Shopping around

Is it wise to shop around for lap band surgery prices? I have insurance but have already figured out that wls is excluded from my policy. I have found self-pay prices that range from $13,500 to $18K here in the KC area. There is one in OK that charges $11 and one in Denver that charges $10K. How could there be so much differences in prices?? I have also noticed that the one in Denver only has 3 months worth of follow-up treatment where as all the others have 1 year worth of treatments. I would appreciate knowing what everyone else thinks about this...

My personal opinion....absolutely you should shop around! I wish I would have done a little more shopping myself because I was self-pay at $17,500. Lots of people go to Mexico purely because of the price. The one year of followup that came with my price was definitely a bonus. LapBand followup is EXTREMELY important. If your insurance won't cover your band, they're not going to cover your fills either. Three months is really NOT enough time to get on the right track with a band before you're on your own. If you go that route, you may have to be prepared to pay for your own fills after the three months, so be sure to look into the price. So, I guess my point is, you don't have to pay the highest price, but you may not want to go bargain-basement either! Just keep in mind that the experience that the surgeon has with BAND surgeries is very important, and the followup is very important. Just my 0.02! ~Tiffany

I just heard about a place in Topeka KS that does it for a great self pay price.... I actually called them to find out more info (my mom will have to go self pay) Here is their link: http://www.tallgrasstopeka.com/whatsnew.html edited: I just called them and talked to a person named Jill at the Surgery Center. Over the phone she quoted me: Facility: $7800.00 Physician: $3300.00 Anesthesia: $ 825.00 Fills: $FREE ________ $11,925 (Still better than those local in KC) When I questioned her about insurance and preop blood work she transfered me up to the business office and they were at lunch so I didn't leave a message.