I am in the same boat. I plan to save as much as I can in the next six months and then find the best loan for the balance. It is very hard not to get discouraged. I watch videos of people that have had their surgeries and draw encouragement from their success. Don't lose heart. Keep researching different options. Have you checked out ww.wlsfa.com? They give grants for the surgery. You have to go through a process. It may be worth your time to check it out. Take care.