How Much Does a Lap Band Cost and Does it Work?

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" In lap-band surgery, a silicone tube is placed around the top of the stomach so it restricts the amount of food that can be eaten at one time."

I googled an article on the governor and that's how it was explained.

My sister in law had it done, not sure how much it cost. She has lost some weight, but has not kept it all off.

Just saw on news this morning that New Jersey governor Christi just got a lap band. How much does one of these things cost? I wonder if it is worth it.

just as a comparison, eating at a moderate deficit and doing regular exercsie doesnt cost anything....

YEP!!!! And if I could go back and do it all over again... knowing what I now know about nutrition and fitness... I never wouldve had the damn thing placed...

Dont' know about the cost, but if you have insurance and meet their criteria you can get it covered as for whether or not it works, I think it depends on the person that has it done and how willing they are to stick to the rules of the plan and then the subsequent maintenance once they lose the weight so they don't gain it back. My neighbor had it done (covered by her insurance) she did well at the beginning, but when she decided to change jobs (and then subsequently lost the new job) the fills were not covered and she couldn't afford it so she stopped getting the fills done, then she stopped following the rules of the plan and started gaining again, once she got a new job and got on the insurance she said she wouldn't go back to the doctor to get the fills done until she loses all the weight she gained back after she stopped getting the fills done. And ever since she says that she's going to go back to the eating plan she had when she first got the band so she can lose the weight, but it doesn't last more than a few days before she's back to eating the way she did in the past (just Sunday when we went to dinner, she ate more than I did and actually ended up having to go to the ladies room to "purge" because she had eaten too fast)

Like ANY plan it works if you follow it. But like ALL plans, once you stop, then weight regain is inevitable if the protocol isn't still followed to a point.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I got the lab band 4 years ago. I had to lose at least 10 pounds before the surgery on my own. My insurance did not cover it, so I had to pay the entire thing out of pocket. I was able to lose 10 additional pounds after the surgery. I started having issues where I was not able to eat the right foods and they would just get stuck and I would end up PB'ng (regurgitation of non-acidic swallowed food from the upper pouch). I tried so hard to make it work, and in the end it just did not. I still have the band and my goal is to remove it this year, but I have not had anything in the band for the past 2 years. I am not the only person I know who this procedure has not worked for.

The problem with this procedure is that you have to constantly go to your doctors to have Saline Solution added to your band to make it tighter as you lose weight. These are called adjustments and can also be expensive. I would definitely look at what other procedures are out there. With the lap band you have to be very restrictive. There is more responsibility on you than the procedure.

My surgeon is not doing these as much since there are more people who this procedure does not work for. Also there are many different procedures out there that are better. I was thinking about the sleeve, but again I would have to pay for it in full since my insurance does not cover it and I am not ready to do that. I have started to lower my carb intake and slowly the pounds are coming off. I am working out more and not as hungry so for whatever reason I am doing it on my own now and it is working.
Good luck in whatever you decide.

My mother has the lap band and had little success. She lost weight rapidly in the beginning, but then stalled. She followed the plan (and still does) but the diet alone would turn me off. As someone above said, it is a lifelong change you are making and you need to do as much research as possible if you are considering it.

That's part of the reason I chose to lose weight through diet and exercise. I have watched her be miserable for three years. I wish I could convince her to have it removed, but she still hopes it will work if she keeps at it.

No matter how you decide to lose weight, it's a life long change. Personally I'd rather do it without surgical intervention. You will still need the willpower and support to stick to whatever plan you decide. Unless you have serious health issues, like imminent death from being obese, why not try changing your lifestyle and eating/exercise habits before resorting to surgery?

marygee- I wouldn't discount the financial gain the doctors will make by talking you into having it done. They make lots of $$ off of this type of procedure.

Depending on where you live, plan on $3000.00 out of pocket cost, up front.
You have to return later to have the "fills", adding more fluid to the band to
allow for stomach stretching, and keeping your intake the same.
The charge for this is out of pocket also, and expensive.
If you have more than 100 pounds to lose and have a lifestyle that
keeps you from exercise, then talk to your family doctor first.
You can gain weight or not lose at all if you don't keep up
with the fills, I would think long and hard before going forward,
and read the posts from those who have had the procedure done.
I chose not to and have managed to lose over 100 pounds.
Good Luck

My mom works at a bariatric weight loss clinic. Lap band i think is around 19-20K. My mom has seen a lot of successful patients with the lap band, HOWEVER, she see's a much higher failure rate with them than with gastric bypass or vertical gastric sleeve.

My PCP and Pain Clinic doctors have both been after me to have WLS. I was considering the band thinking it would be better because they were not cutting away part of my stomache and figured I could have it taken out if I wasn't happy. My S.O. has been begging me not to take the risk...

This thread has opened my eyes! I knew in the back of my mind that even with the band I would still have to "eat properly" to maintain any weight loss -- I didn't realize you had to go back to doctor for "fillings" - but I thought I'd be able to eat anything because I would only be able to "fit" a small amount of food into my stomache with the band in place.

I've felt a lot of pressure from the doctors - Guess I'll have to show them (and me) that I can do this without surgery.

Thanks OP for posting your question -- the answers were very helpful to me. :flowerforyou:

As someone who works in a medically-related field, my advice for you is to get a new doctor, or at the very least, a second opinion. You might want to see a D.O. rather than an M.D. Also, I'd see if you can find a nutritionist or a weight-loss clinic that can give you the support you need to lose the weight naturally. In my opinion, a weight loss clinic and eating/exercise plan should be your first stop before WLS is even considered.

Good luck!

No. Thanks.

Here's something better that's not only cheaper (it's actually free) and won't make you risk your life and health:

Figure out your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expediture) and BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate). Then eat at at a 20% calorie deficit and exercise.

The results will be better, you'll be happier, have more energy, and not be sick from complications from unneeded surgery.

^This.

I suggest looking into seminars that your local surgeons conduct. They're typically free, and very informative. My Band was placed almost 5 years ago... At my lowest, I had lost 120 lbs. Yes, it works... to a point. Its a tool... not a cure. I work out 5 days a week and I'm on here... which means... Im counting my calories. If your band isnt used the way its supposed to be, then no... it wont work.

cost... varies per surgeon, however mine was covered under my insurance.

Very good point, here. A good friend of mine got one, and has not lost a pound. In fact, she has gained. She lost more on the pre-surgery diet than she did since getting the band. Ultimately, she wasn't ready to make the necessary changes to how she ate, or how much she exercised (which for the record is none), for it to be effective.

I had it done in August and I am down 62 lbs. The cost was $15K for the hospital and another $10K for the surgeon and anesthesia. My OOP cost was about $2K - I had to meet my insurance deductible. Insurance covers my fills - I just pay my office visit co-pay.

I have 6 small scars on my stomach area. The longest one is about 2" and the smallest one is about 1/4". I spent one night in the hospital. My recovery time was about 3 days before I was back to work but I work full time from home. I was on a liquid diet (protein shakes, soups, chili, yogurt, etc.) for 2 weeks and then progressed to solids.

I eat protein, veggies, fruit and some fats. I don't eat bread, pasta or most other carbs - but I have Celiac disease so I don't eat a lot of that stuff anyway. Occasionally I have a few bites of pizza or a cookie but it's a rare occasion instead of an every day thing.

I take normal OTC chewable vitamins - I take a daily multi and a calcium with Vitamin D. I don't spend hundreds of dollars on vitamins as a previous poster said.

I eat small amounts several times a day. My daily calorie goal is between 1000 and 1200 and I try to hit that target. I am supposed to eat between 65 and 80 grams of protein a day. When I don't feel like eating in the mornings I have a protein shake instead.

I don't throw up all the time. If you are throwing up all the time, your band is too tight and you need to have some fill removed. It's a process for the doctor to get you into the green zone for the fills and every person is different. I go back once a month right now to have it adjusted.

It's a tool. It is not a magic cure all. It helps me control portion sizes. I cannot overeat without throwing up so I don't. I can't scarf down a whole 1 lb bag of chips or a container of ice cream or a package of cookies or a whole pizza like I used to. I eat about 3 oz of protein and 1/2 cup of veggies or fruit at a meal.

Since having the surgery I have stopped take 2 of my 3 BP medications, both my GERD meds and my anti-depressant. I have a lot more energy and I feel much better.