newbie - Qs about cost; just off the phone w/ Ins Co

[aviva1979 375]

Hi Everyone,

I've been considering lap band for a couple of years now - more idly, and now more aggresively. I've had an up and down weight battle most of my life. My first 18 years of life were filled with sports, then I went to college and have had a sedentary life-style since then, and have gained about 120 lbs in the last 15 years. I've done food journaling, calorie-counting, been a gym rat, and spent a few years very into bellydance. At my healthiest pre-college I was around 175. My healthiest post-college days ranged from 230-245. 2 years ago I did another big push and lost 30lbs and ran my first 5k (i was 270 at my lowest there) - then in the last 2 years i've moved, changed jobs, gained 20 of it back - and this fall injured my knee gaining the last 10 back and probably a few more than that.

My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for the last 8 months with no success. I'm sure part of my fertility challenge is weight related. I'm now nervous that I would have a really hard time if I even got pregnant, and my #1 goal is to get to a place where I can be a healthy pregnant lady and healthy mom. I've already found the pregnancy group on this site and found it most helpful!

I just made the call to my insurance company (Cigna) to see what their requirements are, and I have a msg out to the closest surgeon who does this (40 miles away), and will call my PCP on monday to make an appointment and go about the process to (hopefully) be deemed medically necessary. I am curious if anyone has info on what the cost might be like if for some reason I can't go through my insurance. At this point, I'd be willing to talk to my bank about a loan if that's what it takes.

It's been very inspiring to read ppl's success stories on here, and equally reassuring to see the support this community gives members. I'm glad I found this site. It's helping make my decision a bit easier!

[CHEZNOEL 4,061]

I was self pay, and the net out of pocket was around 10K.

[wildrose1966 396]

Self pay, Canada - $16,000 I am a patient for life price includes, all fills, unfills, nutrition, 6 personal training sessions..........any issues or problems included in that cost as well.

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

You may want to look but if I recall there is a recent thread somewhere on this forum where people all over the country posted their costs...

I live in Florida, was self pay and it was about 10k

[mama5 3]

I was self pay in November & I paid $12,000. I live in north Florida.