i don't know if this will help anyone but in missouri, university hospital in columbia does accept medicaid for the lap band surgery. i was told this yesterday by st. johns hosp. luckly i have medicare and medicaid so st johns in springfield missouri is doing mine... i am at the beginning of the process but i don't have a doubt that i will be approved. i am on 16 different medications a day, i have diabetes, CHF, high blood pressure. and have had a heart attack 4 years ago.my family doc said its an excellent idea to go with because it would definately get me off alot if not all of my meds.