gastric bypass cost header graphic
Gastric Bypass Guide

weight loss example image

Estimating The True Total Cost Of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is not cheap and, unfortunately, many people choose to undergo surgery knowing the baseline cost but overlooking the fact that a variety of factors, frequently outside of their control, will result in the cost being far higher than they had expected by the time they are finished.

Gastric bypass surgery involves much more than merely the operation itself. In the majority of cases it will also involve extensive pre-operative counseling and many surgical centers require you to undertake a pre-treatment program before approving your surgery. Additionally, most patients will require a period of follow-up nutritional and dietary counseling. These two items can add considerably to the final cost of any weight loss surgery.

You also need to consider the risk of complications arising, which may require additional surgery and hospitalization or outpatient treatment.

All gastric bypass surgery patients will suffer some complications which will vary from minor problems which are easily treated to serious complications which result in further surgery and hospitalization for perhaps several days. Once again, complications can add very considerably to the cost of gastric bypass surgery and can even end up doubling the cost.

Finally, you need to consider is whether or not your insurer will meet your costs. A growing number of insurance companies are covering weight loss surgery today but there are still all too many policies which exclude obesity treatment. Further, where a policy does cover obesity treatment, you may find that there a number of conditions detailing exactly what they will and what will not pay for. Your policy might for example limit cover to certain types of surgery (like the Roux-en-Y procedure) and only cover the cost of the operation itself.

Surgical centers will ordinarily give you advice on insurance cover and will often even contact your insurance company for you to ask whether or not your insurance company would pay a claim for your intended surgery.

However, you should view this as simply advice and protect yourself against problems at a later date by writing to your insurance company yourself and obtaining their written confirmation of your cover in advance of any treatment.

In writing to your insurer you need to ascertain the full extent of your cover, including cover for pre and post-surgical counseling and treatment and in the event of complications.

The basic price for weight loss surgery typically runs from about $15,000 to $35,000 depending upon the nature of the operation you are considering and where your surgery is going to be carried out. However, the final cost of gastric bypass surgery is likely to be quite a bit higher than this basic cost.

In short - do your homework and do not commit yourself to surgery until you are happy that you can comfortably meet the final price which you may have to pay.

Did you know that you may be able to claim tax relief for weight loss surgery?

The Inland Revenue Service (IRS) may give tax relief in certain circumstances to people who are required to pay out-of-pocket expenses for weight loss programs.

The latest news about gastric bypass surgery:

Diabetes news: More drug deaths, healing with oats and gastric bypass - CalorieLab Calorie Counter News


Diabetes news: More drug deaths, healing with oats and gastric bypass
CalorieLab Calorie Counter News, NV - Aug 27, 2008
A controversial doctor says he can cure diabetes by giving people gastric bypass surgery. New York surgeon Francesco Rubino says people who get gastric ...

Weight loss, 'body lift' ends woman's bumpy ride through surgeries - Pittsburgh Post Gazette


Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Weight loss, 'body lift' ends woman's bumpy ride through surgeries
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, PA - Aug 27, 2008
They include: timing, preferably at least 12 to 18 months past gastric bypass surgery; a BMI, or body mass index, as close to goal as possible but ...

Obesity surgery numbers skyrocket: study - The Age


Obesity surgery numbers skyrocket: study
The Age, Australia - Aug 16, 2008
"Patients who underwent the less common gastric bypass procedure were more likely to be readmitted within 30 days of their operation. ...
Weight loss surgery escalates in WA ABC Online
Sacramento Plastic Surgeons Co-Sponsoring Obesity Treatment Conference Emediawire (press release)
all 37 news articles

Google