There is a very unique and special insurance policy, mostly available to the owners of the company, but can be extended to their employee's called 'Cost Plus'. It allows for your company to pay for the procedure and then the company gets the tax write off for it. It is very rare, but is an option we are looking at with my company. here is a little blurb I found online explaining it:http://www.mdm-insurance.com/section/view/wces/p6/

After doing my research and weighing my options I have decided to go with the sleeve. I think I can do the recovery ok and it's not going to cost $5000 more, it's only about $2500 more, the other $2500 was for an upper endoscopy. When I went to book my surgery they told me that I needed this before my surgery and as a single mom it's hard enough to get care for my daughter after surgery, I can't go down to the states twice in a week. Anyway, I went in and saw my doctor and she is sending to me to a local surgeon to get it done for free because I have acid reflux and swallowing problem. Last year I had a barium swallow so its the next step anyway. I can wait a month or two more to save that kind of money and have it done close to home. This made my choice much easier. I don't want all the upkeep of the band, I just want my surgery, recovery and not worry about anything else. Thanks for all your information!

Hi Lissy,

Just an FYI. The gastric sleeve and the RNY are covered under BC Medical; there is no out of pocket expense to you. The lap band is not and therefore is done at a private clinic, hence the cost. I had the sleeve done ( my personal choice) on April 10th of this year. I`ve lost 136 lbs both pre & post op combined and have had little to no issues.

The person above is right, the decision is up to you, whatever you feel is best for your life; however, I too, have heard of a lot of revisions done from the lap band due to chronic problems or serious health issues. I again agree, do your homework and decide what you feel is best for you. I went out of the West Coast Bariatrics in Richmond. Maybe they can give you some helpful info. 

Whatever you decide, best of luck to you.  Heather

The best thing to do is do your research.  You are the one that has to live with the type of surgery you pick.  Personally, I have heard many unsuccessful stories when it comes to the lap band.  There are also many people who have had revisions from lap band to either the sleeve or the RNY because they had complications with the band or they gained all their weight back.  I wouldn't want to deal with the constant fills either.  Yet, I am sure there are some success stories as well.  I had laparoscopic RNY done a year ago.  I was in the hospital for 4.5 days and I recovered at home for 6 weeks.  I could have gone back to work (if I didn't lift) at least 2-3 weeks earlier.  I have lost 119 lbs and have had no complications. The RNY was the right surgery for me.  Check out some of the other forums on OH as well.  Good luck with your decision.

Giselle