Prices for minimally invasive restrictive surgery, such as gastric banding, will start at around about $15,000 while mixed surgeries, such as a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, will come in at about $25,000. In both cases these figures will cover the costs of surgery and hospitalization in a standard medical facility and assume that there are no complications. If you decide to engage the services of a world renown surgical team in a leading facility the costs could of course be considerably higher.

Now, at this point, we run into the first problem and that is that a substantial number of weight loss surgeries will run into some form of complication which requires additional treatment and possibly further hospitalization. Such complications need not necessarily be major or serious but will, nonetheless, increase the cost of undergoing surgery. In the case of minor complications which do not require further hospitalization statistics show that the average additional costs are $11,000. Where further hospitalization is required for more serious complications this figure rises to around $40,000. These of course are average figures and so reflect some lucky patients whose costs will rise by only $2,000 or $3,000 and less fortunate patients whose additional costs will top $100,000.

But now we run into the second problem. It is easy to forget that gastric bypass surgery will not only result in weight loss but will also have a profound psychological effect on patients and lead to a dramatic change in lifestyle. This change in the way in which a patient leads his or her life will also often mean a considerable change in the cost of living.

Apart from the obvious expenses of a new wardrobe as the weight literally falls off, many patients often feel the need to redecorate and change the furniture, buy a new car and take up an activity such as golf. All of which can add up to a tidy sum. Then of course comes the question of additional surgery.

Unfortunately for many patients as the weight fall off the skin doesn't adjust to fit and, although they are extremely happy to have regained their health, energy and vitality, they are not so happy with the way they look and feel uncomfortable facing the world with their new body. This often results in a desire for cosmetic surgery and this is certainly not cheap.

The list of course goes on but you probably have the picture by now. It's a bit like spending a day at a theme park. The gastric bypass surgery price is simply the entrance fee and, once you're in the park, how much you spend is very much up to you. And, just like any day out in an amusement park, you can bet your bottom dollar that it's going to be expensive.