Gastric Bypass Cost and Procedure Information

Gastric bypass is a type of weight loss surgery that changes the way your digestive system handles food. This procedure, also called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, involves creating a small pouch in the stomach and connecting that pouch to the small intestine. After the surgery, the pouch will be the only part of your stomach that can hold food, which will help you feel full faster. Additionally, connecting the pouch directly to the small intestine allows food to bypass most of your stomach and part of the small intestine, decreasing the nutrients and calories your body absorbs from the foods you eat.

National Gastric Bypass Procedure Pricing Summary

National Minimum Price $20,575 (Bristol, TN)
National Average Price $33,434
National Maximum Price $56,580 (Bristol, TN)

Gastric Bypass Cost Averages Around the Country

Price Range
Cornelia, GA Gastric Bypass Cost Average $38,300 - $105,300
Cordele, GA Gastric Bypass Cost Average $36,200 - $99,300
Lake Havasu City, AZ Gastric Bypass Cost Average $33,700 - $92,700
Bainbridge, GA Gastric Bypass Cost Average $41,100 - $113,000
Atlanta, GA Gastric Bypass Cost Average $28,900 - $79,400
Moultrie, GA Gastric Bypass Cost Average $36,200 - $99,400
Chattanooga, TN Gastric Bypass Cost Average $41,600 - $114,300
Tucson, AZ Gastric Bypass Cost Average $20,200 - $55,600
Flagstaff, AZ Gastric Bypass Cost Average $43,900 - $120,500
Phoenix, AZ Gastric Bypass Cost Average $25,600 - $70,400
Click to find out more about how to use the pricing information shown on this site.

Featured Facilities that Perform Gastric Bypass

Name Location Price Range
Page Hospital Page , AZ $68,800 - $189,000
Floyd Medical Center Rome , GA $41,200 - $113,300
Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center Globe , AZ $99,200 - $272,600
Southeast Georgia Health System - Camden Campus Saint Marys , GA $34,500 - $94,800
Satilla Regional Medical Center Waycross , GA $41,800 - $114,800
Hamilton Medical Center Dalton , GA $36,700 - $100,900
Oconee Regional Medical Center Milledgeville , GA $39,800 - $109,400
Crisp Regional Hospital Cordele , GA $36,200 - $99,300
Copper Queen Community Hospital Bisbee , AZ $82,900 - $227,800
Memorial Hospital and Manor Bainbridge , GA $41,100 - $113,000
Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital & Health Center Nogales , AZ $121,600 - $334,400
Hutcheson Medical Center Fort Oglethorpe , GA $41,600 - $114,300
Forsyth Surgical Center Cumming , GA $20,500 - $56,200
South Georgia Medical Center Valdosta , GA $38,400 - $105,500
Northwest Medical Center Tucson , AZ $30,400 - $83,600
John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital Thomasville , GA $36,100 - $99,300
Affinity Outpatient Services Tifton , GA $20,300 - $55,600
Southeast Georgia Health System - Brunswick Campus Brunswick , GA $41,900 - $115,100
Saint Joseph's Hospital Savannah , GA $41,100 - $113,000
Northeast Ga Procedure Ctr Athens , GA $19,900 - $54,700
Gainesville Surg Ctr Gainesville , GA $19,200 - $52,600
Habersham County Medical Center Demorest , GA $38,300 - $105,300
Sumter Regional Hospital Americus , GA $41,600 - $114,400
Kingman Regional Medical Center Kingman , AZ $32,800 - $90,000
Medical Center of Central Georgia Macon , GA $40,500 - $111,400
Trinity Hospital of Augusta Augusta , GA $37,500 - $103,100
St. Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center Phoenix , AZ $44,300 - $121,700
Dorminy Medical Center Fitzgerald , GA $36,800 - $101,200
Turning Point Hospital Moultrie , GA $36,700 - $101,000
Southern Surgery Center Lagrange , GA $21,600 - $59,200

Gastric Bypass Information & Details

Gastric Bypass Surgery Cost and Procedure Information

Gastric bypass surgery is a complicated procedure only recommended for individuals who have already tried unsuccessfully to lose weight on their own through diet and exercise. Patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher OR a BMI of 35 to 40 with at least one obesity-related health condition—such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes—may qualify for this surgery.

Most gastric bypass surgeries are performed laparoscopically, meaning that the surgeon operates through multiple small incisions in your abdomen. During this procedure, a surgeon creates a small pouch in the top of your stomach that’s about the size of a walnut. This pouch is sealed off from the rest of your stomach, limiting the amount of food you can eat in one sitting. Then, the surgeon attaches the small intestine directly to this pouch, giving your food a new, shorter path through your digestive system.

Gastric bypass is often performed as an inpatient procedure, meaning that your surgeon will have you stay in the hospital a day or more after your surgery to monitor your recovery. However, an increasing number of gastric bypass surgeries are being performed as outpatient procedures, lowering the overall cost of the surgery. Ultimately, the price you pay for your gastric bypass surgery will depend on many factors, including your surgeon, your healthcare facility, and even the city in which you have your procedure.

Patient Preparation for Gastric Bypass Surgery

In the weeks before your gastric bypass surgery, your physician will help make sure you’re prepared for the procedure. This can include doing a physical exam and blood tests, as well as advising you to begin a physical activity program and stop using any tobacco products. You may also see a counselor or nutritionist before your surgery to help prepare you for the dietary and other lifestyle changes you’ll go through after the procedure.

This is also a good time to prepare your home for your recovery. Make sure that everything you’ll need after the surgery is easily accessible and that you’ll have the appropriate foods and drinks on hand when you need them. You can also ask friends or family for help around the house during your recovery if you think you’ll need it.

Talk to your doctor about what steps you can take before and after your surgery to give yourself the best chance of a fast, healthy recovery. They can also give you guidelines for achieving healthy weight loss in the weeks, months, and years after your procedure.

What to Expect During and After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery can be performed traditionally (through one or more large incisions) or laparoscopically (through a series of small incisions). Generally, laparoscopic surgeries are associated with shorter recovery times and lower rates of complications. For both methods, gastric bypass surgery usually takes a few hours. You will be under general anesthesia for the surgery, meaning that you will be asleep and will not feel any pain.

During the procedure, your surgeon will divide your stomach into two sections. The top section, about the size of a walnut or an egg, will be your new stomach. They will then separate the small intestine from the bottom half of your stomach and attach it to the new, smaller stomach pouch. After the procedure, any food you eat will go from this small pouch directly to your small intestine, bypassing most of your stomach and the first part of the small intestine.

Before the surgery is over, the surgeon will also connect the other part of your small intestine—the part still attached to the bottom of your stomach—to a part of your small intestine that’s further down. This allows any stomach acids and digestive enzymes created by the unused lower portion of your stomach to drain into the small intestine and eventually mix with the food you eat.

After your surgery, you’ll be on a liquid diet as your stomach and small intestine start to heal. As time passes, you’ll slowly begin to reintroduce solid foods into your diet, starting with pureed foods. Your doctor will give you guidelines about what (and how much) you should eat in the days, weeks, and months after your surgery. They may also recommend taking a multivitamin or other supplements to help make up for the nutrients you won’t be able to get from your limited diet.

You’ll talk to your doctor frequently in the months following your gastric bypass surgery. They will monitor your health and weight loss throughout your recovery and help with any concerns you may have.

In the news

CNN Health The Seattle Times NPR