Help...just getting started in the process of lap band. May go with health insurance and may pay out of my own pocket. I need an idea of how much this costs. Also if anyone could recommend a good doctor in the Dallas area. I have heard a lot about Dr. Benavides. I just need more help. Thanks!:phanvan

Good luck with your research! I've heard of prices anywhere from 10,500-20,000k, depending on where and which surgeon. Some go to Mexico, as their prices are cheaper. Which ever direction you go, make sure you have a surgeon that gives good aftercare. The lapband takes more aftercare than the other WL surgeries (fill/unfills). Hence, some folks get their surgery and have difficulty getting their fills locally.

Shawn

15K self pay with BenAvides including 1 year of follow ups/fills. I was banded on 1/12/06. He seems to be a very nice guy and has a very good reputation. He's done more bandings than anyone in the area and trains others to do the surgery. Do a search for benAvides on the site and you'll find others who he has done the surgery for.

I know that Tijuana is quite a drive, but Dr. Kuri (beliteweight.com) was wonderful and does all fills (or unfills) free. My insurance pretty much laughed at me. Dr. Kuri is very affordable at $8950. This included the hotel stay and shuttles to and from the airport or mexicoach. Check it out. He has an impeccable record. 2000+

It's B-E-N-A-V-I-D-E-S. His full name is Dr. Richard Benavides.

With an "A".

I'm only jumping in here because telling someone to search for a doctor and then misspelling his name makes the search a lot harder.

I know this may seem like a picky point - but I am always surprised when people who are post-op patients misspell their own doctors' names. :speechles

This is the person you entrust your life to, and you don't learn how to spell his name? Seems odd to me, but it's common. I see it all the time. (*shrugs*)

He's not my surgeon but he is a well-regarded surgeon in the Dallas Metroplex area. Here is his website.

http://www.lapbandsolutions.com/aboutdoc.html

Good Luck on your Band Journey,

New Sho

Lots of docs to choose from at Surgery Center of Richardson - and you can check them out on the web and by attending their informational seminars. They have regular seminars every week.

I am working with Dr. Louis Fox - and he seems great. I have heard wonderful things about him from others, also.

Good Luck in your research!

NewSho - I apologize for the misspelling. Thank you for the correction. I am an idiot. Agreed.