Self-pay panic!!

[lovinlife4eva 0]

Hey guys.... I was on the self pay forum but no one seems to be down there, so I have a question.

How many people self paid? Was it worth it? Would you do it again?

Also, if self pay, when did you feel secure in your decision? That is to say, when did you feel you "got your moneys worth"?

I am 3 weeks out today and not really losing (thank you bandster hell). I have been waking up in panic about the 12000 I spent.

Just curious....thanx guys; you're the best

Edited July 19, 2010 by lovinlife4eva

[LeighaMason 19]

I had doubts at first too but once I started getting fills I started losing 2 pounds a week and I have never regretted it since.

[memomof3injax 0]

I was self pay. I had tons of worries. One of the big ones was that I was taking that money from my family and spending it selfishly on myself. My husband was and is very supportive and assured me I was not only doing something for myself but also my family. I will be making myself healthier. He was right! I was banded in February and I feel like it was well worth it! Now that I have lost some weight I have more energy, and no longer worry about keeping up with our 3 children.

I wish you success on your journey!

[MrsShannonDennis 10]

It was an easy decision for me, prob too easy. I am only 25 and already in debt so this added almost 15000 more in debt. To me I was miserable and unhealthy and felt like I had no other option at this point after all I have already tried. From day one I felt confident about my choice. I dont think i EVER doubted it cause I knew it was going to be work and I knew it wasnt going to happen over night. I am now 13 months post op down 80 lbs from a size 22 to a 12. I am super fit and toned now. Im only 28% body fat now before I was 53%. Its just the best thing ever and worth every penny of debt!

[bmoon 0]

I was self pay myself and I would definitely do it again. I'm 5 months out & have lost 58 pounds. I worried and stressed about paying as well but I finally convinced myself you know what.. I'm worth it and this is an investment in me and my health. Just think you are getting healthier and let me tell you - I am definitely saving on meals. When you sit down and compare everything- there's no question it is definitely worth every cent. Good luck and you'll do great!!

[dman3998 0]

I'm self pay about 12k but only banded for 4 days so too early to tell if I made the right choice for me yet. But looked at it this way, you can pay me now or you can pay me later. I figure it will cost 10 times that in medical stuff later if I dont take care of it now. I am a poster child for metabolic syndrome and all the other stuff that goes with it. I am 52 and I figure I would be in serious trouble or dead in 10 years, so I paid NOW. no looking back.

dman

[Sooz 0]

I have wrestled with this since day 1. I have financial security issues, and it seems like a huge amount of money to spend on myself.

I feel the same as you dman. It was ok being fairly robust and overweight, but these past 5 years (I am 55 now) have taken a toll on me health-wise. My quality of life has diminished hugely due to my inability to lose weight AND keep it off. I keep trying to put on a happy face and fake it, but when you can't climb up a set of bleachers, say, or carry a 20 lb child hardly any distance, it starts to hit home.

I have resigned myself to spending my nest-egg on this surgery. My only fear now is if complications arise, such as band slippage, erosion, and any of the other unfortunate lapband stories we hear now and then.

[marykb 0]

I self-paid too, and it was worth it. I know I couldn't have lost 65 lbs in a little over 3 months on my own. I do feel guilty though when I have a week where I don't lose very much, or when I have a snack or something. I feel like I just wasted our money.

Overall though, it was a good decision and I would do it again and I know my husband would say the same.

[dman3998 0]

I also figured if I spent 12k of my hard earned $ I would take the whole thing very seriously lose it and KEEP it off.

[Windus 0]

I was self pay also. However I went to Mexico and paid a whole lot less and got a vacation to boot! Would do it again in a nanosecond. :tt2:

[christine1182 48]

I also was self-pay and I have not regreted my decision. The one thing I have learned since being banded is I still have to diet with the band. The weight does not come of by it self just becasue you get the band. I am a slow loser and I will admit I would not have lost the weight I have so far without the bands help.

[nikki6055 3]

hi i am about to self pay, so you dont think it was worth it?

[nikki6055 3]

omg please tell me what dr you went to and about your fills. im getting ready to go to mexico and have it done also

[lovinlife4eva 0]

Hey guys, thanx for the answers, keep them coming!!!

I am going today for a check up and I hope I will feel better then.

I am scared b/c I have not lost any weight since I went to solids. Now all the old feelings of failure and guilt are coming back. It is scary when you self pay.

My hubby is a SAINT and totally supports me, but I cant help but fear what he will think if we spent all this money and it dosnt work for me!

I am optimistic to a fault but this has got me a bit freaked. I was completely unprepared for bandster hell!!!

Nikki6055: Hey fellow TN gal :tt2:! I am not sure how I feel about the surgery. The actual procedure was easy for me(youngish and healthy), so that was no problem. However, no weight loss yet, which was the point, and so I am having my doubts. I do feel that this will work, but some results would increase my confidence a good bit!!! So the jury is still out on me.

I have a wonderful doc at the Baptist Metabolic Surgery Center, Dr. Spaw. He was totally great with the operation, and his office is nice b/c if you are a new patient you can just go in for a free eval anytime! No appt needed.

Good Luck!!

[jalomum 1]

Luckily I didn't have to self pay but knowing what I know now, 12 months later and 44kgs down...if I had to go back and make the decision to self pay or not have it done...I would pay up no contest.

It's not easy but it is simple.