Question for those of you who are several months to a year or more out...

I had a bit of a freakout moment earlier today, when I realized just how much my monthly payments on my credit card are going to be for this surgery.  I know that doing it this way will ultimately be the cheapest because I've looked around and done my research.  Being self pay is no fun! :/

Anyways, my question, in light of this panic I went into earlier, is this:  If you knew that there was a chance that you would be in debt another $10,000 because you had this surgery, and you knew that paying for it would be a huge strain on your family's financial situation, would you still do it? 

My husband told me over winter break that he would rather lose our home than see me go on unhappy and unhealthy, but I'm still feeling more than a pang of guilt for the sacrifices he will have to make with me in order for this to work out.

 Yes! 

Good Health is priceless! I don't care if I am paying on these bills for years to come in the future. I gained back my health and looking great is just the icing on the cake!

Yes. If I had to get a second job to pay it off, I'd still do it.

Money comes and goes, your health is priceless.  I would tell you to get healthy and the sooner the better.  Take those feelings and channel them into doing your absolute best with the sleeve.  Sometimes the things we pay for most dearly, are the ones we appreciate the most.  Your health should be a priority in my opinion and comes before money any day.  Get the sleeve, leave the guilt.  Use the new found health to live a happier life.

Your health is important, get healthy!  You didn't say if you worked or not but maybe if you don't work you can get a part-time job after you have recovered in order to help with making the payments.  I'm guessing you do not have medical insurance.  I think where there is a will there is a way.  Put your thinking cap on and see what comes up!

I should have been more clear.  I do have insurance, and I work about 50 hours a week as a high school literature teacher.  My insurance has an absolute exclusion for wls of any kind.

I'm not one to do anything without putting my "thinking cap" on; this was really just the best way to do it in my situation.

What a shame your insurance that kind of exclusion!  To put in that many hours a week and not be able to rely on insurance is really sad.  I know you must love your job or you wouldn't be there, in my opinion teachers are under appreciated and underpaid for the time and crap they put up with.  I have insurance that does not allow for wls either but I found a loophole in that they do have a clause about medical neccesity.  I documented every ache and pain I had for 2 years with my Dr.  then I discussed weight loss surgery with him and he was all for it..  he sent me to a couple of specialists to evaluate my aches and pains and they wrote their evaluations that basically said if the patient lost weight this would probably resolve itself..  This was what won my case for wls.  I don't know if that helps but we are in your corner!  Another thing my wls physician brought up was that vsg is known to help many diabetics be off meds within days of surgery.  I would just look for any crack I could find.  
Good Luck and get healthy....saving room for you on the bench!

Thanks so much!  Yeah, I wish there was a loophole for me to find, but even the insurance coordinators at pretty  much all of the Atlanta wls offices know that if you are a teacher in Ga, you will be self pay, end of discussion. 

I can't wait to join you guys on that bench... be there in a few weeks!

One thing for sure, after you are on real foods you will save money on groceries.  I cant believe how much we don't spend anymore.  I am a bulk buyer, I then repackage and freeze.  I am almost buying for one instead of a big eater husband and big eater wife.  Now I can buy for one and both of us eat comfortably.  Set your grocery budget now so you can see your savings later.

I am on my own and paid for surgery with a home equity loan. I can afford to make the payments, but not do much else. I feel great though and I still believe this is the best thing I have ever done for myself--even if I haven't reached goal yet..