Cost of Lapband Surgery
Often, people try dieting and exercising to lose weight. However, these methods may not always work as quickly or as effectively as desired. When a person is extremely obese, she may seek out other methods of losing weight, such as surgery. Lap-band surgery is one type of surgical weight-loss procedure.
Identification
Lap-band surgery is the name of a surgical procedure that is used to help people lose weight. This surgery gets its name from the adjustable, silicone gastric band that is placed around the top portion of the patient's stomach. The band is referred to as the lap-band system, which is FDA approved. The purpose of the lap band is to minimize a person's hunger, making him feel as if he needs to eat less food and making him feel full much faster.
Costs
Lap-band surgery can be very costly. According to the Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery, the cost of lap-band surgery in the United States generally ranges from $17,000 to $30,000. This figure may include pre-surgery consultations and examinations; the surgery itself; post-surgery recovery costs; and any necessary hospitalization. Additionally, the cost may cover post-surgery office visits and examinations.
Lap-Band Candidates
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), lap-band surgery procedures are intended for use by those who are considered morbidly obese. To be considered morbidly obese, a person typically has to be at least 100 lbs over her ideal body weight. According to the NIH, many people who are considered morbidly obese attempt nonsurgical methods of losing weight, only to regain the lost pounds within 2 to 4 years.
Insurance
In the past, many insurance companies refused to pay for weight-loss surgery. Today, however, some insurance companies are willing to do so, as long as patients meet their criteria. Each health-insurance company has different criteria for paying for weight-loss surgery, as well as other procedures. Some of the most common requirements include a referral letter from a medical doctor stating that the surgery is medically necessary; a body mass index (BMI) over 35 or 40; a history of obesity that spans at least 5 years; proof of previous attempts to lose weight; documentation of dieting done under medical supervision; and a psychological exam.
FDA
According to one study by the FDA, the average weight loss of a United States lap-band surgery patient was about 36 percent in the 3 years following the procedure. Over 50 percent of patients lost more than 25 percent of their extra pounds. Additionally, some lap-band surgery patients dropped more than 75 percent of their excess weight. However, some lost no weight at all.
