Got my Funds together today

I finally went ahead and got my RSP cashed in so I go ahead with the lap band surgery.
I'm pretty excited ... although a little freaked too!!  I got an email from Creditview and they suggest I think about the gastric balloon ... anyone have any thoughts.  I am leaning toward the lapband, I think I'd like to drop between 60 and 70 lbs.

If you are self pay I would strongly urge you to check out the gastric sleeve. The band is the last thing you want if you are self pay. I've seen too many people need further surgeries for flipped ports or replacement of bands that had to pay for this too because it is related to the band. Not to mention that fills and unfills can cost a fortune even if they are covered for the year bcause many of the problems come on after a year or 2. With the sleeve you get the same restrictive surgery as the band but it's one surgery and no fills or unfills to deal with. It is not a malabsoptive surgery so you needent worry about that. The lap band can be so iffy as to whether it is going to work for you where the sleeve is pretty much cut and go, no great amount of follow up. Good luck whatever you decide!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my band !!!! However after having it a year and having good insurance I would tell you the same thing.... if you are self pay or using credit to get it ....I would pick another surgery!  If you have ins that covers some of it and will help cover your follow up care that is one thing but if you are totally self pay research aftercare and options before deciding. I know nothing about the gastric balloon? and not alot more about the sleeve as it was pretty new and not covered by my ins until right before I had surgery but look into everything.
With the band your aftercare is crucial to it working. In the first year I went to the Dr for check ins and adjustments (fills/unfill) about every 4-6 weeks. Those visist are expensive but neccesary as most people DO NOT get much if any restriction until after a few fills. So that means you will be in a sense dieting until you get to that point and that might take 2 visits or 6 visits ya never know. Everyone is different and each Dr has their or agenda when doing fills some more aggressive than others. Anyways those appts can run at or over 200.00 a visit. Then there is always the chance as with any surgery that you will have complications and since the band is a foreign device in your body it may need to be repaired or replaced at any point. I am in no way trying to talk you out of the band I love mine just want you to be sure you can keep up with it after you get it. :) Good luck making your decision!

I too agree!!!    I LOVE my band... BUT my insurance covered 100% of it.  

The aftercare is alot if you're self pay.     I'd look into the sleeve as well. 

60-70 lbs??  wow...  I wish that's all I had to lose..    Dont take this the wrong way, but that's not a huge amount to lose....  I was 170 lbs overweight...

Good luck!

Hi there,
I was a selfpay.  My hubby and I still feel it was the best investment we could have done.  The vertical sleeve is also a good surgery.  You should talk to your surgeon about your weight loss goal of 60-70lbs & what he or she recommends.  But one thing my surgeon did for me as a self-pay (and I have heard of some others that do this for self-pays) was that they set it up for me as a "package".  The surgery price included all the preop tests, nutrition appointments, psych exam, etc, the surgery itself with an overnight in the hospital, and then a year of postop visits with my surgeon and/or his nurse.  I am over a year out now & have been back twice.  The rate they are charging me for the followups is really reasonable.  If you would like to stick with the band, it is something you might consider.

Another one of my friends who was a selfpay decided on the sleeve & has no reqrets.  You may want to check out the sleeve & see what they have to say.

I was self pay and it was the best investment I  have ever made for me.  Like Ambelina, my doctor set up a package for me and it included everything and then a years worth of fills and visits all included.

He said the first yr is the most crucial and then after the first yr you should be set on the amount you want and then we only see him every 3-6 months if we dont have problems.

My doc only charges 80 bucks for fills which is very reasonable.

I knew the risks of what could happen with the band, but the way I look at it, I have lost over 50 pounds , 30 inches , and have quit smoking for almost 8 months now that to me is worth the band right there . I have added yrs to my life just from not smoking anymore .

I honestly couldn't have afforded my band if I had to pay for my fills too.  I think my surgeon charges $300 for fills.  I have had 10 fills and 1 unfill ...that would have been way too much money.  All I want to say is if no one has discussed it with you,,,please think of the cost of aftercare before you commit to the band.  I know some doctors include a package with fills. 

I am just trying to put myself in the shoes of someone who would have to self pay for all the fills.

I was self-pay and it's the best decision I have ever made and the best investment I've made to address my health.  My self-pay package included 6 months of aftercare (fills, etc.). 

With the savings in my overall food bills and even one of the medications that I am no longer taking, I will have no issue whatsoever planning for the payments that I will make for future fills once my 6 months of included aftercare is done.

Good luck - wish you the best~!