Maybe I will be paying by cash..

Well, with things being as they are I am starting to get to the point of where I am just going to pay for it out of pocket!! I am going to start calling the different Doctors and seeing what the price is just to be seen by the Doctor and such. I have, well I will have by my Birthday enough to cover the operation and a couple nights stay in the hospital. I can't wait. I have so many things I want to do when the surgery takes place.. Once I am able to move comfortably... I wanna... 1. Walk on the nature trail along 417 that runs in different directions 2. Go to bluesprings and walk the trails 3. Work out at the gym across the street 4. Pick out new cloths

Hi Heather, Look at it as in an investment for your future..a long and happy and healthy future! Be sure you talk to a few doctors and do some backround info on them. My countdown has started. I have to begin my liquid diet tomorrow. Wish me luck. Take care! Sincerely, Dawn Pre-op Surgery is 9/23/04

Hey there Heather! I am feeling the same way you are. I have went to the Wish Center and thought I was all squared away with insurance, but it turned out that the broker sold me a "discount plan" instead of insurance, and as I'm sure many of us know, a regular medical insurance group will not cover someone who is considered to be "morbidly obese" unless they are under a group plan. I have tried to purchase individual plans, and no one will take me on because they said I am "outside of their weight limit". I was thinking of financing with the wish center. It's just hard when you also have to take out student loans for school. Why can't things be easier? Well, I wish you luck and keep us posted!! ~Phoenix

Years ago I thought that WLS was not ever going to happen. After years of fighting, writing,and phone calls. I was ready to give up all hope. I called the Gov. Bush's office and the lady there told me about Vocational Rehab. I had my surgery covered 100%. Hummm just to think I had health insurance. However they had an iron Clad exclusion. I had been a prisoner to my health insurance for 15 years. Well Today I am no longer a prisoner of my insurance. Read my profile and you will understand. So yes Heather there is hope for you. Vocational Rehab.

Heather, as Sherri posted, try vocational rehab, if that is not an option for you, do what you have to do even if it means paying out of pocket. I paid out of pocket, 5 months ago, and just so you will have an idea of what you are looking at, I paid; hosptial $12,000.00, Surgeon $6,000.00, misc. copays for testing $350.00, Anesthesiologist $600.00. So I paid about $19,000.00, the good news is more and more surgeons are using medical finance companies, so that you can finance the surgery, figure $20,000.00 over 5 years, it's like a car payment. Good luck.