Self Pay Banding

[solaa5 0]

Hi all,

I have a question for those of you who self paid for the procedure. I have Cigna and submitted all my documents to the 10/11/07. We have still not heard from them (they said something about taking 30days).

Anyway, my BMI is 41, I weigh 235 and I am 5'2 with no co-ormobidities. I am a size 16 (comfortably) with most of it around my hips, thighs and butt.

O.K, my question...I am so anxious to get this done (my surgery date is Oct. 29th). At this point in my life, I am 29 and have been overweight all my life, and I cannot afford to do another six months of anything- although I don't think that will be the basis of denial from Cigna. I won't be fat at my 30th birthday.

No matter what, I am getting the surgery done even if I have to pay for it. So, I'd like to know how much it costs, for those of you who had to pay out of pocket? In addition, do the fills cost extra?

I can't imagine living another day of being fat and since I have made the decision to let this body go, I am ready to pay no matter what.

Any information regarding self paying would be great.

Thanks

[Beehive 0]

I checked in Danbury CT and lapband procedure is $18,500 for self-pay. Fills are $250. Hope this helps. Prices differ from state to state from what I understand

[meg1778 1]

Here in Arizona there are at least two doctors offering the procedure for $16000 self pay. That $16000 includes lab work, the procedure and the first year of fills.

Call a few doctors in your area and see what they offer.

[BansterNYC 0]

I have CIGNA, but was denied by them 3 times, and thus I am now scheduled to for surgery in Mexico this week. My BMI is 36 and I don't have co-mobities that CIGNA recognizes. (I do have asthma and arthritis in hips and knees.) First denial took over 30 days after I called and bugged them about the 30 day time frame. The next denial took 15 days after I submitted additional info, and then final denial took 15 days. They say I am "too healthy" to have the surgery.

CIGNA will likely ask for you to show documentation that your BMI has been 40+ for the past 5 years. It would be a good idea to contact all doctors (even OB/GYN) and get copies of your medical records to prove your weight history.

Also, CIGNA is SUPER STRICT about the doctor supervised diet. It has to run for at least 6 months, and you MUST visit the doctor every 30 days to document your progress. Commercial programs such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig don't count as supervised programs. You doc meeds to diagnose you with "Morbid Obesity" (not just Obesity) and put you on a diet plan. You will then need to submit all those doc records of the diet plan.

Good luck!

[BansterNYC 0]

My surgery is $8500 in Mexico.

[ras141414 0]

8000.00 surg 95.00 for fills

TJ MEXICO

[Brandy~ 2]

Hmm I have seen posts on here as low as 7500 in mexico.

[delaunte 0]

Most Dr's in Dallas are 15000.00 I found one for 12,500.00. Dr. Naaman in Houston is 11,000.00

[solaa5 0]

Thanks everyone. Mexico is simply not an option for me...

It's not that I don't trust their great doctors, but once you buy a ticket and make all the extra trips, when iy's all said and done, you will have most likely spent all the money you would have paid if you would have done it here.

My fee is $2745 for the surgeon, $1217 for the anesthecia and $9000 for the hospital. It come up to a total of $13000. And it's been done in one of the best hospitals in the country, GW- George Washington Hospital in DC.

Can't beat that...

[rollomosher 0]

Anyone know the prices for Canada? I live in MI right at the bridge.........are they cheaper than here?

[kagoscuba 0]

Nope you sure can't. That's $9k less than I paid.