Weight Loss through Lap Band Surgery – Costs and Best Bargains

Lap Band surgery is the surest way of losing fat and is fast becoming a procedure of choice the world over for people looking for a permanent solution to their ‘fatty’ problem. The cost of lap band surgery differs from city to city in the Unites States. This discrepancy comes because of the varying facilities offered by clinics performing lap band surgery as well as the differing tax structures in the individual states. Though the surgery involves no stomach stapling and is much less invasive than a gastric bypass surgery, it still requires the involvement of a surgeon, an anesthetist, a short period of hospitalization as well as post operative care and regular monitoring by a qualified physician until the patient adjusts to the special lifestyle changes necessary post surgery. At times the patient may also require a psychologist to help cope with possible psychological side effects of the surgery. Depending upon the type of Health Plan a patient has signed for, the actual costs incurred will vary. Typical fees Lap Band surgeries will include pre-operation test fees, fees for the surgeon, the anesthetist, hospital charges, surgery charges, post operative care charges in addition to costs of optional counseling. The type of health plan makes a difference to the overall billing. For example, if the health plan caters for only an out-patient surgery, where the patient will be discharged post surgery, the costs could be lower.

In any case, a safe yardstick to go by for the entire cost in the United States would be in the range of 12,000 to $30,000. Subsequent to surgery, the consulting fees for post-op care may vary from $35 to $200 per visit. In Australia and Europe, the surgery costs in itself are a little less, between $11000 and $16000, because of lower overhead costs. Other countries to look out for even better bargains with equal if not better facilities include Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, India, Mexico, Brazil, and Canada. These countries, contrary to popular belief do specialize in Lap Band surgery. India, for instance, has a pool of well trained surgeons and state-of-the-art infrastructure offering five-star treatment at bargain prices. Hospitals in Chennai offer Lap Band surgery for all of $8000 and this includes cost of airfare! Other Indian metropolitan cities such as Mumbai and Delhi too offer similar packages. Medical tourism is actively encouraged by the Government of India who considers its niche skill in surgeries as an avenue for promotion of the national talent as well as the Tourism industry. Indian hospitals are innovative and at times offer a combined surgery cum sightseeing package also – an interesting combo!

If you are looking to get a Lap Band surgical procedure done abroad, check whether the implants being used are acceptable in your home country. If you are too sick to travel, then a Lap Band surgery near home is the best option. In such cases a good health plan or a health insurance which caters for Bariatric Surgery can help cut costs significantly. Again, be sure to look for the hidden terms and do your own research. You don’t want to land up in the middle of a nightmare, all in the hope of saving a few hundred bucks. While choosing the best bargain, be thorough in your scrutiny, read up on the Internet, review testimonials as also the recommendations of surgeons and other doctors in the know of things – safety first!

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 18th, 2008 at 11:11 pm and is filed under lap band surgery. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.