Well my LAP-BAND® adventure is over. I can't get the hospital to tell me how much it is going to cost. When I try they tell me it could be $20000 to $30000. I can't get any straight answer and it comes down to I can't afford it. I am very depressed about it. Like I said, I seen a light at the end of the tunnel and it was slammed shut.

What really makes me mad is if I was a self pay they offer a package deal that is $19000 but since I got a insurance approval they will not give me that.

I will stick to dieting and working out. Right I workout 6 days a week for 2 to 4 hours each session. I am bulking up with a lot of muscle but I just can't get the fat off. Even with a insane about of running and cardo. Right now I have my doctors dumbfounded on y I am not losing fat.

I just wanted to thank everyone for for their help. I guess I was born fat and will die fat, that's life.

Thank you everyone for your time.

Can you not switch hospitals and surgeon?? That price seems aweful high! Sorry to hear your bad news!

Hey Policeman. I'm very ignorant of all things insurance, so forgive the stupid question, but.....you do have insurance, yes?

If the hospital won't help you, maybe the bariatric surgeon's office will?

I really have a tough time seeing that your bill would be between 20 - 30 K with insurance paying some of that. Dude, check out another hospital.....or Mexico, for that matter.

Or just let it go, if that's what you want to do.

I say shop around. I'll bet you can find someone who will accept that amount for payment in full for the surgery, hospital stay (esp if done in surgicenter), and first few fills. Or ask your insurance if they will reimburse claim if you get it done in Mexico. Don't give up!

Well my LAP-BAND® adventure is over. I can't get the hospital to tell me how much it is going to cost. When I try they tell me it could be $20000 to $30000. I can't get any straight answer and it comes down to I can't afford it. I am very depressed about it. Like I said, I seen a light at the end of the tunnel and it was slammed shut.

What really makes me mad is if I was a self pay they offer a package deal that is $19000 but since I got a insurance approval they will not give me that.

I will stick to dieting and working out. Right I workout 6 days a week for 2 to 4 hours each session. I am bulking up with a lot of muscle but I just can't get the fat off. Even with a insane about of running and cardo. Right now I have my doctors dumbfounded on y I am not losing fat.

I just wanted to thank everyone for for their help. I guess I was born fat and will die fat, that's life.

Thank you everyone for your time.

Policeman,

If you have insurance approval, you should only have to pay your copay, right?? That and any deductible that you would have. The dr. office should be able to give you the quote, and hospital too, to allow you to get the money gathered:mad2: doesn't make sense. My doctor and hospital told me up front I would have to pay $$$$ dollars for my deductible, before surgery. You need to ask to speak to the billing supervisor. They can even call your insurance company and find out how much of your deductible you have met. Someone is just dropping the ball. I will be praying for you.

God Bless,

addy

Don't give up! If you have to, and can, go the self-pay route, no hospital is going to turn down money.

I guess I was born fat and will die fat, that's life.

Don't give up on yourself, not ever. You're way too young to be talking that way. Find out what you don't know... Will the insurance cover the surgery at different hospital...it sounds like there are others that are cheaper? Will they cover this in Mexico? Do they have better coverage on other WLS, like RnY? Are there hospital 'studies' you could get into? If you've exausted everything else on WLS then get help with the coverage you have...have the Dr's. checked your thyroid? Can they at least put you on a supervised exercise and diet plan? If you really believe what you said above then that's exactly what you'll get. I know this seems like Mt. Everest right now, and I have no idea how I'll react if I get denied, but don't you ever give up on you. Love yourself enough to get healthy again.

It seems, if I understand that you have insurance and the approval is done! That's the hardest part. Take it for someone who fought over a year for insurance approval. So congrats.

I know that my insurance was billed about 35,000- and paid somewhere around 16,000. I was then charged I think less then $200 between the hospital, surgeon etc.

You have to do what's right for you but make the decision based on the best thing for you- not out of frustration.

Policeman116 i see you live in texarkana but there is a place in dallas /ftworth area called TLC if you selfpay there price is $9990.00 this includes ansthisa surgrey and pre op labs it also includes post op checkup and 3 fills over the frist 12 months

forgive the spelling my cpu doesn't know how to spell

Had my surgery in Tyler,Texas.Dr.only charged 4,300,but hospital charged 39,000 and would have been only 15,000 if I had not had to be banded twice (first band was too small (10cc) and had to replace it with a 14cc)I was out of pocket about 2,700.Every cent has been worth it.Im one year out and 80 pounds lighter and still losing.

Policeman 116: Don't give up me and my husband are going thru TLC edge which the cost is 9.990 each. It covers everything. They have a website TLCedge.com please try this. I'm sure they have an office where you are at. If nothing else go to the website and contact them and take some vacation time off and come down here. We did our first appointments in one day and they sat us up with the doctor to do all that is needed and for some of it you can use your family doctor. They will also set up your surgeon for you also. So don't give up try this site and let us know how it comes out.

I am curious as well.. why don't you go to another place, another doctor, another city?

My insurance paid for mine and it was 27,432 to have the surgery.

Please don't give up. You've gotten some good advice.

I don't understand the insurance/cost correlation either. Can you explain more, please?

If you don't want to go to Mexico or Texas, I've heard good things about Dr. Kirshenbaum (sp?) in CO on here. With you being in Indiana tho, don't know if you want to or can travel.

Hang in there.

OK, I'm in a mood so this won't sound very nice. Policeman116, if you give up that easily before the surgery, then you probably don't have what it takes to be a success after the surgery. We can support and help you, but we can't lose the weight for you. I admit, I have no patience for people who lie down and cry.

OK, I'm in a mood so this won't sound very nice. Policeman116, if you give up that easily before the surgery, then you probably don't have what it takes to be a success after the surgery. We can support and help you, but we can't lose the weight for you. I admit, I have no patience for people who lie down and cry.

Since Donna is so mad at me I will not give up. I have shopped around the area and the prices are about the same. I really can't travel because work will not give me the time off. So has anyone used care credit? My doctor is not listed. The reason I want to stay with her so badly is because she is considered one of the best in the courty. In my profession I can't risk having a slippage or so on.

How does care credit work? I am kinda of dumb when it comes to insurance and stuff like that. I don't get sick often.

And thank u Donna I need to quit felling sorry for myself. :thumbdown:

PS: Key the Rocky music :thumbdown::mad5: I'm back in the fight!!!!

I used care credit you go to there web site fill out an application and I was approves in a few minutes. All care credit is a credit card that can only be used for medical or dental procedures.

It is very simple to apply for.