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How Much Does Lap Band Surgery Cost? - Nurse's Guide

By Helen Hecker
Jun 9, 2009
If you've come to the place where you think your weight gain is out of control and have tried dozens of ways to lose weight and failed, you may be considering lap band surgery or adjustable band surgery. Lap band surgery has become more popular and is reversible compared to gastric bypass surgery but does come with risks.

First of all you have to meet certain requirements even to be considered for lap band surgery. This criteria or guidelines are set by the National Institutes of Heath or the NIH as most people call it. These guidelines indicate you must be 18 years old or older and have a Body Mass Index between 40 and 60. There are exceptions to the rule if you have certain conditions that are related to weight gain or obesity.

Also other guidelines suggest that you may have to have tried weight loss diets and programs that your doctor has followed you on.

Now those are some of the requirements in the US. Some people travel to Mexico or other countries for lap band surgery or adjustable band surgery because it's cheaper. If you choose this route then you'll have to pay for it yourself. These fees can vary considerably and can start as low as $8500. But there will be travel costs associated with this such as your air plane tickets. hotel, car rental of necessary, and of course certain dietary requirements.

The problem with traveling out of the country is that if there are complications after you get home, you'll have to travel back or to have made arrangements with a bariatric physician or weight loss doctor or surgeon in the US to see you. They may or may not want to make this commitment and you may have to try to arrange this before you commit to surgery outside of the country.

Lap band surgery in the US can cost $14,000 or more. It'll depend on a lot of factors. It'll depend on whether you need to stay in the hospital, surgical costs, operating room costs, lab costs, tests, follow-up tests and whether or not you run into any complications after the surgery. And yes, many people do have complications. Lap band surgery is surgery and comes with risks.

Sometimes health insurance will pay for lap band surgery or other adjustable band surgery. Check your health insurance policy or check with your health insurance provider and see if they'll cover you. If you have health conditions that are related to obesity you may have more of a chance of being covered.

In any case make sure you check out thoroughly whether you are covered or not, whether you can pay for all the costs associated with travel to another country and consider the complications and risks of lap band surgery before you commit. Getting fully informed so you fully know how much lap band surgery costs and all the other related factors is the best approach.
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