fee for LAP BAND surgery at different hospitals

hi, I was wondering if all Boston Hospitals are charging fee's for the LAP BAND surgery. I am in the begining process of things and plan to do the surgery at Beth Isreal, but they require 500.00 up front at first visit and is non refundable if at some point down the line you can be denied. I am just shopping around.

BI told me the same thing when I was considering having my GB done there. I'm having my GB done at B & W and they told me as long as my $500 fee is paid before they wheel me into surgery, I'm in good shape.

I went to see Dr Robinson at B&W just yearterday and they told me the same thing had to be paid in full before surgery. Stephaine who are you having your surgery with ? Hugs Loretta

Hi Loretta, I'm having mine with Dr. Lautz. It's coming up fast... Do you have a date scheduled yet? Stephanie

No no date yet I was booked with Dr Robinson by my primeary care.And he has talked into going with the open not the lap and I want in yesterday thinking I was going to have it done with a laprascope. Now I am so unsure. I may call the office tomorrow and ask can I have a consault with Dr. Lutz because Dr. Robinsone only dose open. I see that with Dr. Lutzt moves along much faster, He wants me to come back in November after I lose about 15 pounds and another 10 by the time the surgery is done in January. Like I am going to lose 25 pounds over Thanksgiving and Christmas. Did Dr Lutz have to lose weight pre op? Hugs Loretta

Dr. Lautz does lap gb and open gb and *I think* lap band. I am having open gb. I took a very long time to make that decision but in the end it's what was a comfortable choice for me. No, Dr. Lautz has not asked me to loose any weight (yet...I meet with him again on Thursday for my pre-op appointment). But as I understand it, it's much more common for you to be asked to loose weight before the lap proceedure than before open. That's just my impression...that is not a fact. I believe Dr. Vernon is their lap band specialist. Stephanie

Dr. Vernon (my surgeon) is the Lap Band specialist at the Brigham but Dr. Lautz also does the procedure along with the RNY. Losing weight pre-op is imperative with lap procedures because the surgeon needs your liver to be as small as possible so that they can lift it out of the way in order to reach the stomach. My understanding is that Dr. Robinson is a major stickler though with his RNY patients and mandates a certain amt of weight loss (I believe 10%) before he will do your surgery. He is known to cancel a LOT of surgeries - you don't have to lose the full 10% but if you don't come close to the goal he sets for you he WILL cancel. Caeli

At NEMC they did not charge an up front fee. But there is a $400 preparation for surgery course that you must take and most insurance does not cover. In my opinion the course was very helpful, worth the money and should be required everywhere. It is run by a doctor in small groups and covers the physical and psychological aspects of wls.