What is the Cost of Gastric Band? Individuals who are grossly obese (BMI higher than 40) are often advised to have bariatric surgery. While a number of surgical weight loss options are available, gastric banding is fairly common because it’s less invasive than other procedures and can be reversed. Choosing a weight loss procedure should not be based only on cost. Rather, the surgeon and patient should work together to choose a method that is ideal for the patient’s health condition and lifestyle.
If gastric banding is your best option, you need to know about gastric banding cost in order to make the necessary steps to be financially prepared for the treatment.
Adjustable Gastric Band Systems
In the United States, only two gastric band systems have FDA approval. They are the LAP-BAND and the REALIZE Band systems. Gastric band surgery involves implanting a medical device in the stomach to restrict food intake, allowing the patient to lose weight. The band can be adjusted as needed to decrease or increase the amount of food that can be ingested.
Cost of Gastric Band?
Cost of Gastric Band
The prices of the two gastric band systems are comparable, and you can expect to pay anywhere from $12,000 to $25,000 for surgery in the US. The amount covers charges for the medical device, bariatric surgeon’s professional fees, cost of hospital fees, and anesthesiologist’s fees.
Gastric banding requires aftercare or follow-up treatment for the next two to three years and even beyond after the surgery itself. Follow-up treatment is necessary to monitor the patient’s health and response to the treatment. Fills to the gastric band can be provided as well. Depending on the purpose of the visit, patients can pay $35 to $200.
Factors Affecting Gastric Band Cost
It’s difficult to provide a specific amount for the cost of gastric banding surgery because the figure can vary from one patient to another due to a variety of factors. Among the factors that affect gastric banding cost are:
- The patient’s health
- Choice of surgeon
- Medical facility where the surgery is done
- Services included in the weight loss program
- Geographic location
Comparison of Bariatric Programs
There are many bariatric surgeons to choose from, and while it’s important to have a competent surgeon at a well-equipped medical facility, patients also want their weight loss treatment to be as affordable as possible. When considering the cost of bariatric surgery, be sure to find out what services are included in the quoted price. The price may cover a complete program with full service that includes pre-operative tests and psychological evaluation as well as the surgery itself and after-surgery care including follow-up visits, band adjustments, diet and nutrition advice, etc.
Other bariatric providers may not be able to provide an adequate level of post-surgery care and support, or they may bill the expenses separately. Take note that many bariatric surgeons do not provide fills or adjustments to individuals who had their bariatric surgery done elsewhere that is an extra cost of Gastric Band surgery.
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