I know this is a personal question, but thought I'd throw it out there for those who don’t mind answering.

I’m a borderline case. If my insurance company approves my application, everything will be covered except for $500. If they don’t approve my application I may consider going to Dr. Ortiz or Dr. Kuri in Mexico. Even though the Mexico option is much less expensive than self-pay here in the states, it’s still a lot of money to me. (Particularly since I got ripped off by a “personal training/total fitness company” and lost most of my savings. Still recovering financially. Grrrr…)

I don’t know where I would get $10,000 from for the surgery. For those who’ve had to get a little creative to find ways to pay for the surgery, I’d love to hear how you did it. I’m looking for ideas. If I thought it would actually work, maybe I’d put up a website asking for donations.

Thanks

SJ

Got even with my DH who has too many Harley Davidsons and way too many toys, including a brand new Corvette. I just pretended it was another Harley and wrote a check, LOL. (Remember, I'm much older and had longer to accumulate those funds).

I've had 3 insurance companies this year and none of them cover anything treatment to do with obesity. So, thank God for my grandma who loaned me most of the money and I make monthly payments to her.

I am VERY lucky, my wonderful mom gave me $5000 and I financed $2000 and we were off to Mexico. She even bought her own airfare, she's the best! If it weren't for her, I'd still be wondering how to pay for it because with 2 young kids and a husband, the guilt would kill me to spend $7000 on myself when I know we could use that money for other things, especially when my husband drives a clunker to work. I feel guilty enough about the 2 G's. Good luck with your journey, hope it all works out for you and soon.

Missy

banded 8/30/05

Dr. Huacuz - TJ Mexico

I refinanced my house and my car. Put all of the surgery on credit cards with mileage accumulation and then paid off the credit cards from the refinancing. Just booked tickets for myself and two friend to go to Mexico for 11 days in January (using miles accumulated). I love to vacation so I will always be poor in money and rich in foreign cultures and knowledge. Celeste

I took out every cent I had in savings, it ment that much to me!

Wow, you are an enterprising group! Hee hee

I was planing on turning in my 8 year old car and buying a new one. Instead I choose to drive an older car for a few more years and get a better looking body and better health. In the old days I would have taken care of someone else's needs and not my own.

Hubby and I went for a loan. The cost was $13 000 for me, I recieved about $1000 of that back from Medicare. My Dr visits and fills are covered in the doctors fees. If I had of had private health insurance it would have been more like $3000...but I dont.

My doctor offers financing through Capital One Healthcare Finance Co. with reasonable interest rates. The fee of 14,700.00 goes directly to the doctor. My doctor includes 2 years follow-up and fills for all band patients.

Rose in Texas

my band only cost 15.00 my co payment for my 1st office visit. united health care has paid 100% of everyhting, i am so thank-ful for that .

Went to Mexico and borrowed the money from our 401Ks.

$14,000 cash! I had been researching the bypass originally when a friend told me about this doc in my area who was training to do the Lap-band. I was turned down by my insurance company twice for bypass. I was an emotional wreck after fighting with them for a year. I had talked to my Mom & Grandma about all of this during this time. My Grandmother had just received an inheritance & she gave it to me. I didn't ask or anything. She said she couldn't think of a better way to spend $14,00! I'm blessed! I love my Grandma!

Put it on my credit card! Then I found an offer for 0 percent so I rolled it over on that card.

Home equity line of credit -- I remodeled my kitchen and my body in the same year.

I got a cash advance on a credit card with low interest. It wasn't that using the credit card was so smart, but the payment is about $100. a month, unless we pay more. I plan to save that much at least in groceries. But my husband felt that if I went to the hospital with health problems it would cost us more (uninsured) for a day at a US hospital than the $8,000. for Dr. Joya. I could have waited a year to save, but I had this feeling it needed to be done NOW!