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title: 'Denver Weight-Loss Surgery Costs: 5 Clinics Compared'

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<img src="https://i.ibb.co/JwJdTsJN/Screenshot-2026-01-21-203008.png" alt="Screenshot 2026 01 21 203008" />

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Commercial plans, Medicare, and Colorado Medicaid all cover bariatric surgery in Colorado, but each has its own BMI thresholds and requirements.</span>
<h1><span style="font-weight: 400;">Denver Weight-Loss Surgery Costs: 5 Clinics Compared</span></h1>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">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 &amp; 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.</span>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">How we evaluated cost and value</span></h2>
<img src="https://i.ibb.co/qYz0Qffj/Screenshot-2026-01-21-203132.png" alt="Screenshot 2026 01 21 203132" />

<span style="font-weight: 400;">A transparent cost discussion with your bariatric team is the first step to comparing Denver clinics wisely.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">We scored each clinic across 5 weighted factors to keep the ranking fair and transparent:</span>

<img src="https://i.ibb.co/0VZdt8NP/Screenshot-2026-01-21-203312.png" alt="Screenshot 2026 01 21 203312" />

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Our Denver bariatric rankings are based on a five-part scorecard that weighs transparency, price, financing options, clinical quality, and outcomes.</span>

&nbsp;
<ol>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">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?  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Absolute self-pay price (25 percent) – When two bundles cover the same essentials, the lower total earns more points.  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Financing and insurance flexibility (20 percent) – We reward centers that offer interest-free payment plans, accept CareCredit, or handle Medicaid approvals in-house.  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Clinical quality (20 percent) – MBSAQIP accreditation, high-volume surgeons, and built-in nutrition or psychology services lower long-term risk and cost.  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Recent awards or outcome data (5 percent) – National recognition or published results show consistent performance.</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">This scorecard anchors every ranking you’ll see next.</span>

&nbsp;
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">1. Bariatric &amp; Metabolic Center of Colorado (BMCC)</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">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 </span><strong><a href="https://bariatricsurgeryco.org/">weight loss surgery Colorado</a></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 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.</span>

<img src="https://i.ibb.co/L7g1Z45/Screenshot-2026-01-21-203836.png" alt="Screenshot 2026 01 21 203836" />

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Bariatric &amp; Metabolic Center of Colorado’s homepage highlights its Denver bariatric program and clear paths to pricing and assessment.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">According to Bariatric &amp; 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.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Bottom line: BMCC combines transparent pricing with built-in support, giving self-pay patients comprehensive care at a competitive rate.</span>

&nbsp;
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">2. Colorado Bariatric Surgery Institute (CBSI)</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">3. Denver Health Bariatric Center</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">4. HealthONE Denver Center for Weight Loss Surgery</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Two features set this program apart:</span>

&nbsp;
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>FastTrack self-pay</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> – 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.  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>High-volume team at an MBSAQIP-accredited hospital</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> – 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.</span></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">5. UCHealth University of Colorado Bariatric Center</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">UCHealth, a major academic medical center, offers research trials, fellowship-trained surgeons, and a multidisciplinary team that follows patients long after surgery.</span>

&nbsp;
<h4><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pricing</span></h4>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;
<h4><span style="font-weight: 400;">Program strengths</span></h4>
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>High-volume, MBSAQIP-accredited unit</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that attracts complex revisions from across the Rockies.  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Integrated care—nutrition, psychology, and exercise physiology—in one location</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, reducing extra appointments.  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Access to clinical trials and emerging techniques</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> not yet common in community hospitals.</span></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h4><span style="font-weight: 400;">Financing and insurance</span></h4>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Denver bariatric surgery at a glance</span></h2>
&nbsp;
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Provider</b></td>
<td><b>Sleeve self-pay</b></td>
<td><b>Bypass self-pay</b></td>
<td><b>What the price includes</b></td>
<td><b>Financing or coverage highlights</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">BMCC (Parker)</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">$12,250</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">$18,650</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">Surgeon, anesthesia, up to 2-night stay, 3-month follow-up</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">Major cards, HSA/FSA, third-party loans</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">CBSI (Englewood)</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">$11,800</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">$18,200</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">Full hospital bundle, da Vinci robot, 90-day follow-up</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">CareCredit accepted, free insurance check</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">Denver Health (Denver)</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">$11,337 + roughly $1,600 prep</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">$15,920 + roughly $1,600 prep</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bundle; separate consult, dietitian, and lab charges</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">Medicaid friendly; 6–12-month payment plans</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">HealthONE / Rose</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">$4,500*</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">$6,000*</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">Surgeon fee only; hospital and anesthesia billed separately</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">FastTrack self-pay (4–6 weeks), CareCredit</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">UCHealth (Aurora)</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">≈ $20,000**</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">≈ $25,000**</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">Custom quote, academic after-care</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400;">Income-based plans; broad insurance network</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A full package usually totals $15,000–$20,000 after facility and anesthesia fees.</span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">** Estimates come from recent patient quotes; UCHealth supplies individualized pricing on request.</span></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Refer to this chart as a starting point, and ask each clinic for a written, itemized estimate so you can compare costs accurately.</span>

&nbsp;
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Insurance coverage in Colorado: who pays and what it means for you</span></h2>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Commercial plans</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Most large Colorado insurers (Anthem, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Kaiser) cover bariatric surgery once you meet these policy criteria:  </span>
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Body-mass index (BMI) ≥ 40, or ≥ 35 with a major condition such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Three to six months of medically supervised weight-loss visits  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Psychological evaluation</span></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Check your member portal for a bariatric-surgery policy bulletin, and ask the clinic’s insurance coordinator to verify codes and prior-authorization steps.</span>

&nbsp;
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Medicare</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado)</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Know your true cost</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Financing and payment options</span></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Most patients combine more than one tool to manage a bill that often tops $10,000. Here are the levers every Denver clinic offers:</span>

<img src="https://i.ibb.co/rR7xR0dz/Screenshot-2026-01-21-204048.png" alt="Screenshot 2026 01 21 204048" />

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Most Denver patients mix medical credit lines, HSAs, loans, and hospital payment plans to cover bariatric surgery costs.</span>

&nbsp;
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Medical credit lines.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 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.  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Personal loans.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 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.  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Hospital payment plans.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 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.  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Tax-advantaged accounts.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 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.  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Prompt-pay discounts.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Some centers shave 5–10 percent off if you wire the full package price before surgery, a savings that can beat loan interest.</span></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beyond the sticker price: seeing the whole bill</span></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Sticker prices cover surgery and 90 days of follow-up, but long-term expenses can stack up in five key areas:</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Ongoing medical care.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Annual labs, nutrition visits, and support groups typically run a few hundred dollars each year, depending on your insurance benefits.  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Lifelong supplements.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Most patients take a multivitamin plus calcium, vitamin D, and B-12, which adds about $50–$100 a month even with store brands.  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Time away from work.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 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.  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Body-contouring surgery.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Removing excess skin costs $5,000–$10,000 per area, and insurance rarely covers it.  </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Complications.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Accredited centers keep risks low, but a leak or bleed can trigger another deductible. Choosing an experienced team reduces that gamble.</span></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Frequently asked questions</span></h2>
<b>Does insurance cover weight-loss surgery in Colorado?</b>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<b>What is the least-expensive procedure for self-pay patients?</b>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<b>Can I finance surgery with average credit?</b>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<b>Will insurance pay for skin removal later?</b>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>

&nbsp;

<b>What if my question isn’t here?</b>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">All five clinics run free information sessions. Bring your list and get specifics on timelines, coverage, and costs before you commit.</span>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Conclusion</span></h2>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span>