The LapBand surgery is a popular weight loss surgery in the United States. After all, what is not ideal about a reversible surgery that allows for adjustment without going under the knife? For many, the LapBand is the perfect way to lose weight, until they hear about the costs.

So, how can you pay for the LapBand?

Cash. Due to the cost of LapBand surgery, many believe that cash is the best way to pay. Technically speaking it is, but cash payment come in a number of different formats, including debit cards and checks. On average, the LapBand procedure costs $15,000 to $20,000 in the United States. Actual cash is advised against. That is not money you want to be carrying around town.

Check. A check is recommended as payment for the LapBand surgery. All healthcare professionals should accept checks as a method of payment. They are easy to write and provide you with a second receipt for your payment. Due to the convenience of debit cards, many consumers do not carry checkbooks anymore. If that is the case, be sure to bring yours on the day of your surgery.

Debit card. As previously stated, many consumers now use debit cards to access their checking accounts. This is an easy and relatively safe way to pay for the LapBand surgery. First, check with your financial institution. It is not uncommon for banks to impose daily limits on their debit cards, especially those that will be processed as credit. For that reason, speak to your bank and have this limit temporarily lifted ahead of time.

Credit card. If you are unable to come up with the $15,000 to $20,000 that is required to undergo LapBand surgery, you may opt for credit card payment. Many hospitals and surgical centers accept credit cards as payments. Verify that your card is accepted ahead of time. Then, be sure to make your monthly payments on time. With interest and late fees, it is easy for a $15,000 dollar procedure to double in costs.

Payment plan. If you have a solid credit score, your LapBand surgeon may be willing to work with you. They can do so in the form of a payment plan. Unless a dire situation, payment plans are not usually discussed by the surgeon. So, if you need a payment plan, ask. If a payment plan is not available with the surgeon of your choice, take the time to save money or later approach the surgeon with a significant down payment and then inquire about monthly payment plans.

Personal loan. As previously stated, a good credit score is required to get a payment plan directly through a LapBand surgeon. If you have a solid credit rating, inquire about personal loans at your local financial institutions. A stable job and a good credit rating may qualify you for a personal loan. You will be charged interest, but a financial institution may be willing to extend the term of your loan. You may have more time to make repayment than with setting up a payment plan.

When undergoing the LapBand procedure, the above mentioned payment options are your most common options. To reduce the amount you have to pay for surgery:

Examine your insurance coverage. If are covered by health insurance, speak to a company representative. In some instances, LapBand is covered. This is typically in cases where health related medical conditions, such as diabetes, can be eliminated or in cases of morbid obesity. If LapBand is listed as a procedure covered on occasion, but you are still denied, speak to your surgeon. He or she can work with your insurance provider.

Ask about cash discounts. If you are not insured or if your medical insurance does not cover the LapBand surgery, inquire about cash discounts. They are commonly offered by small or independent healthcare centers. Although small in size, the discount can still reduce the cost of weight loss surgery.

Find a LapBand surgeon with affordable rates. As previously stated, the LapBand surgery averages between $15,000 and $20,000 in the United States. This is not an affordable surgery by any means, but you can look for affordable or reduced rates. Of course, you want to pay as little as possible, but remember quality and safety. Choose a Board Certified Surgeon who has experience inserting the LapBand with success.

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If you are interested in undergoing the LapBand surgery, you will need to find a LapBand surgeon. To get started, speak with your primary healthcare professional for a referral or turn to your local phone book or the internet. With that said, you need to do more than just find a LapBand surgeon; you need to choose the best one. For that reason, ask many questions.

So, what questions should you ask your LapBand surgeon?

Am I an ideal candidate? This is the most important question to ask. If you did not receive a direct referral from your primary care physician, do not have your heart set on weight loss surgery. The ideal candidate for surgery is 100 pounds or more overweight, between the ages of 18 and 60, and has the commitment to restrict their diet.

How much does the LapBand surgery cost? On average, the LapBand procedure costs between $15,000 and $20,000. That is quite the average price range. This means that you can find varying rates. Of course, you want to choose a quality surgeon who is Board Certified and who is known to produce results, but why pay more than you have to. In addition to asking about the cost, price compare with other local surgeons.

Do you have a payment plan? Some insurance providers do cover the cost of weight loss surgery, but there are typically many rules and restrictions. If you are uninsured or if coverage is not extended, ask about a payment plan. In this case, it is recommended that you have a good credit rating. If not, at least have enough for a substantial down payment.

Will you perform the LapBand procedure? If you are receiving a consultation at a hospital or large surgical center, you could be speaking to anyone. This is not what you want. You want to have a consultation appointment with the surgeon who will perform your LapBand surgery.

Are you Board Certified? In the United States, a Board Certified Surgeon is recommended. When opting for a certified surgeon, you are given a certain level of peace, comfort, and guarantee. You know the person has undergone strict testing and is qualified to perform the procedure.

How many surgeries have you performed? Not only do you want a Board Certified Surgeon, but you also want one who has experience performing the LapBand procedure. Surgical experience is recommended, but the LapBand is different than other surgeries. So, make sure your surgeon has experience with the LapBand system. Not only is installation experience recommended, but adjustment too.

What is your success ratio? When it comes to success ratio, it is important to ask about complications and weight loss. Your goal of undergoing the LapBand procedure is to lose weight, ensure those before you have done so. Next, examine your risks. How many patient complications or deaths has your surgeon experienced under their care?

Can I see before and after pictures? Before and after pictures will not only give you insight into your weight loss potential, but it may give you comfort and peace of mind. A LapBand surgeon who has before and after pictures of their patients is one who is invested in their long-term success. These are hands you want to place your life in.

Can you speak to past patients? Hearing that a LapBand surgeon has a good rate of no complications and successful weight loss is nice, but best when coming directly from the source. Ask to speak with or meet previous patients. When doing so, ask questions. Did they like the surgeon? Were they pleased with their treatment before, during, and after surgery? Would they extend a recommendation?

The above mentioned questions are just a few of the many you will want to ask during a LapBand consultation appointment, but they are a good start. In the days leading up to your appointment, record any additional questions you think of.

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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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If you are one of the millions of people who are morbidly obese and you are desperate to find a way to lose the weight as quickly and safely as possible so that you can help save your own life, you have probably considered having some sort of gastric bypass surgery. When someone gets to the point of considering surgery one of the first questions they ask are what are the gastric bypass surgery cost?

Of course, many people will tell you that you can’t put a price tag on good health, which is true, but you still have to be able to come up with the money to pay for the surgery which can range widely in price based on your physical condition, the exact type of procedure performed and even your location, the cost will generally average between $15,000 and $35,000.

Some people have even traveled to other countries to find doctors who will perform the surgery more cheaply ( one reason is that U.S. doctors have gotten so burned with frivolous lawsuits that they have to pay enormous premiums for their mal- practice insurance and that cost is passed on to the patient for every procedure that is performed).

One thing that you need to look into is whether or not your insurance company will cover the expense of the surgery. Many people mistakenly believe that since this is elective surgery that their insurance won’t cover it, just like many plastic surgery procedures aren’t covered, the truth is though that more and more insurance companies are starting to recognize that obesity almost always leads to other life long health issues and that the cost of the one surgery may actually be less, a lot less, than continuing care for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.

If your insurance company does cover the cost of the surgery they will likely have some pretty strict guidelines as to who will be covered and who will not. For example, many companies will only consider people who are at least 100 or more pounds overweight, people who have been overweight for at least the last 5 years, and people who have demonstrated a real commitment to trying to make lifestyle changes in order to control their weight but have been unsuccessful.

Another cost you will have to consider is the significant lifestyle changes you must be willing to make after your surgery. You will have to drastically alter your eating and drinking habits and despite what many people think, you can gain weight after the procedure if you aren’t careful to eat right and get enough exercise. This isn’t a quick fix.

Gastric bypass surgery cost isn’t just about the dollars and cents of the procedure, it’s also about what you can gain if you were to achieve, and maintain, and healthy weight and lifestyle. If you are morbidly overweight and have tried to lose the weight but haven’t had any luck, you may want to seriously consider having this surgery. Just be willing to make the needed changes and you may be on your way to a much healthier lifestyle.

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