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.

I really don't see why you can't go out of town. I had my surgery on a friday and went back to work on monday.

I know you're in a different line of work, but recovery is going to be the same, no matter where you have it.

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 county. 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:

Care credit is like a loan go online fill out the

forms & the Surgeon as well as the Hosp. that takes the Ins.

If it is approved you will know right then. Good Luck. Loretta www.carecredit.com:wub:

CapitalOne also has medical/dental loans available. Their rates usually beat out others. Of course, everything is dependent on credit rating.

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

Way to go Policeman, don't give up! Let us know how it goes, we are praying for you.

addy

I'm scheduled this month to get banded and I'm using care credit. It was easy to fill out and get approved.

But, the price does seem high...19K. It must be an awesome package. I'm in Houston and my package is 13.4K and that will include 10 fills over the next 2 years.

What is your current diet like?

Let's have a peek ...

And how long and what have you been doing for exercise?

I'm scheduled this month to get banded and I'm using care credit. It was easy to fill out and get approved.

But, the price does seem high...19K. It must be an awesome package. I'm in Houston and my package is 13.4K and that will include 10 fills over the next 2 years.

Calculate the INTEREST you'll be paying, and see if 19k seems high - i can almost GUARANTEE you'll be paying that amount, when you've finished paying it off.

Why anyone would want to be in debt for something like this - start exercising, and journaling what you eat.

Policeman, I had the lap band done in October 08 at Northeast Baptist in San Antonio TX and it ran right at $30,000. Not sure about your area of the country...

Stitcher 4423

I was self pay in Houston, Texas. I used Dr. Spivak who was one of the original surgeons that participated in the FDA study to have the lapband procedure approved for USA. His self-pay fees which were all inclusive for 12 months were $12,900.

I was self pay as well and it was the best thing I have done for myself. I didn't finance any and paid cash but if I had to do it over again, I would. Your health is well worth the interest paid versus the healthcare being obese will cost you out of pocket and lifewise.

I'm going to Tijuana next month to have the procedure done by Dr. Pedro Kuri - $7500! Can't beat that! Even with airfare you're out ahead - they include two nights hotel and pick up from the airport. Do some research on him.

Amen Jackie, I would go into debt a million times over to be healthy and feel better about myself. If I could watch what I eat and had the motivation to excercise I would have done it ten years ago... some people need the band and will do anything and pay any price to make their lives better. Good luck to everyone!!

Why anyone would want to be in debt for something like this - start exercising, and journaling what you eat.

IOW, just diet and exercise because that works for *so many* people! Er, only not.

Most of us end up spending much less on food and medicine and doctor's bills and our surgery pays for itself in a very short time. It's an investment in ourselves and no more expensive than buying a new car. I was going to buy a new car next year, but now I'll wait. My surgery is more important.

That said, $19000 is an outrageous price to pay for a band, IMO. My surgeon has an amazingly low complication rate and the part of the country I live in has one of the highest cost of living rates in the country. But he'll do a band for around $14-15,000. Heck, my VSG surgery -- which is more involved and requires an overnight hospital stay -- was only $17,000.

I have found prices on bariatric surgery vary wildly and you don't always get what you pay for. It pays to shop around.

Calculate the INTEREST you'll be paying, and see if 19k seems high - i can almost GUARANTEE you'll be paying that amount, when you've finished paying it off.

Why anyone would want to be in debt for something like this - start exercising, and journaling what you eat.

Being healthy and being able to have babies with my husband is well worth the debt. I did the weight watchers thing and exercising thing, even had a trainer for 15 mos. telling me to eat tuna all the time. I only lost 6 pounds and maintained. So, getting a tool to help with actually get results seems to be a good idea. Plus, I'm only financing half and plan on paying that baby off by the end of year!! :laugh:

Edited January 13, 200917 yr by Minnah

The quotes they've given you Policeman does seem REALLY high.

My insurance doesn't cover my banding, and I'm a self pay. The total for me is only $13,500.

I'd definitely look into financing and I'd sure as hell shop around for a different surgeon!