Gastric Bypass Surgery Cost

Gastric bypass surgery also called Roux en Y is a weight loss surgical procedure that involves creating a small pouch from stomach to the intestine. After gastric bypass, swallowed food will go into this small pouch of stomach and then directly into the small intestine, thereby bypassing most of your stomach and the first section of your small intestine. Gastric bypass, or bariatric surgery, can be performed in two main ways:

• Laparoscopically by making small 5-6 incisions on the skin. 
• Open surgery involves making a large incision on the abdomen to get access to the stomach.

Who needs a Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery may be recommended for people with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 35, especially if they are suffering from comorbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, etc. Individuals who have trouble losing weight as a result of metabolic problems or gain weight despite following a restricted diet or other similar conditions may make them suitable candidates for undergoing bariatric surgery. 

What is the Cost of Gastric Bypass Surgery in India?

With affordable healthcare services available in the country, gastric bypass surgery cost in India is a fraction of what it would cost in Western countries, like the US or the UK. The average cost of gastric bypass surgery in India is around ₹3,00,000. However, it varies depending on a number of factors. Thus, patients may expect the gastric bypass surgery cost to range anywhere between Rs. 2,50,000 /- and Rs. 6,00,000/- in India.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Gastric Bypass Surgery 

There are a number of factors that influence the gastric bypass cost in India. Navigating through these factors can help patients obtain the best treatment:

• Hospital infrastructure & technology: Hospitals equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for performing the surgery may increase the cost of gastric bypass surgery. There are numerous hospitals available offering a range of surgical facilities at varying prices to choose from according to the patient’s convenience.
• Type of Procedure: Gastric bypass surgery may be performed using different procedures which come at different price tags. The complexity, duration, and surgical facilities used for performing gastric bypass operation for a patient impact the overall bypass gastric cost.
• Expertise of the surgeon: The experience and expertise of the bariatric surgeon performing the gastric bypass surgery will also be an important contributor to the total gastric bypass surgery cost. Usually, highly skilled surgeons charge higher fees for their expertise.
• Pre and post-operative care: Before an individual undergoes gastric bypass surgery, they need extensive evaluation of their overall health to ensure appropriate candidacy of the individual. Some surgeons may ask patients to perform one or more of the following tests based on their medical history:
  • Blood count
  • Chest X-ray 
  • Gallbladder ultrasound to screen for gallstones
  • Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)
  • Echocardiogram
  • GI assessment
  • Cardiology evaluation
  • Psychological assessment
  • Sleep studies

Preoperative costs also include consultation charges and medication expenses, which are added to the total gastric bypass surgery cost. Management of any complications post surgery often requires the involvement of a team of healthcare professionals. 

• Insurance coverage: While other factors can increase the cost variable of gastric bypass surgery, having health insurance coverage that includes a portion of the costs can significantly lower the burden of expenses on the surgery. Patients can consult their insurance providers to understand how much of their expenses would be covered and get an estimate of the entire expenditure based on the average cost of gastric bypass surgery. 

Why is Gastric Bypass Surgery Required?

Gastric bypass surgery is recommended for individuals with a BMI over 35 (obese), those with comorbidities, and those above 40 (morbidly obese) without any other health issues. It is usually suggested when diet and exercise haven't worked for losing weight or when a serious health issue arises due to having an excessive body weight. By making changes to the digestive system, obese individuals can lose weight and help relieve a long list of obesity-related health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and GERD (chronic acid reflux).

What are the Risks Associated with Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery has the same exposure to risks as any other major abdominal surgery. Although life-threatening complications, like death, are rare, they are still possible in less than 1% of the cases. However, there can be significant side effects of the surgery, such as wound problems, difficulty in swallowing food, infections, and extreme nausea, which can occur in 5-10% of patients.

FAQs 

1. Is gastric bypass safe?

Gastric bypass surgery is considered to be a safe procedure, which is commonly performed and has a success rate of over 95%. 

2. How painful is gastric bypass surgery?

In most cases, gastric bypass surgery may be performed laparoscopically, requiring smaller incisions, so the recovery time and pain associated with surgery are way less. 

3. How many hours is gastric bypass surgery?

Performing gastric bypass surgery may take around 2 to 4 hours, depending on the type of procedure chosen to be performed.

4. How much weight will I lose after gastric bypass?

Weight loss after gastric bypass surgery within the first two years is quite significant with almost 70% of their excess weight being shed. 

5. Can you ever eat normally after a gastric bypass?

Following a gastric bypass surgery, patients are suggested to follow a specific routine to ensure optimal recovery and help them ease back into consuming solid foods. Patients may start eating regular foods about 6 to 8 weeks after surgery.