Hi, I'm new to the forum. I'm beginning to seriously research lap band. I've been certain for over a year that lap band is the right step for me but because of lack of insurance I haven't perused it. I've decided to begin to save for the surgery on my own. I've been searching for prices in the US and have found everything from $10000 to $30000. My partner is a little uncertain about the surgery and made me promise to stay state side to have the surgery done rather than going to Mexico. I currently live in California on the Central Coast. I'm willing to travel in the US for my surgery.

I've tried diets and exercise and have been disappointed with the results. Even when I've gained muscle and endurance I don't seem to loose weight. Many of the women and some of the men in my family have suffered from obesity throughout their lives. I don't want to spend my whole life dealing with obesity, the health problems associated with it, and some of the embarrassment that comes from being a "fat" person. I'm ready for a change and excited about taking the first steps towards it.

Birdy

$10K is pretty much the norm these days and I think it's important to know you have a local surgeon you can rely on for advice and guidance. Most of these bariatric docs have nutritionists on staff or are available and they can offer invaluable advice if your band doesn't seem to be working.

Most likely you will need fills after surgery and traveling to Mexico or India isn't really an option imo. Most all bariatric Docs hold seminars monthly so go to several before you decide. Check out how many surgeries they've performed and how long they've been practiced in your area.

tmf

Have you looked at an alternate type such as "Virtual Lap Band Surgery"? The cost is so much lower, no side effects, and to date a more successful rate in losing weight, anywhere from 86 to 97% compared to the actual surgery. Plus this type when used with a certified counselor you will benefit from sessions that deal with the issues that are associated with weight gain, without that there is much more of a failure rate. Rates of 20lbs. a month is not unusual. Google and see yourself.

Welcome to the forum! Remember with a band that follow-up care is crucial. Fills/unfills are needed to be successful. It can take 5-6 fills before you start losing. Some surgeons include fills for a year with their band fees, but not all. Fills and unfills can cost upwards of $300 or more.

Do you have any specific questions?

I'm seeing lots of quotes in the 10k neighborhood. Unfortunately, in California it seems like most surgeons charge closer to $17,000 - $25,000. For that reason I'd strongly consider going out of state to Arizona or Colorado where it seems to be cheaper and then getting fills in CA.

Thanks for your feedback.

Birdy

$10K is pretty much the norm these days and I think it's important to know you have a local surgeon you can rely on for advice and guidance. Most of these bariatric docs have nutritionists on staff or are available and they can offer invaluable advice if your band doesn't seem to be working.

Most likely you will need fills after surgery and traveling to Mexico or India isn't really an option imo. Most all bariatric Docs hold seminars monthly so go to several before you decide. Check out how many surgeries they've performed and how long they've been practiced in your area.

tmf

I have looked into hypnosis but I've had trouble finding local practitioners who specialize in weight loss. I haven't looked in a while so I should likely look again. I'm an MFT intern and I know that so many of the changes I need to make are mental. I've never heard the term "virtual lap band surgery" so it is something to look into more. Thanks for the suggestion.

Birdy

Have you looked at an alternate type such as "Virtual Lap Band Surgery"? The cost is so much lower, no side effects, and to date a more successful rate in losing weight, anywhere from 86 to 97% compared to the actual surgery. Plus this type when used with a certified counselor you will benefit from sessions that deal with the issues that are associated with weight gain, without that there is much more of a failure rate. Rates of 20lbs. a month is not unusual. Google and see yourself.

I'm seeing lots of surgeons including fills, but if I get the surgery out of the area I'll likely need to get fills done locally and need to pay out of pocket. Unfortunately, one of the reasons I don't have insurance is because of my weight. I'm wondering how others have worked to do this feasibly without insurance and were able to get all the care they needed. I saw their is a forum dedicated to that specifically but I thought I'd go ahead and introduce myself here.

Birdy

Welcome to the forum! Remember with a band that follow-up care is crucial. Fills/unfills are needed to be successful. It can take 5-6 fills before you start losing. Some surgeons include fills for a year with their band fees, but not all. Fills and unfills can cost upwards of $300 or more.

Do you have any specific questions?

No worries, Birdy! A band is not a set it and forget it procedure as bypass and sleeves are (other than monitoring for nutritional levels of Vitamins and minerals in your blood in years to come). There is general maintenance involved. My surgeon wants me to have an Upper GI every year. He will not do a fill after the first year without one.

There is a central coast person on the board. Xavier is the screen name, she was also self-pay. You might reach out to her. Haven't seen her around in a bit, but I've been out for about 3 weeks due to a non-band related illness.

I am 4 years out, I get a little top-off fill about once a year. My surgeon will not do a fill without an Upper-GI. They run a few hundred dollars if you were to self pay. My last fill suddenly tightened up after 4 months. It has since gone back to normal, but it was tight for about 6 weeks. My surgeon has ordered an endoscope. That would be quite a bit more money as anesthesia is involved.

I am not trying to scare you off, but you need to be fully aware of what you are getting into. Should you have a bad slip and need your band removed, that is another full surgery. If you had insurance that did not cover WLS, they'd cover some of the testing, and they'd cover emergency removal of a band. But without insurance, bands can get costly.

Also, don't just go for the bargain. :-) All that said, I love my band and am very pleased with my decision. But I have insurance that covers my fills and tests.

If you are going to travel consider the Denver area. You can get cheap flights sometimes from Cali to Denver. Quite a few bandsters do it from what I've seen. They do phone consults and such.

Dr. Weaver offers specials under $9,000.

Here is a thread with some of his info. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/139401-considering-dr-john-weaver-in-colorado-for-lap-band-surgery/page__p__1721980__hl__considering%20weaver__fromsearch__1#entry1721980

Have you looked at an alternate type such as "Virtual Lap Band Surgery"? The cost is so much lower, no side effects, and to date a more successful rate in losing weight, anywhere from 86 to 97% compared to the actual surgery. Plus this type when used with a certified counselor you will benefit from sessions that deal with the issues that are associated with weight gain, without that there is much more of a failure rate. Rates of 20lbs. a month is not unusual. Google and see yourself.

huh? This site is for the "real" gastric band ........ go advertise someplace else

huh? This site is for the "real" gastric band ........ go advertise someplace else

Sorry, for offering an alternative opinion and procedure to individuals that may not be able to afford the actual surgical procedure, or individuals that do not want to take the life risk under the knife, or those individuals that need other issues addressed that might be affecting their weight loss as 92% of them have. It's not advertising , it's offering a suggestion. Does this "suggestion" pose a threat to surgeons where the outcome can be as positive but less risky?

A suggestion that others can see failures as well as successes. Is your "suggestion/advise" any different then this, "Dr. Weaver offers specials under $9,000. Here is a thread with some of his info. http://www.lapbandta..._1#entry1721980 " Or, is there a simple financial gain in this "suggestion"?

This is good information and why I'm here. There was a time not so long ago when I had outstanding insurance and I really wish I'd just done the surgery then, but I wasn't ready at that time.

Part of what appeals to me about the lap band is that it can be adjusted. I've heard of people having bad experiences with gastric bypass and then there is very little that they can do about it - they are stuck with a problem that is very difficult to fix. Of course, getting lap band isn't as easy as changing a hairstyle but I like that it is adjustable. I also like that if I want to have children the band can be adjusted so I can take more nutrition in while pregnant.

I'm currently working on a license where I have to do 3000 hrs of internship. I'm lucky I found a paying internship but the pay is pretty, well, ucky. I'm fairly frugal and have been known to save money quickly in the past but it may be that lap band is just not feasible for me at this point of my life. That's a bit depressing but it might be the truth.

My weight is a sensitive subject for me. I feel I've done well in so many areas of my life. I've persevered and accomplished things I'm proud of, but when it comes to my weight I continue to struggle without gain.

No worries, Birdy! A band is not a set it and forget it procedure as bypass and sleeves are (other than monitoring for nutritional levels of Vitamins and minerals in your blood in years to come). There is general maintenance involved. My surgeon wants me to have an Upper GI every year. He will not do a fill after the first year without one.

There is a central coast person on the board. Xavier is the screen name, she was also self-pay. You might reach out to her. Haven't seen her around in a bit, but I've been out for about 3 weeks due to a non-band related illness.

I am 4 years out, I get a little top-off fill about once a year. My surgeon will not do a fill without an Upper-GI. They run a few hundred dollars if you were to self pay. My last fill suddenly tightened up after 4 months. It has since gone back to normal, but it was tight for about 6 weeks. My surgeon has ordered an endoscope. That would be quite a bit more money as anesthesia is involved.

I am not trying to scare you off, but you need to be fully aware of what you are getting into. Should you have a bad slip and need your band removed, that is another full surgery. If you had insurance that did not cover WLS, they'd cover some of the testing, and they'd cover emergency removal of a band. But without insurance, bands can get costly.

Also, don't just go for the bargain. :-) All that said, I love my band and am very pleased with my decision. But I have insurance that covers my fills and tests.

I love my band... it's changed my life.

I was self-pay. I have not regrets.

I can eat anything in moderation except rice apple skins.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Started: with a 54" waist now 32"

EM: tomander@bell.net

The band is the best option if you want to have children in the future, as you have said you can have it adjusted to allow you to take in more nutrition, I fell pregnant after losing 5 stone, I had my band completely de-fillled on advice of my specialist nurse, once you reach 14 weeks pregnant you can have a small fill if you feel you need it but then need to be de-filled at 34 weeks, I choose to stay de-filled all the way through my pregnancy and my daughter is now 6 months and although I have gained quite a bit of weight, I have just had my band refilled and my journey is beginning again, good luck with your saving and hope you find the best option for you x

I'm one ninth banded 4/6/2012 ! Love it !! Good luck in ur search.

Not sure if someone told you this but you should pick a surgeon close enough to you to travel frequently for fills. Other surgeons will not do it for bands they did not install and aist everyone won't touch a band done in Mexico. Best luck!