Cost of Lap-Band Surgery

The cost of Lap-Band surgery is an important consideration since it is a sizeable amount of money to spend. The costs vary based on where the surgery is performed and on the individual’s specific condition. It is extremely important to find out all related costs and consider all the financial issues before the surgery takes place.

When discussing costs, the individual should inquire about all costs of the Lap-Band procedure from start to finish. The costs to consider include

• Pre-op tests
• Surgeon fees
• Hospital charges
• Associated surgery fees

There are also additional costs in the follow-up care, including nutritional counseling, psychological support, and follow-up medical visits.

In the USA, the cost of Lap-Band surgery can range from $11,000 to $16,000. The Lap-Band surgery is also available out of the country, often at much lower costs than in the United States, due to lower overhead costs. The surgery is performed at lower costs in Mexico, Brazil, India and Canada.

Besides the actual costs, there are other financial considerations to look into. If the patient has health insurance, one should see if the insurance plan covers the surgery and how much of the charges they will pay. As health coverage and medical eligibility can vary from company to company and plan to plan, it is important to contact the insurance company directly for approval. Also, many doctors and hospitals offer financing options or installment plans for payment.

Lap Band Surgery outside the United States

The Lap Band surgery has been performed outside of the United States much longer than it has been performed in the United States. There are many reputable facilities and skilled surgeons that perform the surgery outside the USA, including Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, India, Mexico, Brazil, and Canada. While the lower costs are very enticing, don't just look for the cheapest place to go. Traveling for surgery brings additional considerations.

Check the doctor’s credentials. Doing research on the internet and seeking personal testimonials into the reputation of a particular doctor and facility is very important.

Check the facility where the surgery will be performed. Expertise, hygiene and care are extremely important. Look for international certifications of such hospitals.

Check if the bands and implants used are the same ones that are approved for use in the USA.

Check your health insurance is available to see your plan covers procedures performed outside of the USA. Inquire as to the policies, procedures, eligibility, and pre-op requirements prior to scheduling surgery. Also, if something goes wrong, there may be no legal recourse.

Check the travel costs.-traveling to Mexico maybe cheaper than traveling to India. The costs of travel and the time needed should also be taken into account when scheduling Lap-Band surgery out of the country. Having surgery close to home is often the best recommendation, since the surgeon is close by for follow-up care and if something goes wrong. However, if the cost difference is huge, accepting some risk may be an acceptable trade-off for saving some money.

LAP BAND SURGERY COSTS
INAMED LAP BAND	Johnson & Johnson BAND Johnson & Johnson
Call:1-800-270-7120
$6600.00  No Airfare	$6600.00   No Airfare
Hospital (1 night)	Hospital (1 night)
Hotel  (2 nights)	Hotel  (2 nights)
All Post Operative Nourishment	All Post Operative Nourishment
All Ground Transportation	All Ground Transportation
Nutritional Information	Nutritional Information
EKG	EKG
Required Pre-Operative Blood Tests	Required Pre-Operative Blood Tests
Cost of band, Surgery, Anesthesiology, Operating Suite & Recovery	Cost of band, Surgery, Anesthesiology, Operating Suite & Recovery
Post Op X-Ray of your band	Post Op X-Ray of your band
All Pre-Op and Post-Op Medications	All Pre-Op and Post-Op Medications
24-hour Support from Our US and Mexican Staff, Before and After Your Surgery	24-hour Support from Our US and Mexican Staff, Before and After Your Surgery
Ongoing Nutritional Support	Ongoing Nutritional Support