Hi everybody. I was searching the internet for Lapband information and this site came up. I need to loose over 100lbs, and want to get the surgery but I cannot afford it. OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Policy) covers gastric by-pass, but not the lap-band. The lapband surgery is $16,000 to $18,000 Canadian, and I simply do not have that kind of money. OK, to be honest, I don't have a husband who is willing to go into that kind of debt....basically, no support.

Anybody here from Ontario? Did you get the surgery? And if so, is any of the expense covered in anyway.....

I just want to give up....

Hi, Im from Ontario as well, just outside of Toronto. what city are you from? I am in the same situation as you. I want this surgery more than anything but dont have the $$ I basically have no support either. My parents think I'm crazy for wanting this surgery and they have no money to help me out. The LAP-BAND® isnt covered but I'm pretty sure you can claim it in your tax return and maybe get a couple thousand back. Have you gone for a consulation yet??

Kristy :thumbup:

I am in Australia and they will allow you to usae your superannuation money for the surgery I think you just need a letter from your doctor and they will release the money for you (if you have superannuation)...

I am lucky to have private health cover as it is not done in the public system here so is quite expensive (about the same as you have quoted in Aussie dollars)..

I hope you can find a way to do this , from the seminar I went to tonight and from the posts I have been reading here is seems to me the best way to go...

The specialist we saw tonight also does the Gastric By Pass maybe if you can`t afford the band that would be the way to go..

You can put it through on your income tax and you will get some of a rebate. The clinic that I went to did offer a 4 year finance program. I don't know if that helps any.

Hi, nice to hear from you all.

I am in Hamilton, about 45 min from Toronto KristiK. And no, I haven't gone for a consultation. My husband also thinks I'm crazy, 1: to have surgery, 2: to think that spending that much $ is reasonable when all you have to do is "stop eating crap, and get out and exercise more." (Note: he did not say those words EXACTLY, but that is what he thinks).

Majj, we don't have anything like that here, would be nice though. And Vickster50B, I could pull off the payments (how much are they, BTW?), but right now the problem is with my husband. He doesn't understand that I have given so much of myself to him and our daughters (10 & 5) over the years, combined with childhood abuse from my father, that I feel defeated, and that I have ignored my needs for so long that I can't find a way to start taking care of me.

Ah. Very frustrating.

It is over a 4 year plan and I think it is between $300.00 and $400.00 .

Hi there,

I had surgery a few weeks ago in Toronto and was self-pay. I agree that it is alot of money and I dipped into my savings to pay for it. I know that a couple of provinces cover it under their provincial plan. I don't understand why our province doesn't cover lap-band but covers gastric bypass which has higher risk. Actually I do, they still see the former as experimental!

As someone mentioned, most surgery centres offer financing over 4 years.

When I was doing research on surgery, I did come across a surgeon in Montreal that was somehow was able to do the surgery for Ontario residents and have it covered. What I recall is that it had to start with a referral from your family physician. If you do an internet search for "weight-loss surgery Montreal" you should come across some details. I don't know what the wait time is like and how many hoops you need to jump through in order to be approved, but it's at least worth looking into.

Good luck!

if you want a great opportunity to travel and earn great money and get the lap band procedure you can come to Korea to teach and get it done here. Thats what I did I could never afford to get the surgery done in Canada plus I am a low bmi'er

Hi, I also live in Ontario and OHIP does not cover LapBand.

I looked at the positives and negatives of both Gastric ByPass and LapBand. Gatric Bypass is covered but very risky too many chances for complications for me, also I believe even for OHIP to cover you have to go through a strict approval process.

I have just booked my banding for March 26th in Ontario.

Yes it is expensive, financing is available. I filled out forms at my surgeons office and the process to get financing was quick and easy. $16,000.00 total cost makes Payments about $423.00 per month for 5 years.

I feel I am worth it. You are worth it to!!!

We would think nothing of buying a car and paying 16 grand over five years. If you really want to get it done, you should look into your financing options.

Perhaps our Canadian friends could consider Mexico. A bit of a vacation and surgery all rolled into one.

i was also thinking of suggesting Mexico. i have a friend here in colorado who's insurance would not cover her for lapband

surgery. she actually traveled to mexico and had it done by a surgeon who has a LOT of experience, apparently he's been on tv shows and such talking about it. but it was very inexpensive for her, idon't remember exactly how much but i'm thinking less than $5,000.

you could find an inexpensive trip down there. its worth looking into.

also, there are all sorts of resources on the sidebar of this website. different financing, deals on lap band, etc.

just another thing for you to look into