I was wondering if anyone has ever had there lap band paid for by grants or things like that. I am only 25 years old with medicare and a whole page list of health problems. I can not afford to pay to get the lap band but really need it because think this will help save my life and live longer for my children. If anyone has any information please let me know. Thanks so much and God bless you!!!:redface:

I have never heard of a grant before.

However, I think medicare does cover some bariatric options so you might want to check with them.

Another option might be to look for any studies going on for banding . . . I am not sure how easy it is to find them but some people have gotten bands this way.

There was also the giveaway listed on the front page.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f200/free-lap-band-giveaway-85064/

If you have pretty good credit, some groups (like True Results) have credit plans. That is how I was able to afford it as a private pay.

I hear Medicare covers the cost to some extent if there is other medical reason.

But I will be blunt, one fat person to another. Don't look for quick miracles like someone jumping in and paying for your surgery. Most of the world considers it elective surgery, and as such, has no interest in paying for it.

Hang out here to get support, but don't wait on the surgery. Keep trying to get it if you feel it is the best plan for you, but if you think you really need to lose weight to save your life, than be working on it now. Get some Protein shakes and have one for Breakfast, eat a small healthy lunch, a healthy supper, no Snacks. Start exercising now. It won't be nearly as easy as when or if you get the band, but I have no reason to believe that you can't at least get a good start now.

Just hang in there.

If you have a Catholic hospital in the area that performs WLS, you might want to ask if they have funds available to help people in the community with limited financial resources.

I have not heard of a grant either. But I thought Medicare covered WLS. Make an inquiry with Medicare to see if it is a covered benefit.

Perhaps you might be able to participate in a research study??? Not sure if being part of a research study would include a free WLS, however it is worth some preliminary research.

I bet a GOOGLE search might yield some information.

Medicare does not cover WLS, or at least that is what they said in the seminar I attended. Medicaid does for some people.

EVERYONE is looking for a way to have this done with zero or low cost. I second above trying Google and the like, but if you were to find something, the competition for it would be intense. Lots of people wanting WLS who can't afford to pay for it.

I am sorry you are having a hard time. I hope you can figure something out.

Medicare does not cover WLS, or at least that is what they said in the seminar I attended. Medicaid does for some people.

EVERYONE is looking for a way to have this done with zero or low cost. I second above trying Google and the like, but if you were to find something, the competition for it would be intense. Lots of people wanting WLS who can't afford to pay for it.

I am sorry you are having a hard time. I hope you can figure something out.

I have heard that Medicare does cover it. The doctor has to have some kind of certification for it to cover it.