Weight Loss Surgery Cost without Insurance – Overview
Obesity is a serious issue. Being overweight brings with it several problems, including some obesity-related disorders, such as cardiac problems, type 2 diabetes, breathing problems, high blood pressure, and even cancer in some cases. It is extremely vital to lose excess weight.
However, morbidly obese persons can’t lose weight quickly. This is where weight loss surgeries are extremely effective.
The problem here is that weight loss surgery costs are considerably expensive in the US.
Weight loss surgery cost – How much does weight loss surgery cost without insurance
If you have a health insurance policy that specifically states it covers weight loss surgery expenses, then you are among the few lucky ones.
However, there are tens of thousands of Americans still without insurance.
So, what would a weight loss surgery cost without insurance?
How’s the cost of weight loss surgery decided?
Several factors determine the actual cost of weight loss surgery in America. These include:
1 – Surgery type
There are several different types of weight-loss surgeries. The rates and fees differ for different types of obesity surgeries. Weight loss surgeries normally fall under two categories – malabsorptive and restrictive.
2 – Surgeon
The surgeon’s fee also varies. This fee usually depends on the state, your surgeon’s expertise and the complexity of the chosen weight loss surgery.
3 – Hospital
The cost will also be affected by the hospital you choose to undergo weight loss surgery. The specific charges for hospital rooms and operating theatres determine the cost of obesity surgery too.
4 – Other charges
Apart from the surgeon’s fee and hospital charges, there are certain additional expenses to consider, including the fees for the anesthesiologist, surgeon’s assistant, consultant, along with charges for use of devices and post-surgical care.
5 – Post-surgical care
Most people believe that weight loss surgery is the end of expense. However, to achieve noticeable results, you will need to pay for nutritional consulting, follow-up appointments, psychological support, etc.
How much do weight loss surgeries cost?
Let’s take a quick look at some of the more popular and effective types of weight loss surgeries:
1 – Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy (vertical sleeve gastrectomy) is a type of irreversible weight loss surgery. It reduces the actual size of the stomach (restrictive). This allows you to eat only small portions of food at a time.
The average cost of sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss is around US$ 5,000 to US$ 10,000 in the US.
2 – Lap Band Surgery
A lap band surgery entails wrapping an adjustable band on the upper portion of the stomach.
This is a restrictive form of weight loss surgery as it practically creates a small pouch by dividing your stomach. The small pouch prevents excessive eating.
Lap band surgery is found to help patients lose dangerously excessive body fat and between 25% and 75% of their weight.
On average, a lap band surgery cost in the US ranges anywhere between US$ 9,000 to US$ 29,000.
3 – Vertical Gastric Banding
Vertical gastric banding is a restrictive type of weight loss surgery. It involves using staples and a band to restrict a major portion of the stomach.
This is similar to lap band surgery and leaves a small pouch of your stomach at the top so it gets full fast, and you don’t eat excessively.
In the US, a vertical gastric banding surgery for weight loss could cost US$ 20,000 to US$ 25,000.
4 – Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass is another very popular weight loss surgery. In this, the surgeon restricts the size of the stomach and also rearranges the small intestine.
This is an effective way to lose unwanted, excess weight as patients report losing over 68% of their original body weight after the procedure.
The average cost of gastric bypass in the US could be anywhere around US$ 23,000.
5 – Biliopancreatic Diversion
Biliopancreatic diversion is a complicated weight loss surgery. This is a restrictive type of obesity surgery and reduces the overall stomach to a small pouch.
This is an irreversible kind of weight loss surgery, but extremely effective too.
On average, the cost of biliopancreatic diversion can run between US$ 15,000 and US$ 25,000.
How much do weight loss surgeries cost in different states?
Here’s a breakdown of the cost of weight loss surgeries in different states within the US:
| STATE | WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY COST (Average) |
|---|---|
| Maine | US$ 31,000 |
| Massachusetts | US$ 33,280 |
| New Jersey | US$ 28,130 |
| Washington, D.C. | US$ 30,380 |
| New York | US$ 35,000 |
| Pennsylvania | US$ 33,950 |
| Virginia | US$ 27,160 |
| West Virginia | US$ 28,421 |
| North Carolina | US$ 25,500 |
| South Carolina | US$ 24,990 |
| Georgia | US$ 19,303 |
| Florida | US$ 18,690 |
| Alabama | US$ 20,025 |
| Mississippi | US$ 21,825 |
| Tennessee | US$ 24,010 |
| Kentucky | US$ 25,026 |
| Ohio | US$ 20,850 |
| Indiana | US$ 21,360 |
| Michigan | US$ 27,160 |
| Wisconsin | US$ 29,100 |
| Illinois | US$ 23,000 |
| Minnesota | US$ 29,870 |
| Missouri | US$ 28,840 |
| Arkansas | US$ 23,460 |
| Louisiana | US$ 21,337 |
| Texas | US$ 21,318 |
| Oklahoma | US$ 16,910 |
| Kansas | US$ 20,370 |
| Nebraska | US$ 21,922 |
| South Dakota | US$ 23,585 |
| North Dakota | US$ 22,250 |
| Montana | US$ 29,100 |
| Wyoming | US$ 30,070 |
| Colorado | US$ 23,765 |
| New Mexico | US$ 31,260 |
| Arizona | US$ 25,480 |
| Utah | US$ 20,580 |
| Idaho | US$ 35,190 |
| Washington | US$ 26,700 |
| Oregon | US$ 30,090 |
| Nevada | US$ 19,600 |
| California | US$ 26,950 |
Conclusion
These are the commonly performed weight loss surgeries and their average costs, according to the type of surgery and also the state of residence.
It is highly advisable to contact the hospital and surgeon to get a specific total cost of weight loss surgery, according to your particular condition.
Reference links:-
https://ntmconline.net/how-much-does-gastric-bypass-surgery-cost/
See Also
Weight Loss Surgery with Insurance
Does Medicare Cover Weight Loss Surgery?
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