Has your doctor suggested you undergo LapBand surgery? If so, this is a suggestion you should give serious consideration to. When a doctor suggests LapBand surgery, he or she is usually doing so to protect your health and wellbeing. For those severely or morbidly obese, the LapBand system is not only a weight loss surgery, but a lifesaving procedure.

As previously stated, take your doctors suggestion to undergo LapBand surgery. However, after a close examination, you may feel as if LapBand is a procedure only for your dreams. This is mostly due to the costs. In the United States, the LapBand procedure costs between $15,000 and $20,000. Since you do not have this cash just lying around, you may wonder what your options are.

So, how can you cover the cost of LapBand surgery?

Insurance. Some health insurance companies will cover the cost of the LapBand procedure. You will, however, find many rules and restrictions. For example, if your doctor is only suggesting surgery, you may be denied coverage. On the other hand, if your doctor is stating that it is a lifesaving procedure due to morbid obesity, your insurance is more likely to cover the costs..

If your insurance provider will cover the cost of LapBand with specific criteria met, speak to your doctor. Information can be provided that will show that this weight loss surgery is the most cost effective approach for your care. For example, if you are 25 years old, the cost of diabetes supplies and checkups can easily exceed the onetime cost of LapBand, making it a wise choice for your insurance provider.

If you opt to pay for the LapBand procedure with cash, check, or debit card, you are considered a cash patient. This is opposed to a patient with medical insurance. Inquire about cash discounts. Many healthcare professionals have small, but helpful discounts available.

As previously stated, most Americans do not have $15,000 to $20,000 at their disposal. This means that you will need a way to come up with the cash if you do not have medical insurance or if coverage is denied. Do not stress, as it is easier than it sounds.

Save money. Saving money should be your first step in covering the cost of LapBand surgery. Even if you are on a budget, it is still possible to save money for surgery. Start by eliminating unnecessary purchases, such as your morning coffee at the local gas station or dining out. In fact, a great way to get started is to eliminate sweets from your diet or at least reduce them. Not only will you save money, but you will notice a natural weight loss.

It may take a year to two years for you to save enough money for the LapBand surgery, but saving money, as opposed to borrowing it, is the safest approach to take.

Borrow money from friends and family. If you have close friends or family members who are in the position to let you borrow money, ask. If they know your intention is to lose weight and lead a healthier life, most will be willing to help. Of course, be sure to discuss repayment. You will have more flexibility, but be sure to treat a loan from family and friends just like a bank loan.

Bank loan. Speaking of bank loans, you can request a personal loan. This is recommended as a last resort, but it is wiser than using a credit card. Remember, credit cards are ridden with fees, including late fees. You are likely to find a lower interest rate when acquiring a personal loan.

To acquire a personal loan, have good credit. Personal loans are unsecured, so your good credit will give your bank comfort. It is important to sell yourself. Make it known that your obesity is hindering your ability to stay healthy and work. By undergoing the LapBand surgery, not only will you lead and happier and healthier life, but you will be able to work without as many health disruptions. The ability to work signals a borrower who will make timely loan payments.

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Are you considering gastric bypass surgery to get rid of excess weight? Perhaps, you are wondering how much the procedure would cost you and if it is covered by insurance.

Prepare to spend much to be able to lose weight. Nowadays, weight loss or bariatric surgery costs around $20,000 to $35,000. In fact, the cost of weight loss surgery has gone down significantly in the past years. It varies depending on the quality of procedure itself, the experience of the surgeon, the medical team that will help in the operation, and the additional post-surgery services that a patient availed of.

Insurance Coverage for Weight Loss Surgery Patients

Is the cost of weight loss surgery covered by insurance companies? If a patient has insurance, he may pay part of the cost or nothing at all. A lot of health insurance companies have considered obesity as a serious health problem, so they cover part of or all the expenses incurred in weight loss surgery. This is because weight loss surgery can actually save them money in the long term. Insurance coverage for weight loss surgery depends on the insurance firm itself, the particular insurance policy, and the state where the patient is located (since there is no insurance coverage in some states). Also, insurance coverage is given only to qualified candidates or those who meet specific criteria set by an insurance company.

The following are the criteria that a weight loss surgery patient must meet to qualify for insurance coverage:

Obesity for at least five years before the surgery

Minimum of 100 lbs. of excess weight

Showed serious efforts to lose weight through diet and exercise but to no avail

No history of alcoholism

No history of depression or other mental disorders

To be able to enjoy the insurance benefits, the patient (with the help of the surgeon or clinic) is required to file some forms to the insurance company. One of the necessary forms include a Letter of Medical Necessity that usually indicates the patients weight or body mass index, obesity-related diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, etc.), and the duration of the patients obesity, among others.

On the other hand, weight loss surgery patients who are not covered by insurance must shoulder the costs themselves. These self-pay patients may apply for personal loans to be able to pay for the surgery, but this payment option involves interest rates.

Post-Surgery Costs

The cost of weight loss surgery must also include the expenses following the procedure. A change in lifestyle after the surgery results in certain expenses such as gym membership for the exercises and new sets of clothes, which will need to be replaced several times during the year.

Besides the financial costs, there are emotional and physical costs involved as well in the weight loss surgery. For one, the patient will need to adjust to the new lifestyle and the changes in his body, which can trigger high levels of stress and anxiety especially in the few weeks following the surgery. The physical cost of gastric bypass surgery involves being committed to the recommended diet plan to avoid serious complications and weight gain.

In particular, it means the patient must stay away from foods rich in fat and sugar, as well as avoid unhealthy habits such as skipping meals and overeating. Sticking to a regular exercise program is also part of the surgerys physical cost.

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