Hi all,

I went to the lapband seminar last night, at Gosford (NSW) and I am really really keen to get the lapband, but I am the sort of person who just over thinks and analyses everything. I am 20 and after diet after diet failing, and my self-esteem being so low, I want to change my life. I am ready to to do this but am worried about the costs - as I am young and a student, I am just concerned that I will be hit with hidden/extra costs that will be too high for me to pay.

My health insurance (I'm covered by my Dad until the end of this year) runs out and I just want to know if anyone has had to go and have another operation to fix the band (such as if you got an infection etc) and was the most you paid all up basically $3700??

Thanks:D

I was at that meeting too. I am booked to see Dr Munro on 12th Sept and have already booked my op for the 26th Septmeber. I dont think there will be any hidden costs as he said that the total out of pocket would be that amount and not more. Obviously your medication if you require strong pain killers after will be at your own expense and normal stuff like that. I will let you know more after I have seen him.

Jo

Hi

I am from Newcastle and when I was banded I didnt have health insurance. I paid $16000 for my op.

I got health insurance about 1 yr ago so if I do have any problems I will be covered.

All my fills are through medicare and the little problems I have had havent cost me any money.

My suggestion would be to get banded now before the insurance runs out so you are covered for that. Later on start paying into your own insurance so you can be covered if any problems arise.

I know if I have a slip or anything my Dr said that is covered in the original cost.

BTW I have been banded 2.5 yrs.

I had basic health insurance which covered the hopsital side of things and I had to pay the surgeon $5000 for his fee and the anethesiologist about $500 I think. I've changed my insurance now to high level hospital with NIB which does cover banding, for if I ever need a revision at all, but that will take 12 months to kick in. I'm with Kellie, I'd go for it now - when I get fills its all covered in that $5000 I paid (through medicare I guess?). So other than any consult/dietitican/psychologists fees that your surgeon requires pre op, the fee quoted should be it (ask about the anethesiologist though). I've been banded 10 months now, my Dad has been banded almost 2 years and my mum has been banded 5 months. We all wish we had of done it sooner and think its worth every cent of the $15,000+ total we have spent cos we've lost almost 100 kilos between the 3 of us.

If you have questions about the specific ongoing costs your surgeon really is the best person to ask, but I haven't heard of any other aussies being sprung with hidden costs down the track.

Oh and if you spend more than $1500 out of pocket on medical expenses in a year, you can claim it back on your tax (you get 20% back). I'm getting $1200 back this year.

1 in 5 people require re-operation within 5 years for a slip or port or something. Private health insurance (basic hospital) isn't that expensive - you'll save more on food than you'll pay for the insurance post banding and it's essential to have it. At your age you will expect to have a new band at some point and port replacements etc. are common. The extra bits are only free because they bill your insurance directly,they aren't really at no cost... just no out of pocket cost to you. If you don't have insurance you could be up for a lot more than insurance would have cost you should anything go wrong. I would not risk it.