I am interested in finding out about banding for myself and especially my daughter. How much does it cost? What do you have to do? Are there certain requirements like number of pounds overweight? Does insurance typically cover the medical costs? What preexisting conditions (high blood pressure, breathing trouble) disqualify a person from trying this? You recommend any particular doctors in MA or NH?

Your first step would be to find a weight loss surgeon in your area and attend an orientation. Go to www.lapband.com to do a search and read up on the band. There is a list on the website of the medical conditions that disqualify people from being banded. The pre-op requirements vary widely from doctor to doctor. Just to give you an idea, my doctors required the following:

-BMI > 35 or at least 100 lbs overweight plus 2 comorbidities (health problems related to weight).

-Psychiatric evaluation

-A meeting with a nutritionist

-A meeting with an exercise physiologist

-A liquid diet for 1 week prior to surgery and 4 weeks after

My surgery was covered by insurance, but I have seen self-pay prices quoted at anywhere from $9K to $18K. There are also fees associated with the pre-op testing and post-op fills/adjustments. Whether or not your insurance will cover it is based entirely on your specific policy. Contact your company to find out their criteria.

Good luck to you and your daughter!

Generally speaking you have to:

• have a five year average body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater
  
• have an average BMI of 35-40 (100 lbs overweight) with high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.
  
• have documented attempts at weight loss

Insurance companies vary on coverage/no coverage and how strictly they interpret the general guidelines. For example, I fall between the 35-40 BMI, but my co-morbidities (health conditions) weren't those specifically listed above. I was initially denied, but having 7 other health factors, I wrote an appeals letter and the denial was overturned.

Inamed makes the lap band. Their sight also has a lot of useful information:

http://www.lapband.com/

Good luck & God Bless!