I recently had an upper GI and they found a hiatal hernia. I will be paying for the lap band surgery (self pay). I don't think the surgeon that will be doing my lap band is in my insurance network, so they will not cover for him to fix the hiatal hernia. My question is, is it necessary to fix the hiatal hernia in order to get the lap band surgery, or can I do the surgery and level the hernia the way it is? I would really appreciate any help. Thanks.

The hiatal hernia repair will be part of your lapband surgery. They can not place the band and leave a hiatal hernia. I was self pay and there was no additional charge to repair my hiatal hernia. I would assume yours would be the same.

Humming bird, you don't know how much I appreciate your response. I have been extremly worried because I thought it was going to cost me a lot more. I called my surgeons offfice today and they said they needed to contact the hospital and check if there would be any additional cost. I don't know why there would be any additional cost, I am already paying for a 23 hr. stay at the hospital and everything that comes with that. You have made me feel a lot better, I was getting so disappointed, because I am already paying 16,500 for the surgery; I don't have anymore.

I was banded on Friday (1/15) and had to have a hiatal hernia repaired. My doctor had already informed me that I might have this, and that they would bill my insurance the cost of the surgery- which would mean my surgery cost -self pay- would be less.

I was self-pay and had a very large hiatal hernia that caused me many health issues. I'm actually trying to get my insurance company to pay for some of the surgery because I needed the repair. They are still researching it and my surgery was in October. I just made sure going in that my primary condition was hiatal hernia repair. I did get all my pre-testing covered by my insurance because of the hernia repair. I'll let you know what I find out.

I am also self-pay and had an HH repair when they put in my band, but it looks like they billed my insurance for the HH repair, and the insurance paid it! It would be nice if they billed for the lapband and that's what the insurance paid, lol!

I was self pay and my HH repair was included in the lap band price. You can not have a lap band without the HH being repaired. Mine was big, 3 stiches inside and one ouside but it must be done ... I would assume your sergeon would know this?

ok I had this as well but was lucky that I was covered by insurance for both. My surgeon told me that all they do is give you 2 extra stitches. That is it. They just pull down the hernia back where the part of your stomach or stoma needs to be and stitch it. thats it. Sooo, I seriously doubt its going to cost you an arm and a leg. Mine was soooo tiny and sliding that they almost decided to just leave it alone. lol.

I really appreciate all your responses, I have being going crazy. I am still waiting for a call back from my doctors surgery coordinator, she said she would let me know if it would be an additional cost. If the cost is much more I would not be able to do the surgery, because I am already paying so much for the surgery. My insurance will not cover the hernia repair with the surgeon I am having surgery with.

My advice... Take that $26K and go get it done in Mexico! It will be a 1/3 of the cost and then save that other money for fills and a tummy tuck. :biggrin: