Question:
about how much would it cost to have bariatric surgery?

   — [Anonymous] (posted on August 1, 2001)


July 31, 2001
Depends on what and where you have it done. Anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000 for an RNY. Open costs less than Lap. Good luck!
   — Kimberly L.

July 31, 2001
I had gastric bypass almost 6 months ago at Bariatric Treatment Center, they were higher than some, but just knowing that they specialize in ONLY gastric bypass made it all worth it. The total cost from start to finish was about $35,000. Hope this helps.
   — claudia C.

August 1, 2001
The costs vary, particularly by geographic area. If you are talking about the surgeon's fees only, you could get estimates from surgeons in your area and get a ballpark figure. The hospital charges would be more difficult to estimate. But, one way to do it is to call the Business Office of the hospital and tell them that you plan to have the surgery and will be a self-pay patient. Ask them for an estimate of the hospital charges ....then and 20% to their estimate. The hospital charges include labs, operating room, recovery room, anesthesia supplies, medical supplies, pharmacy, pharmacy supplies, the room charge....it's the bulk of the charge for surgery.
   — [Anonymous]

August 1, 2001
I had Open VGB and the total cost was $44,000. I had to pay $1,250 out of pocket expense. I was shocked! I thought it would be in the 25-30 range. Thank goodness for good insurance!
   — Lesley K.

August 1, 2001
Hello, I will be having surgery in sept. and so far self pay. The cost of my surgery should be about 20,000. It's crazy to see what the BTC charges. And they don't allow self pay. Where I am going the surgeon, hospital, and the anastesioligist?sp all charge seperatly. The surgeon is 6,000 hosp. want a down payment of 8,000 on day of surgery and I really don't know what the anas. will charge. I figure it will be about 2,000 for about 2 1/2 hrs of surgery. If everything goes well with insurance they will end up paying but, for now (because I don't want to wait)I figure it will run about 20,000 without complications. Hope this helps. Please pray for no complications!!!!
   — deborah D.

August 1, 2001
There is a Dr. Richard Betcher in Fresno that has a cash rate of approximately $14,000. w/no complications.
   — Cheryl H.

September 27, 2001
I'm self pay, with Dr Fallang in Middletown, OH. Surgeon fee was 5500, hospital and anesthesiologist(?) was 9650. All told $15,150. Hope this helps
   — Gregory H.

September 27, 2001
Hi. I had my surgery in Aug, 2000 with Dr. Wetter in Burlingame, CA. They have a self-pay package there which is about $10K less than what they charge insurance. All told, I paid just under $23K for a lap RNY. Included everything and 3 mos of post-op office visits. It would have been $5K more if he had to convert to open. Worth every cent. Hope this helps.
   — sandieguy

September 21, 2003
Miami, Florida $20,000. It was 15,000 for the hospital & $5000. for Dr. Gonzalez the surgeon. Also about another $700 for pulmunary & phycatrist.
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 22, 2003
Little Rock, Arkansas - $16,000; St. Vincent's Hospital with Dr. Kerry Ozment.
   — Alice Ann S.

December 22, 2003
I had my surgery with Dr. Neil Hutcher in Richmond, Va. He is a very experienced surgeon. ( has performed over 3,000) He charged 17,500 including all pre-op testing, hospital stay, etc. He has about a 3 month wait for an appt. and a three month wait for surgery. He only performs open but has two associates in his office who do LAP at the same cost. Good luck! Denise 3/20/03 open RNY - 130lbs - at goal
   — denisel

August 9, 2004
for self pay i highly reccomend going "south of the border"! Mexico has some highly skilled surgens and the best that I know of are rumbaut,joya,kuri,aceves. you can get surgery for $10,000 or less.
   — q E.

August 2, 2005
I had my surgery done in New Orleans, LA and I paid $21,000 for the lap RNY. I had to pay for it myself because of a WLS exclusion by my insurance company, Humana.
   — Linda L.

September 4, 2005
I am self paying and it is costing me $21600. That does not include the cardiac clearance, strees test, sleep study or pulmonary test. I billed those to my insurance.
   — julieqberry

March 26, 2006
I am self paying for adjustable gastric banding procedure, a/k/a "Lap Band", in Fairfax, VA. Surgeon and medical program fees (including pre and post-op appts with dr., dietician and Physician's Asst.) come to about $7500. Hospital fees are appx. $10K. Both my surgeon and the hospital offer a reduced fee for self paying patients. These fees do not include pre-op testing. Fortunately for me, my insurance will cover most of the pre-op testing costs since I am sure that would add up to at least another one or two thousand or more.
   — katie0504

April 23, 2006
Muskegon, Michigan with Dr. Gluck..... First visit with surgeon, $250.00 then $200.00 for Psychiatrist evaluation. $95.00 for Pre lab tests. $375.00 for post lab tests x 3. $25.00 each of 6 times I see the nutritionist. Anesthesia charge was $1500.00 and the Surgeon and hospital costs were $13500.00. I have no idea who got the most of it. And the Protein drinks and Pills can be purchased at Dr. Glucks office for about $12.00 a box. When you leave the hospital you'll have about $200.00 worth of prescription medications to fill. Things you get for free... Support Group meetings-forever, 1 year membership at my local heart center for exercise. Doctor's charges included 3 check ups after surgery. Most charges are exceptable, for the service and outcome that you get.
   — Penny P.

November 16, 2008
could someone please tell me if the insurance will cover the hospital stay, pre-testings, anesthesia even if they do not cover the WLS? I want to know, because I have to pay for my WSL. And does anyone know about any financial Inst. for WLS? THANKS A LOT
   — sistalolo




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