Without insurance, what does the gastric banding procedure usually cost?
Besides the initial cost of placement of the gastric band, you also have to consider the cost of having it adjusted. If done in the doctor's office, it is generally about $150 per fill. If done at the hospital with x-ray guidance, it's much more. Some patients only need a few adjustments, but most need 6-10 in the first few years. Then you have to add in the cost of removing the band and converting to another operation, which occurs in 30-40 percent of patients... all of which makes banding a very expensive proposition.
