Hi all,

I'm having serious complications with my band and am needing to have it removed. Anyone out there self pay that had to have it removed? How much (total) did it cost? I had my band installed in Mexico, but feel like I need to do this sooner than waiting to get to Mexico... Please help.

Corinne

Paula,

My insurance did not pay for my conversion. I was self pay for the band and was self pay for my MGB. I didn't know about the MGB until about 6 months after I got my band. I wish I would have known before and saved myself from making a very expensive mistake. The band just wasn't the right choice for me. My body never liked it inside of me and started having weird health problems--which have gone away since getting my band removed. I have lost over 10 lbs. already and my pants are fitting very loose already. The MGB was the best choice for me and I liked the fact that it is easily reversible. That's the reason I got the band in the first place because my husband was terrified of the gastric bypass not being reversible (or easily reversible).

Tricia

Corinne- Garland mom had hers removed and she was cash pay. I think I remember reading that her insurance covered removal!

Good Luck and Im sorry you are having problems.

So who did your MGB and how did it compare price wise to the lapband? I am not banded, but I am considering it. Maybe I should look in to this MGB more before I decide!

While I have never had to remove a band that I placed, I have removed several that were put in elsewhere. In each instance the patient's insurance covered the removal. This is certainly not a guarentee that they will, but it's hopeful.

Dr. C

Cincinnati, Ohio

www.TheBandDoctor.com 877.442.BAND

DISCLAIMER: I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

Hi all,

I'm having serious complications with my band and am needing to have it removed. Anyone out there self pay that had to have it removed? How much (total) did it cost? I had my band installed in Mexico, but feel like I need to do this sooner than waiting to get to Mexico... Please help.

Corinne

What is PBing??

To those inquiring about my MGB. I had it done October 12 by Dr. Rutledge in Henderson, NV. On the message boards, they call it Vegas. The MGB costs $17,000 if you're a cash patient. It's $18,000 if you finance.

I am well on my way. Since my MGB, I am now only 2 lbs. away from my lowest weight with the band. Since I slipped, I gained most of my weight back that I had lost with the band (31 lbs.). The best part is that I don't feel like I am on a diet. I am not hungry and I "graze" all day long. It's funny, because since my MGB, I actually crave salads and cole slaw. Sweets just don't sound that enticing to me anymore.

When speaking to many of the MGB patients, I found that ALL have easily kept the weight off, unlike the RNY. Apparently, you never lose the "malabsorption" with the MGB like you do with the RNY and that is the reason that this surgery has been so successful. A lot of insurances won't pay for this surgery because they consider it "experimental". Dr. Rutledge created the whole process and blames himself if a patient loses too much weight, or too little weight. He doesn't say that you're eating too fast or too much. I finally feel like I'm living life. My diet or my weight are no longer on the forefront of my mind. In 2 more pounds, I will be at my lowest weight in 5 or more years. The great thing is that I know it won't stop there.

I'm sorry this is so long. I am just very grateful and in disbelief at how easy the MGB journey has been compared to my band. Actually, there is no comparison........

Best wishes to all of you,

Tricia H

Corrine, I'm not sure if you're interested in pursuing outside the USA but my quote was far, FAR less than that for removal, I'm going back to Tijuana to have mine removed next month.

Pam, I had the same doctors in Tijuana as you did. How much did they charge you for the lap band removal?

Pam, I had the same doctors in Tijuana as you did. How much did they charge you for the lap band removal?

This thread is from 2006. You may just want to start your own thread to get better info.

Sorry, I did not notice how old this thread was.