John M. Rabkin, MD, FACS

Bariatric Surgeon

Table of Contents

Highlights

  • Leading expert in the Duodenal Switch procedure
  • Served as Chief of the Section of Liver/Pancreas Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery at Oregon Health and Sciences University
  • Currently Director of Pacific Laparoscopy with practices in San Francisco and Ventura, California

Experience as a Bariatric Surgeon

After his residency at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Dr. Rabkin was recruited to the Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon as the Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Section of Liver/Pancreas Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery in the Medical School.

In his capacity at OHSU Dr. Rabkin built a basic science laboratory in the OHSU Department of Surgery to study transplant immunology. Dr. Rabkin initiated programs in Liver and Pancreas Transplantation at the University Hospital as well as at the Portland Veterans Administration Hospital in Portland, Oregon. He has also been very active in Organ Donation and Recovery efforts serving on the Medical Director of the Pacific Northwest Transplant Bank from 1993-2001 as well as on multiple committee assignments with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

Dr. Rabkin focuses not only on bariatric surgery, but also on curing fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which often accompanies obesity. Because Dr. Rabkin offers both bariatric surgery and liver transplantation, he is able to track NAFLD throughout its progress from early treatable disease with weight-loss surgery to treatment of end-stage liver disease (ESLD) with transplantation.

After his time in Oregon, Dr. Rabkin returned to the Bay Area and joined Pacific Laparoscopy as a bariatric surgeon and specialist in liver transplantation and complex hepatobiliary surgery. Since then he has helped develop innovative surgical approaches to treating morbid obesity through bariatric surgery and is recognized as an industry expert in the laparoscopic duodenal switch procedure.

His team has performed more than 1,500 duodenal switch procedures, including more than 1,200 laparoscopic procedures and more than 450 open procedures. They also have extensive experience in the conversion of failed prior bariatric procedures to the duodenal switch.

For more information on Dr. John Rabkin, visit his LinkedIn profile.

Education

John Rabkin received his Bachelor of Arts and MD in 1982 from Boston University. Dr. Rabkin complete his internship in surgery and residency in General Surgery from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) from 1982-1988. From 1988-1989, Dr. Rabkin served as the Chief Resident in General Surgery UCSF, then spend the following two years specializing and training in a post residency Fellowship in Transplantation at UCSF and the University of Minnesota.

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TOOLS
FIND A SURGEON
DO YOU QUALIFY?
CHECK MY INSURANCE
WEIGHT LOSS ESTIMATOR
COST COMPARE
Apply for Loan (Ad)
Tax
Write-Offs
RECOVERY TIMELINES
PROCEDURE SUMMARIES
COMPARE PROCEDURES
Best Procedure Quiz
HEALTH BENEFITS

Find a Bariatric Surgeon

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Do You Qualify for a Bariatric Procedure?

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Do You Qualify for a Bariatric Procedure?

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Do You Qualify for a Bariatric Procedure?

Patients who qualify for bariatric surgery usually:

  • Are at least 80 lbs (36 kg) overweight
  • Are between 18 and 75 years old
  • Have a history of failed weight loss attempts (e.g., failed diets)
  • Thoroughly understand that the procedure is just a tool; long-term success requires significant diet and lifestyle changes

The minimum bariatric surgery qualifications include:

  • A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more
  • OR a BMI between 30 and 39.9 with a serious obesity-related health problem like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, joint problems, or others
  • OR a BMI of 30 to 40 with or without health issues for the gastric balloon procedure

To calculate your BMI, enter your height and weight into the tool, then click the “Calculate BMI” button.

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Check My Insurance Tool

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Check My Insurance Tool

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Check My Insurance Tool

Bariatric surgery insurance coverage varies by insurance policy:

Individual/Family Plans & Small Group Plans – Coverage varies by state; coverage is required by the Affordable Care Act in some states

Large Group Plans – Coverage depends on whether your employer has chosen to add it to your policy

Medicare and Medicaid – Bariatric surgery is covered

If your policy covers it and you meet the qualification requirements, your plan will likely include 4 procedures:

  • Gastric sleeve
  • Gastric bypass
  • LAP-BAND®
  • Duodenal switch

Your surgeon may be able to get partial coverage for the other procedures.

Use the tool to find out if your insurance covers bariatric surgery.

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Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Estimator Tool

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Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Estimator Tool

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Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Calculator

You will start losing weight fast after any bariatric surgery procedure, but the total amount lost varies based on:

  • The procedure you choose
  • How closely you follow your doctor’s instructions

Enter your information into the tool to get an idea about how much weight you’ll lose after each procedure.

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Bariatric Procedure Cost Compare Tool

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Bariatric Procedure Cost Compare Tool

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Bariatric Procedure Cost Compare Tool

Your out-of-pocket bariatric surgery cost can range anywhere from $0 to $20,000 or more depending on several factors, including:

Whether your insurance covers it – many insurances (including Medicare, Medicaid, and many individual/family and employer-provided policies) cover the majority of costs for gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, LAP-BAND®, and duodenal switch. The other types of bariatric surgery are less likely to be covered, although you may be able to get insurance to pay for some of the costs. Tap the “With Insurance” button in the tool to see average out-of-pocket costs per procedure after insurance pays. See our Insurance Tool to find out if your plan covers it.

Which procedure you choose – if insurance won’t pay, costs range anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000+, depending on the procedure. Tap the “Without Insurance” button in the tool to compare the national average self-pay costs for each procedure. (NOTE: Some surgeons offer each procedure for as low as half of the national average).

How competitive your surgeon and hospital fees are – there is often a substantial difference in costs between different doctors and hospitals, even within the same town.

Whether you qualify for tax write-offs – Bariatric surgery is tax deductible, which can have a big impact on the total cost of surgery. You can deduct medical expenses if your out-of-pocket costs are more than 10% of your adjusted gross income. See our Tax Tool to find out if your bariatric procedure will be tax deductible.

How you choose to pay for your procedure – If insurance covers it, you’ll only be responsible for any copays, deductibles, and coinsurance required by your specific plan. If you pay for the procedure without insurance, total costs will depend on how you pay. For example, your surgeon may offer a discount if you pay the full amount up front, and you can make the costs more affordable by applying for bariatric surgery financing.

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LOAN ESTIMATOR TOOL

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LOAN ESTIMATOR TOOL

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Bariatric Surgery Tax Write-Off Calculator

Weight loss surgery is tax deductible, which can have a big impact on the total cost of surgery. You can deduct medical expenses if the costs are more than 10% of your adjusted gross income.

Use the tool to find out if you qualify for a tax deduction.

To receive the deductions, you’ll need to complete Schedule A of the IRS Form 1040. You’ll also need to save your medical bills and payment statements as proof. Money in one of the following special savings accounts (or even your IRA) may also be a way to pay for part of surgery tax-free:

  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Archer Medical Savings Account (Archer MSA)
  • Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
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Bariatric Surgery Tax Write-Off Tool

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Bariatric Surgery Tax Write-Off Tool

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Bariatric Surgery Tax Write-Off Calculator

Weight loss surgery is tax deductible, which can have a big impact on the total cost of surgery. You can deduct medical expenses if the costs are more than 10% of your adjusted gross income.

Use the tool to find out if you qualify for a tax deduction

To receive the deductions, you’ll need to complete Schedule A of the IRS Form 1040. You’ll also need to save your medical bills and payment statements as proof.

Money in one of the following special savings accounts (or even your IRA) may also be a way to pay for part of surgery tax-free:

  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Archer Medical Savings Account (Archer MSA)
  • Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
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Bariatric Surgery Recovery Timeline Tool

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Bariatric Surgery Recovery Timeline Tool

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Bariatric Surgery Recovery Timeline Tool

Bariatric surgery recovery varies by procedure. Here are the ranges:

  • Timeline Range: from 3 days to 6 weeks to full recovery
    • Hospital Stay: from outpatient (return home same-day) to 3 days
    • Back to Work: from 3 days to 3 weeks
  • Pain Range: from mild discomfort to manageable with medication
  • Diet Range: from no restrictions to slow transition from clear liquids to solid foods
  • Activity Range: from no restrictions to slow transition back to regular activity and exercise

Use the tool to learn more about each stage of recovery.

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Bariatric Procedure Summaries

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Below is a brief explanation of how each bariatric surgery procedure works. Tap the icons for more information.

Bariatric Procedure Summaries

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Below is a brief explanation of how each bariatric surgery procedure works. Tap the icons for more information.

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Bariatric Procedure Comparison Tool

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Bariatric Procedure Comparison Tool

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Bariatric Procedure Comparison Tool

There are 6 types of bariatric surgery (also called “weight loss surgery”) available, including:

  • Gastric Sleeve – feel less hungry & full sooner while eating
  • Gastric Bypass – feel full sooner while eating & absorb fewer minerals
  • Duodenal Switch – feel less hungry & full sooner while eating, absorb fewer calories and minerals
  • LAP-BAND® – feel full sooner while eating
  • Gastric Balloon – temporarily feel full sooner while eating (balloon removed after 6 months)
  • AspireAssist – drain a portion of stomach contents after eating

Use the tool to compare each procedure.

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Bariatric Surgery Quiz: Learn Your Top 2 Procedures

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Bariatric Surgery Quiz: Learn Your Top 2 Procedures

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Bariatric Surgery Quiz: Learn Your Top 2 Procedures

The best weight loss surgery options for you depend on:

  • How much weight you want to lose
  • Your current age, weight, health issues, habits, and lifestyle
  • Your expectations for life after surgery
  • Whether you want a reversible procedure
  • What “trade-offs” you are willing to make

Take the quiz to find out which two procedures are best for you and why.

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Bariatric Surgery Health Benefits Tool (Gastric Sleeve)

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Bariatric Surgery Health Benefits Tool (Gastric Sleeve)

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Bariatric Surgery Health Benefits Tool

Bariatric surgery “cures” or significantly improves many obesity-related health conditions, including:

  • Diabetes
  • Sleep apnea
  • Hypertension
  • Joint issues
  • … and many others

Select your health conditions in the tool, then click the Submit button to find out the impact a procedure like gastric sleeve can have.

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Fill out the below form for a free insurance check performed in partnership with your local bariatric surgeon.

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