Is this stupid?

[Tropicana 0]

TO get a student loan to get lapband surgery?

[Tricia K. 0]

Most companies that provide student loans have strict requirements on how the money is used (e.g. tuition, housing, books, etc.). If you're really interested in getting a loan to pay for your lap band surgery, I would suggest visiting your local bank

[Yasmin 0]

This would depend really. I am taking out a student loan for part of my banding (June 2nd) but have really had to struggle with this issue as well. For me, it will be worth it and I know alot of others have taken out conventional loans in order to pay the cost (these are usually higher intrest as well) so I decided to do it.

I guess I'll let you know just how worth it it is after a few weeks.LOL

[PhotoNut 7]

I was so tempted to just pop on here and reply "Yes!" without reading the post. *snickers*

Hmm.. I wouldn't advise you to do anything unethical or illegal, but student loans are also for helping people live while going to school. Perhaps you need the band to live? *snickers*

You should check with the School's insurance and see what they cover. I knew of a gal who was getting approval for the bypass surgery via school insurance. Not sure if they've woken up to the benefits of the band yet though. Never hurts to ask.

Good luck!

(Adding to this: I was raising kids when I went back to school. I took the loans and bought Christmas, a tv for our home, and clothes. If I had only me to think of, I would use the money to better my health. In a heartbeat. Unless it were illegal. But thats just me.)

[Tropicana 0]

This would depend really. I am taking out a student loan for part of my banding (June 2nd) but have really had to struggle with this issue as well. For me, it will be worth it and I know alot of others have taken out conventional loans in order to pay the cost (these are usually higher intrest as well) so I decided to do it.

I guess I'll let you know just how worth it it is after a few weeks.LOL

With my student loans...I would have 30 yrs to pay it off at low interest....im prolly gonna have 100K in loans anyway (grad school) so what's 10k??

[Tropicana 0]

IF I had 40 hrs a week to work ...even at a half decnet job...I would definitely do it...but Im in med school. There is no time for a part time job. Even if I got one it would be YEARS before I could collect 10,000 dollars.

[Yasmin 0]

Ok, so I am not suggesting anything illeagal here. At my school, we have an excess medical clause with financial aid. I still had to submit bill, letter, etc. and it did have to be approved by the financial aid dept. Just to clear that up. Anyway, I am going to grad school as well, so I definitely feel your pain regarding student loans.

[Tropicana 0]

i dont need to get any permission to use my money however i see fit...as long as my tuition gets paid and I pay everything back...it's all good.

[Tropicana 0]

Any students been in this situation?

[charlesvox 0]

When I graduated in 2002, I had aproximately 100,000 in student loans. I racked up 20k undergrad at Berkeley and another 80k at law school at Davis. The vast bulk of that debt was "living expenses." They always cut you a very large check at the beginning of the semester, and I know a lot of students who would take that check to 1) the local indian casino 2) shopping spree 3) reno 4) big ticket item (e.g. down payment on car, new TV, new computer, etc.) 5) trip/vacation expenses. Don't feel guilty for spending your student loan on a lapband, it is a much much better use of financial aid than what many of my classmates used it for.

[Tropicana 0]

I know that's right. My classmates go on alot of extravagant trips. And I havent seen anyone truly living hand to mouth.

I just hope I am not going in over my head in student loans. :faint:

[charlesvox 0]

I really think you should look at it as an investment in the future(cliche as it sounds). Because you are considering a lapband, you've come to realize your weight is an issue you have to deal with. What good is working so hard in undergrad and then going on to med school and then doing everything you need to do to become a licensed doctor if you don't have your health? And to return the investment your schools and professors and your family and friends have put in you to reach your achievements? I know how easy it is to get caught up in grad school, but consider the big picture...

[Tropicana 0]

You know. That's a really good way to think about it.

Plus I know my weight and my performance are very closely tied together.

I get so stressed out...and what do I do? Eat. Late night studying? Stay up with food. All the exercise in the world cant counterbalance one week of final exam binging.

And then I get so tired so fast and stuff.

The thing is, I've been thinking about this for so long. Had I just gotten it back when I was researching, I'd probably be at the size I wanted to be by now. I've done a year of WW, vigorous exercising, even TrimSpa pills (HA!) with no more than a 15 pound weight loss.

I think I'm gonna just suck it up, take out an extra portion from my Stafford loan and just do it.

[charlesvox 0]

Good luck! I think you made an excellent decision. During my three years of law school, I was on Atkins, I lost about 70 pounds and was doing very well. Then, I ran into the summer I studied for the bar. I studied, literally, for 10-12 hours a day, minimum. I lived at the library (our law school library was open 24 hours). Of course, I ate like crap, mostly fast food, pizzas, take out, etc. All the weight I lost on atkins, I gained back, plus 20, in only three months! Wish I had my lapband back then...

[PhotoNut 7]

I dont think you'll regret that decision at all.

Best wishes for your future and keep us posted on how things are going for you. (I would have done it too! yay!)