Originally Posted by The Book, Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies

Unfortunately, obtaining insurance approval is not always easy. Acquiring insurance coverage for weight loss surgery can be a major obstacle to finally achieving a healthier body and life. Over the past few years, insurance carriers have seen a significant increase in the demand for weight loss surgery procedures. According to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS), 16,200 weight loss procedures were performed in 1994. Ten years later, in 2004, an estimated 140,640 surgeries were projected to take place — that's more than an 800 percent increase! The average cost for surgery is now approximately $25,000. Due to this increase in procedures and cost, some insurance companies are making it more difficult for patients to obtain approval. These insurance companies don't view their policyholders as long-term responsibilities and figure their customers will switch carriers before they can recoup their investment.