Am I the only one who is paying cash?

[RxTracy 0]

I am paying cash too. My insurance basically says right there "NOT EVEN IF YOUR ON YOUR DEATH BED!"

[100lbsforsale 0]

I'm self pay too. I started the whole insurance dance, but then my husbands insurance quit covering bariatric surgery. I was pretty upset, but then I'm like alot of people I am so determined. I am in nursing school and have that debt also. I figured it would be alot easier to be ALIVE and a slim/energetic nurse than an overweight oh-my-god-my-knees-back-hips-and-feet-hurt-nurse. So I'll be paying off the loans for a long time. Worth every penny and monthly payment!

[newnana 0]

:confused:Hello friends,

I am sorry to have been gone so long. I am still awaiting my psych appt., nutrition, consult with doc, and hope to be banded mid November. OK, I have a totally new fear I am hoping someone can help me with. My insurance does not cover this operation or any complications that may arise. That is scary enough but then... I heard someone say that they had lost 100 pounds and had to pay an enormous fortune in plastic surgery to fix all of the loose skin! I don't have an enormous fortune, In fact I am taking out a loan for surgery! Does anyone know anything about this?

K

I can totally relate! Several years ago, I lost about 50lbs and was feeling quite good about my efforts. Then one day, while at the swimming pool, I saw a woman who had obviously lost a great deal of weight, yes she had alot of loose skin. Well, it freaked me out. Subconsciencely, that was the end of loosing weight. Over the next 3 years I gained all the weight back. Not only am I back where I started but actually worse. My knees have unbearable pain. I feel like I am against the wall. I must loose weight and my knees need immediant relief. I went to the seminar on LabBand and have my initial consultation this week. I also see an ortho surgeon this week. I have decided that skin is the least of my issues. Maybe it can be a badge of honor!

:clap2:I hope this can help with some perspective.

[mskissa123 0]

I paind cash to 17,000 which also pays for after care @ my Dr for a year or 2 & the pre-op diet food. it sucks to pay but the band was the best present I ever got for myself

[Chrisann 0]

If my insurance wasn't paying, I have a good Oxford PPO plan, I couldn't do it. No one in my family, let alone me, has that cash to cover this. My BMI is 47, but I am healthy right now, blood pressure and cholesterol are low,etc. But I know, that could change rather quickly.

I give you guys all props for being able to pay for it. :clap2:

[Band-aided 0]

I paid cash and went to a doctor that included all after care. For me it has been the best thing. If I need a fill I get one, if it's too tight I get a defill. I was away working and had a horrible blockage so got defilled for 2 weeks then filled again, all at no extra cost. I hear of people paying $xxx for fills and defills. Many people stuffer from p-bing, sliming and blockages because their band is too tight others don't don't get the benifit of the band because it's not filled enough, all because they are worried about cost. I can go to my clinic every 2 weeks for a fill if I need one or be defilled within 24 hours. It's something to think about, also location of the doctor my clinic is an hour away. good luck!

[lightenup! 0]

I too paid cash, awaiting banding... I'm so excited... Surgery here in AZ, with my surgeon is 16.5K. I'm hoping to get a hardbody from working out, to avoid plastic surgery, however, I might opt to have tummytuck and breastlift when I'm sure I'm done having kids... I think people who are overweight or normal weight can end up with loose skin.

[RxTracy 0]

100lbs for sale. I am a pharmacist and I know how you feel about being overweight and in the healthcare field. I found a job that pays my student loans and there are a lot of opportunities in nursing for that too, so maybe something like that will work out for you too.

[VegasGrace 1]

I was self pay as I don't have insurance...like they would have covered it if I did...yeah, right!

I'd shop around a bit. $17,000 is an awful lot considering I paid only $7,000 plus about $500 for two fills. My $8,000 is less than HALF of what you're paying.

Look for an experienced surgeon and ask his/her patients... to take control of obesity/eating out of control is no reason to break the bank and live in financial ruins.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[wilem 0]

I paid $15,444 for mine self pay. Go with the Dr. that you feel the most comfortable with. I know it may seem like alot of $$, but can you really put a price on your life? I had to cash in an IRA and take the penalty. I figured that I wouldn't be around to retire unless I did something now. Alot of people have been banded in Mexico and have saved lots of money. Mexico definately was not for me. I needed to have the reassurance that my Dr. was just across town and that I could call or drop in anytime. That to me was well worth the double price I paid. Do your homework. Talk to more that one Dr.. You will know when it feels right. You will spend lots of time in his/her office and you will need to be comfortable with his /her staff. Good Luck!

[imb316 0]

I need advice. I really want my insurance to cover the surgery but I only have a BMI of 37. When I go for my weigh in before they schedule my surgery I need a BMI of 40 for my insurance to automatically cover me. Has anyone ever carried weights or something heavy in thier pockets? AM I NUTS?

[marnie723 0]

No your not nuts. If I had known then what I know now I would definately have added ankle & wrist weights. My BMI goes from 38.5- 39.5 and my PCP said I should have put weights on. They weigh you with your clothes on anyway. Do it, why take the chance you'll be denied.

[imb316 0]

what does PCP stand for. I am prepared to pay for the surgery but it seems so simple to use weights. It's only 10 pounds.

[IndioGirl55 32]

what does PCP stand for. I am prepared to pay for the surgery but it seems so simple to use weights. It's only 10 pounds.

PCP = primary care physican

[pink2626panther 0]

I paid private as my insurance wanted me to do an Opti-fast type diet. I don't think they are healthy. I found a surgeon in Colorado that charges less than $10,ooo. travel not included. I was banded 10/24. So far, so good.