The money is holding me back...but glad to be here anyway!

[mommakatx2 0]

Hello everyone!

My name is Bente and I'm just beginning this journey. I am 29 years old, a mother of three, a wife of a soldier, and a registered nurse.

I am not morbidly obese...I am just obese *enough* to not qualify for most surgical centers here in the US. Even if I did qualify, my insurance does not cover lap-band (tricare).

My current weight is 226--my highest ever not being pregnant. I am 5'8". I know that doesn't seem like much but on me it is a different story. I have been heavy MY ENTIRE LIFE. I was a fat kid, a fat teenager, a fat young adult. As I get older, I'm finding it's getting harder on my body. My hips ache, my knees hurt, my asthma acts up. I am tired and winded and depressed. I'm scared to watch the weight continue to creep on--I want to be the active wife and mother for my family and myself. I have been on every diet in the book...you name it. At most I lose about 25lbs before reaching a plateau and then gaining it all and then some.

The only thing holding me back from this wonderful weightloss tool is money. If I had the money today I would have it done tomorrow. For now I just have to wait and watch and see what happens...

Anyone else here hindered by the financial aspects of the lap-band?

[Devana 0]

Hi Bente and welcome to LBT. There are a lot of us who had to pay for our bands. And there are lots of ways people have managed it. I took out a new low interest credit card and had my surgery done in Mexico. It took me a year to pay it off butt I still consider it to be the best money spent.

Good luck with your plans.

[Bergdorfblonde 3]

It is totally worth it. If you really want it, you can find the money somewhere and make it a priority to take care of your health. I am almost 31 and am sick of putting my life on hold till after I magically get skinny. I think its good to take control of your health and go for it!!

[citygirlnks 0]

Hello Bente! Welcome to the forum! I am a self pay patient. I put the cost of the surgery all on my credit card (and earned a heck of a lot of airline miles in the process). It's the best charge I have put on my card. I was sick of the fat, sick of all the things that came with being obese (asthma, high blood pressure, joint problems...ect.). I knew if I didn't do something now, I was not getting any better. It's going to take some time to pay it off but it's just something I had to do! Good luck with your journey and hope it pans out for you!

[Bergdorfblonde 3]

I feel the same way. If this really makes us thin, it is so worth it. It would be worth a million dollars to be thin!! I am sick of putting my life on hold because I am fat. I actually have a pretty great life, good friends, good career, I just need to take care of my weight. For vanity reasons (dating) but also just so I stay healthy. I agree with you that it is so worth it to self pay. If you are committed to this, you can find a way to pay.

Hello Bente! Welcome to the forum! I am a self pay patient. I put the cost of the surgery all on my credit card (and earned a heck of a lot of airline miles in the process). It's the best charge I have put on my card. I was sick of the fat, sick of all the things that came with being obese (asthma, high blood pressure, joint problems...ect.). I knew if I didn't do something now, I was not getting any better. It's going to take some time to pay it off but it's just something I had to do! Good luck with your journey and hope it pans out for you!

[UN5-3051 0]

Hi..........I'm self pay, too. I understand and agree with all your statements. I'm 52 and have many health problems (HTN, sleep Apnea, 2 Liver Diseases, High Cholesterol, etc). Wish the Lap Band was available when I was in my 20's or 30's or 40's ! Good for you all taking charge of your life and health! :clap2:

My surgery is a week from today, 8.31.07, and costs $17,000.

My brother thinks it's an outrageous amt...........it is, but my life is worth it.

[twizlerbabe20 0]

im right there. im 23 and my husband is the only one with a job. I am currently a full time student. My husband only makes 20k a year so i cant afford plus my stupid ins wont cover.

[Bergdorfblonde 3]

It will be so worth it for you because I bet it will get rid of many of your obestity-related health problems. That is priceless! Mine is about $15,000 which is cheap in NY. I am doing some kind of study so they are taking $10,000 off the $25,000 it is supposed to be. I thought it was nice that they let me do the study so it is a bit cheaper. I really do think its good I am doing it now. I wish I did it 10 years ago. Its almost my 31st b-day and Im not married and dont have kids and I do date and get guys but I think the quality of them will go up when I get thin. Even tho a lot of my thin friends have a hard time finding a good guy!! I actually think I am pretty but I know the outside world judges you when you are obese and I am sick of people looking at me like I am less of a person because I am fat. Honestly, I am the same person whether I weigh 220 or 120, but people treat you like you are an entirely worse person. It is so not fair.

Hi..........I'm self pay, too. I understand and agree with all your statements. I'm 52 and have many health problems (HTN, sleep Apnea, 2 Liver Diseases, High Cholesterol, etc). Wish the Lap Band was available when I was in my 20's or 30's or 40's ! Good for you all taking charge of your life and health! :clap2:

My surgery is a week from today, 8.31.07, and costs $17,000.

My brother thinks it's an outrageous amt...........it is, but my life is worth it.