Weight loss surgery? Really? For me? Why?

What’ll it cost me?

Perhaps a better question is “What’ll it cost you if you don’t?”

With today’s uncertain economy and rising healthcare costs, it’s normal to wonder if now is the time to consider the LAP-BAND^® AP System.

Extra weight on a person often goes hand in hand with extra financial burden.

Obesity can have significant medical costs over time. Weight loss surgery can help reduce the cumulative cost of living with obesity: like weight loss programs, prescription medicine and hospital visits.

Knowing this, you may want to consider these questions:

• What are your current out-of-pocket healthcare expenses? Are they due to go up?
  
• What are your current prescription and over-the-counter medication costs? Are they due to go up?
  
• How many times a year do you see a doctor or specialist? Has that gone up over time?
  
• How many days have you missed work over the past few years? Has that gone up?
  
• How much have you spent on non-surgical weight loss programs? (WeightWatchers®, Jenny Craig®, etc.) Did that work?
  
• How much have your costs for groceries and dining out gone up?
  
• How much have you spent on additional clothes due to your weight gain?
  

Acting now by using the LAP-BAND^® System to help you significantly reduce your weight — may also reduce your weight-related costs!

Nothing, because thankfully my out of pocket is met in 2012!

Just went to my first consultation on Wednesday and I was told my surgery will be between 24,000-30,000 and I have to pay 10% which is not bad...

This is my first reply/post. I am going to be a self pay, I have an upper GI that is covered in a couple of weeks to determine if there are any issues (hernia etc.) that can be found that the surgeon can use to get the ins. to cover part of the surgery. If I have to pay for the full thing the cost will be about $10K that will be financed through my doctors office, it covers the surgery and a year of visits and fills. If I have a problem then I will pay about $5K again for everything and it too will be financed by my doctors office. Is it a bad thing, I am hoping they find a problem

This is my first reply/post. I am going to be a self pay, I have an upper GI that is covered in a couple of weeks to determine if there are any issues (hernia etc.) that can be found that the surgeon can use to get the ins. to cover part of the surgery. If I have to pay for the full thing the cost will be about $10K that will be financed through my doctors office, it covers the surgery and a year of visits and fills. If I have a problem then I will pay about $5K again for everything and it too will be financed by my doctors office. Is it a bad thing, I am hoping they find a problem

It's actually your 2nd post!

Sounds like you're getting a very very good and reasonable deal from your surgeon if you don't have insurance coverage. Don't feel bad at all about hoping your insurance provides coverage! Keep us updated.

I was self-pay $16,000 (includes everything) and lifetime replacement.

I have no regrets at all about spending the money... it was an investment in my health.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I have insurance and will be paying my deductible of $300 for surgery + 20% of the cost at 1855.00, plus the doctor's fee of 2995.00. So about 4,900 out of my pocket.

All together, totally worth it.

My insurance co-pay is $300 and the percentage my insurance did not cover was $658 for a total of $958. The bill for the surgery is $10,300 which included the surgery, anesthesiologist, all pre-op and post-op testing and my surgeon's fee. When I visit his office my co-pay is $30. I know that everyone is different, so it depends on the doctor and the region that you live in.

My max will be $5000 out of pocket. I am still pre-op but have spend right around $500 so far, but I had to meet my deductible and had copays for the visits plus nutritionist and psych eval. I also had an EGD as part of the process, which is included in my running total so far. I will update once I find out how much it will be after insurance for the actual surgery. I will find that out after approval.

I payed for my surgery my self to it was 8900 for everything I took a loan out to pay for it I live in Colorado I like my Dr I have had one fill banded in December and lost 54 pounds

I feel bad writing this but I had to pay $150 US for the nutritionist consult and the entire surgery is paid for. My mom has insurance through yale and I'm covered until 26 if I want.. I need to find a job at yale after grad school haha

I had my surgery in CT. Surgery and hospital costs were around 25,000. Fills cost $250. I don't know what the pysch. eval. cost, or the six required dietitian visits. It is quite a sum of money; but thankfully my insurance covers about 96% of the costs.

I would say it varies depending on you iinsurance provider. I have BCBS FED and my out of pocket cost was $4,700. Best money I ever spent and I havent even had my surgery yet.

I had surgery in Connecticut. I am sure that my costs were over 30,000 dollars by the date of the surgery.

My post op visits and fills were not covered in advance, and my insurance pays as I go. CT is one of the most expensive states for medical or cost of living.

I'm in Louisville Kentucky, I have Medicaid. Everything was paid for 100% except the 4 visits to the nutritionist. The first visit was $50, the other 3 were $17 a piece. Total out of pocket so far is $101.

I'll update this when I get a fill. I'm not sure if the fills are covered.

I went to Dr. Kuri in Tijuana , Mexico or my surgery my out pocket expense was $5500.00 for the surgery and about $900.00 for airfare. Dr. Kuri was wonderful!