If your insurance plan excludes weight loss surgery, or you would rather not wait months for approvals, paying for surgery yourself is a realistic option. Here is what self-pay weight loss surgery costs in Fort Myers, what the price includes, and how to tell whether a quoted price is truly all-inclusive.
What does self-pay weight loss surgery cost in Fort Myers?
At my practice, self-pay weight loss procedures start at $13,000. That is a package price that covers the procedure, facility fees, anesthesia and a full year of follow-up care. The exact price depends on which procedure is right for you: a gastric sleeve, a gastric bypass, SADI-S, an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), or a revision of an earlier operation. You get your exact number in writing at your consultation, before you commit to anything.
What should a package price include?
When you compare prices from different programs, ask whether each of these is included:
- The surgeon’s fee for the operation itself.
- Anesthesia. Some quotes leave this out, and it can add thousands.
- The facility fee for the hospital or surgery center.
- Follow-up visits. My package includes a year of follow-up, because the first year is when the most weight comes off and when you need the most support.
Some programs quote only the surgeon’s fee, which makes their number look low. Others add charges for pre-operative testing, nutrition visits or complications care. Ask for every quote in writing and compare like with like.
Does insurance cover weight loss surgery?
Many plans do, if you meet their criteria. Insurers commonly require a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or 35 or higher with a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea. Many also require a supervised diet program and other steps before they approve surgery. Current guidelines from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery support surgery at lower BMIs, but insurers vary in how closely they follow them.
We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicaid, and my office will check your benefits for you. Endoscopic procedures like ESG are starting to be covered by more insurance carriers.
Not sure where you stand? Use our BMI calculator to see which range you fall in.
Can I finance self-pay surgery?
Yes. We offer financing through CareCredit, which lets qualified patients spread the cost over monthly payments. Promotional terms depend on your credit approval, so ask CareCredit for the details that apply to you. Our payment options page has more.
Is self-pay surgery worth it compared with years of medication?
GLP-1 medications work well for many people, and I prescribe them. They work only as long as you keep taking them, and many patients pay for them out of pocket month after month. For patients with a lot of weight to lose, surgery is a one-time cost that produces lasting results that in most cases allows for more weight loss than medications alone! The right choice depends on your health, your goals and your budget, and that is exactly what we talk through at a consultation.
If medication has stopped working for you, read When GLP-1 Isn’t Enough.
Next step
A consultation is the only way to get an exact price for your situation. Call my Fort Myers office at (239) 481-0033 or request a consultation online. We see patients from Lee, Collier, Charlotte counties and all over the United States.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Prices are subject to change and are confirmed in writing at your consultation. Individual results vary.