-of-charge video or phone consultations between the patient and surgeon prior to travel — so that patients are fully informed before committing to a procedure.

Angels Abroad coordinates with accredited private hospital facilities in Guatemala City for all surgical procedures, principally Las Americas Hospital. Las Americas Hospital is a modern private medical facility in Guatemala City equipped with contemporary surgical suites, intensive care units, digital diagnostic imaging, and a full range of clinical laboratory services. The hospital offers comfortable recovery rooms and private suites for patients recuperating after surgery, reflecting its focus on providing a quality, reassuring environment for both domestic and international patients.

Surgical procedures are performed in fully equipped operating theatres with qualified anesthesiologists, nursing staff, and post-operative care teams. Diagnostic services available at partner facilities include CT scanning, MRI, digital X-ray, ultrasound, and comprehensive clinical pathology. Emergency care capabilities are available at partner hospital facilities for any post-operative complications, providing an additional layer of safety for international patients.

Angels Abroad manages all aspects of the in-Guatemala logistical experience, providing airport reception, ground transportation to and from medical appointments, a dedicated concierge available by mobile phone throughout the stay, and assistance with tours or leisure activities if the patient wishes to explore Guatemala during their recovery period. Recovery accommodation is arranged in comfortable hotels or apartments near the hospital facility, suited to the patient's recovery requirements and budget.

International patient coordination is the core service offered by Angels Abroad. The company specializes in supporting patients from the United States and Canada who wish to access medical care in Guatemala at significantly lower cost than in their home countries. From the first point of contact, Angels Abroad provides prospective patients with comprehensive information about the procedures available, the surgeons and facilities that will be used, and realistic cost estimates covering all components of the trip.

Pre-travel services include facilitating direct surgeon consultations (via video call or telephone, provided free of charge), providing the surgeon's CV and hospital documentation for patient review, assisting with pre-operative medical testing requirements, and answering questions about what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.

During the Guatemala stay, the company provides airport pickup, concierge services with a dedicated contact available by mobile phone, transportation to all medical appointments, interpretation assistance, and personal accompaniment throughout the hospital admission and discharge process. Angels Abroad helps patients navigate the entire local healthcare experience without language or logistical barriers.

Post-operatively, the company coordinates discharge documentation, provides written post-operative care instructions, and assists with communication with the patient's home physician or follow-up care team in the US or Canada. The company's phone and email support continues after the patient returns home, ensuring that any post-operative questions or concerns are addressed promptly.

Angels Abroad is an active member of the Medical Tourism Association (MTA), the world's leading international non-profit organization for the medical tourism and global healthcare industry. MTA membership demonstrates a commitment to transparency, patient safety, ethical practice, and international standards in medical travel facilitation. MTA members are required to adhere to the organization's code of ethics and best practice guidelines for medical tourism service providers.

The company operates within the legal and regulatory framework of Guatemala, under the oversight of the Guatemalan Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social — MSPAS), which regulates private medical facilities and healthcare service providers in the country. Partner hospitals and surgeons used by Angels Abroad hold appropriate Guatemalan Ministry of Health certifications and professional medical licenses.

The bariatric surgery program specifically features Dr. Rodrigo Gonzalez, who holds US board certification in bariatric surgery and leads a multidisciplinary bariatric team certified to US board standards. This US-certified credential provides international patients with reassurance that the clinical team delivering their procedure meets rigorous training and competency standards beyond the Guatemalan minimum requirements.