Considering a gastric sleeve for weight loss? Understanding the costs involved is a crucial first step. This guide breaks down the expenses associated with a gastric sleeve procedure, factors influencing price, and potential financing options.
The gastric sleeve, also known as a sleeve gastrectomy, is a surgical weight-loss procedure where a large portion of the stomach is removed, leaving a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach. This restricts the amount of food you can eat, leading to weight loss. It’s a significant decision with potential benefits, but it’s essential to be aware of the financial commitment.
Average Cost of a Gastric Sleeve
The national average cost for a gastric sleeve in the United States typically ranges from $10,000 to $20,000.* This figure can fluctuate based on several factors that we will explore in detail below.
Factors Affecting Gastric Sleeve Cost
Several variables influence the total cost of a gastric sleeve procedure:
- Geographic Location: Costs vary significantly depending on where you live. Areas with higher costs of living generally have higher medical expenses.
- Surgeon’s Fees: The experience and reputation of the surgeon play a significant role. More experienced surgeons may charge higher fees.
- Anesthesia Fees: The type of anesthesia used and the duration of the surgery will affect the anesthesia fees.
- Hospital or Surgical Center Fees: Different facilities have different overhead costs, which are reflected in their fees.
- Pre-operative and Post-operative Care: Costs include consultations, medical tests, and follow-up appointments.
- Insurance Coverage: The extent of your insurance coverage significantly impacts your out-of-pocket expenses.
What’s Included in the Cost?
It’s important to understand what’s typically included in the quoted price for a gastric sleeve:
- Surgeon’s Fee: Covers the surgeon’s professional services.
- Anesthesiologist’s Fee: Covers the cost of anesthesia administration and monitoring.
- Facility Fee: Covers the use of the operating room, equipment, and nursing staff.
- Pre-operative Testing: Includes blood tests, EKG, and other necessary evaluations.
- Post-operative Care: Follow-up appointments and potential management of complications.
Be sure to clarify with your provider exactly what is included in their quoted price to avoid any unexpected expenses.
Insurance Coverage for Gastric Sleeve
Many insurance plans cover bariatric surgery, including gastric sleeve, if certain criteria are met. These criteria typically include:
- Body Mass Index (BMI): A BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea.
- Documentation of Previous Weight Loss Attempts: Evidence of unsuccessful attempts to lose weight through diet and exercise.
- Psychological Evaluation: To assess your readiness for the lifestyle changes required after surgery.
- Nutritional Counseling: To educate you on the necessary dietary adjustments.
It’s crucial to contact your insurance provider to understand your specific coverage details, including any deductibles, co-pays, or co-insurance amounts. UCLA Health provides resources to help patients understand bariatric surgery insurance coverage.1, 5
Medicare also covers bariatric surgery under certain conditions.6
Financing Options for Gastric Sleeve
If insurance doesn’t cover the full cost of the gastric sleeve, several financing options are available:
- Medical Loans: Specialized loans designed to cover medical expenses.
- CareCredit: A credit card specifically for healthcare expenses, offering promotional financing options.**
- Personal Loans: Unsecured loans from banks or credit unions.
- Payment Plans: Some surgical centers offer payment plans to spread the cost over time.
Additional Costs to Consider
Beyond the direct costs of the surgery, consider these additional expenses:
- Travel and Accommodation: If you’re traveling to a different city or state for the procedure.
- Special Dietary Needs: Post-surgery, you’ll need to follow a specific diet, which may involve purchasing protein shakes, vitamins, and other supplements. Baptist Health offers guidelines for the gastric sleeve diet.8
- Clothing: As you lose weight, you’ll likely need to purchase new clothes.
- Potential Complications: Although rare, complications can occur and may require additional medical care.
Preparing for Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Preparing for gastric sleeve surgery involves more than just the financial aspect. Temple Health outlines 10 steps to prepare for weight loss surgery, including lifestyle changes and psychological preparation.9
Life After Gastric Sleeve: Potential Side Effects
While gastric sleeve surgery can significantly improve health and quality of life, it’s crucial to be aware of potential side effects, such as dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome is a condition where food moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine and common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, dizziness, and fatigue. 10
It’s also important to consider the impact of bariatric surgery on pregnancy. Temple Health provides information on pregnancy after bariatric surgery.11
Conclusion
The cost of a gastric sleeve is a significant investment in your health and well-being. Understanding the factors that influence the price, exploring insurance coverage and financing options, and considering additional costs will help you make an informed decision. Consulting with a qualified surgeon and your insurance provider is essential to determine the best course of action for your individual circumstances.
* Actual cost may vary based on geography, provider and other variables. Cost information is based on research in the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, which was conducted by ASQ360° in 2024 on behalf of Synchrony’s CareCredit.
** Subject to credit approval.
Sources:
1 “Bariatric surgery: Gastric sleeve,” UCLA Health. Accessed September 26, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/surgery/bariatrics/gastric-sleeve
5 “Bariatric surgery: Insurance coverage,” UCLA Health. Accessed September 26, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/surgery/bariatrics/patient-resources/insurance-coverage
6 “Bariatric surgery,” Medicare.gov. Accessed September 26, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/bariatric-surgery
8 “Gastric sleeve diet: Pre-op and post-op guidelines,” Baptist Health. Accessed September 26, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.baptisthealth.com/care-services/conditions-treatments/gastric-sleeve-surgery/gastric-sleeve-diet-preop-and-postop-guidelines
9 Ripley-Hager, Charis. “10 steps to prepare for weight loss surgery,” Temple Health. May 24, 2023. Retrieved from: https://www.templehealth.org/about/blog/how-to-prepare-for-bariatric-surgery-10-steps
10 Hui, Channing et al. “Dumping syndrome,” StatPearls. June 26, 2023. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470542/
11 Ripley-Hager, Charis. “Pregnancy after bariatric surgery: 7 things to know,” Temple Health. March 7, 2023. Retrieved from: https://www.templehealth.org/about/blog/pregnancy-after-bariatric-surgery
