Bariatric Surgery
Surgical and non-surgical weight loss procedures for lasting metabolic health transformation
Bariatric Surgery is the specialty focused on surgical and non-surgical weight loss procedures for lasting metabolic health transformation. OpenDoc keeps the common visit types visible so patients can compare the care path before they book. Transparent pricing on this page currently ranges from $100 to $25,000 across 12 common visit types. Bariatric surgery is the most effective long-term treatment for severe obesity and related metabolic diseases, with patients achieving 60-80% excess weight loss within the first two years. Procedures like gastric sleeve and gastric bypass also resolve Type 2 diabetes in up to 80% of cases. OpenDoc connects patients to board-certified bariatric surgeons with all-inclusive cash pricing starting at $150 for consultations — providing price transparency that eliminates the months-long insurance pre-authorization process.
Common services and transparent pricing
Pricing estimates are modeled from the current OpenDoc specialty taxonomy, visit archetypes, and transparent cash-pay assumptions. Posted provider pricing should be treated as the source of truth whenever it is available. Pricing last reviewed April 8, 2026.
- Initial Bariatric Surgery Consultation — $200–$400: Initial Bariatric Surgery Consultation is a common bariatric surgery entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Pre-Surgical Nutritional Counseling — $100–$200: Pre-Surgical Nutritional Counseling is a common bariatric surgery entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Pre-Surgical Psychological Evaluation — $200–$400: Pre-Surgical Psychological Evaluation is a common bariatric surgery entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy) — $9500–$16000: Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy) is a procedure-oriented bariatric surgery service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y) — $12000–$20000: Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y) is a procedure-oriented bariatric surgery service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap-Band) — $8000–$14000: Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap-Band) is a procedure-oriented bariatric surgery service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Revision Bariatric Surgery — $15000–$25000: Revision Bariatric Surgery is a procedure-oriented bariatric surgery service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) — $10000–$15000: Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is a procedure-oriented bariatric surgery service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Lap-Band Adjustment / Fill — $150–$350: Lap-Band Adjustment / Fill is a procedure-oriented bariatric surgery service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Post-Surgical Follow-Up Visit — $100–$200: Post-Surgical Follow-Up Visit is a common bariatric surgery entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Post-Surgical Nutritional Counseling — $100–$200: Post-Surgical Nutritional Counseling is a common bariatric surgery entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Pre-Operative Lab Panel (comprehensive) — $150–$400: Pre-Operative Lab Panel (comprehensive) is a diagnostic bariatric surgery service used to clarify the condition before treatment decisions are made.
Frequently asked questions
How much does gastric sleeve surgery cost without insurance?
Gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy) typically costs $9,500 to $16,000 cash-pay, depending on the surgeon and facility. This all-inclusive price usually covers the surgeon fee, anesthesia, facility fee, and standard post-operative follow-up. Cash-pay bariatric surgery often costs less than the combined deductible, copays, and coinsurance many insured patients pay.
What is the difference between gastric sleeve and gastric bypass?
Gastric sleeve removes approximately 80% of the stomach, creating a banana-shaped tube. Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y) creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes the small intestine, adding a malabsorptive component. Bypass typically produces slightly more weight loss (70-80% vs 60-70% of excess weight) and is more effective for GERD, but sleeve is simpler with fewer long-term nutritional deficiency risks.
Do I qualify for bariatric surgery?
Standard criteria include a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with at least one obesity-related comorbidity (diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea). Some newer guidelines extend eligibility to BMI 30-35 with uncontrolled metabolic disease. A bariatric surgeon can determine your candidacy during a consultation, which includes reviewing your weight history and prior weight loss attempts.
How much does gastric bypass surgery cost without insurance?
Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y) typically costs $12,000 to $20,000 cash-pay. The higher cost compared to gastric sleeve reflects the more complex surgical technique. All-inclusive cash pricing on OpenDoc covers the surgeon, anesthesia, facility, and standard post-op care, eliminating the surprise bills common with insurance-based pricing.
What is the recovery time for bariatric surgery?
Most patients return to desk work in 1 to 2 weeks and full physical activity in 4 to 6 weeks. Gastric sleeve recovery is generally faster than gastric bypass. You will follow a staged diet progression: clear liquids for 1 to 2 weeks, pureed foods for 2 weeks, soft foods for 2 weeks, then gradual return to solid foods. Most procedures are laparoscopic with 4 to 5 small incisions.
Why is cash-pay bariatric surgery sometimes cheaper than using insurance?
Insurance-based bariatric surgery often requires 3 to 12 months of supervised weight loss documentation, psychological evaluations, and prior authorization — all generating additional costs. After meeting a $3,000 to $8,000 deductible, patients still owe 20-40% coinsurance on a $30,000 to $50,000 billed charge. Cash-pay all-inclusive pricing at $9,500 to $20,000 often results in lower total out-of-pocket cost with faster access.
Do I need a referral for a bariatric surgery consultation?
No referral is needed on OpenDoc. You can search directly for a board-certified bariatric surgeon. Insurance companies typically require referrals and pre-authorization, but cash-pay patients can schedule a consultation immediately and begin their surgical journey without bureaucratic delays.
What are the long-term nutritional requirements after bariatric surgery?
All bariatric surgery patients require lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation, including a bariatric-specific multivitamin, calcium with vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iron. Gastric bypass patients have higher supplementation needs due to the malabsorptive component. Regular lab monitoring (every 3 to 6 months in year one, then annually) is essential, costing $150 to $400 per panel on a cash-pay basis.