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Bariatric Surgery: A Path To Health &Amp; Wellness

Bariatric surgery is a medical procedure performed to assist people who are suffering from obesity to lose weight. The operation aids in weight loss by either reducing the size of the stomach with a gastric band or by removing a portion of the stomach, which is known as a Gastrectomy, or by resecting and rerouting your small intestines to a small stomach pouch, which is termed as a Gastric Bypass. Among these methods, a type of gastrectomy, the gastric sleeve surgery, is gaining popularity owing to its efficiency and minimally invasive technique.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The gastric sleeve surgery, also known as Sleeve Gastrectomy, is a surgical weight-loss procedure where the doctor removes almost 80% of your stomach, leaving a banana-shaped section that is closed with staples. The new, smaller stomach is about the size of a banana. It limits the amount of food you can eat by making you feel full after eating small amounts of food.

After surgery, weight loss occurs quickly. Most weight loss occurs within the first year post-operation. This procedure can also improve or resolve many obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and more.

Is Bariatric Surgery Suitable for Everyone?

Nobody should undertake the decision to have bariatric surgery lightly. It requires a lifelong commitment to diet and exercise, in addition to an annual medical check-up. The preoperative evaluation includes multiple tests, along with discussions about the risks and benefits of the procedure.

Generally, bariatric surgery could be an option for you if your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (extreme obesity). It might also be an option if your BMI is 35 to 39.9 (obesity), and you have a serious weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or severe sleep apnea.

Cost of Bariatric Surgery

The cost is a significant factor that may impact your decision to have bariatric surgery. Various factors contribute to the total cost of surgery. These include surgical fees, hospital fees, anesthesiology fees, pre-operative laboratory test fees, and fees for follow-up care for a certain period after surgery. It’s also essential to consider the uninsured expenses, such as dietary counseling, vitamin and mineral supplements, fitness, physiotherapy, and more.

Moreover, the fees rise with the complexity and sophistication of the procedure. In the United States, the average cost of Gastric Bypass Surgery is USD 23,000, Lap Band is USD 14,500, and Gastric Sleeve costs USD 14,900. However, it varies widely from state to state.

Specifically, for the people living in California, it’s worth noting that the average gastric sleeve surgery cost los angeles ranges between $10,000 and $20,000.

The prices given above are averages, which do not include ancillary or related medical expenses. There are many affordable options, offers, and bundle packages available when it comes to bariatric surgery that prove to be cost-effective in the longer run. Further, numerous financing options and insurance coverage are available for eligible patients.

In Conclusion

Bariatric surgery, specifically gastric sleeve surgery, offers a potentially life-saving opportunity for weight loss when diet and exercise have failed, and health is in jeopardy. Although the cost can seem high, the benefits of improved health and quality of life are priceless. If you are considering bariatric surgery, consult with a specialist to discuss treatment options, risks, benefits, and related costs to make an informed decision.