Sticker Shock...Help!

Okay everyone here's the deal.  I went to Dr. Wellborn's seminar and think the lap-band will be the perfect tool to aid in my battle with the bulge but I am freaked out by the cost.  With today's economy it's scary to take on new debt in addition to a new house payment and student loans.  I am going to have to pay for everything since my insurance through my school district covers squat.  I need for you to put your two cents worth in...I need some advice.   Thanks!!!

Dr. Wellborn did my lap band  surgery on May 1, and I was a self pay patient so if you have any specific questions feel free to pm me
I have lost about 50 pounds since surgery but still trying to get to my "sweet spot" I already feel so much better and still losing.... wooohooo!!
I even spent a week in Disney World and a week on a Cruise Ship and still lost weight, I think it is the best thing I have ever done for myself, I just wish I had done it years ago!!
Mary Lou

Mary Lou,

I've sent a PM asking lots of questions about your surgery and Dr. Wellborn.

Thanks,

You might as well consider me self-pay since my insurance covered a whole $4K on my surgery. Although $4K is nothing to sneeze at, it's like a slap in the face when they say they cover bariatric surgery...HARDLY!!!! Anyways, I don't know how old you are, but I graduated from college about a year and a half ago so I also have some student loans and we bought a house just months before I decided I wanted WLS.
I actually couldn't get a loan on my own because I didn't have substantial collateral. However, my grandma is a nurse and watched my grandpa die a very young death due to diabetes and although I wasn't a diabetic, I was headed in that direction. She didn't want the same fate for me. She is the only reason I was able to have my surgery. She told me that $17K was a small price to pay for my health. She also told me that years wasted due to my health is something I would never be able to get back and if I didn't get myself in control now, I would almost certainly be sending myself to early grave.
My grandma is very blunt, but it also hit home for me. My grandmother only has 2 grandchildren (me being the youngest) and I was about 5 when my grandpa died. There are very few things that I remember about him and I don't want that for my grandchildren.
I'm just sharing my adventures in weight loss surgery. I guess if I was in your position and could get a loan, I would decide the stability of my job and any other sources of income as well as my ability to repay the loan. You may want to opt for a longer term on your loan and then add principal reduction payments to pay it down quicker. However, if times get tough, you will have some leverage without defaulting on your loan.
Good luck with your decision!

I am a teacher and my husband works for walmart...same boat as you as far as insurance goes.
I am going to Mexico. I think lap band with my doctor is 7K.  I was going to get lap band, but after all the people that have gotten a VSG after the band, I decided to go with the VSG.  It is 10K.

Haven't been there yet, but I have seen almost all positives about my doc.

Might check him out.

I've already had my surgery silly! Thanks for the suggestion though. I have mixed emotions about doctors in Mexico even though I have seen some great things come out of there.

I should have put

Beth,

and then my message!

I get what you were saying now...hehe.

Hey Nicole,

Thanks for the info...I've sent you a PM with more questions.

Lora Beth