Clearly, credit has tightned and we are in a recession which makes self-pay an even more difficult decision. Please share your thoughts on financing and what you may have used or has the best rates and terms.:thumbup:

I used Health One for financing. It is interest free for the first 6 months, then it is 9.9% (fixed / with very high credit score) on the remaining balance. I am paying large chunks to get my balance down before the interest starts. The min. monthly payment is around $100.

I may transfer my balance after the 6 month period to my Capital One credit card because it is at 4.7 %.

I'm using Health One Visa, 401(k) loan, and distribution from my IRA to finance this. My minimum payment will be $225 a month, but plan on paying more than that, first to my Visa, then back to my 401(k). I figure I can pay it off in a couple of years. I'll just put off any new home improvement projects.

Thank you for sharing your ideas!

Hey - I went to www.surgeryloans.com. I put in my info & then was contacted by a customer service loan rep. He gave me 3 different options. The one I chose is a fixed rate of 9%, no interest if paid off in 1st year, and my payments are over 5 years. It's kind of like a car loan. From the time I filled out the online ap, till I got the money was about 1 week.

Hey - I went to www.surgeryloans.com. I put in my info & then was contacted by a customer service loan rep. He gave me 3 different options. The one I chose is a fixed rate of 9%, no interest if paid off in 1st year, and my payments are over 5 years. It's kind of like a car loan. From the time I filled out the online ap, till I got the money was about 1 week.

I went to the same site. The fees are VERY high but I figured I'll be saving money on food and my tax return will go towards that.

I financed $4,150 with surgery loans, Financed $2,000 from my 401K and the rest came from stock options that I sold. I have a $178 per month payment with the loan and $50 a month to my 401K.

Care Credit charged me no fees, spread the payments over 7 years and, obviously, no penalty for prepayments. Interest rates will vary based on your credit score, by the way.

Capital One also does surgical financing but I don't remember any of the terms etc.

I,Too, used Care Credit. The entire online process took just a few minutes and I was approved for the entire amount I needed ($12k) at no interest if I pay in 18 months (which I plan to do). No fees either.

I also used CreditCare (17,000) no interest if paid by 18 months. The only hiccup we had was 3 days prior to surgery when we had to make the final payment (we put $2000 cash down) to the hospital We call to set up the payment and they told me they DID NOT ACCEPT credit care. I about flipped. This was one of the finance companies that the doc suggested. Turned out we had to pay the doctors office that remaining amount and THEY paid the portion owed to the hopital. SHewww. Still had surgery and did not need to postpone as I thought I was going to have to do.

I also used CreditCare (17,000) no interest if paid by 18 months. The only hiccup we had was 3 days prior to surgery when we had to make the final payment (we put $2000 cash down) to the hospital We call to set up the payment and they told me they DID NOT ACCEPT credit care. I about flipped. This was one of the finance companies that the doc suggested. Turned out we had to pay the doctors office that remaining amount and THEY paid the portion owed to the hopital. SHewww. Still had surgery and did not need to postpone as I thought I was going to have to do.

I used Care Credit and had a similar scare with the hospital but my surgeon's office handled the transaction so it did not impact me at all.

I applied with Care Credit last night and was denied for $11,350 now I don't knwo what I am ging to do.

I used CareCredit and have had a HORRIBLE experience with them. The cost of my surgery was $12,500 and my payments were $224 a month for 5 years.

In July they received my payment "too early" so they applied to June's statement as a double payment. They said I still owed for July. I've been battling them since then to no avail because I paid EARLY so I ended up transferring the balance to another credit card.

OOOO, Kalipso, thanks for the warning on that "double payment". Even though I was approved for $12K, turns out the anesthesiologist does not take care credit, so I payed them cash and I will only use $10K from CareCredit for the rest.

@Finding me: I'm sorry you were denied. Is there something in your credit report that might have triggered it?

@Finding me: I'm sorry you were denied. Is there something in your credit report that might have triggered it?

The only thing that I can think of is that both of our cars our in my name. My car will be paid off in 18 months but his truck still has close to 3 yearsa on it. I am still waiting for my mom to talk to my dad to see if they will co-sign for me but it is getting down to the wire. My surgery date is March 25.

I am fortunate enough to have connections. I am a nurse at a surgery center. The surgeon gave me a deep discount. My boss only charged me for the band itself. The anesthesiologist only charge me $200 and that was only because he had to pay the CRNA. The balance was paid through Care Credit. Got approved for way more than I needed. No interest if paid in 6 months. I was very fortunate.

I am probably fortunate that I had the moneyn savings. I had worked real estate in addition to my regular job for about 5 years so I saved a little enst egg. Having said that, I have no regrets in spending the money even though there are layoffs at my job and I will give you my reasons.

A. I feel better than I have in 10 years!

B. I had the first NORMAL blood sugar reading I have had in over 10 years! WOW!

C. Everyone says how great I look and I know it is true.

D. If I have to look for a new job employers will look at me a bit more favorably,(though I am still fat) just not as fat and just overall look better!

E. I am spending a bit less on medications.

F. You can't put a price on your health.

If you have to use all your credit cards to do it and you know you can pay it back even if little by little, DO IT! If you have ahome see if you can get a 2nd mortgage ( i know not easy. ) If you have a 401K or 403B take a loan out against it. FInd all the crap in your house you don't use and sell in on e-bay or Craigs List. I mean EVERYTHING! Have a yard sale and out the money away. STart cooking more and don't go out to eat and save that money. Turn off your cell phone or cable or Netflix for afew months and start saving $$.

JUst my 2 cents. :thumbup:)