Question:
how much does gastric bypass cost?

I am having a very hard time with the ins. co. and at the same time feeling very depressed. Can anyone please tell me about how much the surgery is as a self-pay?? How do you go about getting a loan or financed. I dont know is there anything out there you can do. Everyday that goes by it looks like I need to start looking for answers on how to get the gastric surgery. The ins co doesnt care and the dr's office dont seem to care either!!!!    — redbone (posted on June 2, 2005)

June 2, 2005
Sherrieann; I can totally relate to what you're going through. I went through the same thing about four years ago myself - only with two different insurance companies. Amazing how quickly the surgeon's office - who had originally nearly fallen all over themselves to make me happy - didn't want a thing to do with me, didn't have the time of day to give me copies of my records, answer my phone calls, or the like - once insurance said they wouldn't cover the cost of surgery. (Silly thing is, they covered the costs of all of the pre-op stuff!) It really DOES seem like they don't care, doesn't it?! I ended up self-paying for my surgery, too. Only I didn't have gastric bypass, I had duodenal switch (BPD/DS). I ended up going out of country to Dr. Aniceto Baltasar - who is one of the world's best bariatric surgeons - in Alcoy, Spain. A day doesn't go by that I don't THANK GOD that my insurance DID'T pay - because if it had, I wouldn't have found out about the DS or Dr. Baltasar. For everything - travel, surgery, etc. - I paid about $15,000. Dr. Baltasar is the kindest, sweetest, most amazing friend. I feel so fortunate to have him as my surgeon - and I'm still amazed at the fact that he is SO interested in me personally - nearly 3 years after surgery. I exchange emails with him often, and honestly, we consider him a member of the family! (He did my husband's surgery this past July, too.) There are a number of medical finance companies out there. If you go to www.bodybybaltasar.com, then choose the "links" button on the left, then choose "Money Stuff" there's a list of those companies there. I've not used them personally, but I've heard about them from other patients. Being a self-pay patient has been a huge blessing - yes, it required a lot of responsibility on my part to study about which surgery was right for me, choose an outstanding surgeon, and make sure that I'm proactive about following-up for post-op vitamins and labs, and copying my surgeon on them. But, I wouldn't have it any other way. It's been one blessing after another. Oh yeah - I've lost 210 lbs, a wheelchair, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, GERD, stress incontinence, etc., etc., - and gained an incredible life. Please let me know if I can answer any questions, okay? Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

June 2, 2005
I don't know how different the self-pay prices are from the insurance costs, but my surgery with all the surgeons fees included came to a little over $69,000.
   — dreamy6501

June 2, 2005
SherrieAnn, Please, please do not get discouraged. I know exactly how you feel. If you read my profile you will see that I started out four years ago. However, after getting denied the first time, I gave up for three years and went into depression and gained 20 more pounds. Howver, if I had been persistant and appealed and appealed I probably would have had my surgery a long time ago. Many, many people with my same insurance did and have been thin for three long years before I even tried again. Click on insurers at the top of the obesityhelp.com site and then go to the U's and you will see how many people United Healthcare has helped, some quickly, some more slowly. The first thing is to find out why you were denied. Call them and speak to a Case Manager. Oh and to answer you question about self-pay, it is can be anywhere from $15,000(out of the country) to $100,000. Something you need to think carefully about is that you may borrow $60,000 on your home to pay for the surgery and have complications (even non-serious ones) and end up staying in the hospital or needing more tests..etc and your bill could be $80,000-$100,000. It could financially ruin your family. Self-pay is a big risk. But I know how you feel, I was absolutely desperate and looked into every singly option. My sister also has United and was denied because of an exclusion (go to Q & A), sometimes it can be overruled by the employer, sometimes not(in Texas, no). She is going to get another United policy through AARP (she is 59). DO NOT GIVE UP. ALSO, PRAYER IS YOUR BEST WEAPON.
   — pammatria

June 2, 2005
Hi, I am in Alabama and right next to Georgia. My insurance has an exclusion clause in it, so I went on to plan B. I was fortunate that I had enough equity in my home to borrow the money for my surgery and worked it out so that my payments did not "strap" me each month. My surgery costs were as follows (self pay) Surgeon $6000.00 Hospital $7500.00 and anesthesia $1495.00, plus $100.00 for nutritionist, $100.00 for consultation and $100.00 for pschoanalyst. I stay 2 nights and 3 days in the hospital. All of this is in Anniston, AL. I quit crying when I found Dr. Freeman - freemanandco.com. I checked with 2 other reputable doctors in Atlanta, GA and Gainesville, GA and they were each about $10,000.00 higher (the hospital cost was higher). All this to say, I am scheduled for surgery Tuesday, June 7 and I did not need approval from anyone except Dr. Freeman!! Good luck and God bless you in this journey.
   — Teragram

June 3, 2005
1st, don't give up. Capitol One offers health related financing as does GE Capital. I also found financing available through my credit union on a signature loan. With that out of the way let me say this--don't give up on the insurance. I am an insurance agent in Colorado. My surgery is scheduled for 6/15 and so far my insurance has approved a limited benefit only. This is still a plus as in Colorado the hospital and doctors can only charge me what they would charge the insurance company. While this is not the same as having it covered in full by the insurance it is a significant savings. I should note I am having and open revision so my costs would be much higher than someone who could have the procedure done lapriscopically. I understand the procedure to be approximately $26,000 for self pay in Colorado. My procedure would be about $40,000 self pay. With the insurance paying $1500 that would leave me with $38,500 from the $40,000. However, since the facilities can only collect what they are contracted to collect from the insurance company I have about $16,000 left to pay if I don't win my appeal. Appeal, Appeal, Appeal. Get letters from other doctors. Do you see any specialists such as an endicrinologist, psychologist, counselor, orthopedic surgeon? Get those doctors to write letters recommending the procedure for you and submit them to your insurance carrier. Good Luck.
   — randytroyer

June 3, 2005
My insurance United Healthcare has a flat out will not cover gastric bypass and both the surgeon and employer have told me not to even bother fighting. It's going to cost me about $25k for surgeon, hospital, and antheologist(sp?). (I live in Southwest Ohio so not as expensive at either coast). Think of it as a nice car. The first choice of anyone I asked about financing was 2nd mortgage on house which is fine if you own a home. I don't. So it is a combination of loans and credit cards because I couldn't get the whole amount from one financer. In the end its going to cost more than $25k because of the interest, but I don't want to wait long enough to save. I suppose that depends on how badly your health and life is restricted presently. Best of luck.
   — Jenny X.

June 4, 2005
I was lucky enough to have my insurance company pay for mine, but a support group I have attended in the past had people whose insurance wouldn't pay. One guy negotiated a flat fee with dr and hospital. In these days of HMO-PPO discounts, I would think drs would be more than willing to get cash from a patient instead of hasseling with insurance companies.
   — lharbison

June 13, 2005
In my humble opinion, I would start looking for another surgeon. I have read time and time again that surgeons go above and beyond the call of duty to get their patients approved. You have to remember, it should be THEIR meal ticket! As far as the insurance company goes, ask for their policy in black and white. They will give it to you. Then follow every one of their requirements to the letter. They shouldn't deny you if you are compatible with their standard. Unfortunately, not all insurance companies are alike... Good luck, Julie
   — Fireweed