Hello All,

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Christie and I am currently a nursing student. I will shortly turn 26 years old and have struggled with my weight for the past 6 years. All of the different diets that are currently on the market, I have had some type of experience with.

At this time I am paying for insurance that is minimal coverage required for me to attend school.

I am not married, so I have no spouse that has coverage.

I am interested in learning of an insurance that I could purchase on a yearly/6 month/monthly basis that would cover the cost of the lap-band. Does an insurance exist like this? I have searched different websites but do not see anywhere on the plans listed if any weight loss procedures or programs would be covered.

Insurance's vary by state, so I am located in PA.

I am very happy that I have found this forum and hopefully I can become a lifelong member, because I am really looking forward to having this procedure done.

Thanks in advance for your time!

Most individual coverage won't cover it. If you think about it you can see why: they don't want you to buy the ins just for surgery then drop it. AND..the aftercare is as important as the surgery itself. You can call an independent agent and get his/her help (the insurance companies pay them, not you) or just wait until you graduate and get a job with coverage...or "self pay"

Ok, after reading the many threads on this site for the past hours and hours, I guess I could have basically answered my question myself.

I was under the impression that the surgery was 25,000 and that was just an unrealistic amount for me.

BUT, having surgery in Mexico seems like it is cost effective and is something that I would really be interested in. I have already mentioned it to my fiance.

So, now I must do research on the procedure being done in Mexico. Any suggestions and recommendations would be appreciated.

I think I have read of Dr. Kuri and another Dr. that names starts with an O.

I am already started to get excited, I wish I would have looked into this months ago!

You can check the "doctors and hospitals" section. Honestlly because I live near the border, grew up on the border, and am (almost) an RN, if you shot me across the border I'd crawl to the US side to get help. And with the drug wars going on over there, travel is dicey!

Not to say people don't have good experiences over there and bad ones over here; but I can't recommend any surgery in Mexico.

I will say this though; as I posted, the aftercare (fills etc) are as important as the band itself. Truly. And many US Surgeons do not want to take on another surgeon's patient, whether that surgeon was from another country or another county. So if you DO decide to go to Mexico, have local aftercare lined up.

The first year you will need multiple fills (I've had 6 and am not "there" yet) and you need access to good medical care in the case of some complication

There are US Surgeons who also do the surgery fairly inexpensively but the aftercare issues apply to them as well.

Good luck to you!

Ok, after reading the many threads on this site for the past hours and hours, I guess I could have basically answered my question myself.

I was under the impression that the surgery was 25,000 and that was just an unrealistic amount for me.

BUT, having surgery in Mexico seems like it is cost effective and is something that I would really be interested in. I have already mentioned it to my fiance.

So, now I must do research on the procedure being done in Mexico. Any suggestions and recommendations would be appreciated.

I think I have read of Dr. Kuri and another Dr. that names starts with an O.

I am already started to get excited, I wish I would have looked into this months ago!

Hello DeterminedSoul

I just had my surgery 4 days ago. I was insurence approved. But the doctor that i used also to selfpay. The total package is $8,500.00 with fills for one year,office visites and all of the other things that you will need for that year. Check with some doctor offices in your area and go to some of the simamars they can give you alot of information. Good luck keep us posted.

Hey,

I was in the same spot you are in....I also, had no insurance and couldn't afford the self pay here in the US, (Some here in Oregon were around $30k!)

I am going to be banded in Mexico with Dr. Huacuz...and at a very decent price with high recommendations. The Dr. O that I think you're talking about is Dr. Ortiz...and I've heard great things about them as well...You can also look into Dr. Zapata? I think that's how it's spelled.... I'd do more research if I were you and see what you are most comfortable with. I've been in contact with a lot of people who had theirs done in MX and no complaints....

Good Luck!!