Need Weight Loss Surgery Help?

[alicez]

Hello Dear Members,

I am new to this forum. I am planning to have weight loss surgery. Also I'm in dilemma what types of weight loss surgery i have to opt. I've heard about Lap Band Surgery Also my BMI is greater than 35. The main thing what i would like to know is it safe and what is the actual cost. I am residing in California.

Thanks

[Kaelesa]

Hi Alice,

I had lapband surgery in June, and I'm very glad I did. I don't know where you are in California, but if in the Los Angeles area I can recommend the facility where I had mine. They are a Center of Excellence for baratric surgery and do a great job of explaining the options. As to cost, my insurance covered 80% since it wasn't at their preferred hospital. That is leaving me with a bill of around $3500 so far. I'm still getting insurance claims showing what was paid and what wasn't. http://www.smartdimensions.com/ iis the website for the Center for Obesity. I went to the one in Fountain Valley, but they have other locations as well. Their website is pretty informative.

Good luck with your decision. Contact me if you want more information about my experience.
Debbie

[alicez]

Thanks Debbie

[sobermommy]

Hi...It is a big step that you have made the decision to change your life. I just had the Lap-band done on August 19th so it is still pretty recent. I think the best advice I could give would be to do as much research as you can. Go to support groups for both Lap-band and bypass. It is a great place to ask any question you may have...no matter how random it may seem. The doctors are awesome but it was soooo helpful for me to talk to people who had actually had the procedures for themselves. It will give you alot of information to help you make the decision as to which surgery is right for you. That is the biggest thing is to do what is right for you. For me...that was the band. I agree with Kaelesa...be sure to go to a Center of Excellence. You don't want just anyone doing the surgery. The follow up and support is amazing. As far as cost it will depend on your insurance company and how your plan is set up. They would be able to tell you what you may be looking at as far as your deductible and total out of pocket for the year. Mine is a max of $1250 per calander year but since I had already had a surgery earlier this year...they covered the band at 100%. So check with them and you will get a better idea of what you will be looking at. Have you checked to be sure the surgery is covered under your plan? Most insurance have plenty of requirements that need to be met prior to approval so always good to know what you are facing. Best of luck with your decision. Keep me posted. God bless...Lynn