How Much Does Bariatric Surgery Cost?

People with heavier weights are often defined as “having obesity” or “obese.” More than 40% of adults have obesity, and another nearly 10% are severely obese.

Abnormal or excessive fat accumulation may lead to Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. Adults with obesity can try to prevent these diseases with diet and exercise. But, sometimes, lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough.

Bariatric surgery alters the stomach and intestines to induce weight loss. Studies show the procedure may reduce a patient’s risk of premature death by 30% to 50%. However, weight-loss surgery can be expensive.

Promotional Disclosureinfo_outlined

SPECIAL OFFER

Save every month on GLP-1 meds with GoodRx

Save an average of $235 on FDA-approved GLP-1s like Ozempic and Zepbound.

Get Savings

What are the different types of bariatric surgery?

Nearly 260,000 patients had bariatric surgeries in the U.S. in 2019. After surgery, people may lose up to 60% of excess weight within 6 months and 77% within 12 months.

Common types of weight-loss surgery include:

• Gastric bypass: This removes almost all of the stomach so you can’t eat as much food. It also changes the hormone balances related to hunger.

• Gastric banding: Doctors place a device around the top of your stomach, creating a smaller stomach that holds less food so you ingest fewer calories.

• Sleeve gastrectomy: This procedure removes about 80% of the stomach, including the part that produces most of the hunger hormone.

• Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS): This surgery creates a pouch and reroutes food around 75% of the small intestine.

• Single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S): This is a newer procedure — similar to BPD-DS — that’s an option for patients who already have a sleeve gastrectomy and want to lose more weight.

What’s the average cost of bariatric surgery?

Weight-loss surgery costs typically range from $7,400 to $33,000 before insurance coverage. Your total expense depends on your chosen operation.

For example, here are some self-pay prices found online at various bariatric surgery providers”:

• BPD/DS: $20,000

• SADI-S: $20,000

• Gastric bypass: $15,000

• Gastric banding: $12,000

• Sleeve gastrectomy: $9,500

Your total costs for bariatric surgery could be higher based on the following factors:

• Coexisting health conditions

• Complexity of surgery

• Fees for anesthesia

• Geographic location

• Length of hospital stay

• Surgeon fees

• Type of equipment used

• Complications during surgery

You will also need to consider aftercare costs such as nutrition counseling and follow-up visits.

Does health insurance cover the cost of bariatric surgery?

Usually. Most insurance companies pay for bariatric surgery, but coverage varies by policy.

For example: Suppose you have an individual/family policy or a small group policy (50 employees or fewer). In this case, your insurance must cover bariatric surgery if you live in a state that mandates it as an essential health benefit. This stipulation is part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

What if you live in a state without the mandate or have a large group policy (51 employees or more)? Your coverage depends on whether your employer decided to include bariatric surgery in your plan.

Medicare covers weight-loss surgeries such as gastric bypass, gastric banding, and BPD/DS. Patients must meet morbid obesity requirements and have tried other obesity treatments. With Medicaid, coverage can vary from state to state. Check your plan or visit your state’s Medicaid website to research your benefits.

You must meet bariatric surgery requirements to be eligible for insurance coverage. Before you make an appointment, check with your provider about your plan’s criteria.

Typical weight-loss surgery requirements include:

• Age 18 or older 

• Body mass index (BMI) over 40 or BMI over 35 with Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or other risk factors

• Proven weight-loss efforts in the past

• Insurance-mandated weight-loss program

• Morbid obesity diagnosis for a period before surgery

• Smoking cessation before surgery

• No substance abuse

• Psychological testing

Besides insurance, you may be able to use your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for bariatric surgery. Your physician must write a letter of medical necessity (LOMN) that describes your condition and explains the need for weight loss.

If you’re paying for bariatric surgery in full, investigate whether your doctor offers a payment plan. You can also look into medical loans and healthcare financing such as Prosper or CareCredit. The latter options may have high interest rates.

What type of follow-up care is needed after bariatric surgery?

Physical recovery may take several weeks. Expect to attend several postoperative visits in the first year, which you’ll need to account for in your budget. 

During this time, a dietitian helps you transition from liquids to solid foods and make suitable food choices. They also watch for vitamin and iron deficiencies that need treatment. Once a year passes after your surgery, you may continue follow-up care with bi-annual and annual checkups.

Weight loss after bariatric surgery typically happens within 12 to 24 months. Patients who attend post-operative visits lose more weight than those who miss appointments. They also experience significantly lower costs at the pharmacy. That’s why it’s crucial to keep up your follow-up care as you adapt to a new lifestyle.

How much does bariatric revision surgery cost, and when is it needed?

Bariatric revision surgery fixes or enhances prior weight-loss surgery. Doctors run diagnostic tests to ensure revision surgery is the right choice. Roughly 5% of weight-loss surgery patients will need another operation.

Bariatric revision surgery costs depend on the procedure, complications, and recovery time. A minor operation may cost less than the original surgery. But a significant revision could cost more. Common reasons for bariatric revision surgery include:

• Post-surgery weight gain

• Displaced gastric band ports

• Ruptured or displaced gastric bands

• Enlarged gastric pouch

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Swallowing issues

• Disrupted staples

Insurance should pay for bariatric revision surgery if you meet the previous criteria. Also, your provider will likely cover the revision if surgery is medically necessary. But if you’re dissatisfied with your weight loss and don’t meet the requirements, you may have difficulty getting approval.

What are the most affordable alternatives to bariatric surgery?

Nonsurgical weight-loss procedures are available if you can’t afford bariatric surgery. 

Weight-loss pills are another option. For example: Let's say you’ve tried diet and exercise but still have a BMI higher than 30 or a BMI of 27 with other health problems. Your doctor may prescribe one of the following medications:

• Orlistat (Xenical)

• Naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave)

• Liraglutide (Saxenda)

• Phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia)

• Phentermine (Adipex-P, many other names)

Insurance plans handle weight-loss pills differently. Check with your provider to see which medications they cover.

Does the cost of obesity exceed the cost of bariatric surgery?

Adults with obesity have higher medical expenses. Healthcare costs for adults with heavier weights can cost twice as much ($5,010 annually) as for adults with average weights ($2,504 annually). Paying 5 years’ worth of those higher expenses equals the top price for bariatric surgery without insurance.

Medical experts link obesity to several health issues, including:

• Type 2 diabetes

• Heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Stroke

• Sleep apnea

• Metabolic syndrome

• Fatty liver diseases

• Osteoarthritis

• Gallbladder diseases

• Kidney disease

• Pregnancy problems

• Some cancers

Doctor visits, prescriptions, and other expenses associated with these conditions drive up the cost of obesity.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Mitzi S. Morris

Mitzi S. Morris is a freelancer who writes long-form content such as blogs, e-books, and white papers. She has a certificate in digital communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Hanover College.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts