Question:
Is the adjustable lap band less expensive to have than a bypass?

I am wondering if having an adjustabel lap band is less expensive than gastric bypass?    — bubbleboo K. (posted on May 15, 2003)

May 15, 2003
Yep. Considerably. There's a great thread on this very subject going on right now at spotlighthealth.com's LapBand Support Board. Subject line is something about self-pay.
   — Jeanie

May 15, 2003
Yes and from what I have heard on here, not as effective.
   — Delores S.

May 15, 2003
My understanding is that insurances will not pay for adjustments and my surgeon estimated the cost to be about $3,000.00 per year out of pocket! Yikes! The actual surgery may cost less but I would bet that over a few years it is at leawst the same.
   — Carol S.

May 16, 2003
I was investigating lap bands myself until I learned that my insurance will not pay anything for them, mostly due to the fact that it's less effective. I have also heard that IF your insurance company will pay for the surgery, they won't pay for the fills and those are expensive.
   — antiques55

May 18, 2003
The doc who said that the band can cost $3000 per year out of pocket is sadly misinformed. My doc charges $225 for fills. I would have to 13 fills per year for that doctor's numbers to be accurate. I've never heard of ANYONE having that many fills EVER. I've had 2 adjustments and they were both within 60 days of my surgery, so they were covered by my insurance. Whether or not other fills will be covered remains to be seen, but even if they aren't, I probably won't need more than a couple before I reach goal. Regarding the band being "less effective", studies outside of the US do NOT reflect that statement. As a matter of fact, at the 2 year mark, lap band patients are neck and neck with bypass patients and the adjustability of the band also helps prevent regain of weight. In answer to the original question, not only is the lap band less expensive than the bypass (my doc charges $13,000 for self pay and people who are willing to travel out of the country pay around $10k), it's the LEAST risky weight loss surgery available.
   — TMF