banding

January 6, 2004

I am 22 yrs old. I am 5'4- 5'5 and I weigh 220pds. I havent talked with a doctor but, do I qualify to have the banding done. I have tried all the diets, exercise programs and diet pills including xenical from the doctor. Nothing is helping. I am so unhappy at my weight and am feeling pain in my back , knees , feet ect.. from the weight. I have lost all my self -esteem. I live in Minnesota, I was hoping I could get some advice on, if I would quaify? How much is costs? If any one know of a good doctor in Hennipin county. I know my insurance wont cover it, so if any one has paid for it on their own, or even know how much it costs. Do the doctors have any kind of finacing? Any help would be appreicated.

thanks

kellymoos · January 6, 2004

I have heard that it is cheaper to have the surgery in Mexico, however I was fortunate enough that my insurance paid for mine! You may want to check and make sure that your insurance will not cover it. I know my Dr. makes an appt with you and then they submit it to the insurance to see if you get approved. But, every Dr is different. Best of luck to you!

mel22 · January 8, 2004

Hi-

With your stats- your BMI would be about 37. Most insurance companies require a BMI of 40, or 35 with other serious, weight related problems. But, if you are paying for it yourself, a BMI of 37, I think, would be good enough, even with out other health issues.

Paying for it yourself, in MN at least, is really expensive. The surgeon I'm going to use gave me an estimate of $20,000. Most people with no insurance go to Mexico and have it done for less than $10,000.

I would suggest joining the MNBandsters Yahoo group and posting there. They also have a database of MN surgeons.

Anyway, I am 23 yrs old and also live in MN. If I can be of any more help, please email me. Its melgsht@yahoo.com.

Good Luck!

Melissa

January 8, 2004

Thanks for the responses. Wow, I would have never had guest it would have been that much money 20,000, I guess I will have to quit dreaming about it now, there is not way I can afford that. That is very disappointing, also what you said about insurance covering if your bmi is 40 or over, was so close but yet so far away. I will double check with my insurance, just incase, but they never want to help when it comes to losing weight. I am at a loss, I am not sure where to go from here, or what to do. I am miserable being fat. I have tried every diet, every diet pill, joining a gym exercising . Nothing.

but thanks for your help.

GeezerSue · January 8, 2004

Just a darned minute! You'd give up that easily? Think it through again!

You SAID you have related health problems. Many insurance companies cover people with BMI's of 35 AND related health problems.

And there is always Mexico...it's NOT a "second-best" place to go. There's a handful of Mexican surgeons who together have more experience than all the US doctors put together.

And there are loans and your school district probably has a Section 125 plan, so that the money can be taken out monthly over a year, and tax free at that.

Sue

mel22 · January 9, 2004

Please don't give up that easily. MN insurance companies seem to be pretty good about paying for lap-band. What kind do you have? My insurance would not pay for pills or diets either, but they are going to pay for my lap-band.

At least call and talk to a few of the surgeons. I have been to the info seminars at Park Nicollett and Abbott. Abbott has a really long waiting list (almost a year), but Park Nicollett doesn't take too long. At least you will have gotten a start-maybe your insurance will change? If you are willing to drive, Dr. Billings in Moose Lake does not have a waiting list at all.

Also, do some more research about doctors in Mexico. I know it seems like a lot of money, but its less than a new car. Would you be willing to drive an older car for a few years? I know I would be.

Good Luck!

Graceful One · January 9, 2004

You may also want to check if the surgeon you select has a self pay option. This is generally alot less than what would be billed to your insurance. Also ask if surgery can be done in a day surgery center as most of the cost is for the hospital facility bill.

For example, my surgery for insurance was about $28,000, about $23,000 was for the hospital, $3000 for the surgeon, about $1000 for the anesthesiologist, and the rest I'm not sure...but my surgeon is going to offer day surgery for about $11,000 total.

Big difference!

I would also try to get approved...think of anything and everything your weight is causing you problems with...it is worth a try...plus you can always appeal!

January 9, 2004

I am so discouraged. I can not afford , like a car payment, cause I already have one, and have 3 yrs left. I guess it wont hurt to call my insurance and find out what they would need. I was under the understanding that you had to go to your primary car doc, serveral times with complaints and have them documented and after time, if you doctor recommends it then you may go see a surgeon. I have United Health Care for insurance, I just started this insurance. I personally, dont like the idea of mexico. That is a good idea to see if it could be not in a hospital, god knows the hospitals change crazy charges. I just dont want to be disappointed, and wasted my time plus all the co-pays to see the doctors, time off work. Plus, I am curious how much pain is it for the fills, that sounds a little scary.

gabby · January 9, 2004

I live in MN as well, I switched jobs to find a job that carries medica insurance because medica will cover the lapband as long as you have a BMI of 40 or above or have health problems with a lower BMI. Good Luck, Gabby