Thank you for your interest in the Montrose LAP-BAND Weight-loss Program. The following information has been compiled as an aid for new patients who are ready to begin their exciting LAP-BAND weight-loss journey.

Brief overview:
1. Download and complete patient information and provide medical history from our Downloads Page.
2. Schedule your initial LAP-BAND evaluation consultation with our Bariatric Nurse Coordinator, Whitney Hutto.
3. Call your insurance to assure it is a covered benefit or Contact our Finance Coordinator, Jodi Harceg, if you need financing.
4. Pre-Surgical appointment with Dr Sawyer.
5. Complete the two week pre-op diet.

Step One:
Schedule your free initial consultation and evaluation with our Bariatric Nurse Coordinator, Whitney. You can schedule this appointment by calling 970-240-0378 or email her on the Contact Us page.

Step Two:
Secure a form of financing for your surgery. Payment is required to schedule your surgery and we have ways to help you. Below is a company we work closely with to make financing possible:

(Be sure to mention Montrose Lap Band as your provider to get the best rates available.)

Should you have insurance, check to make sure that surgery and the treatment for obesity, and weight-loss, are covered benefits in your plan if you will be seeking reimbursement from your insurance company. Criteria for coverage will vary from insurance company to insurance company. Secondly, you may need to provide your insurance company with certain information and codes to determine if the procedure is covered.

The following codes will assist you when calling your carrier to determine if these items are a covered benefit.
Primary diagnosis is Morbid Obesity 278.01
The CPT (procedure) code for the LAP-BAND is 43770.

Denied coverage? If your insurance states that obesity surgery is excluded in your policy then the LAP-BAND surgery and the weight-loss Program will not be covered by your insurance. But, we would like to help you with identifying other financing options and have provided some very helpful information on our Financing page. Please click Financing more information.

*Additional facility expenses: As with any other Outpatient Elective surgery, you may have co-pay, deductible, or out-of-pocket expenses that your surgical facility may require you to pay.

Step Three:
For the health and safety of our patients, we follow the National Institute of Health (NIH) guidelines for Bariatric Surgery. These guidelines require a Psychological Evaluation and a Nutrition Assessment before LAP-BAND Surgery. Once you have chosen a method of payment for the procedure, our Bariatric Nurse Coordinator, Lois, will need to make appointments for your Psychological Evaluation and Nutrition Assessment.

Step Four:
Pre-Op appointment with Dr Sawyer. You and Dr Sawyer will discuss your pre-op diet, designed to make your surgery safer by reducing the liver size. Dr Sawyer will also discuss what to expect in the coming weeks before and after surgery.

Step Five:
Surgery! It's time to begin your weight loss to a healthier new you.