I appreciate all the info provided on financing and such. But, everyone keeps sending me emails saying "Try asking a family member or friend". Believe me if anyone I knew was in any position to lend money or give a gift of sugery, I would have already asked. Some of us are not lucky enough to have family with money or good credit. And yet still some of us are not lucky enough to be in a position to have health insurance or that much extra cash in savings.

So, if you have gotten the surgery be thankful EVERY DAY that you were one of the lucky ones. Because there are some of us out here who are desperately in need of this type of surgery with no chance to get it anytime soon.

Summer

Dahlia, I hope your intent here was not to make those of us who have had the surgery feel quilty. What was your intent with this message?

Summer, I'm sorry that you haven't been able to find a way to finance surgery. However, I don't consider that I'm "lucky" to have been able to afford it. I've worked since the day I turned 16. Well, I worked before that with babysitting and such, but 16 was my first "real" job. I remember having friends who would go on trips during Spring Break. For me, it was an opportunity to work full-time while everyone else took off.

I put myself through college...often working fulltime while in school fulltime. I've worked 2 and 3 jobs at a time to pay my bills. I've busted my butt to have good credit. The money that we used for my surgery was money we'd been saving for 10+ years. I don't have rich relatives, no trust fund, etc...just plain ol' hard work...no "luck" to it.

Cindy

Dahlia,

I have no idea what your financial situation is, but there are other ways to get this surgery other than financing it. I don't have rich family members, not do I have great credit. What I do have is determination. I am not banded and will not be for a while due to medical issues, but you should possibly check into public assistance of some kind to help you. I am disabled and am having to pay lots of copays, but I an not expecting anyone who was self pay to feel guilty for being able to afford the surgery. I know a lady on this site who took out a loan to pay for the entire surgery, so everyone isn't in a position to pay cash.

~Joan~

There are ways to built credit, and companies to will loan on less than perfect credit. Or....maybe you could save towards your surgery? If you took out credit, you'd have to pay it back with interest. Could you save $400.00 or $500.00 a month in a HSBC account (6% interest) for a year? It would put a huge dent in the cost. How about searching for a job with a company that has good medical insurance? HTH.

I understand you must be feeling very lost and unhopeful right now. I will not claim to know how you feel. I was able get the surgery due to insurance at work. I was very lucky to have great insurance that paid 100% of the surgery. I won't post to keep trying. I know how it feels to want something so bad and not to be able to have it, even if you need it. All I can say is I hope you start to feel better.

Of course my intent was not to make anyone who has had the surgery feel guilty. SInce I am in need of the surgery myself that would not make sense. My intent with this post was to respond publically to some private emails I have been getting from people basically saying "suck it up and find a way"

I appreciate that where there is a will there is a way, but sometimes there are no means to reach the goal. some of the messages I have received basically were saying that it was "foolish" to let money stand in the way of a great new life! Well, I don't feel it's foolish because being sick is not my fault and having money is a direct result of being ill and out of work.

SO, intent was not to hurt anyone or put them on the defensive...sorry you felt that way.

Dahlia, I hope your intent here was not to make those of us who have had the surgery feel quilty. What was your intent with this message?

Cindy,

I am so glad for you - and you deserve to have the kudos that go along with hard work!!!

I myself have worked since I was 13 and never stopped until this past year when I became very ill. So, I know how hard you worked to put that money away especially after putting yourself through school. Good luck with your band and a big *hug* for the supportive comment

Thanks

Summer

Summer, I'm sorry that you haven't been able to find a way to finance surgery. However, I don't consider that I'm "lucky" to have been able to afford it. I've worked since the day I turned 16. Well, I worked before that with babysitting and such, but 16 was my first "real" job. I remember having friends who would go on trips during Spring Break. For me, it was an opportunity to work full-time while everyone else took off.

I put myself through college...often working fulltime while in school fulltime. I've worked 2 and 3 jobs at a time to pay my bills. I've busted my butt to have good credit. The money that we used for my surgery was money we'd been saving for 10+ years. I don't have rich relatives, no trust fund, etc...just plain ol' hard work...no "luck" to it.

Cindy

Ok, well it seems that everyone took it that I was trying to make you all feel guilty! I was in no way trying to do that. I don't see how I possibly could make someone feel guilty for having a medical procedure done to their own body that I myself am trying to have?

I was only saying that those of you have been blessed enough to have had the surgery or are going to have it - should really take a minute and be thankful. That is all! I am not sure how that sounds to others - but how it's meant is just how it is said...if I were having my surgery tomorrow I would be taking a minute myself to feel thankful because I know how many others are out there in need.

Thanks

sorry that I apparently made everyone angry

I didn't take it that you were trying to make me feel guilty. I took it that you were just saying to those who got coverage, be thankful. That's my perspective. No worries!

Summer, This might be a long shot, but I heard that my Doc. has given the band to some people that have no other way to pay for this surgery. I don't think he does this all the time but maybe you can ask him, his name is Dr. Kuri in TJ Mexico..Good Luck..

Thanks so much for the suggestion - I will deffinately contact him and see what they have available...maybe payments or something!

Thanks

I didn't take it that you were trying to make me feel guilty. I took it that you were just saying to those who got coverage, be thankful. That's my perspective. No worries!

I agree, I think that the internet doesn't always help in laying things out the way you really mean! After all there is no tone, no voice just words, that are left out on their own open to interpretation!