I've never considered self-pay. I am a college student and I work part-time, and get my tuition and books from my father (bless his heart!) and my mom helps with groceries and rent.

This is a new concept for me, as before I used to pay for EVERYTHING, but I worked full-time and decided to go back to school.

As of now, I'm filling out forms for Student Loans so I can go to Spain because my parents say it's too expensive. Basically, besides what I get from selling on an auction site, I make no income...so Self-Pay would be almost impossible for me. I would have to either put it on a Care Credit card or use a big loan.

The thought that I might be DENIED in a few weeks has crossed my mind. Even if I get approved, I have to wait until NEXT May (2009) for the surgery with Kaiser.

I AM SO READY for this! My parents would be furious, but I am 22 years old.

Has anyone done self-pay with little income and paid it off? What would you guys do? Any advice for me? How do you pay for fills ? Thank you so much.

Is Spain for school, or the band, or? I get confused easily

Are you trying to get banded in the US before going to school in Spain? Personally, if that is the case I would definately check to see what kind of training they have with the band before you got there.

Kini Darling...

I know how you feel at this point. The worse part of banding is waiting for your approval.... it's worse than any part of the surgery process; but honey, please believe me when I say - "relax and be patient". Let's take this one day at a time. You will be fine. Patience is a virtue. You have done your part and have done it well. It's put all this energy in your studies. Everyone here wishes you luck and I am praying for your approval.

Always think positive thoughts and you will attract positive things. Law of attraction.

Well Care Credit is exactly what I am using along with another 0% interest credit card and the $5,000 I have taken out of my 401k. I have a tiny income of around $500 a month from a job I can depend on the income and I work as a pet sitter but with the economy and the rising price of gas I don't really make much. My insurance which is astronomically high at $300 a month refuses all weight loss surgery. They are an insurance of last resort for fat people so they sure don't want you to be able to walk into an insurance company and get actual good insurance that pays for something. I figure it may take me even 6 or 7 years to pay it back but it will be worth it. I can get lower cost insurance which will save me around 2,000 a year since not only is my current insurance high it covers nothing barring a hospital stay oh and $5 on mammograms LOL sorry it actually isn't funny just stupid.

You didn't say what year you are in school. Is it the last year you can go to Spain to study? Is it a summer program or a semester program? could you use a student loan to help pay for surgery and go to Spain next year?

Thanks for all the reponses! Actually, the person who said this, was banded, I never said she wasn't...so she does have some merit.

Sorry I wasn't clear, Spain is for studying abroad, I'm a Junior.

Poo you always know how to make me feel better.