CAn anyone give me an idea of what LB costs? I don't have insurance right now but really want it done...I might wait for the insurance but don't know if they'll even cover it, or if they'll consider it a preexisting condition. I know it varies by doctor but I was just curious of what some of the averages are...:glare:

I was self-pay in New Orleans, LA $17,500.00. worth every penny!

I think there was a poll about this. Maybe you can do a search. Search box is upper right side of page.

I'm in the Northeast, mine was $17800. Mexico is cheap and I've heard people on the forum mention a Dr in Colorado that was reasonable.

The breakdown was $9000 to the hospital, $7800 Dr. $1200 Anesthesia.

Look under the "Doctors" section of the forum, as well.

There are also "ads" for Dr's to the right hand side of the page.

I'm on the east coast (MA), and I just had my surgery on Monday (2/4). The surgery cost $16,000.

Mexico is a lot cheaper, but I was afraid to go that route. Because I live in the northeast, had something gone wrong, it would have cost me a lot of money in airfare to go back to Mexico and get it fixed.

There is a doctor in CO who does it for a lower cost, but again, for someone in the northeast, going to CO for surgery doesn't make sense.

I bet that the cost starts coming down in the future, but so far, it is what it is!

Good luck!

b.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f11/self-pay-where-did-u-have-what-cost-35780/

Above is a previous thread about this subject.

Hi there~

I had mine done by Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver...$9975.00, well worth it. Go to the doctors page, and there is alot of people on his site.

www.lapbandrockies.com

The band placement itself is only $5k. Its the other expenses incurred that bring it to $15k.

My guess is...average now with a low of 6, and a high of 20k...

Average is 13k.

I paid 8 total that included everything including a seperate fill doc who did 2 fills and one unfill when I hit goal.

I paid $10,850 in Denver, CO. But my surgeon is now charging $9,900.

Dr Tom Brown , Denver $9,900 -seems good with a great staff:tt2:- my banding date is March 3rd.

Dr Tom Brown , Denver $9,900 -seems good with a great staff:tt2:- my banding date is March 3rd.

That's who I used. Are you going to self pay? I LOVED the medical center where I had it done - the staff was incredibly responsive. They called me the day after and when I didn't answer, they left a message and called me the next day. And they sent me a card. LOL It kind of made me feel good that it felt like there were people out there wishing me well on the whole thing.

I do like his office staff. I have a bit of a gripe with the receptionist - she can be a little short on the phone (I'm not the only one who thinks so), but she is okay in person, I guess. I LOVE the doctor and his NP is great (Allyson - she does the fills). I think the social worker that does the psych evals was wonderful - she seems to genuinely care about people and isn't just putting on a show. The nutritionist who puts on the nutrition class is a little argumentative, but the other nutritionist is great. Haha...I gave you the downlow on the staff. :thumbup: Just a heads' up, I guess.

Being a self-pay, Allyson was aggressive with my fills and I surely appreciate it because my next scheduled fill is going to be out of pocket, but I may not need it if I stay at this level of restriction (6.5 in 10cc).

Mine added up to right around $15K and that is everything, including pre-op testing etc. As you price the surgery be sure to take into account the stuff after surgery too. Mine included a year of free fills and support from nutritionist and support group meetings and four visits with an exercise physiologist etc. Add up the whole cost not just the basic surgery cost.

When you add up all the services you get (nutritionist visits, meetings with the surgeon, anastheologist, overnight in the hospital, meds, support groups, etc.), the price doesn't seem all that outrageous. I know it can be done for less, but we all know about the cost of medical care in the USA and the different issues that drive it. While I paid $16K and while I know it's a lot, I feel it's well worth it not to have to fly across the country should something go wrong. If I couldn't have afforded it, I would have considered going to Colorado where it's cheaper and I would have found a way to make it work for me. All in all, this is my last chance to be truly healthy and when I look at what I've spent on things like vacations, my car, my house, furniture, etc., I think that spending this kind of money on ME may be the best money I've ever spent. This is my health and I'm ready to get healthy.

Does it burn me that the band itself only costs $5k and we're having to pay multitudes of that in order to get it?

No, not really. We're getting the expertise of everyone on our medical team and you can't put dollars on that. We're getting aftercare and 3 fills and all the rest -- you can't put money on that either. To put it succinctly, I'd rather drive an old car and be at my ideal weight than drive a fancy new car and be fat.

b.

Hi Steph;

Thanks for the info - it helps alot knowing you liked them that much- I liked Allyson too- I'm glad they are aggressive about fills.

I'm going for the nutrition class today and getting banded MOnday- I'm glad it's finally here- waiting has been a pain and I'm eating like it's the Last Supper- enough already!

I would have responded sooner BUT I was in Hawaii and just got back- now I'm ready to get down to business.

Do you go to the support group meetings? Are they worthwhile? And yes I'm a self pay also -

Thanks

I also went with Dr. Kirshenbaum in Colorado. It was $9950, plus the flight, rental car and hotel. I had a good experience. Many of his patients on LBT are here and they're a friendly group. Best of luck.

in Delaware we have a choice between 2 hospitals: 1 is about $22k and the other is $17,500. Naturally I chose the $17,500. The hospital has a great reputation.

$17,500 includes 11k for the hospital. Above $17,500 is a $550 "program fee" that covers the classes, seminars, etc.

The price does not include all the pre-op doctors. So far, I've seen a cardiologist, and had bloodwork. I need to get an EGD and chest x-ray, see a pulmonologist, and get a psych eval - all not paid for out of that $17,500.

My insurance has a policy exclusion so I'm self-pay.