Hi Everyone,

I just found this message board and all I can say is WOW! What a great source of information. I am seriously thinking about lap band surgery and am getting prices ranging from $17,500 to $13,500. (Kansas City area)

The cheaper price of $13,500 doesn't include fills. They are telling me that there is approximately 4-6 fills the first year at $175.00 each which is not covered under the $13,500 price.

The other places that range from $16,500 to $17,500 include the fills and they tell me that you could need 18-20 fills the first year.

I would appreciate any input on this dilemma. I'm not sure that the cheaper one is the way to go if I have to pay for all those fill. My insurance won't cover anything for me.

Thanks in advance for any help with this.

Linda

I would think seriously about doing the one that includes fills. For me, I would hesitate to get filled knowing I had to spend $175.00 each time. Silly I know given what we pay for this surgery, but I know myself and I know that would be a factor in my going in. Instead, I have gotten fills based on how I feel and what I decide with the clinic.

My doc in Denver does the surgery for $9950.00 which includes 3 months of follow up. After that fills are only $15!

I have been banded 8 months now and have had 4 fills total.

It really is a toss up, however, if you look through the site, you will see that many have included a fill schedule for them in their signature. I have not ever seen anyone who required 18-20 fills--that seems way excessive. I was banded last April, had my first fill in June, a second following it in 4-5 weeks, and it put me to proper restriction. I have not needed any further adjustment, I eat small meals, have no hunger---it is good for me. I have also heard of a small number of people that the band itself was restriction enough, and they never had to have a fill.

It might be worth starting a poll to find out what an average bandster has had in number of fills.

You can get several $175.00 fills for that extra 3-4 grand. I mean I would NEVER EVER suggest choosing a surgeon based solely on price, but if the Dr. is one you want to use, I would not let the fill cost change that. I grabbed the calculator, and with the $3000.00 difference it would still allow you to pay $175.00 for 17 fills. I cannot imagine 17 fills---even if you had to be unfilled at one point and refilled---it seems like a big difference.

My suggestion, is to choose the surgeon, and deal with his fill policy.

If the band is not put in properly, fills will be useless, the surgeons skills seem more important.

Welcome to LBT--we are glad you are here! Feel free to ask any and all questions you might have, the more informed you are going into surgery and recovery, the better off you are!!

Kat

Hmm, that's a lot of fills!

I'm in Kansas City, MO and was banded in Shawnee Mission, KS. I was covered by insurance so I'm not completely sure what my surgeon charges, but I *think* it's around 16k, and I *think* that includes all the pre-work (dietician, psychologist, etc.) and one year of free fills.

18 - 20 fills the first year??? Maybe in a VG, I don't know. I have the 10cm (4cc) band and have had 4 fills, one unfill. I would be at 3 fills, but when time for my first fill came around he only gave me half the suual amount because I was still losing very quickly.

Oh, and as for which way to go - honestly, I'd say go with the surgeon you like the best and feel most comfortable with, regardless of price. In the big scheme of things your low and and high end of costs aren't that different, and having confidence in your surgeon and his program can make all the difference.

Oh, and as for which way to go - honestly, I'd say go with the surgeon you like the best and feel most comfortable with, regardless of price. In the big scheme of things your low and and high end of costs aren't that different, and having confidence in your surgeon and his program can make all the difference.

I couldn't agree more with this statement. It is your health and your body that your talking about. The band is a life long thing and you need to find a surgeon you feel comfortable with and confident in his (or her) abilities. You will have a long term relationship with this person!

Another KC area person here....

I did the same calling around as you........

The WLSC (not affiliated with any insurance is the 13.5 price no fills or aftercare)

I'm going with Dr. Malley because he does take my insurance but his cash price is 16.5K with a year of after care and fills.... (he says he wants to see you every 4 weeks for the first year... and you may or may not get a fill depending on your personal needs)

If you self pay you can get in quick because you can schedule at any one of the 3 hospitals he works at....... (I have to wait for Menorah, and they are already booked Through March 8th)

IF money was a real issue... I would go to Dr. K in Denver for under 10K because KC to Denver flights are cheap..... (but the weather this year as you know is crazy)

I envy you not having to jump through the insurance hurdles... good luck and keep us posted.

ohhhhh ya.. you might go to obesity help dot com and look for surgeons in the area.. they have something like 27 local ones that you could do research on .. first step is to attend a seminar... for instance.. there is one close to me (atchison/leavenworth) I also called about 5 places before opting for Malley... and mostly it was the knowledge and courtesy of the person answer the phone and questions.... (plus I'd heard good things about him on here and other places) Stanely Hoehn is another one I've heard good things about. Opie (Olathe is getting started) and Wanda K (I think is her name) has also gotten rave reviews.

Out here the surgery is about $27,000 but it's covered under HMO. So it only winds up costing a $250 deductable.

Stanely Hoehn is another one I've heard good things about.

He was my surgeon and I truly can't say enough good things about him. His website is www.kcbariatric.com if you want to check it out. If you call Billie she should be able to give you some pricing information.

WOW, What a great group you guys are!! Thanks so much for all the quick responses to my dilemma. Tracy in KS, I live in the Gardner area so I am looking around the south Kansas City area. I thought that the 18 to 20 filles a year seemed like alot. I think thats how they justify the highter price.

Thanks Again everyone

Linda