Gastric Sleeve Cost: Prices With & Without Insurance

Gastric sleeve surgery, also called sleeve gastrectomy, is a weight-loss operation that a surgeon performs on the stomach. Published prices vary a lot, partly because sources count different things and partly because hospitals, surgeons, and regions price differently.

The numbers below come from two published sources and were checked on Oct 12, 2026. They show a typical range, the average by procedure type, and the average by state. A written quote from a surgical program is the only way to learn what you would pay.

Healthline gives a typical U.S. range of $15,000 – $25,000. CareCredit reports lower averages, and the gap is explained in the section on why estimates differ.

The published figures do not split patients by insurance status. If you want the cost with insurance or without it, you need a quote from the surgical program and a conversation with your insurer about your specific plan.

The word "sleeve" is used for two different procedures. A laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical operation. An endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is done through the mouth with an endoscope. CareCredit reports a low, average, and high price for each.

The two procedures are different operations, and choosing between them is a medical decision for you and a board-certified bariatric surgeon. The table is useful for comparing price, not for deciding which one suits you.

Regional prices differ. These are averages for the laparoscopic sleeve.

The states shown are examples. A practice in a lower-cost state can still quote above a higher-cost state's average, so compare written quotes rather than relying on a map.

Healthline and CareCredit publish different numbers for what looks like the same operation. Possible reasons include:

• What the price covers. A figure may include only the surgeon's fee, or it may add the hospital, anesthesia, and follow-up care.
• The procedure. Sources may count laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures differently.
• Who pays. A figure may reflect list prices, negotiated rates, or self-pay prices.
• Region and facility. Hospital-based programs often price differently from outpatient surgical centers.

Ask what a quote includes before you compare it with another. A lower number can simply leave out items that a higher one counts.

An itemized quote lets you compare programs on equal terms. Put the surgeon's fee, the facility fee, and the anesthesia charge side by side, then add the pre-operative visits and follow-up care. If one program lists a single package price and another lists items separately, add the items up before deciding which is cheaper. Ask each program to confirm in writing which charges are not covered by the quote.

A program's quote may or may not bundle these items, so ask:

• The surgeon's fee.
• The hospital or surgical center fee.
• Anesthesia.
• Pre-operative testing and consultations.
• Follow-up visits, nutrition counseling, and support groups.
• Medications and supplies.
• Costs if you need a return visit or a revision.

Items billed separately can add noticeably to the total, so a low headline price can end up costing more.

Many people cover part or all of the cost themselves, and several routes exist:

• Insurance. Coverage depends on your plan. Ask your insurer what it requires and what you would owe in deductible and coinsurance.
• Medical financing. Patient financing and medical credit cards are common. Check the interest rate, the length of any promotional period, and whether interest is charged back if you miss the deadline.
• Payment plans offered by the surgical program.
• Health savings and flexible spending accounts, which may apply to qualifying medical expenses. Confirm with your plan administrator.

• What is the total price, and what does it include?
• Which facility will host the surgery, and is it accredited for bariatric surgery?
• Is the surgeon board-certified?
• What follow-up care is included, and for how long?
• What happens if a complication or revision is needed? Who pays?
• Is there a deposit, and is it refundable?

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery lists member surgeons and accredited centers. Avoid choosing on price alone, and be cautious about packages that cannot give an itemized quote.