How are you/did you pay for this?

[Ozzy&OdiesMommy 0]

I found out today that my insurance company excludes weightloss surgeries, no ifs ands or buts. No first denial, appeals or anything. Just not even an option. So, I guess the question is, how do you plan to pay for this surgery or how did you pay for the surgery? I need ideas and suggestions.

Thanks all!

[lizster2007 0]

Hi Ryan, I used a home equity line of credit for the $16,000 I paid. I'm in Canada and there is an outfit (Credit Medical) that finances 'cosmetic surgery' procedures (which the band is mistakenly classed :angry). I don't think they require collateral but probably would need to have a good income/steady job-I'm sure the interest rate is on the high side. I don't know if there is a similar type of company in the States-most likely there is.

It seems that a number of folks travel to Mexico to get the procedure done at a significantly reduced cost. I think someone considering that would need to research that option well because either you go back to Mexico for fills/de-fills or you'll need a local doctor willing to do them-no doubt for a significant fee.

Good luck!

[Betty Lue 1]

Hi Ryan, my insurance would'nt pay for my surgery,so I had a low interest credit card took a loan out for $8000 went to Acunia Mexico to have my surgery. The cost then was about $7,300. That was October 2006. ~Betty

[Ozzy&OdiesMommy 0]

Thanks! I'll look into that. My husband is really against financing though. Maybe it will just take some time for him to warm up to it.

[Ozzy&OdiesMommy 0]

How was your experience in Mexico? I'm a little leary of going to Mexico. Who does your fills now?

Thanks!

[want2bmeagain 0]

Hello~ I am also self pay. I ended up putting mine on a credit card with a pretty low interest rate, then playing the balance transfer game to get even lower interest. It was somewhat of a difficult decision, because I do have some sizable bills to pay off. But, I don't have a car payment, and I figured many people spend more than $10k on a car, and I needed the surgery. Once I committed, the rest was easy for me! There are also medical loans if you put that in a search engine, but you have to watch the interest rates.

That said, I was going to go to Mexico because there are fabulous surgeons, but I hit road blocks when it came to fills. I did research and ended up choosing Dr. Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Surgery in Denver Colorado | Lap Band Surgeon in Denver | Gastric Band Surgery Denver | Bariatric Surgery in Denver. He is INCREDIBLE!! TOP NOTCH surgeon, wonderful personality, and I can't say enough about him. He is doing the LapBand for $9950, as he wants an alternative to the Mexico doctors for his self pay patients. His price does NOT mean lower quality or care!

I had my surgery last week. I am a 6 hour drive from him, then there was a gentleman from NYC ($27k there!), and one from Kentucky. He has had patients from Alaska, Canada, and more.

His first 3 months of fills are free, then $15 from then on. Many folks get a plane ticket to come back for fills, because that is often cheaper than a local doc (if you can find one who will do a fill!)

Let me know how the journedy goes!!

good luck!

[want2bmeagain 0]

wierd, I don't know why the link I typed went crazy up there! just click the link I made on the bottom, by my ticker!

[sirena63 0]

I took $6000 out of my 401K another $2000 from my savings and had my band put in in Monterrey Mexico. When I filed my taxes this year, I paid tax on my $6000, but found there was no penalty because it was to pay for a medical procedure....that is exept from the penalty! The doctor and hospital in Mexico were wonderful, follow-ups/fills have been easy too. I do live 10 mins from the Mexico border and speak Spanish, so that helps!

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

People do all kinds of things to pay for surgery. They do anything from taking it from savings, obtaining a bank loan, medical finance co's, etc.

I've seen people refinance their homes, sell personal belongings, and even dumpster dive for treasures and sell them on ebay.

There is usually a way and if you want this badly enough, you'll find the way that is best for you.

Mexico is around $8K give or take a couple of hundred dollars. It can be a very safe experience but do your research. Research absolutely everything.

[Ozzy&OdiesMommy 0]

Thank you so much. That is a MUCH more doable option. I have a great flexible spending account too. So, fills may be doable locally. I'll have to research that. I'm also in Kentucky, so seeing that there was a patient from KY gives me a little bit of hope. I'm feeling much better about all of this since I got a good nights sleep last night. My 3 month old actually slept through the night. YAY! My FIL works in Denver very frequently too. I'm so happy that a Dr. feels strongly enough about this that he is trying to give an alterntative to going out of the country for this!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[Ozzy&OdiesMommy 0]

I think I read somewhere that you can deduct the medical expense on an itemized tax form too. All things to consider.

Thank you so much!

[Ozzy&OdiesMommy 0]

Thank you so much. I agree that if you want it bad enough you will make it happen. And I want this pretty badly, so I am set to do what I have to. Like I said in an earlier post, I was pretty devistated yesterday, but after a good nights sleep, I'm ready to figure out how to make this work.

[justwant2lose 0]

You can also try Care Credit. CareCredit Patient financing Payment Plans for LASIK, Dental and Vision Financing

If you pay it off within a certain amount of time, there is no interest.

[Ozzy&OdiesMommy 0]

Oh! That's a good idea too! Hey I was born in Covington, LA. Are you from around there? My family lived in Folsom.