cando29

Doddie, my thoughts exactly. Some clinics say they will cover any problems with the band, but I cant seem to find anyone who actually got this in wiriting or as part of some sort of contract etc. I'm sure clinics will keep their word but like you said, circumstances change over the years and the Lap-Band would be a lifetime committment for most people hopefully,..... so that really is a long time. On the other hand, those clinics that only have 2 or 3yr limits on their coverage also dont seem to provide anything concrete in writing to that effect, which you think they would. I guess I was just hoping to get to the bottom of this issue from people who have been banded. I have also contacted some of the clinics mentioned but have yet to hear back. Thanks to everyone who responded :thumbup:

Hello everyone. I was hoping someone could help me figure out if there is some sort of warranty (for lack of a better term) on the LapBand, and any surgery required to fix any complications should they arise? More specifically, are subsequent surgeries for removal of the band, replacement of a defective band, adjustment of a slipped or erroded band, fixing a flipped port etc etc...included in the orginal price of having the surgery, and if so for how long? 2yrs? 5yrs? Longer? Has anyone gotten this in writing before their surgery? I'm guessing they cover you for a year or two at least (I hope) but anyone know if it can be longer than that? Does it depend on what clinic you go to? Has anyone heard of an option to buy extended warranty? (It sounds like i'm shopping for a car, but you know what I mean) :thumbup: In particular, I would like to hear from those of you who have been banded or are planning to be banded at either SWLC, CIBO, TLBC (now called SlimBand), or SpaDiva with Dr, Miller (as I am likely to have it done at one of those clinics). The reason I ask is that the surgery is not cheap as most of you know, and despite the fact that most complications are rare, they do happen (and I dont just mean during surgery or within a year of the surgery, but also 5-10yrs down the road when a band can erode or slip or break etc etc...). So I guess I was just wondering up to what point does the initial cost of the surgery cover all those things? It would be difficult to pay 16-18K for the surgery only to have to spend the same amount again in 3 to 5yrs should something go wrong etc. Sorry for all the questions. I searched the forum for this topic but I havent seen any posts on this issue in particular. Thanks in advance for your help.

dfav, I take it you were just outiside the 2yr mark and the clinic would not cover the repair? If you dont mind me asking, which clinic did you have your surgery at? Also, my insurance (SunLife, Federal Gov policy) would not cover the surgery for the band, but I never did ask them if they would cover any surgeries after the fact for repairs or removal etc. Hmm, I wonder if they would. Did your insurance company cover the initial surgery by any chance, and if not, how come they agreed to cover the repair? Good luck to you by the way, I hope all goes well! :thumbup:

I know Dr. Miller at SpaDiva in Montreal does stitch the band to the stomach, but despite that there could still be other issues with the band down the road. I have asked some of the clinics this warranty question and for some reason I dont seem to get a very clear answer (perhaps because I have not yet comitted and I am not yet a patient of theirs so to speak?). Some clinics said there is no limit and they will fix anything at any time free of charge, but I find that hard to beleive, and there certainly arent any policies or anything in writing posted on their websites so I thought I would ask those of you who have been through it at any one of those 4 clinics I mentioned above. Did any of you sign a contract or get anything in writing? Just curious. I guess it would also be nice to compare the 4 clinics on this point. It might help make up my mind on which one to go with (after considering the surgeon ofcourse, and making sure I am confortable with the clinic etc..obviously its not all just about the warranty when making a choice but it does factor in).