Financing

Should you require financial counseling Heather will be glad to answer all your questions and help you through the financing process. Heather can assist you with many forms of creative financing solutions such as multiple lenders including Med Loan, Medical Financing Solutions, home equity loans and 0% credit cards.

The Self-Pay price for the LAP-BAND^® Surgery is less than $9 per day on approved credit.
The following services are included:

Pre-Op Appointment
Dietician Evaluation
Behavioral Assessment
Pre-Op Lab at Quest Diagnostics
Surgeon’s Fee
Facility Fee: The Specialty Surgery Center of Fort Worth
Anesthesiologist
The LAP-BAND^® Device
1 year of Follow-Up appointments
1 year of adjustments
Professional Aftercare Program

Self-Pay price for the StomaphyX Procedure is typically $9,500* (some cases may vary).
The following services are included:

Pre-Op Appointment
Surgeon’s Fee
Facility Fee: The Specialty Surgery Center of Fort Worth
Anesthesiologist
StomaphyX Device
2 Follow-Up appointments

* An EGD is required to determine if you are a candidate for the StomaphyX procedure. The EGD is not included in the price. We will bill your insurance company for this.

Potential Tax Savings
In the year you finance or pay cash for your LAP-BAND^® System, you may be eligible to receive thousands of dollars back in potential tax savings. IRS Publication 502 states you can deduct your medical and dental expenses when they total more than 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income, see the IRS publication and the Medical Expense Tax Deduction Brochure found in the Library.

Remember, tax and financial circumstances are different for each person and the laws are constantly changing. This information should be not be considered financial advice or used as a substitute for the advice of an accountant or tax advisor. Seek financial advice from a professional for any questions you have.

Personal Cost of Obesity

The "personal cost of obesity" adds up to $15,568 a year, including medications and food.* The cost of the LAP-BAND^® is approximately the same as weight-related costs for one year.

WEIGHT-RELATED COSTS

Items	Estimated Annual Cost
Medical/drug costs (BMI > 35)	$5,965
Out-of-pocket healthcare expenses	$2,182
Employment inactivity costs	$900
Commercial weight-los program fees	$600
Prescription co-pays (5 meds at $10)	$600
Grocery and dining costs	$5,321
TOTAL	$15,568

* June 2005 online version of the Journal Health Affairs

Once you add up all the costs related to being seriously overweight, you might think that you can't afford not to have something done.

Are you on any medications?
Have you ever missed work because of your health?
Do you spend money on weight loss programs like, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig or other special diets?
By eating less you spend less on groceries and eating out.