Denver Weight-Loss Surgery Costs: 5 Clinics Compared

<img src="https://i.ibb.co/JwJdTsJN/Screenshot-2026-01-21-203008.png" alt="Screenshot 2026 01 21 203008" /> Commercial plans, Medicare, and Colorado Medicaid all cover bariatric surgery in Colorado, but each has its own BMI thresholds and requirements. <h1>Denver Weight-Loss Surgery Costs: 5 Clinics Compared</h1> Weight-loss (bariatric) surgery can reshape both your health and your wallet. In Denver, self-pay prices range from about $11,000 to more than $20,000, depending on what’s bundled into the bill. We audited five respected metro clinics, comparing cash rates, what each bundle includes, and practical ways to finance any gap. One provider already stands out: Bariatric & Metabolic Center of Colorado posts a transparent $12,250 gastric sleeve package that covers the hospital stay, anesthesia, and three months of follow-up care. Here’s how the other centers measure up. <h2>How we evaluated cost and value</h2> <img src="https://i.ibb.co/qYz0Qffj/Screenshot-2026-01-21-203132.png" alt="Screenshot 2026 01 21 203132" /> A transparent cost discussion with your bariatric team is the first step to comparing Denver clinics wisely. We scored each clinic across 5 weighted factors to keep the ranking fair and transparent: <img src="https://i.ibb.co/0VZdt8NP/Screenshot-2026-01-21-203312.png" alt="Screenshot 2026 01 21 203312" /> Our Denver bariatric rankings are based on a five-part scorecard that weighs transparency, price, financing options, clinical quality, and outcomes.   <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Price transparency (30 percent) – Does the website post a true all-in cash quote—surgeon, hospital, anesthesia, and follow-up—or only part of the bill? </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Absolute self-pay price (25 percent) – When two bundles cover the same essentials, the lower total earns more points. </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Financing and insurance flexibility (20 percent) – We reward centers that offer interest-free payment plans, accept CareCredit, or handle Medicaid approvals in-house. </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Clinical quality (20 percent) – MBSAQIP accreditation, high-volume surgeons, and built-in nutrition or psychology services lower long-term risk and cost. </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Recent awards or outcome data (5 percent) – National recognition or published results show consistent performance.</li> </ol> This scorecard anchors every ranking you’ll see next.   <h3>1. Bariatric & Metabolic Center of Colorado (BMCC)</h3> BMCC posts a true all-in price: $12,250 for a gastric sleeve, $18,650 for a Roux-en-Y bypass, and $20,060 for a loop duodenal switch. Its <a href="https://bariatricsurgeryco.org/">weight loss surgery Colorado</a> outcomes dashboard shows sleeve patients losing about 60–80 percent of excess body weight within the first year, adding context to those prices. Each cash bundle covers the surgeon, anesthesia, up to two nights in the hospital, pre-op classes, and three months of follow-up care. <img src="https://i.ibb.co/L7g1Z45/Screenshot-2026-01-21-203836.png" alt="Screenshot 2026 01 21 203836" /> Bariatric & Metabolic Center of Colorado’s homepage highlights its Denver bariatric program and clear paths to pricing and assessment.   Dr. Joshua Long, a fellowship-trained high-volume surgeon, leads the program at an MBSAQIP-accredited comprehensive center, a status linked to lower complication rates and stricter safety standards.   According to Bariatric & Metabolic Center of Colorado’s published outcomes, its surgical weight-loss results run above both Colorado and national averages and its complication rates remain below national averages.   National self-pay averages run $14,000 to $23,000, so BMCC’s sleeve and bypass prices sit well below the midpoint, and the clinic’s outcome data helps explain why it scored strongly on our clinical-quality and value measures.   Extras are minimal. A surgical-assistant fee averages about $450 for bypass cases and is disclosed during consultation. Nutrition classes, behavioral counseling, and support groups are already included.   Payment options are clear: major credit cards, HSA/FSA funds, or certified check. CareCredit is not processed in-house, but patients can still apply and pay the clinic directly. BMCC also works with commercial insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid, though Medicaid spots fill quickly.   Bottom line: BMCC combines transparent pricing with built-in support, giving self-pay patients comprehensive care at a competitive rate.   <h3>2. Colorado Bariatric Surgery Institute (CBSI)</h3> CBSI lists a clear cash bundle: $11,800 for a gastric sleeve and $18,200 for a Roux-en-Y bypass. The price covers the hospital, surgeon, anesthesia, 90 days of follow-up care, nutrition coaching, and weekly support groups.   Every primary case is performed with the da Vinci robotic system, a platform linked to smaller incisions and quicker recovery in multiple studies. CBSI surgeons have completed more than 4,000 robotic bariatric procedures since 2004, according to the practice’s published data.   Financing stays flexible. The office takes CareCredit, partners with medical-loan providers, and offers in-house plans that span 6, 12, or 24 months. A free insurance pre-check helps patients gauge out-of-pocket costs before the first visit.   Quality markers align with national standards. CBSI maintains MBSAQIP accreditation and staffs on-site dietitians and psychologists for after-care. For self-pay shoppers seeking robotic surgery without an academic-hospital fee, CBSI lands near the low end of Denver’s all-inclusive range.   <h3>3. Denver Health Bariatric Center</h3> Denver Health’s public-hospital program posts an all-in cash price of $11,337 for a gastric sleeve and $15,920 for a Roux-en-Y bypass. The bundle covers the surgeon, anesthesia, up to two nights in the hospital, and 90 days of routine follow-up care.   Pre-surgery requirements include a consultation, three dietitian visits, a psychology evaluation, and basic labs, adding roughly $1,600. A typical self-pay sleeve therefore lands near $13,000, still below most private-clinic packages.   The center is MBSAQIP accredited and staffs dietitians, psychologists, and support-group leaders on the same campus, reflecting its role as an academic teaching hospital.   Financing stays pragmatic. Denver Health accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and major commercial insurers. Self-pay patients can set up a short-term payment plan (often 6–12 months) but must settle the balance before surgery, a policy that helps keep rates low and predictable.   Because Medicaid cases concentrate here and insurance paths can require six months of supervised weight management, timelines run longer than at private clinics. For patients who qualify for Medicaid—or anyone willing to follow a structured prep schedule—Denver Health delivers one of the metro area’s lowest comprehensive prices inside a full-service hospital.   <h3>4. HealthONE Denver Center for Weight Loss Surgery</h3> HealthONE lists only the surgeon portion of its fees: $4,500 for a gastric sleeve and $6,000 for a Roux-en-Y bypass. Facility, anesthesia, and surgical-assistant charges are billed separately, and patient estimates often reach $15,000–$20,000 once those items are included. Prospective patients should request a written, all-inclusive quote.   Two features set this program apart:   <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">FastTrack self-pay – qualified cash patients can move from consultation to surgery in about 4–6 weeks, skipping the months of insurer-required dieting. Payments are scheduled before the operating date. </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">High-volume team at an MBSAQIP-accredited hospital – Dr. Michael Snyder’s group completes several hundred bariatric cases each year at Rose Medical Center, which offers on-site ICU and endoscopy services for complication management.</li> </ul>   The clinic accepts major commercial insurance and CareCredit, and uninsured patients can arrange staged payments during the FastTrack window. For shoppers who prioritize speed in a full-service hospital, HealthONE can be cost-effective once a detailed, itemized quote confirms the total package price.   <h3>5. UCHealth University of Colorado Bariatric Center</h3> UCHealth, a major academic medical center, offers research trials, fellowship-trained surgeons, and a multidisciplinary team that follows patients long after surgery.   <h4>Pricing</h4> The hospital does not post self-pay rates online. Financial counselors create individualized packages, and recent patient reports place a gastric sleeve near $20,000 and a gastric bypass around $25,000, the upper end of Denver’s market. Most patients use commercial insurance or Medicare, which can absorb a large share of the bill.   <h4>Program strengths</h4> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">High-volume, MBSAQIP-accredited unit that attracts complex revisions from across the Rockies. </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Integrated care—nutrition, psychology, and exercise physiology—in one location, reducing extra appointments. </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Access to clinical trials and emerging techniques not yet common in community hospitals.</li> </ul>   <h4>Financing and insurance</h4> UCHealth contracts with every major insurer and Medicare. The authorization team flags deductibles early to prevent day-of-surgery surprises. Self-pay patients can request income-based payment plans or lump-sum discounts; a credit check is required before a surgery date is confirmed.   UCHealth suits people who need high-risk expertise, value academic-center resources, or want broad insurance flexibility. Always request a detailed, itemized quote to keep costs predictable.   <h2>Denver bariatric surgery at a glance</h2>   <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Provider</td> <td>Sleeve self-pay</td> <td>Bypass self-pay</td> <td>What the price includes</td> <td>Financing or coverage highlights</td> </tr> <tr> <td>BMCC (Parker)</td> <td>$12,250</td> <td>$18,650</td> <td>Surgeon, anesthesia, up to 2-night stay, 3-month follow-up</td> <td>Major cards, HSA/FSA, third-party loans</td> </tr> <tr> <td>CBSI (Englewood)</td> <td>$11,800</td> <td>$18,200</td> <td>Full hospital bundle, da Vinci robot, 90-day follow-up</td> <td>CareCredit accepted, free insurance check</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Denver Health (Denver)</td> <td>$11,337 + roughly $1,600 prep</td> <td>$15,920 + roughly $1,600 prep</td> <td>Bundle; separate consult, dietitian, and lab charges</td> <td>Medicaid friendly; 6–12-month payment plans</td> </tr> <tr> <td>HealthONE / Rose</td> <td>$4,500*</td> <td>$6,000*</td> <td>Surgeon fee only; hospital and anesthesia billed separately</td> <td>FastTrack self-pay (4–6 weeks), CareCredit</td> </tr> <tr> <td>UCHealth (Aurora)</td> <td>≈ $20,000**</td> <td>≈ $25,000**</td> <td>Custom quote, academic after-care</td> <td>Income-based plans; broad insurance network</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>   <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A full package usually totals $15,000–$20,000 after facility and anesthesia fees.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">** Estimates come from recent patient quotes; UCHealth supplies individualized pricing on request.</li> </ul>   Refer to this chart as a starting point, and ask each clinic for a written, itemized estimate so you can compare costs accurately.   <h2>Insurance coverage in Colorado: who pays and what it means for you</h2> <h3>Commercial plans</h3> Most large Colorado insurers (Anthem, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Kaiser) cover bariatric surgery once you meet these policy criteria: <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Body-mass index (BMI) ≥ 40, or ≥ 35 with a major condition such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Three to six months of medically supervised weight-loss visits </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Psychological evaluation</li> </ul>   Check your member portal for a bariatric-surgery policy bulletin, and ask the clinic’s insurance coordinator to verify codes and prior-authorization steps.   <h3>Medicare</h3> Medicare Part B covers gastric sleeve or bypass for patients with BMI ≥ 35 plus at least one serious obesity-related illness, as long as the procedure takes place at a Center of Excellence—a box every provider in our top five checks. You remain responsible for the annual Part B deductible and 20 percent coinsurance unless a Medigap plan pays the balance.   <h3>Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado)</h3> Since a 2023 policy revision, Health First Colorado approves bariatric surgery for adults with BMI ≥ 30 when a significant comorbidity exists. Denver Health processes most of these cases, but UCHealth and BMCC are also approved sites. Demand is high, so plan for several months of classes and paperwork before the surgery date.   <h3>Know your true cost</h3> Even with insurance, expect deductibles, coinsurance, travel, and time away from work. Ask each clinic’s coordinator for a personalized cost projection based on your current deductible status. The clearer the estimate now, the fewer surprises later.   <h2>Financing and payment options</h2> Most patients combine more than one tool to manage a bill that often tops $10,000. Here are the levers every Denver clinic offers: <img src="https://i.ibb.co/rR7xR0dz/Screenshot-2026-01-21-204048.png" alt="Screenshot 2026 01 21 204048" /> Most Denver patients mix medical credit lines, HSAs, loans, and hospital payment plans to cover bariatric surgery costs.   <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Medical credit lines. CareCredit works like a healthcare-only Mastercard, often giving 6–24 months at zero interest if the balance is paid on time. CBSI and HealthONE process CareCredit directly, while BMCC accepts outside financing, so you can still apply and pay the practice yourself. </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Personal loans. Banks, credit unions, and online lenders quote fixed rates that depend on credit score. Underwriting can take a week or two, so apply before your surgery date is set. </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hospital payment plans. Denver Health lets qualified self-pay patients spread the balance over about 12 months after a deposit. UCHealth ties payment schedules to household income and may extend terms beyond a year. </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tax-advantaged accounts. Paying with HSA or FSA dollars trims the effective cost by roughly 20–30 percent, depending on your tax bracket. Confirm that funds will be available before your pre-op visit; most clinics require proof of financing up front. </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Prompt-pay discounts. Some centers shave 5–10 percent off if you wire the full package price before surgery, a savings that can beat loan interest.</li> </ul>   Choose the mix that best fits your cash flow, and ask every clinic for a written payment calendar. Putting the numbers on paper today prevents sticker shock tomorrow.   <h2>Beyond the sticker price: seeing the whole bill</h2> Sticker prices cover surgery and 90 days of follow-up, but long-term expenses can stack up in five key areas:   Your surgery quote is just the tip of the iceberg—ongoing care, supplements, time off work, and potential complications all add to the true cost.   <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Ongoing medical care. Annual labs, nutrition visits, and support groups typically run a few hundred dollars each year, depending on your insurance benefits. </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lifelong supplements. Most patients take a multivitamin plus calcium, vitamin D, and B-12, which adds about $50–$100 a month even with store brands. </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Time away from work. Plan for 1–2 weeks off after a sleeve and 2–4 weeks after a bypass; unpaid leave can dwarf small price differences between clinics. </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Body-contouring surgery. Removing excess skin costs $5,000–$10,000 per area, and insurance rarely covers it. </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Complications. Accredited centers keep risks low, but a leak or bleed can trigger another deductible. Choosing an experienced team reduces that gamble.</li> </ul>   Add these pieces to the sticker price, and the least-expensive quote may not be the best value. Map out every potential expense now so the long-term math works in your favor.   <h2>Frequently asked questions</h2> Does insurance cover weight-loss surgery in Colorado? Yes. Large plans such as Anthem, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Kaiser follow national guidelines: BMI ≥ 40, or BMI ≥ 35 with a serious comorbidity plus 3–6 months of supervised diet visits and a psych evaluation. Medicare uses the same BMI-35 threshold and requires surgery at an MBSAQIP Center of Excellence. Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado) now approves cases down to BMI 30 when a major illness is present.   What is the least-expensive procedure for self-pay patients? The sleeve gastrectomy remains the budget option because it involves one staple line and no intestinal rerouting. Denver cash bundles cluster around $11,000–$13,000 versus $16,000 or more for gastric bypass.   Can I finance surgery with average credit? Yes. CareCredit often approves applicants with scores in the mid-600s for 6–24-month zero-interest promos. If that falls through, most Denver hospitals offer internal plans—usually 12 months at zero or low interest after a down payment.   Will insurance pay for skin removal later? Only when the excess skin causes documented medical problems, usually limited to a panniculectomy. Cosmetic contouring (arms, thighs, breasts) is almost always self-pay at $5,000–$10,000 per area and is deferred until weight has stabilized for at least 18 months.   What if my question isn’t here? All five clinics run free information sessions. Bring your list and get specifics on timelines, coverage, and costs before you commit. <h2>Conclusion</h2> Denver’s bariatric landscape offers transparent cash bundles as low as $11,000 and academic-center packages that top $25,000. Comparing what each quote includes—hospital stay, anesthesia, follow-up care, and financing terms—matters more than chasing the lowest sticker price. Use the scorecard, table, and financing tips above to match a clinic’s strengths with your medical needs, budget, and timeline, then request a written, itemized estimate before making your final decision.