Please give me any insight...

Thread Starter  

Well hello everyone, a little about myself... I am a 24 yr old male, I currently weigh approx. 450 lbs, have asthma, and now have possible DVT in my right leg.. Anyways, for 3 yrs now I have longed for nothing but to get the LAP-BAND^® surgery from Dr.Speigel's I have tried every diet, and they do not work.. Well I got my new insurance and cards and Dr. F. Speigel was in the book, I was soooooo excited.. Well needless to say it was all shot to hell, I read the coverage, and it doesnt cover LAP-BAND^® at all, What do I do now... Does anyone know how much this surgery cost out of pocket, how else can I pay for this, I have to have it, please help me with any answers!!! THANKS

D:phanvan

Our insurance covers it, but you have to jump through very exacting hoops for up to 2 years to qualify. I knew the only way I was going to get this done soon was to self pay. I ended up researching surgeons in Mexico, and am due to be banded on the 24th of this month...I am SOOOO excited, also getting a tad nervous!! Many of the surgeons in Mexico, include airfare, and all related expenses in the charges, which from what I found range from $7900.00 to about $12,500.00, depending on which Dr. you choose, and where he is located. Always keep in mind cheapest is not always the way to go, you need to really check them out, and talk to several patients of theirs. Also many will set you up with a Dr. closer to you for follow up fills etc., or they will do them at no extra charge, if you go back to Mexico. Almost all charge additionally for the fluoroscopy used for the fill.
I have seen LBT-ers who have refinanced their homes, used credit cards, combined tax refunds and credit cards, all kinds of things. Personally, I used a settlement I received from a car accident I was injured in.
Good Luck to you, don't give up!!
Kat

My surgery cost $10,600 in Mexico with Dr. Roberto Rumbaut. That money covers EVERYTHING but airfare and food while you're in Monterrey. It even includes all aftercare including fills and band removal if for some reason you can't tolerate the band. If you're self pay, (even if you're not) I highly recommend him. For more info go to www.gastricband.com Dr. Rumbaut is world renowned with excellent results and statistics so check him out.

In the U.S. (I'm in Texas) the best rate I found was around $20,000. Some people have said they refinanced their house and used the equity to pay for their surgery. Some people get bank loans. There are bariatric centers that will do financing as well.

Good luck on your weight loss journey. If you want to chat further you can PM me anytime.

__________________
DonnaB

Banded March 7, 2006
Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico
282/212/150 (-70)
5' 9"



Never explain yourself.

Your friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe it.

.

Thread Starter  

Thanks to everyone for there help.. I was looking on Obesity help.com and found a place called the WISH Foundation and they will do cash and financing for $10,700 and been around for 8yrs and hospital based out of San Antonio.. Wish me luck!!!

Daniel

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__________________
LAP-BAND^® -5-27-2003 Albert Wetter, San Francisco
Rebanded due to slippage - July, 2004 Frank Veninga - Dallas, Texas
Gallbladder removed - August, 2004
Revised to RNY - Dec, 27, 2007 Wade Barker - Dallas, Texas

Beginning - 250
Current - 175
Goal - 135

PE's are hard. I had one after the birth of my daughter. I hope you have luck in getting the financing for the the surgery and this all goes well for you.