Although insurance companies are increasingly recognizing the value and importance of metabolic surgery such as the gastric sleeve, going through insurance—even for those who have it—may not always be the right approach. The fact is, your plan may have a significant deductible or may place drastic limitations or conditions on your provider and/or treatment plan. Dr. Wiljon Beltre, Board certified surgeon in beautiful Maitland in the heart of central Florida, has developed an affordable and effective self-pay option for patients in central Florida, as well as from around the country: the self-pay gastric sleeve.

Also known as a “sleeve gastrectomy”, gastric sleeve surgery is a highly effective form of bariatric surgery that works by both restricting the amount of food the patient can eat and the amount of food the patient wants to eat. During the procedure, approximately 70% of the stomach is removed, leaving behind a vertical, banana-shaped “sleeve” that can accommodate only about 10% of what the original stomach could hold. Advanced techniques now enable the surgery to be completed laparoscopically through very small incisions. This technique significantly decreases both procedure time and the risk of complications and side effects. And in addition to being safer, it is also less costly, enabling us to offer an affordable, safer, and potentially very successful treatment for obesity and many obesity-related medical concerns.*

*Individual results may vary.

Our Established Protocol for Out-of-Town Patients

Our cost-effective self-pay gastric sleeve option, coupled with Dr. Beltre’s expertise and experience and our destination location near Orlando make the self-pay option both attractive and affordable for patients seeking an out-of-town option for their bariatric surgery. We have developed a protocol to help patients traveling from around the country—and even from abroad!—take advantage of this option, in order to help make the experience as smooth and successful as possible.

Step 1: Background Information

Contact our Patient Coordinator to express your interest in the self-pay gastric sleeve option. She will work closely with you to ensure that we have all the information we need to begin the process. We will ask you to send us:

Completed “New Patient Forms” via email or fax
Medical records from your primary care physician and other providers
A history of all previous and on-going weight loss attempts

Step Two: Initial Consultation

Once we have your initial paperwork together, Dr. Beltre will review them to determine whether the self-pay gastric sleeve is the correct option for you. Our Patient Coordinator will contact you to schedule a conversation with Dr. Beltre during which Dr. Beltre will discuss:

Your reasons for pursuing weight loss surgery
Your past weight loss attempts
Your willingness to commit to the necessary lifestyle changes required by metabolic surgery
Your willingness to commit to participation in a weight loss support group before and after your procedure
The benefits and risks of the gastric sleeve surgery
The details of the pre- and post-operative process both at home and while in Florida
The approximate cost of the surgery and available financing options

The approximate fee for Dr. Beltre’s outpatient self-pay gastric sleeve surgery is $11,500.00 (cash payment only, additional fees apply if financed); the exact cost for each patient may vary depending on each patient’s unique concerns. During this initial consultation with Dr. Beltre and his staff, we will provide you with a detailed cost estimate to ensure that you fully understand the fee and what it includes.

The fee named here includes the cost for anesthesia, the surgery center, and the surgery itself. It includes all necessary follow up visits with Dr. Beltre after surgery.

Disclaimer: The fee named does not include (1) prescription medications and lab work; (2) any overnight hospitalizations that may be required before and/or after the surgery; and (3) any travel costs incurred traveling to and from central Florida or during your stay in central Florida.

Step 3: Commitment

Once you have determined that you are ready to pursue the surgery and reserve a date for the procedure with Dr. Beltre, we will require that you send us an initial deposit of $1,000 to reserve your surgery date. Two weeks before the scheduled surgery, you must complete and send to us a pre-operative physical with your local physician. We may require additional tests for some patients. Payment in full is also due at this time.

Step 4: Surgery

We ask that you arrive in Florida at least one day in advance of your scheduled surgery and plan to stay at least 14 days afterwards. The day before your surgery, we will schedule an in-person consultation with Dr. Beltre to review and finalize your surgical plan. In the unlikely event that Dr. Beltre finds you are not a candidate for the gastric sleeve, we will return your payment (Dr. Beltre is not responsible for costs incurred due to travel). Recovery from the surgery will require rest in your hotel room, pre-arranged post-operative nursing care, and multiple follow-up visits with Dr. Beltre. These visits will be scheduled in advance with Dr. Beltre’s staff.

Travel:

You are responsible for making your own flight reservations; however, our office staff can help you find suitable local accommodates and post-operative nursing care if you would like assistance. If you would prefer to make your own hotel reservations, here is a list of some hotels in our immediate area:

Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando North: (407) 834-2400
Extended Stay America Orlando-Altamonte Springs: (407) 332-9300
Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs: (407) 830-1985
Residence Inn Orlando Altamonte Springs/Maitland (Marriott): (407) 788-7991
SpringHill Suites Orlando Altamonte Springs/Maitland (Marriott) : (407) 865-6400

CONTACT THE CENTER FOR METABOLIC AND OBESITY SURGERY

At The Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery, located in Maitland, Florida, we offer a proven, multifaceted approach to metabolic and bariatric surgery that will empower you to achieve your weight loss goals, improve your health and appearance, and rebuild your self-confidence. Led by esteemed, Board Certified surgeon Dr. Wiljon Beltre, one of the only fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons in Central Florida, we specialize in the latest cutting-edge procedures for safe, effective surgical weight loss coupled with a dedicated support team of caring, experienced specialists who will stand by your side to support you throughout your entire weight loss journey. Significant weight loss is not easy, but with the help of with our confidential consultation and education process, the surgical skill and experience of our medical team, and the advice and guidance of our ongoing support network, we can help you achieve the lasting weight loss success you have been dreaming about.

If you are tired of the endless rounds of fad dieting and fruitless exercise regimens and think you may be ready for significant weight loss with metabolic or bariatric surgery, or if you would like more information about self pay gastric sleeve surgery at The Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery, contact us today for a free consultation. We look forward to helping you start your weight loss journey!

DISCLAIMER: Metabolic surgery involves a lifetime commitment to significant lifestyle changes, and is not for everyone. Individual results differ depending on each patient’s medical history and willingness and ability to adhere to the weight loss program specified by Dr. Beltre. As with all surgical procedures, all forms of metabolic surgery carry the risk of complications and side effects; additional details about potential complications, side effects, and other risks will be provided to you by Dr. Beltre during your pre-surgical consultations.