Hi, I was self pay with my first band because my BMI was 38 and if I had done a six month diet, I wouldn't have qualified. Then I got a dilated pouch, was in heartburn hell and couldn't keep any solids down. I needed a new surgery and a new band and the insurance wouldn't cover me because I had been self-pay. It really frys me because although the first surgery was optional, the second wasn't. We had even paid our ten thousand dollar deductable for the year!

Insurance companys suck.

I agree, Insurance companies suck... but at the same time, I don't regret for one minute paying for the surgery myself... I wasn't so fortunate to only have a BMI of 38..my starting BMI was over 60... and my insurance wouldn't cover it.. my BMI is now 52..that's a HUGE difference..I still have a long way to go, but it's a start... my cholesterol 10 days before my surgery was 238... the end of September, it was 177.... would I have liked my insurance to pay for it.. sure.. but I don't regret taking the money from my 401K to have this surgery because I am already healthier... am I worried that something will go wrong w/the band, etc.. sure... but again, I was more worried about what could happen if I DIDN'T have the surgery.. but I can't live everyday wondering "what if something goes wrong w/my band" just because I self paid...

Hi, I was self pay with my first band because my BMI was 38 and if I had done a six month diet, I wouldn't have qualified. Then I got a dilated pouch, was in heartburn hell and couldn't keep any solids down. I needed a new surgery and a new band and the insurance wouldn't cover me because I had been self-pay. It really frys me because although the first surgery was optional, the second wasn't. We had even paid our ten thousand dollar deductable for the year!

Insurance companys suck.

I also do not regret the huge expense. My insurance policy does not allow any barriatric anything so it was never an option for me. I charged up a credit card and unfortunately they have increased my interest rates through the roof! I look and feel so much better though and I feel I escapted Diabetes that I know I was heading towards. I would have had many more health expenses in the coming years if I didn't get some of my weight off so I try to look at it that way. Of course, I too am frightened by the prospect of any complications but I will just have to cross that bridge if I get to it. I was all worth it for me!

I'm glad you guys don't regret the cost of your new lives. I don't regret it either, I've gone from a size 20 to an 8. You can be sure I will take much better care of my new band!

I started in a size 28 jeans the day of my surgery.. I am now in a 20 and looking forward to getting into even smaller clothes.. although I will admit that if I have to stop shopping at the Avenue, my favorite store, that will be a little bitter sweet but exciting at the same time.. LOL

I'm glad you guys don't regret the cost of your new lives. I don't regret it either, I've gone from a size 20 to an 8. You can be sure I will take much better care of my new band!

Annie I wish you the best with your surgery and it sucks that you had to go throught that! I am sure you took good care of your last one...these things just happen from what I hear. I have gotten out of plus sizes and I have to say it has taken me a year to make myself stop going into the womens department.