Why Is It That Americans Don't Consider Getting The Lap Band Procedure Overseas ?

[futuremodel 1]

I'm wondering why Americans more often do not consider the lap band procedure overseas? From reading others posts on here, I think America put people through too much to have the procedure done. In my opinion it is a way of collecting money. I'm an American and I live in Europe now and had my procedure performed by Dr. Chris Bruyne in Belgium. I don't regret anything about the process. First off I had to approximately $5,600 dollars for the package that was offered which included 3 night stay in hotel for your companion, my two night stay in the hospital, taxi ride from the airport and to and from the hospital and all test, X-rays and lab work. The hospital was clean and the nurses were attentive and I received all the pain medicine to make me feel as comfortable as possible. Maybe it's the paying out of pocket that throws people off but I believe if its something you ready want then you'll save for it. At the end all I had to pay for was the meals my husband ate at the hotel and for our plane tickets (most times you can find tickets from the states to Europe for about $880). I'm a medical student now and I really wish America would catch on to the idea of stop wasting peoples time with their psychological and constant doctor visits, denials by the insurance companies and I can go on and on about how we are slowly advancing in medicine due to others chosen "Ethical" precautions and just do the procedure... BTW I can't wait to loose my weight because I'll be going back for a breast lift and tummy tuck; which is also much cheaper here!!!!!

[BaileyRose 13]

For me it's because my insurance covers me here... And also I see my surgeon AT LEAST once a month and follow up care is most important to me- especially since I've really needed it. He's just a phone call away :-)

[Dawn200321 146]

It would have taken me much longer to save up for everything and then go all the way over seas then it took for me to just jump through the insurance company hoops. I also like my doctor and know I can call her or go see her if I have any problems what so ever. She is just 20 minutes away!

[54Shirley 105]

If I lived overseas, that would be different, but my surgeon is here.

As far as fills go. I was taken rite to my fill line ! By my current Dr...

No fussing about it. Just done !

Now I don't think you can get much easier then that.

[Shellyac 22]

I'm sorry but I think it's a bit rude for you to tell someone that they should just save close to $10,000 just so that they can get the procedure done in Europe. Frankly by the time someone could save up that money they could have gone through the insurance process and would have only spend a few hundred dollars in co-pays. Plus they will not have to deal with the added ordeal of having to fly half way around the world, to a country where they probably don't speak the local language and then have to deal with making that same flight again a few days after surgery. Plus if there are any complications there will be the added expense of having to stay longer.

I know that there are many people that go to Mexico but at least you are much closer to home than you could ever be in Europe.

Finally from what I have seen on here, having the Lap Band requires several office visits in order for it to become effective. Surely you're not expecting people to travel back for each fill, or if they decided to have fills done here it is likely they will have to pay for that out of pocket also.

And frankly, I think the process that the insurance company put you through only aids in you being successful in the long run. Going through the 6 months of seeing you doctor shows that you are willing to commit to this long term, seeing the therapist makes sure that you are mentally prepared for the change that you are about make in your life. Yes it would be great to make the decision to have the surgery and be able to schedule it for the next day but that's just asking for trouble, especially for those people who decide to have procedures like the bypass or sleeve.

[nikki_att84 4]

WELL HERE IN MONTREAL ITS FREE!!!!!!! the gvt pays for it.. which is great...u just need to get on a waiting list.. i started my process in august and will b getting band next week..which i find amazing didnt have to wait at all..my other option was to get it done at a provate clinique which was asking me 16 000$ and i would get my band within a month..honestly things taste better when they r free!! some other floks i know decided to go 2 mexico paid 3000 $ but once they got back home and needed medical attention..concerning the lapband..no i mean NO doctor wanted to help them.. because it wasnt their business! so honestly...i if u look at the full ppicture. it aint worth it..u live in europe so its easier for u! anyways i think that everyone has a choice,what is worth something for u doesnt mean that its worth something for someone else..so dont judge and b happy with ur OWN decisions..

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

Even with a BMI of 55 my insurance wouldnt cover my band. SO I decided to sell some stock and become a self pay. It was THAT important to be and I believed in the procedure. Since I was a self pay I seriously considered going to Mexico. MY husband and I did the research... It would have cost me about 8k including air fare for my and my husband to go. The hotel was paid for my the Mexican clinic.

I called 7 Drs in central FL and not ONE would touch me for fills. The only place I could get a fill locally if I had a mexican band was to go to a USAfills type of place. The fills were $125 a pop.

Here in the states I interviewed 3 Drs who did the procedure at 3 different hospitals. My Dr of choice had a "deal" with the hospital.... his fee, hospital stay, pre op testing as well as pre op Optifast, 3 months of free post op visits including fills for 6 months was 10k. 5k upfront then the hospital allowed the rest 5k to be paid with no interest over 2 years.

I did the math...thought long and hard about the comfort of my Dr being 10 minutes away and opted to stay home and be banded locally. It had nothing to do with the quality of work in Mexico. It was purely a financial decision over the long run.

That said... after being banded 2 months and made 2 payment of $200 ea to the hospital they called me and said if I could pay the balance within 30 days they would slash it 50%. I scraped it together and of course took them up on the deal....All of a sudden my band cost $7500!!!

[futuremodel 1]

As for me I do not live in Belgium but my Dr does my fills free in Hungary. I can understand those that might worry about complications and maybe its different in America than in Europe but Dr tend to network over here and I can go anywhere to receive my fills. I also researched where I might go to receive fills when I return to the states and I have had no problems finding Dr close by that will fill my band. As @Shellyac my first language is English and the hospital all of the Dr and Nurses spoke English...we are a world without boarders and most countries are quite familiar with the English language. Im not speaking for all Dr in all countries but the Dr who performed my surgery is the number one lap band Dr in Europe and has performed 1000s of surgeries and has had no complications in performing the surgery.

[futuremodel 1]

My post was not me judging those who chose not to get surgeries overseas but a question of why if it is available why wont more people consider it. However, I was judging the United States medical practice procedure and being that I will soon be in the field and I have a freedom of speech I am well within my means to say that there needs to be some improvements.

[bromo 17]

My copay was around $2000, my doctor and all his office staff were and are fantastic. The hospital was clean and the nurses were the best. From seminar to surgery was 2 1/2 months during which time I was able to make sure the lap band was the right procedure for me. Your experience was yours and mine was mine. I have no problem with the care and service I received and it would be irresponsible of me to think of spending that much money to fly overseas to have the surgery done, when I feel I had the best of the best right here at home for much less money. I think you are being met with resistance because of a general feeling that you are making the judgement that our care here was less than yours there. Every situation is different and broad statements saying the surgery and care is better one place over another is erroneous.

[Shellyac 22]

I'm sure that of course people would choose that option if it were available to them at no cost. The part that I took exception to was saying that they should just save up and go to Europe. For most people, especially those with families, the idea of taking their money and spending it on a procedure that you can have for free or at a lesser cost at home is unthinkable and frankly I think it is fiscally irresponsible to want the quick fix when you can just put in the time and effort close to home.

Also, I agree that the US medical system needs an overhaul in most respects but I think in this regard it actually makes sense

[54Shirley 105]

Ditto !

Not to mention with my Ins. I had to go to a Center of Excellence.

Where these Dr.'s have certain standards that they must keep up or they would lose that Certification. I would rather have a true specialist, then whoever is sent your way.

Also allot of the Canadians come over to Michigan, at Henry Fords Hospital, because there Ins. is accepted by these Dr.'s. I'll tell you what, they come by the bus loads full, because they would rather have it done here, and someone from the Family is put up curtisey of them. That is in the U.S. of A.

[karewpah 173]

I think Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz said it best "there's no place like home, there's no place like home"

[honk 780]

If I had to choose to have surgery outside the US I would probably feel more comfortable having surgery in Belgum than I would Mexico. I did however live in Europe so that could explain my opinion.

[futuremodel 1]

@54Shirley If you are suggesting that Dr abroad are not up to the U.S.A. standards I would have to refute this. If you haven't noticed many Americans doctors are internationally taught.