Cost of Gastric Sleeve Surgery
What is the cost of gastric sleeve surgery?
The cost of gastric sleeve surgery is a significant financial consideration. Individuals who are looking into the procedure want to know how much it will cost; however, there is not one set price to pay for any type of bariatric procedure. The amount will vary from patient to patient.
On average, in the United States, a person can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 for gastric sleeve surgery. In comparison, the average cost of lap band surgery is $15,000 to $25,000 and the average cost of gastric bypass surgery is $20,000 to $35,000.
Factors which can affect the overall cost of gastric sleeve surgery include:
- Geographic location (cost can vary greatly by region)
- Bariatric surgeon (experience and level of training)
- Type of surgical facility (hospital/in-patient or surgery center/out-patient)
- Rating of surgical facility (is it a designated Center of Excellence?)
- Length of stay, if in hospital
- Type of surgery (laparoscopic or open)
- Level of care (pre-op exams, post-op treatment and aftercare)
- Complications
General Costs of Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Many factors affect the overall cost of gastric sleeve surgery - some of them you can plan for and some of them you cannot. From pre-op exams to level of post-op care, it is important to consider all relevant fees and potential expenses.
Although your bariatric surgeon will discuss the usual fees and services associated with gastric sleeve surgery, the total cost will only be an estimate as all factors are not known until surgery and recovery are complete.
Baseline estimates can vary as complications may arise or added services may be needed that change the baseline estimate. Also, many of the fees and expenses related to surgery may not be billed through the surgeon's office, but directly from other medical providers, such as the anesthesiologist, hospital, and medical lab.
Some of the fees and services associated with gastric sleeve surgery:
- Bariatric surgeon fee
- Surgical facility fee
- Anesthesia fees
- Pre-surgery appointments and testing (lab, X-ray fees, psych exam)
- Follow-up medical appointments
- Nutritionist/dietician appointments
- Exercise program and/or physical therapist appointments
- Behavioral/psychological counseling
- Travel expenses
Comparing Cost of Gastric Sleeve Surgery
When comparing cost of gastric sleeve surgery between bariatric providers, make sure you find out what fees are included or not included in the quoted price. Some bariatric providers offer a package price that covers all appointments from pre-surgery to extended follow-up care, while others quote a flat fee for surgery and bill separately for any additional services. Pre-surgery screening and aftercare is an important part of the process, but not always included in the cost of surgery.
The amount you pay the bariatric surgeon will also affect the overall cost, but can affect surgical outcomes and weight loss results as well. A surgeon who is board certified, highly skilled and has more experience will probably have higher fees, but will also have a better record of successful results. Don't compromise on safety - make sure you don't base your decision on cost alone when choosing a bariatric surgeon.
