How Much Is Lap-Band Surgery?

Before the Lap-Band surgery, you will need to meet the requirements of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Your BMI, or Body Mass Index, needs to be at 40 or more. However, if it falls between 35 and 39 and you have a serious medical condition, you may still qualify. If you do not meet the requirements, you will have to pay for the full cost of the surgery yourself. The second thing that determines what you pay is if your insurance will cover any of the surgery. Your insurance company will probably cover the entire cost of your surgery as long as you meet the requirements set by the NIH and if your doctor certifies that your surgery is medically necessary. However, this all depends on your particular insurance company and your individual situation. Contact your health insurance agent to find out how much of the cost you would be responsible for.

The general cost of the surgery is typically between about $15,000 to $30,000. This usually covers your surgery and the post-operative care you will need. This is, of course, only if you do not run into any complications. This also does not take into consideration the cost of pre-surgical tests, fees for your surgeon and possible additional hospital charges. Other charges not included in the base price are follow-up medical visits, psychological support and nutritional guidance. If you decide to have your surgery done in another country such as Brazil, India, Mexico, Canada or Australia, you may only pay about $11,000 to $16,000, which is significantly less than in the United States, but you may not receive the same care.

If you qualify for Lap-Band surgery, you do not just show up on operation day to get your procedure. Before the actual surgery, you must follow a strict diet to lose some stomach fat and shrink the fat content of your liver. One important part of the pre-surgery eating plan is a protein supplement called Myocel. Without insurance, bottles of Myocel can cost as much as $50. You may also need to buy new foods at the grocery store to follow the pre-surgery diet. Approved foods include fruits, cereal, eggs, yogurt, oatmeal, lean meats, green vegetables and fish. In addition to replacing foods and adding a protein supplement, you must meet with your surgeon several times before the procedure. While most surgeons include these expected visits in the overall price, you may visit more than one surgeon before finding one that makes you feel comfortable. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find Lap-Band surgeons who are willing to give free initial consultations. However, without insurance picking up some of the bill, each visit could cost as much as $200.

For the first few weeks after Lap-Band surgery, you may actually save money. Typically, your doctor will put you on an all-liquid diet to get your stomach accustomed to the change and to keep the Lap-Band from stretching out. You may need to buy chicken broth, apple juice, beef broth and other approved liquids, but these are generally very inexpensive. After the first couple weeks, you can start introducing more into your diet, including milk, yogurt and pureed foods. You'll find that you get full much faster than before with less food. As such, you are buying less food to feel satisfied. If you do not run into complications, your post-operation care is usually included in the overall cost of the surgery. However, this varies from surgeon to surgeon so it is important to ask about post-op care during your pre-op consultations. If you do have complications, your doctor may charge for specialized care and you may need to see other doctors. Ask your surgeon about this during your pre-surgery consultations to explore the costs you may be responsible for if you have negative side effects after the procedure.

The best way to finance your Lap-Band surgery is through your medical insurance. However, your insurance may not cover your procedure or it may not cover the entire cost. Most reputable surgeons performing Lap-Band surgery will offer financing options. In fact, many Lap-Band surgeons have a specific finance company that they work with to offer this service without even leaving their office. You can also check with your bank or the lending institution of your choice for a loan to cover the surgery. Also, Lap-Band surgery may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant to see if this is an option in your individual situation.