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Weight Loss Surgery Cost
Weight loss surgery encompasses various procedures which directly address the stomach and consequently the appetite. The most common techniques used in weight loss surgery are the Gastric Band, Gastric Bypass and the Gastric Balloon. In each case, the capacity of the stomach is reduced, leaving the patient feeling fuller sooner and subsequently reducing portion sizes.
Gastric Band Surgery
This procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and can take up to an hour. Patients will be asked not to eat anything for 6 hours before the surgery, but may be able to sip water up to two hours beforehand. Through a small incision a flexible silicone band is fitted around a section of the stomach via keyhole surgery and connected to a ‘port’ which is positioned under the skin near to the ribs. The band essentially creates a smaller stomach pouch through which food passes through slowly, and is then absorbed normally by the lower part of the tummy.
Prices for gastric band surgery range from £5000 to £8000, depending on individual practitioners.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
This procedure is also performed under general anaesthetic and can take up to three hours. Using either keyhole or open surgery, the stomach is divided using surgical staples creating a smaller stomach. The small intestine is then attached to this smaller stomach, shortening the digestive system. This not only makes the patient feel fuller quicker, but reduces the amount of calories absorbed through digestion due to the reduced area of lower intestine that the ingested food comes in to contact with. The drastic and rapid results may result in patients experiencing excess skin or sagging after this procedure.
The cost of gastric bypass surgery can be up to £15,000 due to the relative complexity of this procedure compared to other forms of weight loss surgery.
Gastric Balloon
A gastric balloon is fitted under sedation and is therefore not technically classed as a surgical procedure. Being sedated means that the patient will be conscious but drowsy throughout the procedure and for a little while afterwards. A silicone balloon is usually fitted using an endoscope inserted through the mouth and down the oesophagus, which is subsequently inflated with either air or saline. The balloon serves to fill a portion of the stomach but is usually removed after 6 months, so is only a temporary measure. Hence, the cost is considerably less than other more invasive and permanent forms of weight loss surgery.
To have a Gastric Balloon fitted will usually cost a patient around £3,000 to £4,000.
Biliopancreatic Diversion
This is the procedure through which a section of the lower stomach is removed therefore changing the normal process of digestion and reducing the number of calories that are absorbed throughout the digestive process. Bilopancreatic diversion has a excellent success rate with many patients reducing their excess weight by up to 80% according to the British Obesity Patient Surgery Association and NICE. This procedure may also be performed with a duodenal switch.
NHS funding
Private weight loss surgery costs can be extremely expensive, but there is the potential option of having surgery in an NHS hospital for the clinically severely obese. The guidelines are strict, and are typically reliant upon your Body Mass Index (BMI) and whether or not these are accompanied by various other serious medical complaints. However, it is advised that if you are thinking about weight loss surgery, you should discuss your options with your GP. They will not only be able to inform you of the procedures available, but will be also able to refer you to a specialist if needed. Patient's should always attempt to lose weight through diet and exercise before considering surgery. A qualified dietitian can help organise a dietary and exercise routine to help you try and tackle the problem without resorting to surgery by making substantial changes to your life style. Weight loss surgery should always be viewed as a last resort and should not be treated as a quick solution to obesity.
Use our articles and free quote finding tool to help you learn about weight loss surgery procedures and compare prices from the UK's leading weight loss clinics.