Weight loss can change your life and significantly improve your health. Many people don’t realize that the cost of lap band surgery is relatively small compared to obesity-related costs. You may also find that dramatic weight loss can greatly reduce weight-related costs, which on average can be more than $15,000 a year! What better investment could you make in yourself and your future?

Today many health plans cover the LAP-BAND ® or REALIZE BAND ® procedure and most if not all of 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. Talk to your surgeon about health plans in your area that cover LAP-BAND® or REALIZE BAND ® surgery. In some cases your insurance may not cover the LAP-BAND® or REALIZE BAND ® procedure. This can be in the form of a "Denial" to what is called a Prior Authorization Request.

Following denial or when insurance coverage for the LAP-BAND ® System procedure is not available, there are several alternatives that can be considered as viable payment options. These include lump sum payment and affordable patient financing.

Beginning January 1st of 2008 (for a limited time), we are pleased to be able to offer either the LAP-BAND ® or REALIZE BAND ® procedure at JourneyLite of Cincinnati (our state-of-the-art outpatient gastric band center), for $12,999 (this is one of the most affordable prices in the region).  This includes surgery, anesthesia, outpatient stay, and 2 years of band adjustments and care from Dr. Curry's experienced team.  If you are price shopping, do not underestimate the value of 2 years of aftercare as we feel strongly that this is critical to your long-term success.

Watch Our Short LAP-BAND® Movie
Affordability Calculator
Potential Tax Savings

Watch the LAP-BAND® Video

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The Affordability Calculator

Our calculator can help you determine your approximate current weight-related expenses. It will also calculate your approximate savings should you choose to finance your LAP-BAND® or REALIZE BAND procedure.

Potential Tax Savings

In the year you finance your LAP-BAND® or REALIZE BAND procedure, you may be eligible to receive thousands of dollars back in potential tax savings. Think of this as a discount on your procedure. IRS Publication 502 states you can deduct only your medical and dental expenses when they total more than 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income (see p. 2 of publication 502). Adjusted gross income is your total income less a few very specific deductions. Medical expenses may include fees paid to doctors, payments for hospital services, prescription drug costs, physician co-pays and the cost of participating in a weight-loss program for a specific disease, including obesity. Speak with your tax advisor or see IRS publication 502 for details.

There are many financial options available to you when considering weight loss surgery. We hope that this information has provided you with a better understanding of the affordability of weight loss surgery. Our Cincinnati, Ohio practice is here to help you. Contact us to take the first step of your journey to a healthier life.