What Is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a medically approved way to lose weight, especially for people who are very overweight. These surgeries change the configuration of your digestive tract so that you can only eat and absorb a certain amount of food. This makes it easier for you to lose weight.
Your doctor may sometimes suggest a non-surgical treatment, such as an intragastric balloon. Putting a balloon in your stomach to make you less hungry and start losing weight is a short-term solution.
Let’s first look at the numerous types of bariatric surgery available in India before discussing the expenses.
Types of Bariatric Surgery
Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy)
- About 80% of the stomach is taken out, which makes it hard to eat.
Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
- A tiny pouch is made from the stomach and attached directly to the intestines, skipping over some of the digestive tract.
Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap-Band)
- A band is put around the top part of the stomach to make it smaller. People don’t use this strategy as much these days.
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS)
- A complicated treatment that combines sleeve gastrectomy with intestinal bypass to cut down on eating and absorbing food.
These surgeries can be done with less invasive, laparoscopic techniques, which could change the total cost.
Who Is a Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?
In India, bariatric surgery is typically recommended for individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Severe Obesity
- A BMI of 40 or higher, or 35 and above with related health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea.
- Failed Weight Loss Attempts
- Those who have tried dieting, exercising, and medications without achieving lasting results.
- Health Risks Linked to Obesity
- Conditions such as heart disease, joint pain, and breathing problems that are worsened by excess weight.
Doctors assess each case individually to determine whether surgery will improve overall health and quality of life—not just reduce weight.
Bariatric Surgery Costs in India: Quick Overview
India offers cost-effective bariatric surgery compared to many other countries. Prices vary depending on the procedure, hospital, and city.
- Minimum Cost: ~USD 2,500
- Average Range: ~USD 5,000
- Maximum Cost: ~USD 7,000
Procedure-Wise Cost Breakdown
Prices typically include surgery, hospital stay, anaesthesia, and post-operative care.
| Procedure | Cost in INR | Cost in USD |
| Gastric Sleeve | INR 3,00,000 – INR 5,00,000 | USD 3,444 – USD 5,744 |
| Gastric Bypass | INR 4,00,000 – INR 7,00,000 | USD 4,589 – USD 8,031 |
| Lap-Band Surgery | INR 2,50,000 – INR 5,00,000 | USD 2,868 – USD 5,744 |
| BPD/DS Surgery | INR 5,00,000 – INR 7,00,000 | USD 5,744 – USD 8,031 |
| Intragastric Balloon | INR 2,00,000 – INR 2,90,000 | USD 2,295 – USD 3,327 |
What Affects Bariatric Surgery Costs in India?
- What kind of procedure
- More complicated procedures, such as gastric bypass or BPD/DS, take longer to do and need more extensive care, which raises costs.
- Hospital Buildings
- Premium hospitals with JCI accreditation have cutting-edge equipment and strict safety regulations, which can drive up costs.
- Experience of the surgeon
- Surgeons with much training and a reasonable success rate may charge more.
- Care Before and After Surgery
- Nutritional planning, psychological examinations, and follow-up all add to the total cost.
- The health of the patient
- If you have diabetes or heart problems, you may need to have more testing and checkups.
- Preferences for rooms
- Private rooms with extra features might cause medical fees to go up a lot.
City-Wise Bariatric Surgery Costs in India
| City | Min Cost (INR) | Max Cost (INR) | Min Cost (USD) | Max Cost (USD) |
| Mumbai | INR 1,95,000 | INR 4,50,000 | USD 2,400 | USD 5,500 |
| Delhi | INR 2,40,000 | INR 4,88,000 | USD 2,800 | USD 5,800 |
| Bangalore | INR 2,00,000 | INR 3,65,000 | USD 2,500 | USD 4,400 |
| Chennai | INR 2,20,000 | INR 3,88,000 | USD 2,700 | USD 4,700 |
| Hyderabad | INR 1,85,000 | INR 2,75,000 | USD 2,200 | USD 3,400 |
| Kolkata | INR 2,20,000 | INR 3,19,000 | USD 2,600 | USD 4,000 |
| Pune | INR 2,25,000 | INR 3,00,000 | USD 2,800 | USD 3,700 |
| Ahmedabad | INR 2,20,000 | INR 6,00,000 | USD 2,700 | USD 7,300 |
| Gurgaon | INR 2,10,000 | INR 3,70,000 | USD 2,600 | USD 4,600 |
| Jaipur | INR 2,35,000 | INR 3,90,000 | USD 2,900 | USD 4,800 |
Cost Comparison: India vs. Turkey vs. Thailand
India stands out for offering high-quality care at a fraction of the Cost.
| Country | Cost Range (USD) |
| India | USD 2,500 – USD 7,000 |
| Turkey | USD 2,500 – USD 7,500 |
| Thailand | USD 7,000 – USD 12,000 |
Additional Expenses to Consider
Pre-Surgery Costs
- Consultations & Tests
- Specialist Visit: $9–23
- Ultrasound: $10–14
- Endoscopy/Upper GI: $18–57
- Other Evaluations
- Additional tests may be needed for conditions like hypertension or diabetes.
Post-Surgery Costs
- Medications: Pain relief and antibiotics: $25–60 a month
- Follow-Up Visits: Routine checkups cost between $10 and $25.
- Nutrition Counselling costs an extra $115 to $230.
- Unexpected Complications: Uncommon but possible, and they need more care.
Insurance & Financing Options
Since 2019, bariatric surgery has been covered under health insurance in India when deemed medically necessary. The IRDAI mandates coverage for qualifying cases based on BMI and related health conditions.
Indian insurers now include bariatric surgery in their plans. International patients should confirm reimbursement options with their providers. Many hospitals offer EMI plans for those without full coverage for 6 to 12 months to ease financial pressure.
Innovative Ways to Save on Surgery
- Compare Hospitals – Get multiple quotes
- Choose All-Inclusive Packages – Transparent pricing
- Consider Smaller Cities – Lower costs
- Use Insurance Wisely – Maximize coverage
- Plan Travel Early – Save on logistics with medical tourism support
Why Choose Cikista Health?
Cikista Health is here to help you decide to get bariatric surgery. We help you choose India’s best surgeons and recognized hospitals and stay with you from the first consultation to the last.
What makes us different?
- Clear prices
- Plans for treatment that are unique to you
- Help is available 24/7.
- Help with visas, travel, and somewhere to stay.
We promise to make your journey to improved health easy, cheap, and stress-free.
FAQs About Bariatric Surgery in India
Q1. How much does bariatric surgery usually cost in India?
Most of the time, the cost is between $2,500 and $7,000. Gastric sleeve surgery is usually less expensive than gastric bypass surgery.
Q2. What makes the price go up?
The type of operation, the hospital’s reputation, the surgeon’s experience, the technology utilized, the patient’s health, and the care they get after surgery all matter.
Q3. Are there hidden costs?
Not usually, but you should budget for diagnostics, anaesthesia, medications, nutrition consults, and follow-ups.
