Congratulations and advice

First of all I would like to congratulate everyone that has taken steps for a better life. If anyone can help me I would appreciate it. I have wished for weight loss surgery quite a while now. I have been researching and am considering Either the lap band or the vertical sleeve. I am a self pay so I do have to take cost into consideration. Does anyone know of a good surgeon that is also affordable?

I don't know your area but if you are researching costs don't stop at the doctor.  I was self-pay anf my doctor performs surgery at two different hospitals.  I chose his prefered hospital ( his preference was based on the fact that at one hospital he had another doctor assist him and he recipricated and assisted for that doctor so as a team they had a lot of experience)   The difference in cost to me was over $5,000.00.  I would have paid that much more at his second choice.  My doctor's office staff called around and got the info for me.  I knew the cost of the hospital, the anestheisiologist( bad sp?), and of course the surgeon.  There is always something that comes up so I budgeted an additonal $2,000.00 and used about half of it.  Once inside they discovered a tumor on my liver that had to be biopsied so I had additional lab stuff, can't remember what else.  Hospitals in your area will be willing to give you their self-pay prices.  Good luck