Gastric Bypass Surgery: How it Works, Costs, and What to Expect

Gastric bypass surgery (Roux-en-Y) is a popular weight loss surgery that’s meant to help you lose weight and launch your commitment to a healthy and energized life. If you have weight-related health conditions but diet and exercise haven't helped, your doctor may recommend gastric bypass surgery.¹

This guide to gastric bypass surgery provides an overview of the procedure, costs, recovery, special diet, long-term results and other common questions you may have.

What is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery shrinks the size of your stomach, limiting the amount of food (and therefore calories) you eat, and changing the way it’s digested. A gastric bypass procedure consists of two key components:²

1. Shrinks the size of your stomach
2. Reroutes the digestive system so that your new smaller stomach connects to the middle of the small intestine (rather than the beginning)

Gastric bypass vs sleeve

While both gastric bypass and gastric sleeve (VSG) surgery reduce the size of your stomach, they do so in different ways.

• Gastric sleeve: During gastric sleeve surgery, about 80% of the stomach is permanently removed, creating a long banana-shaped pouch.³
• Gastric bypass: During gastric bypass, most of the stomach is sealed off (rather than removed), leaving a small walnut-sized pouch. The pouch is then reconnected further down the small intestine.³

How Does Gastric Bypass Work?

Gastric bypass usually takes between 2-3 hours and is performed while you're asleep under anesthesia.¹⁰ The procedure is done in two parts:

1. Reducing stomach size
2. Rerouting the digestive track

Reducing stomach size

In the first part of gastric bypass surgery, your surgeon seals off (and sometimes removes) a small portion of your stomach from the rest of the stomach. Next, the new smaller portion is sewn or stapled together to create a small pouch about the size of a walnut. This new small pouch can hold about an ounce of food compared to a normal stomach, which typically holds about three pints.¹¹

Rerouting the digestive track

During the second part of a gastric bypass, your doctor attaches the new pouch to the intestines, bypassing a portion of the digestive tract. This lets the food you eat "bypass" most of your stomach and some of your intestine. By reducing the amount of food your stomach can hold and changing how food is absorbed, you'll eat less and feel full faster.⁶

Mini gastric bypass

The mini-gastric bypass works similarly to a traditional gastric bypass but bypasses less of the intestines. The procedure shrinks the stomach and reroutes the digestive tract, takes less time, is less complex, and has fewer complications. However, insurance often doesn't cover mini-gastric bypass, and not many surgeons are trained in the operation.³

Mini gastric bypass procedures have gained popularity recently, though it was originally developed in 1997.³

Is Gastric Bypass Surgery Reversible?

Yes, gastric bypass surgery is reversible. However, reversing a gastric bypass is complex and may not fully reverse the procedure.⁴

Gastric Bypass Surgery Cost

The average cost of gastric bypass surgery is between $15,000 and $35,000, with $23,000 being the most quoted price.⁵

Why is there such a wide range in cost? First, the amount you pay for gastric bypass surgery depends on where you live, as prices vary significantly state by state. The amount you will have to pay is also based on the experience level of your surgeon, the practice location, and the number of days you'll need to stay in the hospital.

Other costs related to this type of weight loss surgery may include consultations with a dietician or a nutritionist, which can range from $50 – $100 per visit.⁶

Mini gastric bypass cost

Mini gastric bypass surgery costs a few thousand dollars less than a traditional gastric bypass, and prices range between $16,000 and $24,000, depending on your doctor and location.⁷

Does insurance cover gastric bypass?

Whether or not your health insurance company covers the cost of gastric bypass will depend on many factors. Some plans may help you pay for portions of the procedure, while others may not cover bariatric surgery. So it’s a good idea to check with your specific insurance provider about what they may cover.

For example, suppose your insurance coverage doesn't include the cost of a gastric bypass surgery. In that case, your plan may still cover many related expenses such as lab work, preparatory exams, and other pre-op requirements.

Gastric bypass out-of-pocket costs

For patients with insurance coverage, out-of-pocket costs for gastric bypass surgery, which can include deductibles, coinsurance, and copays, can cost from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.⁸ However, if you're covered by Medicare and meet specific criteria, your weight loss surgery out-of-pocket costs may be covered by your Medicare plan.⁹

Does Medicare cover gastric bypass surgery?

Medicare does cover gastric bypass surgery when the following requirements are met:⁸

• Body mass of 35 or higher
• At least one weight-related medical condition (such as sleep apnea)
• Previous unsuccessful attempts to lose weight with medical supervision

Gastric Bypass Surgery Requirements

To be eligible for this weight loss procedure, candidates for gastric bypass surgery must be either:²

1. 100 pounds or more overweight, with a BMI of 40 or higher
2. Have a BMI between 35 and 39.5 and also have a weight-related medical condition, like high blood pressure, sleep apnea or type 2 diabetes

The best candidates should also be willing to make permanent lifestyle changes regarding diet and exercise for long-lasting results.

Preparing for Gastric Bypass Surgery

Several months before gastric bypass surgery, your doctor will probably recommend starting a healthy diet and exercise program. You may also be asked to stop smoking a few months before surgery.¹²

On the day of surgery, ask your doctor will about what you should wear, eat, drink, and which medications it's safe to keep taking. Your doctor should also advise you about what to bring with you, which likely include:

• Your ID or license
• Your insurance card
• Comfortable clothes for going home
• Personal hygiene items
• Entertainment items for recovery

Gastric Bypass Recovery

After the two-to-three-hour procedure, you'll stay in the hospital for a few days for observation. While you should be able to resume regular activity after about three weeks, expect full recovery from gastric bypass surgery to take several weeks.⁴

During recovery, your doctor will help you limit what you consume, beginning with liquids only for the first several days. Gradually, you'll move to pureed food for a few weeks, followed by soft, solid foods. You'll have follow-up visits with your doctor to monitor your health after this stomach surgery.²

Gastric bypass side effects

You may experience some side effects during recovery, including:²

• Aches
• Fatigue
• Chills
• Dry skin
• Thinning hair or hair loss
• Mood swings or changes

How soon will I see results from gastric bypass surgery?

Most patients see fast and dramatic weight loss within the first few months of gastric bypass surgery. When following a healthy diet and exercise plan, many people lose about 70% of their weight in the first two years.²

Skin removal and other procedures

After significant weight loss, you may notice loose, sagging, or crepe skin on your stomach, arms, legs, and back. Several cosmetic procedures can help you take the next steps in your wellness and self-care journey, including:

• Mommy makeover
• Tummy tuck
• Liposuction
• Body contouring

What is a Post-Gastric Bypass Diet?

After a gastric bypass, your diet and exercise habits will need to change permanently to help you maintain weight loss. Your doctor will also prescribe vitamin supplements to prevent a nutrient deficiency since your body won't be able to absorb food and nutrients like it used to.²

Other changes to your eating habits after gastric bypass surgery may include:

• Drinking beverages between meals, not during meals
• Cutting food into small pieces that won't cause an obstruction
• Chewing food slowly and thoroughly before swallowing
• Watching portion control
• Avoiding binge eating

Gastric Bypass Surgery Risks

Gastric bypass surgery, like any surgery, has risks, which may include:⁶

• Medication allergies
• Breathing problems
• Bleeding
• Nutritional deficits
• Scarring
• Diarrhea (dumping syndrome)
• Pouch-stretching

How to Pay for Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Some bariatric surgeons and hospitals offer payment plans, so it doesn't hurt to ask if you can pay for expenses related to your gastric bypass in installments. You might also be able to pay for weight loss surgery in the following ways:

• Insurance (including Medicare)
• General credit card
• CareCredit credit card

CareCredit Financing for Gastric Bypass Surgery

Yes! You can use your CareCredit credit card to finance the cost of gastric bypass surgery (or gastric sleeve or gastric band surgery) where CareCredit is accepted.* Even if you have insurance, CareCredit can help you pay over time for out-of-pocket costs like doctor visits, tests, follow-up care, and other expenses related to your weight loss surgery.

With CareCredit, you can use your card for gastric bypass expenses before, during, and after the procedure.* Use the Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a bariatric surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit.

Author Bio

Kristin Driver is a digital writer with CareCredit. She specializes in writing about health care, finances, and pet care. Her work has been published by Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, Stanford Health Care, Risk & Insurance, Modern Health Care, Risk Insider, CIO Review, and more.