New And Looking At Lap Band

[a1990 55]

Hi i am wanting the lap band done really bad , but just don't know how to start the process like doctor to use I have thought about going to Mexico just don't know where.to start

[Maddysgram 6,159]

Is this through insurance or self pay?

[a1990 55]

Well if I do it in Mexico I think it has to be self pay not sure about that , but I have thought about doing self pay but I just got insurance through united healthcare so I don't even know if.I could do a claim yet

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Insurance definitely won't pay for it to be done in Mexico, and if you go to Mexico you run the very real risk of coming home and not being able to find an American doctor to fill or treat you. More often than not, most American doctors refuse to touch a patient who was banded in Mexico. So, if you did decide to do self pay in Mexico, be sure you have a doctor at home to treat you before you have surgery.

I would look into having it done at home via your insurance first. It would be a lot simpler and safer in the long run if you can.

[a1990 55]

Well I just got ins so I just don't.know if I should call a doctor and.let them check my ins or me call my ins , I just know Mexico is sounds so much faster and cheaper

[BeeBlueHeron 87]

I've heard so many people on this forum say that if you're banded in Mexico, no one in the States will touch you. I question this....the two doctors I've asked on Long Island have said they would ABSOLUTELY fill someone if the band was an FDA-approved band, like the Allergan or the newer Johnson & Johnson model. It definitely pays to find out if a local doctor will fill you if you have your surgery in Tijuana or Monterrey, but it doesn't seem all that hard to find a willing doctor.

Having said that, no matter who you use, do that background research! There are plenty of bad doctors, or good doctors, no matter where you go. I've chosen, I think, a very good and esteemed surgeon in MX (of course, ask me how I feel AFTER the surgery!)

Good luck to you.

Blue

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I've heard so many people on this forum say that if you're banded in Mexico, no one in the States will touch you. I question this....the two doctors I've asked on Long Island have said they would ABSOLUTELY fill someone if the band was an FDA-approved band, like the Allergan or the newer Johnson & Johnson model. It definitely pays to find out if a local doctor will fill you if you have your surgery in Tijuana or Monterrey, but it doesn't seem all that hard to find a willing doctor.

Having said that, no matter who you use, do that background research! There are plenty of bad doctors, or good doctors, no matter where you go. I've chosen, I think, a very good and esteemed surgeon in MX (of course, ask me how I feel AFTER the surgery!)

Good luck to you.

Blue

Actually, you hit on the exact reason so many refuse to treat a patient banded in Mexico. Very often they use older band models rather than the most recent updates. Some even still use the old 4cc bands. The American doctors then won't touch their bands because it creates an insurance risk for them to treat a patient with an outdated band.

[a1990 55]

What is a updated band

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

What is a updated band

Just like with all medical implants, they sometimes will update their models as they find issues or ways to improve them. One example is the 4cc band that was once used. Now, they have switched to newer 10cc or 14cc bands.

Patients originally banded years ago with the 4cc bands are still treated by their doctors, but patients who now go to Mexico and get the outdated 4cc bands become a medical liability if something goes wrong. Using older generation bands is one of the way the Medical Tourism doctors in Mexico keep their prices so much lower than the American doctors. Older generation bands that are no longer used in the US are very cheap for them to buy by comparison.

[Lori Voss Green 93]

I actually work for an insurance company. I would suggest starting there...call them to see if your policy covers the lap band surgery. If it does, find out what their pre-approval criteria is. Once you have that information, then look for a doctor who is in network with your insurance and go for a consult.

[a1990 55]

Lori do you think there would be a waiting period since my policy is new but now my boyfriend has had ins.with them.for six years , I've heard there is like a 6 mo waiting period to file

[Lori Voss Green 93]

It all depends on your policy. Some people have a pre-existing waiting period on their policy, some don't. It's up to the group (who you have the insurance through...employer for example) to decide if there is a waiting period. I would definitely just call the customer service # on your insurance card and ask what your benefits are for bariatric surgery....as well as if there is any kind of waiting period.

[a1990 55]

Thanks Lori

[Lori Voss Green 93]

Anytime! I hope you are able to get the answers you need!

[a1990 55]

Me to I want this surgery very bad.like that's all I can think about lol