For individuals grappling with obesity, weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric and metabolic surgery, presents a potentially life-changing solution. These operations can improve health and quality of life, yet many people struggling with obesity may not qualify for insurance coverage, or they may not have bariatric benefits included as part of their health insurance plan. While the cost can be a significant barrier, several options exist to make these procedures more accessible. This article explores various avenues for finding cheap weight loss surgery options, including discounted programs, financing plans, and considerations for different procedures.
Understanding Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery
Weight loss surgery is also known as bariatric and metabolic surgery. These terms are used in order to reflect the impact of these operations on patients’ weight and the health of their metabolism (breakdown of food into energy). In addition to their ability to treat obesity, these operations are very effective in treating diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and high cholesterol, among many other diseases. These operations also have an ability to prevent future health problems.
Today’s metabolic and bariatric operations have been refined over the course of many decades and are among the best studied treatments in modern medicine. They are performed with small incisions using minimally invasive surgical techniques (laparoscopic and robotic surgery). These advancements allow patients to have a better overall experience with less pain, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and a faster recovery. The goal of these operations is to modify the stomach and intestines to treat obesity and related diseases. The operations may make the stomach smaller and also bypass a portion of the intestine. This results in less food intake and changes how the body absorbs food for energy resulting in decreased hunger and increased fullness.
Common Bariatric Procedures
The common procedures endorsed by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery are listed and explained below. Each surgery has its own advantages and potential drawbacks.
- Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Often called the “sleeve”, is performed by removing approximately 80% of the stomach. The new stomach holds less food and liquid helping reduce the amount of food (and calories) that are consumed. By removing the portion of the stomach that produces most of the “hunger hormone”, the surgery has an effect on the metabolism. It decreases hunger, increases fullness, and allows the body to reach and maintain a healthy weight as well as blood sugar control.
- Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Often called the “gastric bypass”, has now been performed for more than 50 years and the laparoscopic approach has been refined since 1993. It is one of the most common operations and is very effective in treating obesity and obesity related diseases. First, the stomach is divided into a smaller top portion (pouch) which is about the size of an egg. The small intestine is also divided and connected to the new stomach pouch to allow food to pass. The gastric bypass works in several ways. Like many bariatric procedures, the newly created stomach pouch is smaller and able to hold less food, which means fewer calories are ingested. Additionally, the food does not come into contact with the first portion of the small bowel and this results in decreased absorption. Most importantly, the modification of the food course through the gastrointestinal tract has a profound effect to decrease hunger, increase fullness, and allow the body to reach and maintain a healthy weight. The impact on hormones and metabolic health often results in improvement of adult onset diabetes even before any weight loss occurs. The operation also helps patients with reflux (heart burn) and often the symptoms quickly improve.
- Adjustable Gastric Band: Is a device made of silicone that is placed around the top part of the stomach to limit the amount of food a person can eat. It has been available in the United States since 2001. The impact on obesity related diseases and long-term weight loss is less than with other procedures. The feeling of fullness depends upon the size of the opening between the pouch and the rest of the stomach. The opening size can be adjusted with fluid injections through a port underneath the skin. Food goes through the stomach normally but is limited by the smaller opening of the band.
- Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD-DS): Begins with creation of a tube-shaped stomach pouch similar to the sleeve gastrectomy. The smaller stomach, shaped like a banana, allows patients to eat less food. The food stream bypasses roughly 75% of the small intestine, the most of any commonly performed approved procedures. This results in a significant decrease in the absorption of calories and nutrients. Patients must take vitamins and mineral supplements after surgery. Even more than gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, the BPD-DS affects intestinal hormones in a manner that reduces hunger, increases fullness and improves blood sugar control.
- Single Anastomosis Duodenal-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S): Is the most recent procedure to be endorsed by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. A loop of intestine is measured several feet from its end and is then connected to the stomach. When the patient eats, food goes through the pouch and directly into the latter portion of the small intestine. The food then mixes with digestive juices from the first part of the small intestine. This allows enough absorption of vitamins and minerals to maintain healthy levels of nutrition.
All of the procedures discussed above are endorsed by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and are excellent options to help you achieve healthy, long-term weight loss and improve medical conditions related to obesity. While all operations have risks, bariatric procedures performed at accredited centers are safe and have a low risk for complications.
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Exploring Discounted and Low-Cost Programs
Several healthcare providers and centers offer specific programs designed to make weight loss surgery more affordable for those paying out-of-pocket.
- The University of Kansas Health System: Is proud to provide the lowest price for weight-loss surgery in Kansas City. The University of Kansas Health System offers discounted, low-cost pricing on weight-loss surgery for those paying out-of-pocket. To qualify for these special rates, patients typically need to reside in Kansas or immediate bordering states and lack bariatric surgery insurance coverage. The surgeons at the University of Kansas Health System have performed thousands of procedures. You can trust that your weight-loss surgery will be performed to the highest standards of safety and comfort by a team of skilled, board-certified surgeons. If you are interested in weight-loss surgery, please watch their online seminar. They offer a variety of appointment types.
Financing Options
For many, financing is a necessary step to afford weight loss surgery.
- Independent Medical Lenders: Partnering with independent medical lenders to facilitate affordable monthly payment plans for qualified self-pay patients. Loan offers are given by independent lenders based on approved credit and not everyone will qualify.
Endoscopic Weight Loss Procedures
Endoscopic weight loss procedures are minimally invasive options for people who want help losing weight but don't want -- or may not qualify for -- bariatric surgery. Endoscopic weight loss procedures can achieve better weight loss than medication but not as much as bariatric surgery. Because they are newer procedures, more data is needed on how they perform over the long term. Endoscopy is a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at its tip that allows your doctor to view your internal organs. The endoscope is inserted through a small opening in your body, such as your mouth, to reach your stomach and small bowel. These procedures require specialists with advanced training in GI endoscopy. Surgeons and gastroenterologist have completed this advanced training and have years of experience performing these procedures with positive outcomes. Like other weight loss procedures, nonsurgical weight loss options require lifestyle changes for you to achieve success. The bariatric team evaluates your condition as well as your commitment to making these lifestyle changes.
Gastric Balloon
The gastric balloon may be an option for adults whose BMI is between 30 and 40. First, the doctor gives you a mild sedative. Then, using an endoscope passed through your mouth, the doctor will insert a soft, durable balloon in your stomach and fill the balloon with a saline solution. Gastric balloon is a temporary procedure; the balloon is removed after six months. Rapid weight loss is typically experienced during the first four months following placement of the balloon. In the first few days after it is placed, the gastric balloon can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
People with a BMI greater than 30 may be candidates for endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. Folds are stitched into your stomach to reduce its size by about 70%. This restricts how much food and drink you can consume and makes you feel fuller faster. No part of your stomach is cut or removed. Only stitches hold the folds in place. The procedure can be undone, but scar tissue may remain. Studies report that 60% of people lost about 20% of their total body weight during the first year after surgery.
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Endoscopic Gastric Bypass Revision
There are times when people have trouble reaching their weight loss goals -- or even gain weight -- after gastric bypass, because of stretching that may occur at the connection between the stomach and small intestine, also known as gastrojejunostomy. In this case, we may recommend an endoscopic gastric bypass revision, which is performed by inserting a tube into your mouth to reach your stomach.
Additional Cost Considerations
- Comprehensive Price: Consulting with your insurance provider to see if you are eligible for full or partial coverage. You can also contact our office for a comprehensive price.
- Additional Fees: The below costs are not the full costs of a specific surgery, but instead represent a portion of the cost associated with the surgery. The additional fees may include the hospital fee, anesthetic fee, and surgical assistant fee, which contribute to the total amount.
The Importance of a Multidisciplinary Team
Successful bariatric surgery requires a team-based approach including your surgeon, dietitian, psychologist, nurse case manager, and obesity medicine specialist who will focus on taking you through each step of the journey. Patients will do better if they continue to eat healthy, engage in physical activity, keep their appointments with obesity medicine providers, and take vitamins and mineral supplements as instructed. Your bariatric care team will provide you with lifelong support to succeed and maintain a permanent healthy lifestyle including changes to your diet and regular physical activity.
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