Weight loss surgery may be necessary after traditional weight loss methods have been exhausted. The Gastric Balloon, Gastric Bypass and the Gastric Band are the most popular techniques. In each of these methods, the purpose of the operation is to reduce the capacity of the stomach so that the patient will feel full after eating smaller portions of food.

• How to Save Money on Weight Loss Surgery
• What is The Least Expensive Weight Loss Surgery?
• Are There Grants For Weight Loss Surgery?
• Cost-Effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery
• Weight Loss Surgery For Low-Income
• Bariatric Surgery Cost Savings
• How Much is Weight Loss Surgery With Insurance?
• Cheapest Weight Loss Surgery
• Weight Loss Surgery Options
• How Much Does Weight Loss Surgery Cost?

How to Save Money on Weight Loss Surgery

The following are tips for saving money on weight loss surgery comparison.

Get educated

It is vital to get as much information as you possibly can before you sign up for this procedure. You should find out the options that are available to you as well as the financial implications of each one of them. Apart from choosing the most appropriate type of surgery, you should also compare the amount of money that you will have to pay.

Gastric balloon

The gastric balloon is the cheapest of the three top techniques for weight loss surgery. It is not actually classed as a surgery because it is fitted under sedation and the patient will not be unconscious during the procedure.

Read Also: Make Money Becoming A Personal Concierge

The doctor fits a silicone balloon with an endoscope by inserting it through the mouth and down to the stomach. Once the balloon is placed in the stomach, it is inflated to an appropriate size to occupy part of the stomach thereby reducing the eating capacity of the patient. The balloon is normally taken out after 6 months.

Gastric band surgery

The gastric band surgery is a procedure that is done under general anesthetics and can require about an hour to complete. A small incision is made and the flexible silicon band is fixed around a chosen section of the stomach. It is then connected to a spot located beneath the ribs.

This band makes the stomach pouch to be smaller making food to pass at a slower rate.  This procedure is more expensive than the gastric balloon but it is cheaper than gastric bypass surgery.

Gastric bypass surgery

This is a three-hour surgery that has to be done under general anesthetics. It can be done through open or keyhole surgery. Basically, the patient’s stomach is divided to create a smaller capacity. The smaller stomach is then connected to the small intestine.

The patient’s digestive tract is now shorter, he or she will eat smaller portions and the number of absorbed calories will also be smaller. This procedure can produce drastic results but it is the most expensive because of its complexity.

Getting cheaper rates

The high cost of these procedures has made a lot of people to look for ways of getting cheaper options. Getting the procedure done in another country is a good way to save a lot of money. Reliable clinics can be contacted in Asian and Latin American countries.  If you want to stay in your country, you will have to consider other options of saving money.

Coverage for weight loss surgery may be provided by public healthcare systems only for medical reasons. However, because of the importance of these procedures, several medical establishments now offer special rates to patients. This may include 6 to 12 months interest-free, deferred payment, and other repayment options. Some clinics also provide special offers that make it possible to save money on weight loss surgery comparison.

What is The Least Expensive Weight Loss Surgery?

If you think you are a good candidate for weight loss surgery, there are several different procedures available that can be considered:5

• Gastric bypass or Roux-en-Y: A small stomach is formed from your existing stomach and attached directly to a portion of the small intestine.
• Lap-band: An inflatable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, which makes the stomach smaller.
• Sleeve gastrectomy: A vertical, tube-shaped stomach is created so there is less room for food.
• Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS): A small, tubular stomach is created and attached to a section of the small intestine.
• Vagal blocking device (vBloc): An electronic device is implanted near the stomach where it is attached to the vagus nerve to block hunger signals between your brain and body.
• Stomach pump: A pump is placed inside the stomach that allows you to pump food out of your body to reduce the number of calories absorbed.

The total cost of your weight loss surgery experience will include more than just the procedure. In addition to surgery, you should consider the cost of aftercare, special food that your bariatric surgeon might recommend, and follow-up surgery for complications and/or cosmetic procedures to manage loose skin.

If you have your surgery performed at a bariatric center, the cost of your weight loss surgery experience could be combined into one lump sum. That may mean that you won’t pay separately for pre-surgery appointments, aftercare, or lifestyle counseling. Often, these services are provided within the center, but it’s important to ask to be sure so that you can calculate the total cost of your bariatric procedure correctly.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), weight loss surgery may cost between $15,000 and $25,000, depending on the type of procedure and where you live.6

Some patients pay the entire cost of surgery on their own. If you plan to self-pay, there are healthcare lending services that may be able to help you afford your procedure.

In some cases, insurance will cover the cost of weight loss surgery. Medicare and some Medicaid plan also cover the cost of surgery in some situations. You are more likely to get insurance coverage if you have a doctor’s recommendation and a medical condition that might be improved if you lose weight.

Are There Grants For Weight Loss Surgery?

If you are looking for grants for weight loss surgery you are not alone. Who doesn’t want to look good? Over 40% of the world’s population is suffering from obesity. If you have gained some extra weight and want to get rid of those extra pounds, then the natural procedure can take years of time and hard work.

If you don’t want to invest your time, then you can go for the weight loss surgery. Grants for weight loss surgery are offered by many organizations to support patients who are short of money.

Most people are looking for grants before they go for the surgery as it gives them financial relief that reduces the overall cost for the surgery. You have to research well and do some homework before you can get the grant. If you are not able to receive the grant for the surgery, then there are some other ways to get it done at reasonable costs.

Weight loss surgery grants are available through the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America i.e. WLSFA. The grants are offered by charitable organizations to those who can’t afford the expensive weight loss surgery.

Many new organizations have begun recently from where patients can get grants for weight loss surgery. They collect funds from different sources and prepare grants for such patients.

Since the foundation has limited funds to spare, candidates who are applying for the grants must have to fulfill some basic requirements. These organizations aim to provide the proper aid to the people who are actually in need for financial support and need their weight needs medical attention. If the person can manage the cost for the treatment, he should not apply for the grants and spare it for the ones who need it.

Requirements to get the Weight Loss Surgery Grant

The first thing you need to do is a thorough body check-up. You need to be healthy enough as the surgery involves a lot of things. If you have been approved for the reconstructive surgery of your body, only then you can proceed further to receive the grant.

You can only apply for the grant if the insurance policy doesn’t include the weight loss surgery cost. If your insurance policy covers a weight loss surgery (even partially), then your application may get rejected.

You must support the program and help the organization raise at least 10% of the funds for the cost so that you can help others with the same program.

The Procedure

Most people aren’t aware of the procedure to get grants for weight loss surgery. Since the grants are offered by limited organizations, candidates need to research well before they can go for the surgery.

The first thing they need to do is finding the right resource. After that, the candidate needs to fill in the form with all the required details about the mental and physical health.

Once applied, you will be invited by the organization for a basic body check-up where a healthcare provider examines the body. Once a candidate is accepted, only then he or she can go for the further procedure to receive the grant for the weight loss surgery.

Grants for Weight Loss Surgery Pre-Qualification Checklist:

• You are in the United States
• You were advised or are physically qualified for medical attention due to your weight
• You do not have an insurance that covers obesity treatments (all obesity related treatments are exempt)
• You cannot afford the bills for weight loss surgery (this includes inability to borrow the funds you need)
• Your bariatric surgeon must be aware of grants for weight loss surgery program terms and be willing to refer you to an organization
• Grants approval cycle for weight loss surgery starts on September 1st, 2021 and ends on December 31st, 2021 for this year. Keep in mind that dates subject to change from one year to another so the dates you can apply for weight loss surgery in 2021 isn’t the same as last year.

Cost-Effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is one of the major breakthroughs in diabetes care to have emerged since the discovery of insulin. In the 15 years since the first observational study, clinical trials and observational studies of bariatric surgery in diabetic patients have confirmed the beneficial effects of surgery.

Since 2000, guidelines from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have recommended bariatric surgery as an option for obesity treatment in adults with a BMI ≥35 kg/m² and a serious comorbid condition.

In 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services officially announced it would cover bariatric surgery for beneficiaries with morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes. While bariatric surgery can be beneficial, it is an expensive intervention costing at least $13,000 in the first year.

In light of its high costs and potential benefits, understanding the cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery for diabetes is critical for policy discussions regarding any ongoing or additional public health investment in bariatric surgery.

Based on currently available data, bariatric surgery is cost-effective over the lifetimes of severely obese patients with diabetes. Bypass surgery had incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of $7,000/QALY and $12,000/QALY for severely obese patients with newly diagnosed and established diabetes; banding surgery had slightly higher ICERs of $11,000/QALY and $13,000/QALY for the two respective diabetic groups.

The ICERs for both surgeries are very favorable since values below the $200,000/QALY threshold in the U.S. are now considered cost-effective. Other diabetes treatments, such as intensive glycemic and lipid control in comparison to conventional risk factor control, have previously been found to have ICERs of $41,384/QALY and $51,889/QALY.

One fundamental issue that may hinder the widespread adoption of bariatric surgery for diabetes is that it may simply be considered too expensive in the face of current health care budget concerns. The study by Hoerger et al. shows that bariatric surgery for diabetes is cost-effective over the lifetime of the patient, which means that adoption of bariatric surgery will increase health care costs.

These cost concerns are undoubtedly shared by individual payers who have been reluctant to adopt widespread coverage of the procedure. The payer perspective is important for bariatric surgery because the majority of the costs occur in the first year after surgery, whereas the benefits occur over the patient’s lifetime.

Increasing coverage for bariatric surgery for the treatment of diabetes will require convincing payers that bariatric surgery for diabetes will be at least cost-effective, if not cost-saving, in the short term.

Studies from European countries with nationalized health care systems have found that bariatric surgery is cost-effective from a 5-year societal perspective, but these findings are based on much less sophisticated methods for modeling diabetes and bariatric surgery than the study by Hoerger et al.

It may be necessary to conduct an analysis from a 5-year perspective with the model from the study by Hoerger et al. in order to motivate private payers in the U.S. to cover bariatric surgery for severely obese adults with diabetes.

Weight Loss Surgery For Low-Income

Patients are often under the misconception that the cheapest weight loss surgery options are synonymous with lower quality. However, in reality, if you explore, plan and prepare for your bariatric surgery carefully, you can undergo the procedure with world class standards of care within your limited budget. Here are a few options to consider:

• Option 1: Mexico is an ideal medical tourism destination when it comes to weight loss surgery for low income people. The quality of care in Mexico is equivalent to the US or Canada, while the costs of care are only a small fraction of what you would pay in these countries for a bariatric surgery.
• Option 2: Bariatric surgery is available in different forms and techniques. If you qualify for all types of surgery, you can choose the more affordable alternative. For instance, low cost gastric sleeve surgery would be a cheaper option to look at if you are wondering how to afford gastric bypass surgery.
• Option 3: If you have limited health insurance coverage in your home country, you can discuss with your insurer if they would cover your costs for an affordable weight loss surgery in Mexico. This way you can avoid out of pocket weight loss surgery and utilize your limited insurance coverage.
• Option 4: Talk to a medical care financing company for competitive bariatric surgery financing for your procedure in Mexico. For example, if your only option is self pay gastric sleeve in Mexico, you do not have to pay the full cost upfront. You can try to obtain low interest gastric sleeve financing.

Weight loss surgery for low income individuals at best-in-class hospitals and bariatric centers is possible when they have access to competitive bariatric surgery financing. While you can borrow from friends or family or pay through your credit card, you should also explore the offers from professional medical care lenders for your weight loss surgery financing. Some of the advantages of these lenders include:

• Low interest rates because of compassionate care financing
• Quick loan approvals with minimal document requirements
• You can pay back in easy installments of up to 60 months
• Little to no down payment may be required
• No penalty costs if you pay back the loan early

Bariatric Surgery Cost Savings

Demand for bariatric surgery to treat severe and resistant obesity far outstrips supply. We aimed to comprehensively synthesize health economic evidence regarding bariatric surgery from 1995 till date.

One-third of adults in the United States are obese. Obesity is associated with significantly increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs, due in part to its many associated comorbidities, including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers.

Bariatric surgery is effective at promoting sustained weight loss and reducing obesity-related comorbidities, especially type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition, recent studies have found that patients who undergo bariatric surgery have reduced long-term mortality.

There is widespread interest in understanding whether bariatric surgery is cost-effective. Do surgical weight loss procedures offer good value for money? In assessing cost-effectiveness, studies must determine whether the surgical cost and risk of operative complications are outweighed by the potential benefits of sustained weight loss—increased life expectancy, improved quality of life, and lower lifetime medical costs due to reductions in obesity-related comorbidities.

Several studies have found that bariatric surgery is more effective over the long term than over the short term, suggesting that the long-term benefits of surgical weight loss are an important factor in making the procedures cost-effective.

For example, McEwen et al used to cost and quality of life data from a cohort of over 200 gastric bypass patients and found that bypass was moderately cost-effective two years after surgery, with an ICER of $48,662 per QALY; however, extrapolating these data over the lifetime, the bypass was significantly more cost-effective with an ICER of only $1,425 per QALY.

In addition, several studies have evaluated the cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery as a treatment for T2DM, based on clinical data that show more than half of patients achieve T2DM remission following gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding procedures.

How Much is Weight Loss Surgery With Insurance?

The average cost of gastric bypass surgery is $23,000, the average cost of lap band is $14,500, and the average cost of sleeve gastrectomy surgery is $14,900. So before getting too involved, spend time determining if your insurance will cover weight loss surgery.

Weight loss surgery is predominantly performed on middle to upper class patients. Most people considering weight loss surgery cannot pay $20,000 to lose weight. But today, more than ever, insurance companies are starting to cover weight loss surgery.

Insurance is typically the best way to go when you are considering weight loss surgery. However, many procedures are not covered by insurance. Historically, gastric sleeves, duodenal switches, mini-gastric bypasses and other ‘experimental’ procedures are not covered. Today gastric sleeves, laparoscopic gastric bypass and lap gastric bands are typically covered by most major insurance companies. But this doesn’t necessarily mean your policy includes coverage.

It depends on your policy not the insurance carrier.

While most insurance carriers offer some sort of weight loss surgery coverage, your individual policy details what’s included and what’s not. Some policies specifically exclude weight loss surgery. Most insurance companies charge more to include weight loss surgery coverage. For this reason, you will want to check your policy to see if you have coverage. The best way to do that is to call your carrier directly (the number is usually on the back of your insurance card).

Cheapest Weight Loss Surgery

The popularity of travelling to undergo weight loss surgery abroad has taken off in recent years. There are now a number of highly-trained doctors and reputable clinics offering bariatric treatments. Below, we’ve outlined some of the best weight loss surgery options worldwide, analysing factors such as cost, treatments offered, and the reputation of doctors and clinics.

1. Turkey

The first choice for those looking for the best and cheapest weight loss surgery, Turkey is home to renowned weight loss surgery specialists working from a number of high-quality clinics. One standout option is the Memorial Bahcelievler Hospital in Istanbul.

This multi-disciplinary facility is not only equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology but is also home to reputable bariatric surgery specialists. Dr. Murat Cag, MD, for example, has over 20 years of experience specializing in gastric sleeve, bypass, and balloon surgeries. Memorial is also well-versed in caring for international patients, with unique treatment packages that include airport pick-ups, clinic transfers, and accommodation in the overall cost of the treatment.

2. Lithuania

Welcoming more than 1,000 patients every year, Lithuania’s Kardiolita Hospital is renowned when it comes to bariatric treatments. Established in 1998, the hospital offers some of the cheapest weight loss surgery prices — with gastric bypass surgery starting at just €5,570 — as well as comprehensive treatment packages for international patients.

Highly experienced specialists like Dr. Antanas Mickevicius, MD are renowned for the quality of care they provide and are always looking to offer the best weight loss surgery options through new methods and technologies.

3. Poland

When searching for the cheapest and best weight loss surgery, it’s hard to look beyond Poland. One of the most popular choices for bariatric surgery patients is KCM Clinic, located in the southern Jelenia Góra region of the country.

Similar to Memorial Bahcelievler, KCM is a multi-disciplinary facility, offering an extensive range of treatments through modern techniques and diagnostics, with ISO 9001-certification highlighting the high standards of care offered.

With gastric bypass prices starting at just €5,990, KCM boasts some of the cheapest weight loss surgery prices, highlighting the significant savings that can be made — without having to sacrifice on quality — by travelling abroad.

Weight Loss Surgery Options

Most people have heard of gastric bypass, the most popular form of weight loss surgery. But it’s just one option. Here are the four main weight loss surgery options, so you can choose the right one for your lifestyle.

Gastric Bypass

According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), gastric bypass surgery divides a portion of the stomach away from the rest of the stomach, creating a small pouch. This causes food to bypass the rest of the stomach. A surgeon connects the small intestine to this newly created stomach. This creates a much smaller stomach, forcing you to eat smaller meals.

The smaller stomach and small intestine are less able to digest and absorb food, which may mean that a person extracts less nutrition from their smaller meals.

Most people lose significant weight with this routine. However, surgery requires you to make long-term changes to your diet. Without proper support, a person may become deficient in key nutrients. Gastric bypass is also a relatively complex procedure that requires a longer hospital stay.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy removes about 80 percent of the stomach. This has a similar effect to gastric bypass, reducing the amount of food a person can eat. Because the stomach is smaller, surgery also affects the production of various hormones. This can help you feel fuller faster, and may reduce some food cravings.

Sleeve gastrectomy works about as well as gastric bypass, and is a less invasive procedure that requires a shorter hospital stay, according to the ASMBS. In addition to supporting weight loss, it can help reduce many weight loss challenges by causing feelings of fullness and reducing food cravings. Like gastric bypass, it can cause long-term nutritional deficiencies. It is also irreversible.

Adjustable Gastric Band

The adjustable gastric band wraps a band around the upper portion of the stomach. This shrinks the usable part of the stomach, producing similar effects to gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. A doctor tightens the band over time, so the effect is more gradual than traditional surgeries.

Research suggests that the gastric band may not reduce the amount of food a person can consume. Food may pass through the band. So instead, the band may work by reducing hunger.

The adjustable gastric band is a reversible procedure, with the lowest rate of early complications of any weight loss surgery. It is also less invasive, and presents a lower risk of nutritional deficiencies. However, it also has the highest rate of subsequent surgeries, and weight loss tends to be slower.

Biliopancreatic Diversion With Duodenal Switch

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS), usually just called duodenal switch surgery, has two components, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

First, a surgeon creates a smaller stomach, similar to the procedure used for sleeve gastrectomy. Then the surgeon removes a portion of the small intestine, reducing the amount of food you can absorb. Together, these interventions create a smaller stomach that can accommodate less food, while preventing the body from gaining as much weight as it might usually gain from the food you do eat.

Read Also: Offer Community Services To Earn Money

Patients typically lose more weight with the duodenal switch than they do with other procedures. This surgery also offers the best chance of improving weight-related complications like diabetes. It requires less dietary management, and over time, most people can eat relatively normal meals. However, it also has the highest rate of complications and death, presents a high rate of nutritional deficiencies, and requires ongoing follow-up visits.

How Much Does Weight Loss Surgery Cost?

Weight loss surgery is an expensive surgical procedure. As recorded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, this surgical procedure can cost from $20,000 to $30,000. The exact amount for the surgery will largely depend on a variety of factors. These include the following:

1. Type of surgery. There are multiple types of weight loss surgery: adjustable gastric banding (or lap banding), sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, vertical gastric banding and biliopancreatic diversion. Each of these procedures has different rates or fees.
2. Surgeon. The surgeon’s fee will vary depending on your location, the expertise of your chosen surgeon and the complexity of the procedure that will be performed.
3. Hospital. Hospital cost will differ depending on the operating and hospital rooms, and hospital stay, among other fees.
4. Additional Fees. You must also consider additional expenses on top of the cost of the main surgical procedure. These may include fees for the consultant, surgical assistant, anesthesiologist, device, and follow-up procedures.
5. Aftercare. Many would think that the surgery is the end point of their weight loss program and would overlook the importance of aftercare. To achieve optimal and long-term results, weight loss surgery patients must also undergo nutritional counseling, psychological support, follow-up appointments and care.

Lap Band Surgery

In a lap band surgery, the surgeon will wrap an adjustable band around the upper area of the stomach. A small pouch is created above the band that fills up quicker, thereby making the patient feel full sooner while eating. The lap band surgery helps obese patients lose excess fat and weight between 25 and 75 percent and cure obesity-related complications. The average cost of lap band surgery ranges from $9,000 to $29,000.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy, also referred as vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is an irreversible surgical procedure performed to reduce the size of the stomach. This procedure promotes weight loss by reducing the amount of food one is able to consume. Sleeve gastrectomy does not alter the digestive tract and will only require one to two days of hospital stay. A patient may spend from $5,000 to $10,000 for this procedure.

Gastric Bypass

The often quoted surgery cost of gastric bypass is $23,000. During this procedure, the weight loss surgeon makes the stomach smaller and rearrange the small intestine. Patient who have undergone gastric bypass have lost up to 68 percent of their excess weight and have experienced significant health improvements.

Vertical Gastric Banding

This procedure involves a weight loss surgeon making use of staples and a band to close most of the stomach and leaving only a small portion that will serve as the small pouch for food. As a result, food consumption is limited to the amount the stomach can contain. Vertical gastric banding typically runs from $20,000 to $25,000.

Biliopancreatic Diversion

Biliopancreatic diversion is a more complicated type of weight loss surgery, compared to the gastric bypass and roux-en-y procedures. Here, a large area of the stomach is totally removed to create a smaller pouch. Like most weight loss surgeries, the biliopancreatic diversion procedure costs from $15,000 to $25,000.

Weight loss surgery is both expensive and complex. However, always bear in mind that the cost of surgery shall not be the deciding factor in choosing the procedure that you should have. Consult with your surgeon to discuss concerns with regard the surgical procedure that will really work for you.