What Does Bariatric Surgery Actually Cost?
CDC data shows 42.4% of U.S. adults have obesity — yet most patients can't get a straight answer on surgery pricing. We break down every dollar, from gastric sleeve to GLP-1 drugs.
Compare All Procedures →Explore by Topic
Every category is backed by ASMBS data, CMS fee schedules, and board-certified review.
Procedures & Costs
Full cost breakdowns for gastric sleeve, bypass, duodenal switch, balloon, and more — with and without insurance.
View Procedures →Insurance Coverage
NIH criteria, Medicare and Medicaid rules, prior authorization requirements, and how to appeal a denial.
View Insurance Guides →Financing Options
CareCredit, medical loans, HSA/FSA, and self-pay negotiation tactics to make surgery affordable.
View Financing Guides →GLP-1 vs Surgery
5-year cost comparisons between Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and a one-time surgical procedure.
Compare Options →Before & After Surgery
Pre-op evaluation costs, lifetime vitamin requirements, skin removal surgery, and long-term expenses.
View Prep & Recovery →Surgery Abroad
Tijuana, Monterrey, and other medical tourism destinations — real costs, quality indicators, and risks.
View Abroad Costs →Popular Cost Guides
Bariatric Surgery and Fertility: Costs, IVF Outcomes & Pregnancy Timing
Weight loss surgery dramatically improves ovulation and IVF success rates. Compare fertility treatment costs before vs. after bariatric surgery, timing recommendations, and what the research shows.
Read Guide →Bariatric Surgery Cost in Chicago & Illinois (2026)
Bariatric surgery costs $18,000–$32,000 in the Chicago metro. See pricing at Northwestern, Rush, and Advocate, plus Illinois insurance landscape and self-pay options.
Read Guide →Bariatric Surgery Cost in Colorado: Denver, Boulder & Beyond (2026)
Bariatric surgery costs $15,500–$29,000 in Colorado. Compare UCHealth, SCL Health/CommonSpirit, and Porter Adventist pricing, plus Health First Colorado Medicaid coverage.
Read Guide →Bariatric Surgery Cost in Washington DC / DMV Area (2026)
Bariatric surgery costs $20,000–$38,000 in the DC/DMV market. Compare MedStar Georgetown, GWU Hospital, Inova, and Johns Hopkins pricing, plus FEHB federal employee coverage nuances.
Read Guide →Bariatric Surgery for Fatty Liver (NAFLD/MASLD): Costs, Biopsy Fees & Insurance
90% of morbidly obese patients have fatty liver disease. See how bariatric surgery reverses NASH, what a liver biopsy costs ($1,500–$4,000), and how MASLD affects your insurance approval.
Read Guide →Commercial Diet Programs vs. Bariatric Surgery: Real Costs and Real Outcomes
Jenny Craig closed in 2023. Nutrisystem, WeightWatchers, and meal-delivery programs still run $1,500–$4,000/year. How do they compare to $20,000+ surgery on 5-year outcomes? NIDDK data answers this.
Read Guide →Contrave Cost: Naltrexone/Bupropion Price, Insurance & Generics in 2026
Contrave costs $200–$400/month brand-name. A generic version now exists. Learn what insurance covers, how it compares to GLP-1 injections, and who it works best for.
Read Guide →Endoscopic Weight Loss Procedures Cost: ESG, Orbera, POSE, and More
Non-surgical endoscopic weight loss options cost $6,000–$15,000 and are rarely covered by insurance. Compare ESG, Orbera balloon, and POSE procedure costs, outcomes, and who qualifies.
Read Guide →Gallbladder Removal After Bariatric Surgery: Costs, Risks & Prevention
30–40% of bariatric patients develop gallstones within 6 months of surgery. Learn cholecystectomy costs ($4,000–$12,000), Ursodiol prevention ($15–$30/month), and what your surgeon may not mention upfront.
Read Guide →Gastric Sleeve vs. Duodenal Switch Cost: Which Is Worth the Price Difference?
Sleeve gastrectomy costs $10,000–$20,000. Duodenal switch costs $20,000–$35,000. The $10,000+ gap buys dramatically better weight loss — but also more risk. Here's the full comparison.
Read Guide →Molina Healthcare Bariatric Surgery Coverage: Medicaid Managed Care, State Rules & Prior Auth
Molina Healthcare covers bariatric surgery in several states — but coverage depends heavily on which state Medicaid program you're enrolled in. Here's what Molina Medicaid covers, what it excludes, and how prior auth works.
Read Guide →Noom vs. Bariatric Surgery Cost: Which Makes Financial Sense for You?
Noom costs $200/year. Bariatric surgery costs $20,000+. But the real comparison isn't that simple — it depends on your BMI, health status, and long-term weight maintenance goals.
Read Guide →