I first started looking into weight loss surgery after I saw an interview with Carnie Wilson. She had undergone gastric bypass surgery and I couldn't believe how much weight she had lost. I was obviously intrigued and started researching the surgery. Although her weight loss was amazing, I just couldn't imagine having part of my stomach and intestines removed like that. I wasn't comfortable making such a permanent and drastic choice.

It was during my research into gastric bypass surgery that I read about another option called laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Lap band surgery, as it is often called, is a newer method of weight loss surgery. It has only been available in the United States since 2001, but it was available in Europe for many years before that time.

I have read quite a bit about the lap band procedure and decided to be banded because it seems to be a safer option than gastric bypass surgery - more benefits with less risks. It is adjustable, reversible if necessary, and does not involve cutting away part of the stomach and intestines and then rerouting them. Although the initial weight loss is not as quick as with gastric bypass, the overall results are comparable at five years and the weight is lost at a safe and steady rate.

With lap band surgery, an adjustable silicone band is placed around the top part of the stomach. The band creates a smaller pouch at the top of the stomach and a smaller opening into the main stomach area. The band helps with weight loss because it limits the amount and type of foods that can be eaten and slows the digestion process which helps create a feeling of fullness.

The size of the lap band opening can be adjusted to let in more or less food as needed. This is the only weight loss procedure that is adjustable and can be personalized to your own situation. The band, which is a hollow ring filled with saline, is adjusted by adding or removing saline to make the opening bigger or smaller. The saline is added or removed thru an access port placed beneath the skin during surgery that connects to the band. When the band is too loose and there is not enough weight loss, saline is added to make the opening smaller. If the band opening is too tight, then saline can be removed to make the opening bigger. Adjustments are a unique feature of the lap band procedure and a normal part of follow-up care.

There are many factors to consider when comparing how much it will cost you to have lap band surgery. What you pay will depend on where you have the surgery done, what fees and services are included in the quoted price, and any other related expenses that are necessary. Find out from your surgeon what fees are included and which ones are not in the amount you will be paying for your surgery. When you are comparing costs, remember it is important to consider the quality of care you will receive from your doctor throughout the process as well.

Lap band surgery fees to consider:

• pre-op tests and consultations
• surgeon fees
• hospital fees
• anesthesia fees
• post-op care
• follow-up appointments
• band adjustments
• travel expenses
• exercise and diet counseling

On average, it costs about $15,000 to $20,000 to have lap band surgery in the United States. Lap band surgery is not cheap but your life may depend on it, because if you are considering any type of weight loss surgery it should be because you have not been able to lose weight thru diet and exercise alone and you are trying to save your life from the health dangers of obesity. If you need payment assistance, talk to your doctor about payment options, contact your health insurance company to see if they cover lap band surgery or find out if you qualify for a medical loan.

Another option is to have your Lap Band Surgery performed in Mexico, where the cost is about $8,000 to $10,000. Many US patients have been happy with this choice, but it is important to choose a reputable and experienced doctor and to consider the travel time and expenses for the surgery, follow-up appointments, and band adjustments.

If you are considering lap band surgery and have health insurance, contact your health insurance provider and find out if they cover the procedure. Many health insurance plans, including Medicare and, in some states, Medicaid, cover the cost of lap band surgery.

It is important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible, even if you know lap band surgery is a covered procedure, as the approval process can take some time. You will also want to find a doctor and lap band surgeon that accepts your health insurance and will support you in getting approval from your health insurance provider.

If lap band surgery is covered by your health plan, the next step is to find out the patient criteria necessary for approval. Each health plan has certain patient criteria that must be met before you get approval and have the surgery. Many insurance companies base their approval on a persons BMI (Body Mass Index) and any co-morbidities associated with obesity. It is also common for them to request documentation of medically supervised weight loss efforts over a 6 - 12 month period, a letter of medical necessity, and a psychiatric evaluation.

If at first your insurance company denies your claim, don't give up. Many times a denial is based on incomplete or mistaken information. Many times persistence will help you succeed in getting approval. Contact your insurance company and make sure you understand why approval was denied and find out what is required to get approval for the surgery. It is not uncommon to gain approval thru the appeals process by working together with your doctor, lap band surgeon, and other legal and medical experts, to satisfy the insurance company.

If all your efforts have failed to get approval with your insurance company on your own, you may want to contact obesitylaw.com for legal assistance. They specialize in getting insurance companies to cover lap band surgery and the legal help is free of cost to the patient.

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