Help! I need feedback

 So I got a consult for a lap-band and I'm able to get it and so I applied for financing just to see if I could get it..... not thinking it would be approved so fast, and 2 days later what do you know... I can have the surgery! Its just up to me to book some time off work and set a date. I'm just questioning if i should put myself in debt and have the surgery, is it worth it? please give me your feedback! 

I don't know your financial cir****tances, but I can tell you that the cost of banding does not end with the surgery.

In my experience, the band requires consistent follow up (for me, that meant about 12 appointments in the first 2 years).   I got 3 months of follow up care for 'free' as part of my self-pay package.

I paid out of pocket after that time.

If I break down my costs, I lost 135 pounds for about 13,500.00 --- so, 100 dollars per pound.
Was that worth is --- to me, yes (but I could afford to do it without borrowing).

The band is also the most frequently 'failed' surgery --- and if you pay to put it in, you pay to have it taken out.

Be sure you are aware of ALL costs before you borrow beyond your means to afford it.

I agree with Kath.  The lapband is probably the most expensive of all the surgeries as you have to have fills for a while and you have to consider that in your cost.  Some surgeons may give you a year of follow up if you're self pay.  I know mine does.  And then its $500 a year after that.  But even if you have insurance, you have to pay a copay for those fills and UNfills and that can get costly.

Again, agreeing with Kath, banding is probably the least successful surgery. 

LaWanda

I can't remember where I read it, but some bariatric surgeon wrote that in his practice, self-pay band patients did better than insurance-paid patients because they had personally invested so much in the surgery and aftercare.

I agree with what Kath said, though.

I surely wouldn't go this way. I had massive complications and even WITH insurance, I went deeply into debt. I also lost my job due to chronic pain issues with the band.

You really need to be careful when you're self pay... you want to think about the aftercare... and without considerable aftercare, the band is essentially useless.

You may want to consider thoroughly reading the Revisions board before making a final decision, as well. While the band is advertised as being "less invasive," thereby implying that there is less risk involved, you will see that reoperation rates are high. There are more revisions FROM lapband to another form of WLS. If you're spending your hard earned money, you don't want to have to have gone through surgery only to have to do it all over again.  Even if you're NOT spending your hard earned money, you don't want to have to do it all over again! 

Good luck to you. I hope it all works out.

I disagree with all of them.  The band saved my life.  At 320 lbs just one year ago I could hardly move, let alone enjoy much of life.  Now I have lost almost 100 lbs with very little out of pocket.  I paid $ 5400 for my band with Dr Rodriguez who picked me up in San Diego and took a group of us to Tijuana, MX for our surgery.   After that I had a followup doctor in Denver.  I have received about 4 fills at $150 each over the last year and have been happy with my steady progress.  I went to a Nutritionist for $ 150 but felt it was a complete waste of time.  She didn't tell me anything I didn't already know or read right here on this sight.  Eat slow, pic foods carefully, take vitamins.

No problems, just weight loss. I also know many people who have lost over 100 lbs the same way.  Best one for the buck if you ask me.

 thanks for all your respsonses, I'm still thinking it over, I am young and I do make enough money to afford the procedure but I will be paying it off for a while, but in the end i think its probably worth it with all the medical problems im already having at 24. the only other option i have is having gastric bypass, but my doctor recommended I get the lap band instead.