Hello there,

I am very interested in the Lap Band procedure. I have contacted a local surgeon to take part in a seminar or whatever it is that they want you to go to first. I have a few questions I was hoping that people could help me with.

1. I am 5'1" and 197 lbswith a BMI of 37. The Lap band website states you should have a BMI of 40 or higher and have over 100 lbs to lose. Well I dont have either of those. ANy idea of this will eliminate me from possible having this surgery?

2. Has anyone actually had their insurance pay for this? and if so how difficult of a process was it?

3. I am sure this varies from state to sate, I am in Philadelphia PA. But what is a price range that I should be aware that this procedure will cost of insurance wont pay? and are there financing options for those with less than perfect credit?

Any help would be wonderful:)

My insurance required a BMI of 35 or greater and at least 1 of the following, Sleep Apnea, Diabeties, Heart Disease, or high blood pressure. Or a BMI of 40 or higher (if you were 40 or higher you did not need to have one of the above conditons) My MD office quoted a price of "about 25,000 if you were private pay but I know that varies. I am not sure about the financing question. Hope this helps good luck.

The seminar will answer alot of your questions, but with my insurance you had to have a problem (sleep apnea, diabetic, high BP) and a BMI of 35 or greater. A BMI of 40 put you on in. FYI, my insurance made me do a 6 month "physician recommended" diet (even though I had been on LA Weightloss for 8 months!) I had to go every month. My insurance DID NOT make me lose 10% of my weight thank goodness! I have been at this since March and just got approved and scheduled. You do have to be dedicated to it! My insurance is paying for this (except 10%)

Good luck to you!

My insurance requires a BMI of 40 or higher -- after a 6 month supervised diet, so I went private pay. I had my surgery with Dr. Rumbaut at a gorgeous new hospital in Monterrey, Mexico, and all went very well. Dr. Rumbaut has relationships with a number of doctors in NYC (where I live), so it was no trouble for me to arrange for my post-op care.

I've been keeping a blog since just prior to my surgery -- feel free to check it out if you're interested!

Catherine

Banded: 10/23/08

Blog: Chronicles from Band Land

hi neighbor who is doing your surgery i was done at jeanes hospital and i lost 105 lbs since may 15