How Much Does Lap Band Surgery Cost without Insurance?

Those considering lap band surgery cost who don’t have insurance to cover the procedure can benefit from information about lap band surgery cost without insurance

If you are struggling with losing weight and are considering different types of bariatric procedures, then you might be considering lap band surgery. The costs involved with the procedure are on par with most bariatric surgery costs, but the procedure itself does require a surgeon with expertise in the area and some special equipment. When the total is added up, the cost can amount to $17,000 to $30,000. For a person considering lap band surgery, this cost might be prohibitive.

What the Surgery Entails

The procedure requires a surgeon to make several incisions in the abdomen. Through these incisions, the surgeon will put a small camera and the required tools to perform the procedure. Once inside, the surgeon will wrap a band around the top portion of the stomach. Attached to this band is a small tube that is attached to a portal just under the skin of the abdomen. It is through this portal that the surgeon will increase or decrease the saline solution that adjusts the band. More saline will make the band tighter and allow less food into the stomach. Less saline will make the band looser and allow for more space for food. As you progress with the lap band, the band will be adjusted so food intake can be increased or decreased as needed.

Fees for the Hospital and Surgery

It is important to note that these costs will vary, depending on whether you have the procedure as an inpatient or an outpatient. The inpatient procedure will cost more than the outpatient procedure, but with inpatient care you receive more monitoring. As with any hospital procedure, facility costs are involved. You will need to pay for a hospital room for your stay before and after your operation. This fee includes care from nurses and other technicians who will be needed to monitor you before and after your procedure, and any pre-op lab work or x-rays that need to be taken.

After-Surgery Fees

Once the procedure is started, there’s an anesthesia fee as well as a fee to pay the anesthesiologist, a fee for the surgeon doing the procedure, and fees for all equipment and supplies used during the surgery, including the lap band itself. Once the surgery is completed, you’ll spend time in the recovery room while medical staff monitors you as you come out of anesthesia. You’ll be taken back to your hospital room once the staff is sure there are no complications.

Follow-up Appointments

Four to six weeks after surgery, the lap band will need to be adjusted. This adjustment is usually factored into the surgery cost. Any other appointments throughout the first year are also included, but after the first year, adjustment costs can range between $100 and $750. These appointments are used to add more or less saline to the band to either decrease or increase the amount of space your stomach has to take in food.

Other Costs to Consider

Vitamin supplements are often used to help a person recovering from lap band surgery. The supplements replace the nutrients a person might be lacking because of a modified diet during the recovery period. It is also suggested that a person who has gone through this procedure meet regularly with a nutritionist to ensure the diet is as healthy as possible within dietary boundaries. Depending on the doctor, these items might be included in the initial fee quote, or they might be considered extras and therefore not included in the overall price.

Cosmetic Surgery

Those who are successful in losing large amounts of weight with the procedure often opt for plastic surgery to remove excess skin from the stomach, arms, and leg area. This is a cost outside of the procedure itself, but some physicians include it in the fee, especially if the need is anticipated. If it is not included in the initial cost, it can increase the cost of the surgery dramatically.

Geographic Location Can Raise or Lower Costs

Depending on where you live, your lap band surgery cost could be more or less than in other parts of the country. In areas where medical costs are generally higher, such as urban centers like New York or Los Angeles, the procedure will cost more; in other parts of the country, it could cost less. Cost will also depend on the surgeon you select to do the procedure. A medical professional in a densely populated area who is in high demand will cost more. On the other hand, a surgeon in a more rural or less densely populated part of the country might charge less. If you are considering the lap band surgery cost without insurance, it would be wise to shop around in different areas of the country to see if a qualified surgeon in a less-expensive area would be willing to do the procedure for you.

Making the Decision

Choosing whether to have lap band surgery or another type of bariatric surgery is something that should not be taken lightly. Lap band surgery is a life-altering procedure that requires dedication on the part of the patient for it to be successful. Those considering lap band surgery costs without insurance should make sure they are ready to take on the aftercare tasks, since the cost is quite high. It could be a good idea for anyone considering this procedure to speak with others who have already had it done. This can help determine the best course of action. Ask the physician with whom you are discussing the procedure for references and for locations of support groups for those who have had the procedure. The advice from those who have already been through the procedure could prove priceless.