Lap band costs...

susannah · October 11, 2006

Hi All, just wondering if you found the out of pocket cost of having the procedure done hard to cover. I have saved the $3500.00 that I need to pay, but it took me a while. I didn't want to whack it on to my plastic fantastic. I also didn't want to have to pay back a loan etc.

My friends have been asking me where I am going on holidays over the Christmas break and I have told them to hospital! That is where my money is going.LOL! :wacko: Nice holiday. But i believe it is an investment in my health so that I can enjoy future holidays more. Cheers. Susannah

Goannabanda · October 11, 2006

Hi Susannah,

I was banded last week at Mulgrave. My out of pocket costs were more like $3,750, including Optifast, Vitamins etc.

We paid for it out of our home loan equity, and will pay it back over the next few months. We hated taking the money out of our loan, but it was either do that or wait another 6 to 12 months to save up. We didn't want to wait to save, because we want to complete our family before our 5 1/2 yr old starts university! LOL!

We believe that this is an investment in our family's future health, not just mine, as it we believe that there will be many flow-on effects to benefit the health of our entire family. We are thankful that the cost was within an affordable range for us (just) to allow us to make the decsion to go ahead on health grounds, not financial grounds; and to be able to go ahead without having to wait at the mercy of the public health system.

Hehehe! I am going to go back to work on Monday to the questions of "did you enjoy your leave?". My answer will be a firm "YES!!!", because I am feeling so great that I did this for myself and my family. The pain is temporary and doesn't matter in the long run.

Good luck with your pre-op - keep us updated as to your progress.

Anna.

susannah · October 12, 2006

Hi Anna, i can feel how positive you sound just by reading your words. Yay:) You have made a good decision to take out the loan for your health's sake. I think you are right too when you say that the whole family can benefit.

I forgot to factor in the other small expenses in the total out of pocket costs.

With a few consultations with the surgeon etc the cost will probably nudge 4k.

Best money that I will spend I think! Good on you. Susannah

Marijana · October 12, 2006

Hi Susanah..I didn't have private Health Insurance so I had to fork out 12k for my op!! We had to take it out of our mortgage..I was hesitant about it but my fiancee finally put his foot down!! lol and made the decision abit easier..The way he put it was: I'd rather pay that money now for your health rather than paying that for your funeral!! That was an eyeopener for me big time..I didn't realise just how much my weight is affecting my health. Thank Goodness I don't have any major health issues at the moment. So I don't feel bad about spending that money..my health is more important than anything. I can't wait to loose all the weight!!

lisah25 · October 12, 2006

We did home equity also, for both DH two years ago and then me. We joke that DH has my new kitchen in him, I have his new car in me!

And honestly, that was part of how I was OK with spending the money. I could have spent a lot more on a car, that I'd drive what, 7 years?, and that wouldn't improve my life nearly as much.

#nineinkentucky · October 13, 2006

Hello I am new to this group, I have Humana insurance, is there still an out of pocket cost in the 3000-4000 range? Thanks for any information you can give.

Goannabanda · October 14, 2006

Hello I am new to this group, I have Humana insurance, is there still an out of pocket cost in the 3000-4000 range? Thanks for any information you can give.

The posts in this thread relate to Australian banding costs. Our health system is very different to the US / Canadian system. You'd be best to check out some of the posts in the LBT Insurance section for locally-relevant advice.

Good luck!