Question:
What are the costs of complications self pay clients have had?

I am a self pay client and having surgery next week. I am concerned about complications and what they may cost additionally. I know the self pay cost covers 2 weeks after surgery but complications can occur way beyond that. Has anyone had to pay out of pocket for complications for the lap band surgery? What has been your experience? I do have health insurance but it has a weight loss exclusion.    — Catherine-Mo (posted on January 24, 2007)

January 25, 2007
I hjad gastric by pass over 18 months ago. I was self pay(cash) dur to not having any health insurance at all. I have not had any problems. Part of the additional reasoning behind choosing the by pass verse the lap band was the additional costs of every time you need to have your band adjusted...which I was told was about every two months or so that it would cost me $500. at each fill of the band . So I reasoned that in the end it would be costing me more for a slow weight loss. Good luck.
   — jpcal

January 26, 2007
If you have health insurance at all, you should be okay. Although they may not cover WLS surgery itself, most complications, pre-and post-surgery tests, etc. can be covered. However with the lap band, make sure that your self-pay covers all fills, adjustments etc that you may need with your band. I understand that sometimes they can be pretty 'high maintenance'.
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 26, 2007
I was self pay, my surgery was 9 and 1/2 months ago. I had no complications until several weeks ago when I got an ulcer. We thought it was my gallbladder initially, and I spent 8 hours in the ER one evening, and then 3 days in the hospital. The medical bills totalled $16,000 just for that, and my insurance paid every dime (except our ER and Hospital Admit co-pays) even at an out of plan hospital.
   — nicolerod