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'm one year out, I'm self paid. I used CareCredit. My question to others, what did you do about office visit and fills after your one year was over? I feel like I'm been left out in the wind to dry. It's like you can't even go in for a weigh in without even being charged. It's very upsetting. So, how do you handle it?

My surgery will be $15,000. I have $2000 and the balance I am borrowing from my boss at a 3.5% interest rate which is very generous! I am doing a 2 year payoff which is very aggressive but I do not want this to linger any longer than necessary.

I got a personal loan from y bank with a 7% interest rate. I had my surgery through True Results and since I paid in full up front it covered my surgery and a year of aftercare and fills.

Just a quick note for those who HAVE NOT had your surgery yet.....ask how much it will cost to remove it should the need arise. I know it is not something you like to talk about and figure "that will not happen to me" but I am now in the position just over a year after paying nearly $18,000 to have it put in! I have been having issues that never came up as a possible problem that will possibly require removal. Espophagitis/gastritis for the past 6 months. I had a good 6 months of the band then had to have my gallbladder removed. It has been problematic every since! I am not convinced it is my band and will see the doc tomorrow about it (his office called me to come in and discuss removal ~ that is not a fun call to get!) Here I sit feeling like I made a bad investment. I worry about weight gain (glad I did not get rid of all my clothes!) I will not opt for any other surgery. WE will see what he has to say tomorrow.

My dr. Dr. Spivac does not charge. The hospital bill is around 3400.00 out of pocket for removal. If needed. Good point, I did ask.

I was lucky and got a bank loan with reasonable interest. I looked into the medical loans but the interest was staggering

My surgery cost $14,500 and this included hospital stay, anesthesiologist fees, any x-rays they ran at the hospital, 2 fluro's, free fills for the first year, and a 90 day "warranty" if you will. I had $2,000 in savings that I used. Then I used a credit card that has 0% and wrote a check from it bc my surgeon's office charges 4.6% on the amt you charge to credit. I then opened another credit card to charge the remaining amount. This card has 0% 24 months, so in my mind, it's kind of like paying same as cash. I am very careful with money and put all of my extra on these cards. I had surgery on April 25th and I've paid back about $1,500 so far. Mind you I'm in my early 20's still working 3 part time jobs, so if I can afford it, I'm sure you can find a way to do it on a salary! Good luck!!

My surgery was before the changes in the credit market. But, for what it is worth:

I was self-pay. I used care credit. My total cost was about $14,000.00. I asked a lot of questions at the hospital and asked to be released at 23 hours so I was not charged for an overnight. I think I checked in for surgery at 7 am, stayed that night, and then they "checked me out" at 6:30 a.m. but let me stay until 10 am or so until my doctor made his rounds. My doctor was at the Wish Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, but it closed a few years ago

I did mysurgeyloans.com as well, great customer service but I agree...very expensive. I do however have a word of advice for anyone using dr.gonzalez in TJ his assistant or U.S contact (dr. Serrano) can be super shady when it comes to money! All I have to say is if you use this particular dr go with cash or credit so they don't play games with you otherwise you'll end up paying in the end and I mean that littereally!

I'm one year out, I'm self paid. I used CareCredit. My question to others, what did you do about office visit and fills after your one year was over? I feel like I'm been left out in the wind to dry. It's like you can't even go in for a weigh in without even being charged. It's very upsetting. So, how do you handle it?

I know exactly what you mean. My year is up and I went in for just a weigh-in and was sent a bill for $115. I haven't addressed it with the doctor yet. I didn't even get a fill!!

FINDING ME.

Try http://www.unitedmedicalcredit.com/. I am in the process of applying for a loan with my less than perfect credit. Check out thier helpful website and good luck.