Financial Question for Experienced Self-Pay Banders

It's interesting to see the fluctuation in cost.  I live in Canada - mine is costing $16,000 and includes everything + 4 years of follow up including nutritionist and support (unfortunately I live 4 hours away and will not be able to make use of everything).  All my fills and unfills are covered for 4 years and they do have a local doctor here to look after it for me.

I wish your daughter good luck.

Sharon

I was banded Feb 2009. I also live in the Metro Washington DC area, (where everything usually costs more!). My grand total was around $18,000.

I know for sure $10,000 was upfront for the hospital
I paid out of pocket for my sleep study (maybe $200)
I paid out of pocket for follow up tests from EKG (some ultra sound type) (maybe $200 +)
All of my pre-op work was done at the hospital with a package deal (blood work, UGI, EKG, meet with the nurse and meet with anesthesia, and my training class in the same day) believe that was $2,000-$2,500
My regular insurance covered the pre-op clearance from my PCP
I paid the anesthesiologist $2000
I wanna say my "program cost" was $4,000

I had $5,000 cash and took out a personal loan from my credit union for $10,000 and the rest was 'pay as I went'

My program costs covered 3 months follow up and one fill. My fills were $230 each, but I believe they lowered them to $180. Ive been in a couple times recently with new insurance (BC/BS Federal) and they have been covering everything and I even just had another fill. Hopefully I dont get a big bill in the mail!

Good luck to you and your daughter!

Hi!  I used Dr Jose Rodriguez in Tijuana through Beliteweight.  My fee was $ 5400 for the lapband.  I also found a great doc in Thornton, CO (north of Denver)  who took me as a patient for after care.  $ 224 consult, then $ 75 fill/office visit.  He also has me on a 3 and 6 mo dietician appt and various labs throughout the next year to make sure I am getting everything I need.  Also, I can join his free support groups at the local hospital.  I am 3 weeks postop, have lost 26 lbs, feel great, no problems, and looking forward to my first fill.  I can eat anything I want right now and am getting hungrier!  Can't wait for that fill!