How Quickly Can You Get Bariatric Surgery?

We get it. Many bariatric patients have lived years or even decades with the cloud of excess weight hanging over them. After dozens of diets, commercial weight loss plans, and even medically supervised diet and exercise plans, it’s easy to look no further and give up, resigning to a less-than-optimal physical situation. It’s no wonder, therefore, that when our patients finally decide to have bariatric surgery, they want to do it right away.

Unfortunately, the speed at which insurance companies work through approvals can be somewhat glacial. They also require significant documentation to show that the surgery is necessary and that the patient qualifies. This process can last 3 to 6 months, which may feel like a lifetime. It’s often a consideration when patients decide to consider self-pay bariatric surgery.

The Details of Self-Pay

A self-pay bariatric program has become an excellent option in recent years due to several factors. First, insurance companies have onerous requirements. The process, as mentioned above, can take months. However, with deductibles, coinsurance, and co-pays as they are today, there’s an excellent argument for the financial viability of self-pay bariatric surgery. Considering that self-pay patients will not be subjected to the same requirements, you might be surprised that the time from consultation to the operating room can be very short.

However, it is essential to remember that because there are fewer insurance-mandated hurdles to jump, it doesn’t mean we choose our patients any less selectively. Indeed, over the years, we have learned that choosing the right patient for a procedure, cash or insurance, is critical to ensuring the best outcomes, both in weight loss and overall health. As such, don’t be surprised if Dr. Huguet or Dr. Peterson asks you for additional testing to ensure your safety during the procedure.

That said, our self-pay gastric sleeve price of $12,999 includes everything needed to perform the procedure safely and effectively. It also means that you will likely be able to skip several insurance company requirements and get to surgery sooner.

As a point of reference, we can often, schedule permitting, fit somebody into surgery within a month if all paperwork is correct and clearances have returned with an A-OK to proceed.

Give us a call to learn more about the self-pay options we have available.