marie1234

My BMI is not as low as some of you but I am considered low for surgery AND for insurance to pay for it. My BMI is 37. I qualify for surgery but insurance is questionable. I do not have a lot of health issues. One doctor said no that insurance would not pay for it and another said that there is a good chance that insurance will because I am beginning to have some blood pressure issues (not very high though) and I have degenerate disk in my back. The good thing about not having a lot of health problems is that I do not have to have as many tests before surgery has some do and the process is quicker. I have only had to see a Nutritionist, a Psych., and have general tests at the hospital. Then we are sending it to insurance. I will probably be self pay if insurance does not pay for it. The scary part about that is if you have to have another surgery that is related to the band then that is another cost to you. The unknown future is scary especially when you are talking about hospital bills.

Jen go to the thread "I enjoy a glass of wine..." and there are a lot of comments on this. It seems to vary. I think the empty calories and probably carbonation is the reason it is discouraged. Check it out.

My doctor said that you can have coffee as long as it was decaffinated. Who knows. I will ask more detailed questions when I meet back with him. I also enjoy a cup of coffee but I don't have to have it.

Did the nutritionist say why not? Just curious. Maybe because of the empty calories??? Maybe because of the carbonation. We will have to find out!:ohmy:

I know that they say no more after being banded but it may be because you can drink it easily and it is empty calories and can cause you not to lose as much weight. I don't know.

I'm glad you asked that question. I do like to have one every now and then especially when I am at the beach. I thought I would ask my doctor this when I go back. I have not been banded yet so I can't answer it. :ohmy:

Did he schedule all this during your first visit??

Kerry, I was told by a doctor last night that discontinued bands are used in Mexico. Also, ask if your surgeon stitches the band in place. I know of 2 people that had to have their bands replaced because of errosion and band slippage. Both were done in Mexico and neither band was stitched. You may want to check on this. Just thought I would share this with you.

Claudine, I went to Dr. Enochs' seminar last night and reallly liked him. I go for my first visit June 12. I think that I have gotten past the worries of self pay and what if another surgery is needed down the road and I am just going to do it. He said that he had only replaced to bands this year and they both were done in Mexico. He said they use discontinued bands in Mexico and both had slipped and erroted (sp?). I am looking forward to my appt.

m, Thank you for the reply. I will definitely keep in touch and let you know what I think. I have only heard good things so far. I am afraid I will be self pay. Paying for it now doesn't concern me b/c I know that it will be worth it. I worry about if another surgery is needed b/c of erosion or slippage, etc. I will definitely ask a lot of questions at the seminar Thursday. Let me know how your visit goes.

I am going Thursday to his seminar. I really want to go ahead and get started!

The visit is with Dr. Enochs.

I am going to one of his seminars Thursday. I went to an initial visit with Dr. Moran in Raleigh. I liked him but b/c the cost was $24,000+ I wanted to check around. Let me know how it goes Tuesday. I've heard good things about him and his staff. Good Luck!

I am in Raleigh NC and it seems the price for the lap band is around $21,000-$24,000+. In the forums and chat rooms I am hearing that this is very high. Could anyone give me some prices from other NC areas or Virgina areas? Thanks.

I am possibly going to be self pay. My concern is what if there is band slippage or another surgery is needed in the future? That will be another cost to me. Was that a concern for anyone else or am I being too nervous about this? Around here in NC the surgery is running around $21-$24,000. Any advise?:leaving:

Thank you for the reply. Someone else said the same thing. I may go to one of his seminars. Do you know the price of the surgery with Dr. Enochs? I will probably be self pay. Thanks.

I have heard that is hard to find a doctor when you return to the states that will take you as their patient. Someone in the forum said that when they did finally find someone to "service" them the doctor charged $900 just for the fills. What do you know about it??

Thank you. I have been trying to tell myself that. Has your friend had her surgery yet? I will check into Dr. Enoch. Thank you again for the advise.

I was just looking at his website. What bothers me the most is the unknown future. When you are self pay any thing that is related to the band is a cost to you....like surgery to repair band slippage or if it had to be removed. It is a little scary. I wouldn't mind it as much if I could find it a little cheaper. Ya know? Thanks for your reply.

Any one from North Carolina? I would like to know your doctor and price of surgery. Dr. Moran and Rex Hospital in Raleigh charge $24,000 with one yr of fills. This is almost $10,000 more than some. I may have to self pay. Any suggestions? or know of another doctor in NC that is not $24,000? Please let me know! Thanks.

The cost of the surgery at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC is $25,000. My concern is if I have any complications due to the band or if the band slips or needs removal then that is another cost to me. I'm a little nervous until I get more info. I do agree that it is a small price to pay for your health and to feel good AND get back into my size 10s!!!! I don't even care about being smaller than that. What did your doctor say about the future regarding costs to you???

Did any of you self pay? I may have to and my concern is what if down the road I have to have another surgery because of the band???? Then that is another cost. It scares me a little. Any advice?

Do you know anyone that has used Dr. Enochs? I would be interested in his cost and how many yrs of fills it covers. I may have to pay for mine and the thought of that scares me a little. I spoke with BCBS yesterday and they said that anything in the future after surgery that is related to the lapband would not be covered by insurance...for example, replacement or infection due to the band. So the idea of having to pay for another surgery scares me. Keep everyone posted on how your seminar and visits go.

Any suggestions on surgeons close to the Raleigh, NC area. I may have to pay and the doctor I went to said $24,000 and it covers 1 yr of fills. I am reading other threads that seem to be lower costs and covers 2 yrs of fills. Any suggestions?

Carol, you woudn't happen to be in NC would you. The doctor I went to said the cost would be 24,000 and include only 1 yr of fills. This is in Raleigh, N.C.