If your surgeon is contracted with BCBS I would not pay a penny up front, let it get processed and then pay your part. I work for Cigna Healthcare, so I know. Also I would pick a doctor that has experience in doing Lapband. I would contact BCBS and ask them for a list of landband doctors, most of the time they have a list of preferred doctors that have a good relasonship with your insurance so it may even be cheaper!
Good Luck
Josh