Average cost of a lap band

[youtalk 1]

I would be so down to travel to Mexico for the surgery, but like I said my wife would probably freak.

If I wanted to go this route, how does the process work?

Do you fly there before the surgery, and then have to fly back for the procedure?

[Kelleigh710 0]

The process is simple. First, you need to decide on a doctor and do some research as to who you think would be best. Continue researching by contacting each of these doctors offices either via email or telephone and ask all of the questions you need. If you would rather deal with someone here in the states, there are coordinators that will work with you. Personally, I worked with Medical Tourism Co because they are based here in the states, but work with the more reputable doctors in Mexico. If you'd like, you could correspond with my coordinator and she could answer questions for you, as she herself was banded. Medical Tourism doesn't up their prices like other coordinating companies, they just get a cut of the regular price. Her e-mail is sheila@medicaltourismco.com but if you would like, I can forward the initial email I got from her with the prices/packaging info for each doctor so you can see exactly what happens. PM me your email and I'll get it to you.

I can tell you right now, if your wife is going to be nervous, your best bet is to find a doctor that works in a full service hospital as opposed to an out patient center so she will feel better. Dr. Corvala (my surgeon) works out of Hospital Angeles and you would stay 2 nights there in your own private medical suite with tv, wifi, bathroom, etc, as well as an extra bed for her to sleep in. He recently did an interview, if you go to YouTube and put "corvala LAP-BAND® interview" into the search box, you'll find it. It's a great interview.

You would not fly to Mexico prior to your surgery date for any reason. With me, Dr. Corvala wanted an upper GI and an Endoscopy done here in the states before he would agree to work on me because mine is a revision. With you, you would simply fill out his intake form, which i will warn you now is 20 pages long. He wants to know EVERYTHING. Other then that, they submit your intake form and he either clears you or not based on that. When you get there, they will do an EKG, blood work, chemistry panel, and chest xray. After surgery, they do a psych evaluation and a session with a nutritionist. You get your pain meds and go home on the 3rd day.

Personally, I'm flying into San Diego the day before to relax and see a Padres game! The next day, the hospital will pick me up right at the front door of my hotel, bring me across the border and will drop me off at the airport the day I go home. If you havent yet, google Hospital Angeles in Tijuana, it's beautiful.

If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know. I've changed surgeons THREE times in my research and I am finally confident in my choice. If I can help you avoid any confusion in your research, then I will do my best.

[KayleighsMommy 16]

My wife said I was crazy when I told her about maybe traveling to Mexico for the surgery.

How about flying to Colorado?? There are a couple of doctors here who charge between 9-10K. Dr Kirshenbaum is one of them. People fly in from all over the U.S. to have him do their surgery.

[Laptastic 0]

I'm one of the Kirshenbaum patients mentioned by the previous poster. I paid $9995 which included everything, including the first three months of fills. After that, fills are only $15. He's great. Luckily, I live in Colorado, but the previous poster is right...people fly in from all over to see him. On Southwest airlines, it's pretty cheap to get here.

[youtalk 1]

The process is simple. First, you need to decide on a doctor and do some research as to who you think would be best. Continue researching by contacting each of these doctors offices either via email or telephone and ask all of the questions you need. If you would rather deal with someone here in the states, there are coordinators that will work with you. Personally, I worked with Medical Tourism Co because they are based here in the states, but work with the more reputable doctors in Mexico. If you'd like, you could correspond with my coordinator and she could answer questions for you, as she herself was banded. Medical Tourism doesn't up their prices like other coordinating companies, they just get a cut of the regular price. Her e-mail is sheila@medicaltourismco.com but if you would like, I can forward the initial email I got from her with the prices/packaging info for each doctor so you can see exactly what happens. PM me your email and I'll get it to you.

I can tell you right now, if your wife is going to be nervous, your best bet is to find a doctor that works in a full service hospital as opposed to an out patient center so she will feel better. Dr. Corvala (my surgeon) works out of Hospital Angeles and you would stay 2 nights there in your own private medical suite with tv, wifi, bathroom, etc, as well as an extra bed for her to sleep in. He recently did an interview, if you go to YouTube and put "corvala LAP-BAND®® interview" into the search box, you'll find it. It's a great interview.

You would not fly to Mexico prior to your surgery date for any reason. With me, Dr. Corvala wanted an upper GI and an Endoscopy done here in the states before he would agree to work on me because mine is a revision. With you, you would simply fill out his intake form, which i will warn you now is 20 pages long. He wants to know EVERYTHING. Other then that, they submit your intake form and he either clears you or not based on that. When you get there, they will do an EKG, blood work, chemistry panel, and chest xray. After surgery, they do a psych evaluation and a session with a nutritionist. You get your pain meds and go home on the 3rd day.

Personally, I'm flying into San Diego the day before to relax and see a Padres game! The next day, the hospital will pick me up right at the front door of my hotel, bring me across the border and will drop me off at the airport the day I go home. If you havent yet, google Hospital Angeles in Tijuana, it's beautiful.

If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know. I've changed surgeons THREE times in my research and I am finally confident in my choice. If I can help you avoid any confusion in your research, then I will do my best.

Your awesome, thank you for all the information.

[capehat1 0]

Top Surgeons in BH hs billed my insurance company over 87,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was for the endoscopy, the surgery, the fills, sonogram the fee consult that wasn't free. It was 500. It's been 1 year. They are such scammers!!!!! :thumbup:

[GipsyGirl 6]

Nashville TN

$26,800 covered by insurance and $1,200 out of pocket.

[RGVT78 5]

Man I wish in Florida it was $10-$12k.

I spoke to the office local to me and their saying $17k.

Just seems high for self pay. I mean I'm sure the insurance companies aren't paying them that much.

Depending on where you are in Florida, I was banded in Sebastian for $12,500, with a year of fills and followup. Love the doc and the office staff.