Lap Band Surgery - Lap-Band Procedure Cost and Removal

The cost of a lap-band procedure will vary from state to state and even from city to city, and it is difficult to predict what your actual costs will be. Generally speaking the cost of the procedure (facility, surgeon, and anesthesiologist) can run from $12,000 to $30,000.

In addition to the surgery, you will need to be seen by your doctor for follow-up care and adjustments to the lap-band so that you get the best results. These follow-up visits will run from approximately $35.00 to $200.00 each, depending upon how long you are in the office for each follow-up visit.

Insurance and Health Plans. As the number of Americans diagnosed as morbidly obese continues to grow, so does the need for weight loss surgery. Insurance companies are aware of this medical necessity, and many have added coverage for obesity surgery into their policies in cases where the surgery is found to be medically necessary.

Today many health plans cover the lap-band procedure which means most, if not all, the costs will be paid for. Each health plan will have certain criteria that need to be met before you can actually have the surgery.

In some cases your insurance may not cover the lap-band procedure and will issue a "denial" to your "prior authorization request." A denial may be due to a medical policy exception clause, or your health plan may not cover bariatric (weight-loss) surgery. Depending upon the reason for the denial, you and your doctor may still be able to reverse the denial.

Your surgeon may suggest removal of the band if there is a problem with the band, if you can't lose enough weight or can't adjust to the new eating habits. This decision will come after your surgeon consults with you. You can expect your stomach to return to its original form and the digestive tract to function normally after the lap-band has been removed. However, when the band is removed, your weight will likely increase.