I'm at a delima... My insurance will only pay 1/2 of the cost of my surgery up to $15,000. I have the fees for expenses before surgery and I've met all my deductibles this year due to other surgeries in January. But this would leave me owing about $8,000 that I don't know how I'd pay. They keep telling me I could get a loan with the bank. I guess they have financial loans there. But it's all so overwhelming when my budget is already stretched to the max. If I'm going to do it I have to let her know so I can get started next month... otherwise, it's another year with deductibles...

Any input is appreciated...

Sit down with some paper & figure out how much you are currently spending on food. I don't know how long they give you to pay BUT I'm willing to be that you can eeK out that payment once you see the savings. We used to spend probably 100-150 a WEEK on groceries & I'd guess that we spend about half of that now. (JUnk food is expensive but I don't miss it.)

Also...we both get $50 a week as an 'allowance', lunches, pedicures etc. Since the end of March I have saved $553 of that in my "slush fund".

Good luck...run those numbers, you will NOT regret it.

I would check around for a cheaper price. I know my surgeon charges under $15,000 for the whole surgery for self pay people. I had my band put in on July 22 with no complications, wonderful surgeons and hospital was great as well. If you want a phone# I'd be happy to give it to you. You don't have to go to Mexico to get it cheaper...

Good Luck!

Believe me, I've cut back to the bare minimum. and we really don't buy junk food. We spend about 175-200 every 2 weeks but yeah, allow for lunches . We only eat out 2-3 times a month, if that. My bf hadn't been working until this week. So all money went for necessities, gas, utilities, etc. And I have one hospital bill already from Jan, and 2 credit cards on consumer credit counseling accounts.

But thanks for the ideas, I'm really doing my best to scrimp... maybe I can now that he's working again... pray he makes it past the 90 days probationary!

Well, it's not the dr's fees that's the problem, it's the hospital fees.

I've heard that Dr. Wade Barker in Dallas does the surgery for $9,500. I haven't confirmed that with his office, but I saw it here on this board one time. I myself paid $15,000 with AIGB (there was an exclusion on my insurance for WLS), but since they found a hiatal hernia during my lap band surgery, insurance paid to fix that and AIGB refunded back the entire amount insurance paid, $9,500.

Still, even if I was stuck with the entire $15,000 bill, it would be absolutely worth every penny. I can't tell you how much better I feel about myself. Best decision I ever made, even if I had to give up a lot of other stuff to get it.

That's no lie about the hospital fee's. Thank god my insurance covers 90% after my deductible. My day I spent 1 week prior to my surgery at the hospital, was $625. All they did was the paperwork, took 3 vial of blood(bruised the hell out of my arm), peed in a cup. I then talked to the annesthsologist(sp) and the respitory guy gave me one of the breathing things. My cost is $75 and some change.

As badly as you want this I wouldn't do it after you posted that you don't know how you would pay the $8000. Going into debt is never a good idea when you don't know how you are going to pay it. It creates more problems in the long run.

In these uncertain financial times, I would not take on more debt that you can handle. It really sucks, I know - our Health care system is broken and no one appears ready or able to fix it. Republicans won't even think about it and Democrats talk about it, but nothing happens.

Edited July 30, 200818 yr by mnn2501

Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver charges $9975.00 and that is EVERYTHING!! No hidden costs and after 3 months, the fills are only $15.00

I would shop around and see if your insurance would cover it for a cheaper surgeon. You can always find a local doctor to do your fills.

I'm very blessed that my insurance will cover 100% plus fills afterward. I would definitely shop around, though. Just don't go to Mexico!