Many adults today are looking for help to get their weight under control. Some are looking to find the cheapest bariatric surgery, and some even consider looking to find the cheapest country for bariatric surgery. It is not advisable to travel overseas for weight loss surgery for many reasons, but a few of the biggest are the dangers of inconsistent medical standards and qualifications for doctors. Yikes!

There are less invasive ways to lose weight that are affordable and can be done safely and effectively in New York and Miami at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center. Today we are going to take a closer look at these endobariatric procedures and their costs so you can weigh the benefits and benchmark them against even the cheapest bariatric surgery.

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Is Bariatric Surgery Common?

Bariatric surgery is less common than you may think, especially when you look at the magnitude of the issue.

The United States is in the midst of an obesity crisis, and the numbers keep rising. Almost 15 million children in the United States were classified as obese by the CDC using data gathered from 2017 to the mid-2020s and data from 2017 through 2018 shows that around 42% of the adults in the United States are classified as obese and another 31% are classified as overweight. This means that only around 30% of American adults are considered to be at their ideal or healthy weight.

Currently, there are about 102,096,511 obese adults in the U.S. In 2022, approximately 230,000 of these individuals underwent bariatric surgery. This means that less than 1% of obese adults chose to undergo surgery to help treat their condition.

Why Would Obese People Choose Not To Undergo Surgery To Help Them Get Their Weight Under Control?

There could be a few reasons why most obese individuals do not choose to have bariatric surgery. Perhaps they did not wish to undergo surgery because of the associated risks or complications, or maybe they could not financially afford the cost of surgery and the lost wages during the long recovery time, or maybe they did not qualify due to health reasons.

Coverage for bariatric surgery varies widely among different health plans. Whether or not it's covered depends on your insurance company, the type of plan you have, and the regulations in your state.

Another sticky point is that if your health insurance policy covers bariatric surgery and you are depending on it to cover part of the costs, you will have to meet specific criteria outlined by the insurance company. Common requirements for approval include demonstrating a history of unsuccessful attempts to lose weight through traditional methods, having a BMI over 40 or a BMI over 35 with a health issue that is weight-related, completing diet and exercise programs under a doctor's supervision without achieving significant weight loss, and submitting to medical and psychological testing.

What Is The Cheapest Bariatric Surgery?

The average cost of bariatric surgery can range from $17,000 to $26,000 and will vary by the type of surgery, your current health, whether you have insurance, or whether you are planning to pay for surgery yourself. Your deductible, uncovered expenses, and extra fees can sometimes add up to anywhere between $5,000 and $20,000. Some of the things that can influence the cost of even the cheapest bariatric surgery include:

• Surgeon's fee: More experienced surgeons tend to charge more;
• Hospital or facility costs: These fees will vary depending on the type of facility, and specialty centers or well-known hospitals may have higher costs;
• Sedation: Fees for anesthesia and the anesthesia team;
• Diagnostic tests: Costs associated with any necessary pre-surgery tests;
• Follow-up care: Post-surgery visits and nutritional counseling may also need to be considered when calculating expenses.

<table class="iksweb"><caption>Bariatric Surgery Cost Comparison Chart</caption><tbody><tr><th>Surgery Type</th><th>Average Hospital Stay</th><th>Average Cost in US</th></tr><tr><td>Gastric Sleeve</td><td>2-3 days</td><td>$19,300</td></tr><tr><td>Gastric Bypass</td><td>2-4 days</td><td>$24,300</td></tr><tr><td>Duodenal Switch</td><td>3-4 days</td><td>$27,300</td></tr><tr><td>Gastric Lap Band</td><td>1-2 days</td><td>$15,200</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">These are base costs and may not include all fees associated with the surgery.</td></tr></tbody></table>

There are other costs that you need to consider that might affect your financial picture if you choose to undergo bariatric surgery. Some of these costs may include:

• Extended time off work without pay (if you do not have enough vacation or sick time);
• Costs associated with some type of domestic help with children, pets, household chores, yardwork, errands, etc. while you are recovering;
• To ensure your body gets the vital nutrients it needs, you will have to take supplements for the rest of your life, so you will need to factor in these ongoing costs.

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Are There Better Alternatives To Cheap Bariatric Surgery?

Yes! There are much safer non-surgical alternatives, known as endobariatrics, that are available right here in the United States. In fact, you can access them in New York and Miami at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center. There are a few different endoscopic weight loss options to choose from, depending on your preference and what your doctor recommends for you.

Suture Sculpt Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)

ESG is a non-surgical weight loss procedure that works by reducing your stomach's size by about 70%, similar to gastric sleeve surgery, but instead of removing part of your stomach, it's stitched from the inside to make it smaller. The procedure is done using an endoscope inserted through the throat, so there are no abdominal incisions. This smaller stomach size helps you control portion sizes and keeps you feeling full longer. The whole process takes 45 minutes to an hour, requires no hospital stay, and involves only a brief recovery period.

Intragastric Weight Loss Balloon

A gastric balloon helps you lose weight by temporarily filling up part of your stomach, which limits how much you can eat at one time. It will also help you feel full more quickly and reduce feelings of persistent hunger. The balloon is placed and removed during an in-office endoscopic outpatient procedure that takes about 20 minutes, and you can go home after a short observation period. Most patients return to their normal activities within three or four days.

Prescription Weight Loss Injections

These injections help keep your metabolism running efficiently and help reduce feelings of hunger and cravings for unhealthy foods. The medication contained in these injections is very similar to natural hormones that are released during your digestion process, so they can help overcome metabolic challenges that often hinder weight loss. When these injections are used along with a non-surgical weight loss procedure, they provide maximum benefits.

Non-Surgical Endoscopic Procedure Benefits

• Endobariatric procedures are done as an outpatient, so they do not require surgery or a hospital stay;
• They have significantly lower risk profiles because they do not require any incisions, and the recovery times are usually a week or less;
• They are affordable and can be financed. These procedures are not covered by insurance at this time, but the all-inclusive self-pay prices at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center are often comparable to or less than what you would have to pay for your insurance deductible and other related expenses;
• Since your recovery is so short, you would not be taking the financial hit of lost wages or hiring extra help for six weeks.

<table class="iksweb"><caption>Average Costs For Non-Surgical Endobariatric Procedures</caption><tbody><tr><th>Procedure</th><th>Average Hospital Stay</th><th>Average Cost (US $)</th></tr><tr><td>Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)</td><td>0 days</td><td>$9,150-12,000</td></tr><tr><td>Gastric Balloon</td><td>0 days</td><td>$8,150-10,000</td></tr></tbody></table>

Don’t Look For The Cheapest Bariatric Surgery

If you are ready to commit to getting your weight under control, Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center is here to help you every step of the way. We will create a personalized weight loss program just for you that will help you overcome challenges that have kept you from succeeding in the past. You will receive ongoing support from your first consultation and beyond from our team of professionals, so you will never feel like you are on your own.

Our non-surgical weight loss solutions, weight loss medications, and practical strategies for weight loss will have you reaching your goals and improving your health before you know it.

There is no need to undergo invasive surgery and expose yourself to the risks and potential complications that come along with it when you can have a non-surgical procedure and be back to your routine in a flash. Additionally, choosing an obesity-trained expert with extensive endoscopy skills like Dr. Steven Batash is much safer than traveling to the cheapest country for bariatric surgery.

Set up a consultation today and learn more about your alternatives to surgery. Don’t worry if you are not located in New York or Miami; we have many patients who travel to work with our experts here at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Centers, and we offer initial video consultations. Start your journey to better health today and trust your health and weight loss results to our professional experts.

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