I have some questions...

I am interested in this procedure.

1) Should I just go a regular doctor and tell him/her I'm interested in this Lap Band procedure? Or is that doctor just going to forward me to another doctor? What type of doctor should I see to gets the ball rolling? I don't wanna jump from doctors to doctors.

2) Is this covered through insurance? If not, what was an average amount you had to pay?

3) I am in fear that I will have flabby skin after the surgery, any thoughts on this?

4) Is Lap band any bit as dangerous as the gastric bypass surgery? That procedure can be deadly if you're not careful. Is this a better alternative to gastric bypass?

first thing...call your insurance company. i wasted about a month...first made my appt with my family doctor only to find out i didn't need a referral. now i have to wait another 6 weeks or so before the seminar with the surgeon.

my insurance told me what doctors in my area did the surgery & the hospital (within my plan). you can try to google surgeons in your area...try lapband.com - you can search for a dr. there.

as far as expenses...depends on your area & what your ins. covers. i'm not an expert, i only know what mine covers. but i believe it's worth it...no, i take that back I'M worth it.

i know people who have had the bypass surgery, i'm going with the band. i can't explain why...cuz they are my opinions & you have to research it all for yourself.

i wish you the best of luck...

1.) I went to a couple seminars first. Then I chose my surgeon and scheduled a consultation. While he talked with me, his insurance coordinator did insurance verification. But with my surgeon the consultation was $470.00. Once you pay that fee, it is non-refundable whether it turns out you have insurance coverage or not. I planned to self-pay if insurance didn't cover it so that wasn't an issue for me.

2) There is no way we can tell you if your insurance will cover it. You would have to call them. I believe that self-pay with my surgeon is on the higher end but with Hospital, Surgeon, Anesthesia, Psych evaluation and nutritionist (no fills included) my surgeon charges his self pay patients $17,500.00.

3) Flabby skin is a possiblity depending on your age and your genes. It is a concern for me but I would rather have that problem than the rolls of fat. If my skin does not "snap back" and looks too awful I will consider plastic surgery. I still have a ways to go and my surgeon recommends waiting until 1 year after you reach your goal before considering plastic surgery because the skin can still shrink.

4.) There is of course a risk in any surgery but Lab band is nowhere near as dangerous as gastric bypass. And if there are any problems it is reversible. That is why I chose it. As far as safety, banding is much better but it takes more effort on your part. It is just a tool to help you lose weight. You have to watch what you eat and maintain your adjustments. The lap band is better for those who have been successful at weight loss in the past but just couldn't maintain that weight loss.

Edited September 15, 200817 yr by Jodi_620