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Bariatric Surgery Source
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 * Overview
    * Bariatric Surgery Overview
    * General
       * Bariatric Surgery for Beginners
       * Is Bariatric Treatment Right for You?
       * Safety Considerations
       * Weight Loss Surgery Complications
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    * Before & After Surgery
       * Preparing for Surgery
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       * Complete Comparison (Start Here)
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    * Procedure Guides
       * Gastric Sleeve
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    * Head-to-Head
       * Gastric Sleeve Vs Gastric Bypass
       * Gastric Sleeve Vs LAP-BAND®
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       * Gastric Sleeve
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       * AspireAssist

 * Diet & Life After
    * Diet & Life After
    * What to Expect
       * Life After a Weight Loss Procedure (Start Here)
       * What You’ll Eat
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    * Challenges
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Bariatric Surgery Source: Complete Patient Guide
Home

Bariatric Surgery Source: Complete Patient Guide


ARE YOU A BARIATRIC SURGERY


BEGINNER?

start here

Why Bariatric Surgery Source?

Nice to meet you! Over the last decade, we have helped millions of visitors just
like you understand the benefits and drawbacks of weight loss surgery. Click
here to learn about our expert team that provides you with safe,
thoroughly-vetted, and up-to-date information about bariatrics.




DO YOU QUALIFY?

In addition to meeting weight requirements, patients must answer several
questions before moving forward with surgery.

Learn Requirements


COMPARE PROCEDURES

There are several procedures to choose from, and your choice will depend on your
goals and circumstances.

Compare Options


MINIMIZING COSTS

Surgery costs depend on where you have it and what kind of insurance you have.

Review Costs


LIFE AFTER SURGERY

From recovery to long-term weight loss and health improvement, for most patients
life after surgery is challenging but worth it.

What to Expect



POPULAR PAGES


Gastric Sleeve Surgery
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BARIATRIC SURGERY SOURCE BY THE NUMBERS



Why We Are the Most Trusted Name in Online Bariatric Surgery Patient Education

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Education Across the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK
10Million+
Prospective patients educated
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Board Certified Bariatric Surgeons Author or Review All Health-Related Content

Click here to learn more about us.


EDUCATIONAL SECTIONS


Obesity
is surgery for me?
procedures
costs
find a surgeon
life after


TESTIMONIALS

Previous

WOW!!! What a completely fabulous, informative site!! It answered most of my
burning questions and gave me info I didn’t even know I needed. It was not dry
and boring, it was exactly what I was looking for.

Jan Wolf
Weight Loss Surgery Patient

“Bariatric Surgery Source is the best out there for patient-focused weight loss
surgery information.”

Dr. Joseph Kuhn
Center of Excellence Bariatric Surgeon

I LOVE your site and what you are doing…so much information!!

Laura Preston
Gastric Bypass Patient

Great site! I congratulate you on a job well done!

Y. Acherman, MD
Center of Excellence Bariatric Surgeon

This has been a great resource for me as I begin my journey. I have my first
appointment with the surgeon on Friday.

Juliet Duncan
Weight Loss Surgery Patient

Bariatric Surgery Source is one of the most comprehensive sites I’ve seen… it is
excellent.

Peter Rovito, MD, FACS
General & Bariatric Surgeon

I really explored your site, and found the content very helpful and accurate. I
will be letting my support group know about your site, and also new patients to
the practice.

Heather Reeves
Bariatric Coordinator

Bariatric Surgery Source is packed with essential information you need to know
before, during and after weight loss surgery.

Lonicera’s Lap Band & Other Stories
Prominent Weight Loss Surgery Blogger

WOW!!! What a completely fabulous, informative site!! It answered most of my
burning questions and gave me info I didn’t even know I needed. It was not dry
and boring, it was exactly what I was looking for.

Jan Wolf
Weight Loss Surgery Patient

“Bariatric Surgery Source is the best out there for patient-focused weight loss
surgery information.”

Dr. Joseph Kuhn
Center of Excellence Bariatric Surgeon

I LOVE your site and what you are doing…so much information!!

Laura Preston
Gastric Bypass Patient

Great site! I congratulate you on a job well done!

Y. Acherman, MD
Center of Excellence Bariatric Surgeon
Next
*Disclaimer: Content: The information contained in this website is provided for
general information purposes and your specific results may vary depending on a
variety of circumstances. It is not intended as nor should be relied upon as
medical advice. Rather, it is designed to support, not replace, the relationship
that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician(s).
Before you use any of the information provided in the site, you should seek the
advice of a qualified medical, dietary, fitness or other appropriate
professional. Advertising: Bariatric Surgery Source, LLC has entered into
referral and advertising arrangements with certain medical practices, original
equipment manufacturers, and financial companies under which we receive
compensation (in the form of flat fees per qualifying action) when you click on
links to our partners and/or submit information. Read More

TOOLS
FIND A SURGEON
DO YOU QUALIFY?
CHECK MY INSURANCE
WEIGHT LOSS ESTIMATOR
COST COMPARE
Apply for Loan (Ad)
Tax
Write-Offs
RECOVERY TIMELINES
PROCEDURE SUMMARIES
COMPARE PROCEDURES
Best Procedure Quiz
HEALTH BENEFITS


Find a Bariatric Surgeon

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FIND A BARIATRIC SURGEON

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Do You Qualify for a Bariatric Procedure?

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DO YOU QUALIFY FOR A BARIATRIC PROCEDURE?

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Do You Qualify for a Bariatric Procedure?

Patients who qualify for bariatric surgery usually:

 * Are at least 80 lbs (36 kg) overweight
 * Are between 18 and 75 years old
 * Have a history of failed weight loss attempts (e.g., failed diets)
 * Thoroughly understand that the procedure is just a tool; long-term success
   requires significant diet and lifestyle changes

The minimum bariatric surgery qualifications include:

 * A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more
 * OR a BMI between 30 and 39.9 with a serious obesity-related health problem
   like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, joint
   problems, or others
 * OR a BMI of 30 to 40 with or without health issues for the gastric balloon
   procedure

To calculate your BMI, enter your height and weight into the tool, then click
the “Calculate BMI” button.

Click here to learn more
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Check My Insurance Tool

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CHECK MY INSURANCE TOOL

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Check My Insurance Tool

Bariatric surgery insurance coverage varies by insurance policy:

Individual/Family Plans & Small Group Plans – Coverage varies by state; coverage
is required by the Affordable Care Act in some states

Large Group Plans – Coverage depends on whether your employer has chosen to add
it to your policy

Medicare and Medicaid – Bariatric surgery is covered

If your policy covers it and you meet the qualification requirements, your plan
will likely include 4 procedures:

 * Gastric sleeve
 * Gastric bypass
 * LAP-BAND®
 * Duodenal switch

Your surgeon may be able to get partial coverage for the other procedures.

Use the tool to find out if your insurance covers bariatric surgery.

Click here to learn more
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Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Estimator Tool

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BARIATRIC SURGERY WEIGHT LOSS ESTIMATOR TOOL

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Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Calculator

You will start losing weight fast after any bariatric surgery procedure, but the
total amount lost varies based on:

 * The procedure you choose
 * How closely you follow your doctor’s instructions

Enter your information into the tool to get an idea about how much weight you’ll
lose after each procedure.

Click here to learn more

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Bariatric Procedure Cost Compare Tool

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BARIATRIC PROCEDURE COST COMPARE TOOL

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Bariatric Procedure Cost Compare Tool

Your out-of-pocket bariatric surgery cost can range anywhere from $0 to $20,000
or more depending on several factors, including:

Whether your insurance covers it – many insurances (including Medicare,
Medicaid, and many individual/family and employer-provided policies) cover the
majority of costs for gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, LAP-BAND®, and duodenal
switch. The other types of bariatric surgery are less likely to be covered,
although you may be able to get insurance to pay for some of the costs. Tap the
“With Insurance” button in the tool to see average out-of-pocket costs per
procedure after insurance pays. See our Insurance Tool to find out if your plan
covers it.

Which procedure you choose – if insurance won’t pay, costs range anywhere from
$8,000 to $20,000+, depending on the procedure. Tap the “Without Insurance”
button in the tool to compare the national average self-pay costs for each
procedure. (NOTE: Some surgeons offer each procedure for as low as half of the
national average).

How competitive your surgeon and hospital fees are – there is often a
substantial difference in costs between different doctors and hospitals, even
within the same town.

Whether you qualify for tax write-offs – Bariatric surgery is tax deductible,
which can have a big impact on the total cost of surgery. You can deduct medical
expenses if your out-of-pocket costs are more than 10% of your adjusted gross
income. See our Tax Tool to find out if your bariatric procedure will be tax
deductible.

How you choose to pay for your procedure – If insurance covers it, you’ll only
be responsible for any copays, deductibles, and coinsurance required by your
specific plan. If you pay for the procedure without insurance, total costs will
depend on how you pay. For example, your surgeon may offer a discount if you pay
the full amount up front, and you can make the costs more affordable by applying
for bariatric surgery financing.

Click here to learn more
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LOAN ESTIMATOR TOOL

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LOAN ESTIMATOR TOOL

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Bariatric Surgery Tax Write-Off Calculator

Weight loss surgery is tax deductible, which can have a big impact on the total
cost of surgery. You can deduct medical expenses if the costs are more than 10%
of your adjusted gross income.

Use the tool to find out if you qualify for a tax deduction.

To receive the deductions, you’ll need to complete Schedule A of the IRS Form
1040. You’ll also need to save your medical bills and payment statements as
proof. Money in one of the following special savings accounts (or even your IRA)
may also be a way to pay for part of surgery tax-free:

 * Health Savings Account (HSA)
 * Archer Medical Savings Account (Archer MSA)
 * Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
 * Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Click here to learn more
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Bariatric Surgery Tax Write-Off Tool

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BARIATRIC SURGERY TAX WRITE-OFF TOOL

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Bariatric Surgery Tax Write-Off Calculator

Weight loss surgery is tax deductible, which can have a big impact on the total
cost of surgery. You can deduct medical expenses if the costs are more than 10%
of your adjusted gross income.

Use the tool to find out if you qualify for a tax deduction

To receive the deductions, you’ll need to complete Schedule A of the IRS Form
1040. You’ll also need to save your medical bills and payment statements as
proof.

Money in one of the following special savings accounts (or even your IRA) may
also be a way to pay for part of surgery tax-free:

 * Health Savings Account (HSA)
 * Archer Medical Savings Account (Archer MSA)
 * Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
 * Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

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Bariatric Surgery Recovery Timeline Tool

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BARIATRIC SURGERY RECOVERY TIMELINE TOOL

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Bariatric Surgery Recovery Timeline Tool

Bariatric surgery recovery varies by procedure. Here are the ranges:

 * Timeline Range: from 3 days to 6 weeks to full recovery
   * Hospital Stay: from outpatient (return home same-day) to 3 days
   * Back to Work: from 3 days to 3 weeks
 * Pain Range: from mild discomfort to manageable with medication
 * Diet Range: from no restrictions to slow transition from clear liquids to
   solid foods
 * Activity Range: from no restrictions to slow transition back to regular
   activity and exercise

Use the tool to learn more about each stage of recovery.

Click here to learn more
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Bariatric Procedure Summaries

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Below is a brief explanation of how each bariatric surgery procedure works. Tap
the icons for more information.


BARIATRIC PROCEDURE SUMMARIES

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Below is a brief explanation of how each bariatric surgery procedure works. Tap
the icons for more information.


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Bariatric Procedure Comparison Tool

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BARIATRIC PROCEDURE COMPARISON TOOL

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Bariatric Procedure Comparison Tool

There are 6 types of bariatric surgery (also called “weight loss surgery”)
available, including:

 * Gastric Sleeve – feel less hungry & full sooner while eating
 * Gastric Bypass – feel full sooner while eating & absorb fewer minerals
 * Duodenal Switch – feel less hungry & full sooner while eating, absorb fewer
   calories and minerals
 * LAP-BAND® – feel full sooner while eating
 * Gastric Balloon – temporarily feel full sooner while eating (balloon removed
   after 6 months)
 * AspireAssist – drain a portion of stomach contents after eating

Use the tool to compare each procedure.

Click here to learn more
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Bariatric Surgery Quiz: Learn Your Top 2 Procedures

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BARIATRIC SURGERY QUIZ: LEARN YOUR TOP 2 PROCEDURES

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Bariatric Surgery Quiz: Learn Your Top 2 Procedures

The best weight loss surgery options for you depend on:

 * How much weight you want to lose
 * Your current age, weight, health issues, habits, and lifestyle
 * Your expectations for life after surgery
 * Whether you want a reversible procedure
 * What “trade-offs” you are willing to make

Take the quiz to find out which two procedures are best for you and why.

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Bariatric Surgery Health Benefits Tool (Gastric Sleeve)

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BARIATRIC SURGERY HEALTH BENEFITS TOOL (GASTRIC SLEEVE)

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Bariatric Surgery Health Benefits Tool

Bariatric surgery “cures” or significantly improves many obesity-related health
conditions, including:

 * Diabetes
 * Sleep apnea
 * Hypertension
 * Joint issues
 * … and many others

Select your health conditions in the tool, then click the Submit button to find
out the impact a procedure like gastric sleeve can have.

Click here to learn more
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Fill out the below form for a free insurance check performed in partnership with
your local bariatric surgeon.

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