is your aftercare covered under your insurance

I was self pay. I have had several ER visits due to pain that ended up being gallbladder, but at the time was thought to be band related. My insurance covered the CAT scans, EGD, upper GI and ER visits. They also covered my gallbladder removal, but that was from weight loss, not really a band complication.

I had to have a port replacement 3 years after banding. I paid out of pocket for that. My surgeon did it for me under local in his office which saved me thousands of dollars. It still cost me just under 2k for the procedure.

I have had approximately 24 fills, and 8 unfills. My doctor charges $100 for fills... so that is what... $3200. Gulp. Wow, never did the math on that before. I also have some office visits for follow-up where no fill was done, those cost me $50.

All of those expenses are out of pocket. I put aside $2000 every year into FSA and it is all used, every year.

It isn't a matter of IF you need after care. You WILL need aftercare. You need to budget in the cost of fills. Find out what your surgeons self pay costs are.

I have spent more than I planned on when I originally had this surgery. Right now I am possibly going to have surgery for a hiatal hernia. That will be covered by insurance, but my insurance sucks! I am pretty sure this was caused by my band. So that will be another few thousand when all is said and done.

I am not trying to scare you. Right now I am happy, and working with my band. But you can look at my post history to see just how up and down my journey has been. It hasn't been easy, but I am healthier than I was when I started. I couldn't do my current job right now if I was still 384 pounds. And I LOVE my new job that I started about a year ago.

Good luck with your decision. I wish you tons of success. And there ARE bandsters that are out there who have been successful long term. They are out living healthier and hopefully happier lives. Message boards in general are comprised of newbies and people with complications. I for instance come back to the boards when I am frustrated or having a complication. BUT... I just refocused and am doing REALLY WELL!! I am determined for it to stick this time!