Gastroplasty Cost in Germany

The cost of gastroplasty in Germany typically ranges from $2,500 to $22,000 USD, depending on the hospital, city, and type of procedure.

Gastroplasty reduces the size of the stomach without removing it. Today this usually means endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), done through the mouth with stitches, rather than older surgical operations. In Germany, the total depends on:

• Endoscopic or surgical: ESG or older surgical gastroplasty.
• Setting: ESG is usually a same-day procedure.
• Programme: dietary and lifestyle support.
• Follow-up: with a multidisciplinary team.

Confirm whether a quote refers to endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty or an older surgical operation.

NICE explains that in ESG an endoscope is passed through the mouth and the stomach is folded with stitches, with nothing cut or removed, so it is potentially reversible. It is usually done as a day case and aims to reduce stomach volume by 70 to 80%.

NICE says it can be used for adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27.5 or more for some ethnic groups.

The ASMBS reports mean total weight loss of 13.6% at 12 months in the MERIT trial, and notes that a surgical sleeve gives greater, more durable weight loss. ESG should be delivered within a multidisciplinary programme.

Vertical banded gastroplasty, an older surgical operation, is now rarely performed because of weight regain and severe heartburn.

Outpatient services for self-paying patients in Germany are billed under the physicians' fee schedule (GOÄ), which allows a doctor to charge from the single rate up to 3.5 times the listed fee.

International patients are usually treated in Germany as self-paying patients: the hospital reviews the medical reports, sends a cost estimate and asks for an advance payment before admission, then settles the final bill after discharge.