COST

Approximately how much are fills and are they covered by your insurance? I have noticed the band is an less expensive surgery but does it end up costing more with getting fills every few weeks? Am I looking at out of pocket expenses? I will ask the Dr. when I see him on the 12th but wanted a heads up.

I was considering lapband when I started out and it really depends on your insurance plan.  You should check with them to determain if you will have any out of pocket expenses.  Your Dr probalby will not have that information.  I am very happy I choose to go with RNY although it was not exactly by choice at first!!  I had a hernia and was reccomended to do it over the lap band.
Good luck!
Ginger

Thanks so much for responding Ginger.. I understnad how u feel about the prev post this post is another result of showing your statement is so TRUE.. Maybe I won't come back to the GA forum. I have snucked into other states and they have alot of activity. Good Luck. May I ask what made u choose RNY? I am deciding between the 2.

Depends on your insurance. Mine covers the fills. I read on the lapband forum it costs from $100 to $175 per fill depending on the doctor. I would think if your insurance is paying for the surgery they will cover followup and maintenance.
 
Dr. Duncan's office includes 6 free fills in the cost of the surgery. Don't know if this is an industry standard or just something they do.

You can call a surgeon's office and ask what they charge.

Thanks LaShelle,
So u have decided to go with Dr. Duncan? Have you gotten a date yet?

No I won't be using Dr. Duncan. I would prefer a female, so right now I would like to use Dr Qammar Rashid who is a surgeon in his practice. 

I am also still going to Emory's seminar next month to compare the 2 programs. They don't have a female covered by my insurance, but I still think it is wise to compare all options.

I also want to attend support group meetings from both to get to know some of the patients and see which group I will vibe with better and meet some of the staff in a smaller group,since I'll probably spending a lot of time with them.

This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my life. It's so scary. I hope it all makes better since soon.

I won't be able to have my surgery til April-May 2009 because I have to finish the 6 mos diet and pre-aproval testing.

One positive in the waiting for approval is it will allow me more time to research to make sure I'm happy with who I chose.

Girl, scary is not even 1/2 of it. I need all the research I can get as well, but I need to start to loose b4 anything especially b/c of my back so if I loose enough I may not need to have back surgery.