I'm scheduled to have surgery on 7/14/11. My insurance is not covering the surgery so I'm self pay. I'm using all my money for the surgery so I'm worried something will go wrong (ie. port flip, band slip) and I will have to have surgery again and pay for it. Should I be having this surgery if I'm self pay with no money? The followup on fills/adjustments I'll be able to handle but if anything goes wrong, I'm probably screwed. Any suggestions or thoughts?

I'm scheduled to have surgery on 7/14/11. My insurance is not covering the surgery so I'm self pay. I'm using all my money for the surgery so I'm worried something will go wrong (ie. port flip, band slip) and I will have to have surgery again and pay for it. Should I be having this surgery if I'm self pay with no money? The followup on fills/adjustments I'll be able to handle but if anything goes wrong, I'm probably screwed. Any suggestions or thoughts?

Oh my gosh --- I'm having Dr. G too !! I'm a 50% pay (have they given you any idea what the cost will be?) but people I have talked to (who did more research that I did) say he is wonderful. I met a nurse in our group session this past weekend who works at UofM hospital. She drives from west of Ann Arbor for Dr. G and she said he's better than anyone at UM. He'll do a fine job for you ... you'll do a fine job for yourself ... you are worth it !

Check with your insurance company..I was self pay however "if complications arise during or from from the surgery " my insurance company will pay

Good luck

I am also a self pay and this is my understanding -if complications arise they will step in.

I'm scheduled to have surgery on 7/14/11. My insurance is not covering the surgery so I'm self pay. I'm using all my money for the surgery so I'm worried something will go wrong (ie. port flip, band slip) and I will have to have surgery again and pay for it. Should I be having this surgery if I'm self pay with no money? The followup on fills/adjustments I'll be able to handle but if anything goes wrong, I'm probably screwed. Any suggestions or thoughts?

Make sure to check the insurance will cover complications if you are self pay. My insurance not only specifically prohibits WLS, it also specifically says it will not cover any complications from WLS. So I am thinking very hard about how to get the surgery. I may have to change jobs and I really hate looking for a job. Good luck.

Congratulations on finding peace with your decision. Welcome to pre-bandland!

Thanks everyone for your comments (both for and against self-pay). It's been very helpful in making my decision. I'm going to continue on the path toward bandhood. Please feel free to continue responding since I truly enjoy reading everyone's comments.

Hi,,are you having any more luck with the Protein shakes? I am on day 2 of the full liquid Proteins and the thought of the shakes makes me queasy. I was able to barely get them down yesterday,,I don't feel today will be any easier. Just the thought of them sickens me, I'm sure it doesn't help that I feel absolutely no hunger...

Good luck! I'm a self-pay also. Got banded June 24, 2011. I'm still adjusting to the Protein drinks etc. Yuck! Haven't been able to drink everything I'm suppose to but everything is suppose to loosen up some eventually.