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Will Blue Cross Blue Shield pay for lap band surgery?

Author

Matthew Martinez

Updated on March 01, 2026

Will Blue Cross Blue Shield pay for lap band surgery?

Blue Cross and Blue Shield will cover your LAP-BAND Surgery as long as you meet your BCBS insurance plan's requirements for bariatric surgery.

Moreover, what do you need to qualify for lap band surgery?

To be eligible for lap-band surgery, a patient must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 30 or higher and suffer from a comorbidity such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

Additionally, can you have a baby after lap band surgery? It is safe to get pregnant with a LAP-BAND®, but women are usually advised to wait a year or two after surgery before becoming pregnant. Most weight-loss occurs during the first year, so it is usually better to wait until your weight stabilizes before considering a pregnancy.

Besides, does Aetna cover lap band surgery?

Aetna. Aetna doesn't offer any individual health plan that covers bariatric surgery. Most Aetna group HMO and POS plans exclude coverage of surgical operations, procedures or treatment of obesity unless approved by Aetna.

Can you drink alcohol with a lap band?

Avoid alcohol for the first six months after bariatric surgery. When you get permission to start drinking alcohol again, avoid carbonated beverages and sugary drink mixers. Remember that after surgery, even small amounts of alcohol can cause intoxication and low blood sugar.

Does insurance pay for lap band?

Insurance is typically the best way to go when you are considering weight loss surgery. However, many procedures are not covered by insurance. Today gastric sleeves, laparoscopic gastric bypass and lap gastric bands are typically covered by most major insurance companies.

How much does lap band cost with insurance?

The LAP-BAND® System generally costs anywhere between $9,000 and $18,000. Pricing varies between weight loss clinics, based on factors such as demand, insurance coverage and location. Insurance companies may help cover the cost of bariatric procedures, including the LAP-BAND®.

What is the safest weight loss surgery?

A sleeve gastrectomy is a simpler operation that gives them a lower-risk way to lose weight. If needed, once they've lost weight and their health has improved -- usually after 12 to 18 months -- they can have a second surgery, such as gastric bypass.

How much does a stomach band cost?

What's The Cost of Lap Band Surgery? The lap band surgery generally costs between $9,000 and $18,000, although it generally sits at an average of around $14,300. The wide variation is due to many factors, including who your surgeon is, your insurance, what state you live in, and what complications arise.

How long does it take to get approved for gastric sleeve surgery?

The entire process, from consultation to surgery, generally takes about six months to complete. It often depends on you and your insurance requirements. If you are interested in bariatric surgery but aren't sure where to start, our step-by-step guide can help.

How can I pay for bariatric surgery without insurance?

Thankfully, there are six financing options available to help make the cost more manageable.
  1. Secured medical loan. According to Bariatric Surgery Source, one common source of financing is a secured medical loan.
  2. Hospital payment plan.
  3. 401(k) loan.
  4. CareCredit.
  5. Health savings account.
  6. Personal loan.

Which weight loss surgery is best for me?

The two most common weight loss procedures are Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. “For an average patient with severe obesity, both procedures are good options since they are relatively similar,” says bariatric surgeon Ali Aminian, MD.

What is the minimum weight for lap band surgery?

To be eligible for bariatric surgery, you must be between 16 and 70 years of age (with some exceptions) and morbidly obese (weighing at least 100 pounds over your ideal body weight and having a BMI of 40).

What's the difference between lap band and sleeve?

In lap band surgery, an adjustable band is wrapped around the top portion of the stomach, leaving only a small section that can hold food. In gastric sleeve surgery, weight loss doctors remove up to 80% of the stomach, creating a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach.

How long does a lap band last?

Complications of Lap Band

However, the majority of patients do not have good results from this procedure because of its many disadvantages and complications. Many studies have shown that more than half of the gastric bands are removed due to inadequate weight loss or complications after 7-10 years.

Is lap band removal painful?

In some cases, a band is removed because it slipped or eroded. When the band is removed, the doctor also removes the tube and port. The cuts (incisions) the doctor made in your belly will probably be sore for a few days after the surgery. The stitches will dissolve on their own.

Is Lap Band surgery painful?

You may be feeling some regular nagging pain in your abdomen. Again, most of the pain will be at the site of the Lap Band port. This is typically located a few inches under your ribs on your left side. Continue to take your pain medication as needed.

Does insurance cover lap band removal?

If your initial surgery was covered by insurance, it's highly likely that lap band removal will also be covered. It may even pay for a new or different bariatric procedure. However, if your insurance will not pay for removal, oBand has great financing options to help you afford the procedure.

Who is at risk for dumping syndrome?

Who is most at risk for getting dumping syndrome? You are more likely to experience early or late dumping syndrome if you have had certain types of gastric surgeries. It is most common in people who have had surgeries that remove or bypass large portions of the stomach.

What can disqualify you from bariatric surgery?

People who are not good candidates for bariatric (weight loss) surgery include those who: are medically fragile and could not safely undergo surgery. have psychiatric issues including eating disorders that are not fully managed. refuse to quit smoking.

How do I get approved for weight loss surgery?

Learn your body mass index

Morbid obesity is defined as a BMI score of 40 or more. You typically qualify for bariatric surgery if you have a BMI of 35-39, with specific significant health problems like Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea or high blood pressure. A BMI of 40 or higher also is a qualifying factor.

How do I qualify for weight loss surgery?

Guidelines to qualify for gastric bypass surgery
  • Efforts to lose weight with diet and exercise have been unsuccessful.
  • Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher.
  • Your BMI is 35 or more and you have a serious weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea.

Does Aetna pay for weight loss programs?

The Aetna Weight Management discount program was launched in late 2006 and is available to all plan sponsors at no charge. Aetna members and their eligible family members can save on weight-loss programs and products from one of the world's largest weight management firms – Jenny Craig.

Do I qualify for gastric sleeve?

In general, sleeve gastrectomy surgery could be an option for you if: Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (extreme obesity). Your BMI is 35 to 39.9 (obesity), and you have a serious weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea.

How much does sleeve surgery cost?

Central Coast Surgery Gastric Sleeve Clinic

Without health insurance, it can cost up to about $20,000.

What insurance pays for gastric sleeve?

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and United Healthcare all cover the majority of or parts of gastric sleeve surgeries for patients that meet the eligibility criteria.

Does Medicare pay for weight loss surgery?

Medicare will cover weight loss surgeries if your doctor recommends the procedure based on medical necessity. There are certain criteria that you need to meet to prove the procedure is medically necessary, such as: a body mass index (BMI) that is at least 35 or higher.

What is Candy Cane syndrome?

Candy cane syndrome is a rare complication reported in bariatric patients following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. It occurs when there is an excessive length of roux limb proximal to gastrojejunostomy, creating the possibility for food particles to lodge and remain in the blind redundant limb.

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Will Blue Cross Blue Shield pay for lap band surgery?