Insurance excludes Bariatric surgery? Self pay help

Hi guys!

It has been a while my husband got new insurance with new job and this isurance says no to weight loss surgery. I feel sooooo depressed has anyone done self pay here in georgia. If so what Dr. did you use and did you have to sell your left kidney to afford it ......



Some advice would greatly be appreciated
Hate being so sad , your already sad becuase you live inthis body but now i feel crushed because i cant even get help. I have two kids and am a stay at home mom so spending that kind of money on myself is almost laughable!!!!!!!

It is so obvious by your page that you put your kids first.  I think by getting the surgery you still are putting them first.  Your reasons for wanting the surgery are all about giving more of yourself to your husband and your boys.  It makes total sense.  There are finance plans one is through capital one a health care finance plan you can check also with your health problems they may allow you to borrow against your 401k if you or your husband have one.  I am glad you are checking your options.  It is not laughable and spending that kind of money on yourself is the most precious gift you can give to your wonderful family.  I will keep you in my prayers and wish you nothing but blessings on your journey.

I haven't had my surgery yet but I also had an appt. with True Results on Monday and my insurance is putting me through some 6 month junk thinking that I can do a miracle and lose some weight thats a joke. Damita Delk at Dr. Hart's office told me if I finance the band it would be $274 a month like that was simple but I just wanted to vent. But I will keep my eyes open for you out there.

i am considering the self pay for sleeve gastrectomy.  Looking into a home equity line of credit  that is already established whereby at least the interest can be deducted on taxes and the payments can be distributed over time, so that as the economy  improves 2-3 years out, it can be paid off sooner.

My doctor's office provided us with information about a company who will finance the surgery.  My insurance covered the surgery, but my doctor was out of network so had to pay about $4000 before surgery and am still getting bills for uncovered things.  I did not finance that, but it was hard to come up with that much, let alone the total amount and with two kids!!!  Poor thing.

A lot of people have gone out of the country for surgery when they are self pay because it is dramatically less.  Out of curiosity I inquired once and it turns out these doctors are very reputable.  Go on the main board and ask about that and you will get some good recommendations.  If you combine that with the finance option you might save a lot of money.

Final thought on your question......I met a woman at my support group who was self pay and had financed her $40,000 surgery. She had lost 200 lbs. and ran a marathon last summer.  She said it was the best car she ever bought.  I thought that was the best testimony for wls life change I had ever heard!

I also realize that if you struggle pay check to pay check none of these options are reachable.  I hope that is not your situation and you find a way to get the help you need.  Good luck! 

You guys have been wonderful and encouraging thank you so much. Just to vent a little though . I used to be a patient of Dr. Christopher Hart and the offices sucked big time. I had my husbands old insurance that covered the surgery i did the whole 6 month thing they requested and aetna denied me but it was totally the offices fault when i tried to speak to someone they nevered returned my calls and only would e-mail me they submtted it again and they denied me again because i was supposed to be seeing the Dr all 6 months the office told me all i had to do was see the NUT and tehy knew that was wrong and tehy didnt even try to help correct it and resubmitted the same dumb paperwork. So i am extra upset because if that office would have worked with me properly i might have had the surgery already. So thanks Dr. Hart............ It breaks my heart when i read blogs on here about his office doing the same thing to people............

Sorry, I had a similiar problem with Dr. Duncan's office.  After 17 flustrating months - I went to Dr. Alvarez in Mx for a VSG.  Best decision I ever made, I have had no complications and am close to 4 months post-op. 

I was on Blood Pressure medicine and was able to completely get off the meds 2 weeks post-op. 

My insurance would pay for either the lap-band or RNY, I have UHC and finally after calling and then have to start to redo tests, because they were too "OLD", the patient coordinator said well your insurance just does not pay enough.  HUH, then why are they the supposed center of excellence for UHC. 

Research the weight loss surgery's and decide what surgery fits you best, then post on that forum for information.  I saved $16,000 by going out of the states.