I'm just curious if anyone knows what the lap-band would cost in the U.S. as a self-pay. Is there a way to find out what the costs are locally? I'm considering this and would need to come up with the money but want a rough idea so I could develop a plan.

hey misty!

my dr charges 22,000 for surgery and i am pretty sure that covers everything anesthesia, hospital and surgeon fee. if you are self pay have you thought about Mexico dr's? i know you can pay around 10,000 for surgery there.

good luck!

Dr. Spivak in Houston did my surgery. He charges $14,000 which includes everything up to two days in the hospital except I think there was a radiology fee. His fee also covers all fills for the first year.

Thanks. Good to know. My husband is very leary of Mexico, and I'd rather be able to get fills locally myself.

In this case, your husband should be aware that it is the "foreign" doctors who are the proctors (teachers) showing the U.S. doctors how to do this surgery, so by avoiding Mexico, he is avoiding just the experience that I went looking for.

In my case, a year ago, the local doctor had done about 30 lap bands and wanted $30,000 (all inclusive.) Dr. Rumbaut (in Monterrey, Mexico) had done about 1400 bands and charged $10,000 all inclusive. It will take me LOTS of trips to Mexico for fills to make up that $20,000 difference.

More recently, some of the US doctors have lowered their prices to around $12,000. Which is good. But, for me, the real question is How many lap bands has this doctor placed? Although many people will say something like, "I was my doctor's second band patient and there were no problems," the research repeatedly proves that there is a real link between the number of bands placed and the number of complications suffered by the patient. Especially if I'm paying cash, I'm not going to be part of someone's learning curve.

The Mexican doctors who proctor for Inamed are ALL more experienced than almost any US doctor, and mostly work in hospitals that are FAR superior to anything we've go going here, especially in terms of nurse-patient ratio. But if your husband can't get over his (not very accurate) conception of what those doctors have to offer, there are always Europe and Australia/New Zealand. Most band doctors there have way more experience and the cost is quite low, compared to here. (And a potentially tax-deductible trip is kind of cool, too.)

Good luck,

Sue

I have to agree with Sue. I was banded in Mexico as well. My doctor was dr. verboonen and he was great. It cost me $8500 which is now raised I think to $9000 and it was all inclusive. I have since referred many others to him, and plan on taking both my sisters too.

My concern and my father's concern (who is also a doctor) was the experience of the surgeon. I was in and out of surgery in less than an hour and have had no problems at all.

This procedure has been done for 20 years in Europe, 10 years in Mexico and only 2 years in the US.

I could afford US doctors. I could also go to Italy since my uncle is a doctor there and have the procedure done. But since Mexico is closer and more convenient I opted to go there.

Mary

It is true that some of the Mexican doctors have much more experience than U. S. doctors. But not all of them do, so be careful. Also, just thought I would add that Dr. Spivak has done over 700 lapbands and has published in peer-reviewed medical journals on his technique. Personally, I did consider going to Mexico, but the cost of having to fly down there would have made it more expensive for me (not to mention inconvenient) than having it done in my hometown by Dr. Spivak. I would have had to stay in Mexico for 5 days and my family could not have afforded to go with me. As it was, I didn't even have to stay overnight in the hospital. I certainly am not arguing against going to Mexico because I believe it is a very good option. I am just saying that sometimes there is more than just experience alone to consider.

Exactly. Flying from Minnesota to anywhere isn't cheap (especially in the winter), so that's why I was asking about U.S. prices.

Hello~

I was banded in Indiana on 10-8-03

My bills are:

$85.00 to meet with the Doctor first time-since I was not refered

$350.00 for the pre-op testing

$125.00 for the head shrink doctor

$14,000 for hospital stay, surgery ect..

$3,000 for the doctor who puts you asleep..ahhh

$200.00 for radiology

$125.00 per fill

$0.00 doctor check up's

THANK GOD for Insurance..

They told me up front to plan on $25,000 to $35,000.

Good luck.. I have heard good things about the Doctors in Mexico.

FYI

Total cash cost Dr. McKeen San Jose Ca. $20,000.

I'm sure you don't want to fly to California either.

I wen't to Mexico for $10,850 and get my (blind) fills for $75.00.

I'm still paying for my Band operation and flight via credit cards. Its the best Health choice I ever made.

Good Luck

Thanks. I finally called local and it's about 22-25K, so unless our new insurance covers things I'll be flying out to Mexico. I found a secondary airline that's not too expensive. They had a major cut in flights after 9/11 but I guess Mexico is back on their list.

And I thought the decision for WLS was tough.

Wow I know this topic is back for 2003, but i'm getting banded on May 20th in Chicago as an outpatient and my cost is $12,500 self pay.

total cash cost for me in LA with dr. jeremy korman: $16000 (includes 1 year of fills and check ups). doesn't include pre-surgical tests because my insurance covered them.

$9,900 Houston TX. Dr. Ken Hollis at True Results

Here in Dallas/Ft. Worth it is 9,900 cash. True Results of TLC Edge

I meant...True Results or TLC Edge...most doctors have the same cash price.