Speak With Your Physician
During your initial consultation, we will conduct a physical examination and review your medical history to ensure that you are healthy enough for this procedure and it is a good fit for you. If it is, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of medications to avoid in the two weeks preceding and proceeding your procedure.
Medications and supplements you should avoid include those that can thin your blood or prevent blood clotting. Examples of such nutritional supplements include vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin E, garlic, fish oil, and Ginkgo biloba. Examples of medications you must avoid include NSAIDs, MAOIs, and corticosteroids.
What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve is the most common weight loss procedure. With this operation, the surgeon removes part of the stomach and makes a tube or “sleeve” out of the rest of the stomach. The new, banana-shaped stomach is much smaller than the original stomach.
After the operation, a person will eat less, feel full sooner, and be less hungry. Part of the stomach that’s removed makes hormones that increase appetite and help control insulin. So, a person’s appetite decreases and insulin resistance improves after gastric sleeve surgery.
The gastric sleeve procedure is not reversible.
Discounts: 6 Discounts To Ask Your Surgeon About
Ask your surgical center if any of the below are available to you:
- Self-Pay Discounts. Make sure you ask about a possible discount for cash pay!
- Other Discounts. If you the cash to pay all of your out-of-pocket costs up front, some surgical offices will provide a discount.
- Same Surgeon, Different Hospitals. This might surprise you, but the hospital fees are always the largest portion of the bill for weight loss surgery. Like anything, some hospitals charge more than others. Be sure to ask your surgeon if he or she is using the lowest-cost location suitable for their needs.
- Complications. It’s possible you could experience a complication during your procedure. Ask your doctor who foots the bill if that happens. Look at your cost quote carefully to see whether it falls on the surgeon or on you.
SECTION SUMMARY:
- United Kingdom: £11,100
- International : $4,000 to $24,000 USD
Your total gastric bypass cost depends on where you have the surgery. This varies widely by surgeon and hospital. Different surgeons in the same city can have a price difference of $5,000 to $10,000 or more.
And cost often has nothing to do with the quality of the surgeon or hospital. Instead, cost is driven by:
- The general costs of living in your geographic region
- The competition amongst providers in your area can drive costs down
- If number of people covered by Medicare and Medicaid where you live
- If the hospital used has for-profit or non-profit status
This section shares average costs by location.
Also Check: Can You Tape Your Stomach Down
The Risks Of Alcohol Poisoning
According to a US News Report, as much as 2,200 Americans die from alcohol poisoning every year. Three of four overdose-related deaths are that of adults aged 35 to 64, with the most coming from the 45 to 54 age bracket. Men comprise 76% of the total deaths, with 70% of these casualties being non-Hispanic whites. Unfortunately, alcohol dependence is a major factor in 30% of these deaths.
Apart from being highly fatal, the act of alcohol poisoning can lead to other health risks as well. Since the drinker is out of his wits, he is most likely to lose his personal possessions along the way.
Because of alcohols ability to lower ones inhibitions, it can make the person violent and antisocial. More often than not, this can result in fights and whatnot.
A drunk person might also engage in unsafe sex, which can lead to a sexually transmitted infection. After all, a study has found that intoxicated people are less likely to use condoms and other protective methods.
For females, the risk is definitely higher. After all, a night of drinking might result in an unplanned pregnancy. While alcohol contributes to only 10% of the cases, it reflects the fact stated above that drunk people often fail to use protective methods during sex.
What Are The Side Effects Of Having Your Stomach Stapled
Recommended Reading: What Can Cause Sharp Stomach Pain
Who Is A Candidate For Gastric Sleeve
Gastric Sleeve is not intended for casual weight loss and a qualified, ethical surgeon wont perform the procedure on someone who does not meet the criteria. The surgery is intended for people who have a BMI of 35 or greater those with a BMI between 30 and 35 who have at least one obesity-related health condition like heart disease or uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes may also be considered.
In general, good candidates for Gastric Sleeve are also those who are at least 50 pounds overweight, who have a history of struggling with traditional weight loss methods, and are age 18 or older. Gastric Sleeve candidates are also expected to be in good mental health to be able to commit to their long-term health and manage the psychological impact along the way.
About Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Like stomach stapling, gastric sleeve surgery is a restrictive bariatric procedure. This means it works by restricting how much you can eat at one time. By taking in fewer calories, you lose weight.
During gastric sleeve surgery, the surgeon removes most of your stomach and creates a gastric pouch by sewing the edges of the remaining stomach together.
This small banana-shaped stomach pouch is called a sleeve. It holds a limited amount of food, so you get full faster and, as a result, eat less and lose weight.
Unlike stomach stapling, gastric sleeve surgery is permanent and cant be changed.
Gastric bypass surgery is a two-step procedure that causes weight loss in two ways.
The first step involves gastric sleeve surgery, as described above.
For the second step, your digestive tract is diverted so it bypasses part of your small intestine where absorption of calories and nutrients occurs.
As a result, when food travels through your digestive tract, fewer calories are absorbed. This also leads to weight loss and is known as weight loss through malabsorption.
Because weight loss occurs in two ways, people who have gastric bypass surgery usually lose more weight compared to gastric sleeve or stomach stapling surgery. The weight loss also tends to occur faster.
Gastric bypass is a permanent procedure that cant be reversed.
Also Check: What Can Cause Really Bad Stomach Pain
Will Medicaid Pay For Excess Skin Removal
Under Medicaid, abdominal pannicul surgery may be considered medically appropriate and necessary when done to relieve clinical signs and symptoms of panniculitis caused by excess weight loss, symptoms associated with it, and/or facilitation of abdominal surgery in cases of those with weight loss or severe symptoms.
Dont Cut Quality Corners
While cost is obviously an important consideration when it comes to plastic surgery, it is not the most important. Patients should remember that their health and cosmetic satisfaction are ultimately the top priorities. Choosing an inexperienced doctor to save some money could cost far more in the long run if they require a corrective procedure or if they develop serious health complications.
At Austin-Weston, our plastic surgeons are committed to providing patients with the results they desire and the care and safety they deserve. .
Additional Resources:
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of The Stomach Bug Fast
Interested In A Personal Loan
How Student Loan Hero Gets Paid
Student Loan Hero is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site . Student Loan Hero does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
Targeted Areas For Treatment
As you probably guessed from the name, a mini tummy tuck targets your tummy, specifically the lower part of your stomach between your belly button and pubic area.
Your belly button wont be changed with a mini tummy tuck, whereas with a full abdominoplasty, it would change.
If youre looking to flatten your entire stomach from the rib cage down, a full tummy tuck is likely the better option.
You May Like: What To Eat When Your Stomach Hurts
Also Check: Does Stomach Cancer Cause Bloating
United States: Covered If Your Plan Includes Bariatric Surgery
In the U.S., gastric bypass is covered under any plan that includes weight loss surgery.
How Do You Know If Your Insurance Includes Weight Loss Surgery?
It varies based on how you get your health insurance:
- Individual/Family Plans & Small Group Plans Obamacare requires that many states cover weight loss surgery.
- Large Group Plans it is 100% up to the company whether the chosen benefits plan includes bariatric surgery. Ask someone in the HR department or contact your insurance company to see whether its covered.
- Medicare & Medicaid both of the federally sponsored plans cover gastric bypass surgery, but not all surgeons accept Medicare and Medicaid.
If Your Policy Covers It: Ask for a Free Insurance Check
Most surgical practices will check your insurance benefits for free. Importantly, theyll normally do it quickly since they have a staff experienced in dealing with insurance companies.
Instead of doing your own research, reach out to local surgeons office to check your insurance benefits.
The below are average out-of-pocket gastric bypass costs if you have insurance:
- HMO: $1,475
See below for assumptions:
- Zero dollars paid towards your calendar year deductible for other services
- The were calculated with special formulas that are based off of average plan designs from Kaiser Family Foundations Annual Employer Health Benefits Survey
If Your Policy Does NOT Cover It: Seek Partial Coverage
- Cardiology exam
- Psychological exam
- Sleep study
- BMI of 40+ OR
Weight Loss Surgery Costs
Weight loss surgery costs and associated fees are made up of several components:
- Hospital charges for bed stay
- Hospital charges for operating theatre session
- Equipment used in the operating theatre session.This includes the:
- Gastric band itself or for other weight loss devices such as stapling
- Professional fees charged by the surgeon, anaesthetist and surgeon assistants
Patients with an appropriate level of private health insurance cover will find most hospital and equipment charges will incur a no gap fee. The out of pocket expenses for insured patients relate mostly to professional and clinic fees charged by the surgeon, anaesthetist and their assistants.
Occasionally, in your operation, there may be certain equipment used which is non-rebateable, such as the lap band device.
You May Like: How To Find Out Stomach Cancer
What If Your Insurance Company Declines Coverage
If your request is turned down, or if the insurance company agrees to pay only a small percentage of the cost, the door is not closed.
You can write a letter of appeal to the insurance company representative who signed the denial. Before you appeal, make sure you understand your policy completely, and that it does not specifically exclude the weight loss surgery you want.
Also, make sure restrictions were not in place when you first began your contract with the health plan.
Your appeal letter should include:
- An explanation of why you feel the procedure should be covered
- A request for a full explanation of why coverage is being denied
- A request for a copy of the specific statement — taken from the policy or benefits booklet — that explains why your coverage is limited or denied
- A copy of the denial notification
- A copy of your doctor’s preauthorization request letter
You may find it helpful to send a copy of your appeal letter to your state’s insurance commissioner or the department of corporations if you are covered by an HMO plan. You can explain that youâre having trouble, and ask for assistance. Your bariatric surgeon can help you with your appeal.
Risks Of The Procedure
As with any surgical procedure, complications may occur. Some possiblecomplications include, but are not limited to, the following:
-
Infection
-
Scarring inside the abdomen
-
Vomiting due to eating more than the stomach pouch can hold
Risks specific to vertical gastric banding include breakdown of the line ofstaples and erosion of the band. Rarely, stomach juices may leak into theabdomen and emergency surgery may be needed. The most common complicationthat may develop with adjustable gastric band surgery is that the stomachpouch enlarges. Band slippage and saline leaks are also risks specific toadjustable gastric band surgery.
Risk is reduced with a laparoscopic banding procedure because there is noincision in the stomach wall.
There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Besure to discuss any concerns with your doctor prior to the procedure.
Recommended Reading: What Can Cause Stomach Pain And Nausea
Laparoscopic Sleeve For Weight Loss
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive treatment without having the malabsorptive component present in other bariatric treatments. It consists of resection of two-thirds of the stomach to give increased satiety and decreased appetite.
The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is a weight loss method that functions to completely remove up to 85% of the stomach through a stapling device, making the remaining stomach form a tube .
Recommended Reading: What Is Pain On Left Side Of Stomach
What Bariatric Surgical Procedures Are Performed By Surgeons At Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic offers many surgical options for patients who are interested in bariatric surgery.
The most commonly performed malabsorptive procedure is called the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. This method makes the stomach smaller and alters digestion. Less food can be eaten and fewer calories can be absorbed. The bariatric surgeon creates a small pouch by dividing the upper end of the stomach. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum , as well as the first portion of the jejunum . The procedure creates a direct connection from the stomach to the lower segment of the small intestine, literally bypassing portions of the digestive tract that absorb calories and nutrients.
We can also perform the sleeve gastrectomy as a laparoscopic procedure. This involves making five or six small incisions in the abdomen and performing the procedure using a video camera and long instruments that are placed through these small incisions. During the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy , about 75% of the stomach is removed leaving a narrow gastric tube or sleeve. No intestines are removed or bypassed during the sleeve gastrectomy. The LSG takes one to two hours to complete. We have an animated video of a sleeve gastrectomy procedure available as well.
In select patients, depending on their situations and needs, Cleveland Clinic bariatric surgeons can perform other surgical options such as duodenal switch.
Read Also: What Is Pain In Right Side Of Stomach
What Is Gastric Stapling Surgery
Gastric stapling surgery, also called gastric banding surgery, is a type ofbariatric surgery procedure performed to limit theamount of food a person can eat. Bariatric surgery is the only option todaythat effectively treats morbid obesity in people for whom more conservativemeasures such as diet, exercise, and medication have not been effective
In gastric banding surgery, no part of the stomach is removed and thedigestive process remains intact. Either staples or a band are used toseparate the stomach into two parts, one of which is a very small pouchthat can hold about one ounce of food. The food from this “new” stomachempties into the closed-off portion of the stomach and then resumes thenormal digestive process. Over time, the pouch can expand to hold two tothree ounces of food. Because the size of the stomach is reduced sodramatically, this type of procedure is referred to as a restrictiveprocedure.
After gastric stapling or banding, a person can eat only aboutthree-quarters to one cup of food. The food must be well-chewed. Eatingmore than the stomach pouch can hold may result in nausea and vomiting.Restrictive procedures pose fewer risks than gastric bypass procedures, butthey are also less successful because continuous overeating can stretch thepouch so that it accommodates more food.
The types of gastric banding procedures include:
Will Health Insurance Pay
If you have health insurance, read your policy carefully, and work closely with your insurer and your doctor to see what’s covered. Under the Affordable Care Act, some states require that health insurers selling plans in the Marketplace or directly to individuals or small groups cover bariatric surgery by 2016 nearly half of states mandated coverage for these plans.
Most insurance companies recognize that people who are overweight and obese are more likely to get serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea.
If you donât have health insurance, have insurance through a large employer , or you live in a state that does not include bariatric surgery in its essential health benefits, youâll likely have to pay the entire bill yourself. Some weight loss surgery centers can help you get a loan that you can repay over a number of years.
Read Also: Is Stage 3 Stomach Cancer Curable
Getting Your Insurance To Pay For Weight Loss Surgery
Most major insurance companies will require:
- Proof that surgery or medical intervention is medically necessary. Your surgeon can help provide your medical history and documentation of your weight-related health problems.
- Participation in a physician-supervised diet program. You may be required to successfully complete a 6-month weight-loss program before approval is granted. Medicare does not require this 6-month program, but you may be encouraged to participate anyway. This type of diet program involves monthly visits to your doctor or bariatric surgeon’s office for 6 months. The insurance companies arenât trying to find out if you can lose weight through dieting. In fact, most insurance companies require that the patient’s weight be stable during this time — with no up-and-down fluctuations — or you may be denied coverage. They want you to demonstrate over the 6 months prior to surgery that you can commit to lifestyle changes youâll need to make forever after your weight loss surgery.
- A psychological evaluation. This is to make sure that you understand weight loss surgery and the impact it will have on your lifestyle. The psychological evaluation also checks for untreated binge eating or any other psychological issues.
- A nutritional evaluation. You will work one-on-one with a nutritionist to outline specific dietary changes and habits that need to be changed.