Lap Band Questions

I've read a little bit about the lap band...  But, in some of the reading I read that some insurances that pay for the band to be put in don't necessarily pay for the follow-ups like fills and un-fills (is that what it's called?) Anyone know how much a fill is if it isn't covered??   Has anyone found that fills/un-fills aren't covered under their insurance once the band is in place? I'm guessing that if your insurance changed to one of those that doesn't cover any WLS procedures (like BCBS of OK that i had before my current ins.) that you would be responsible for paying for fills and such then too... Just wondering..... Thanks!

Silly of me to be replying to my own post...  But, I wanted to add this and I had to go look up the info in my email box...  But, I was talking to a long lost HS friend about her WLS and this is what she said.  BTW, she lives in the OKC area, had Dr. Floyd, and is in Medicare Disability.  Had her procedure open because that is the only way Medicare would pay for it.  FYI  Her disability is due to narcolepsy.  She had it even in HS when I knew her. Anyway, this is what she said: "I had the Roux-en y done I wouldnt have the lapband doen because my surg. said that if you dont do what you are supposed to that yor stomach could grow and that the band could attach itself in your skin. " Anyone ever hear anything like that?

As a State Employee, our employer will not pay for any type of wls.  So I'm private pay all of the way.  I have gone to two different wls seminars - one and Baptist Hopsital and one at Foundations Bariatric Hospital in Edmond.  At my primary care dr's suggestion I have chosen to have my lap band at Foundations.  I have never heard of the band attaching itself to your skin if you over eat after the procedure.  What I have heard is that you can eat around either one of the surgeries (bypass or band).  The band can slip or erode if you eat around it and that may be what her dr was talking about. The costs of the fills I have heard it $100 per fill.  Unless I misunderstood Dr. Broussard at Foundations he includes the fills and any other surgeries related to wls for one year after the initial procedure.  I have my consultation with him on October 16th and will then start on my journey toward my surgery.  I hoping to have it before the end of the year. I hope this was some what helpful.

I am seeing Dr. Brousard!  I am doing an insurance required weight loss program.  I have to be physican monitored for 3months and Dr. B wanted me to lose 30 pounds before surgery.  I haven't seen anyone else yet with Dr. B.  You will like him a lot.  He's very down to earth and easy to talk to.

No - that is not true.  For you to get the best information that you can - you need to talk to a surgeon.  I tend to get mad at people who don't know the facts and try to scare others about specific types of surgeries.  Your friend doesn't have a clue on this one! You know, with each surgery, it's an individual decision.  You may choose the band or you may choose bypass - either way, it's your decision based upon the research you have done. I have said this before and am going to say it again - we are all here on this board supporting the common cause - getting our health back and your friend should think about it that way too rather than trying to down a particular surgery type.  Your friend did not get her facts from a surgeon!!! The Oklahoma board is an OPEN weight loss surgery board and we do not push that one surgery is better than another. You need to ask yourself why you want to have whatever wls you are interested in.  Weight the pros and cons of each surgery - then ask the surgeon which they feel is going to work best for you.  The thing to remember here - no matter which type of surgery you choose - it's not fool proof and the surgery is only a tool.  The rest is up to you. Now, as far as insurance - it's up to each insurance company.  Mine pays 80% most of the time.  There are some that do pay it all and some that don't pay any at all. Tona

I thought it sounded "odd" that it would "attach to your skin"  I'm sure she doesn't know much about lap band because since medicare doesn't pay for it under any cir****tances, I doubt she even tried to learn anything about it.  If it was discussed at any support meetings she attended, she probably didn't pay much attention to it. Thanks for the help.  I'm going to make my decision (like you said) after I go to a couple seminars and talk to the surgeon that I plan to use.  :o)

My fills are 150 at fill center and I'm self pay all the way. Like Tonja says-it's up to each of us to do our research AND be honest about our lifestyles and utlimate goals, and what we are willing to do to achieve those goals.  Each of the procedures has it's risks, pros and cons and successes.  One of the things I did was read on all the boards and try to get a feel for what a real day was like for each of the procedures and think long and hard about if that would work for me.   I'm really not pro or con any surgery-I want everyone to choose what is absolutely the best option for them and I'm here to support you all in any way I can.  We are all here to get healthy.