Lap band surgery provides innumerous benefits to any patients undergoing the surgery; therefore, it is not surprising that its costs are also on the higher side. The cost of lap band surgery depends largely on whether you plan to have it done in the United States or you are planning to travel to another country like Mexico to get it done.
While determining the cost of the surgery, you must consider all the other associated costs. These costs include the lab cost, your surgeon’s fees, the hospital expenses and medicine costs. After surgery, also you have to follow up tests, doctor visits and to other food or nutritional counseling.
Though the cost of lap band surgery in USA has been steadily going down over the past few years, still it comes in between $15000 to $25000. It would be difficult to estimate all the costs you will have prior to surgery. Complications may occur following surgery that would add the cost up too. If you have health insurance coverage, this may be less of a concern. The cost also varies from state to state and from surgeon to surgeon.
Cost of lap band surgery comes in between $6000 to $10000 in Mexico. Adding other additional costs such as-airfare, car rental, hotel stays etc. to it also, you can save up to 40 to 50% of your cost compared to U.S. But surgery outside the U.S. will probably not be covered by your health insurance company.
Therefore, if you were covered by the health insurance policy, then it would be better and safer to have your surgery done in United States. Again, if any medical complication arises, you would be better taken care of legally. However, if you are not covered by your insurance policy, then it is better to weigh all the costs and other additional costs of surgery of other countries compared to USA.
The Laparoscopic adjustable bending procedure is performed under anesthesia in a hospital operating room. During surgery, three to five one inch to two-inch incisions are made in the upper abdomen. Normally, this procedure takes about one hour to perform, therefore maximum one day hospitalization.
Many surgeons allow patients to return home the same day, but other surgeons require patients to stay overnight and release their patients after 24 hours of post surgery. Although most Lap-band patients feel quite normal after two to three weeks, full recovery takes minimum 6 weeks.
Lap band surgery is a fairly expensive procedure, but your health is certainly more valuable than money. Therefore, it is important to discuss the cost of Lap band surgery with your bariatric surgeon before deciding on a weight-loss procedure. The quality of operation and safety does matter the most while doing lap band surgery.
By: Alma Orozco About the Author:
Alma Orozco is a certified patient coordinator of the
Ready4Achange team at Monterrey, Mexico. If you are NOT leading a normal life due to your weight, its time to think about other alternatives. Weight Loss
Surgery is one of those options.
