Help, I am so FAT.. and depressed

I need help I am just looking into this surgery online. My insurance book states that it will not pay for this kind of surgery. What can I do? I can't afford it with out insurance. I also want to know about the loose skin after the weight loss. Please post me some messages on what I need to do. Thank you. P.S I weigh 315lbs and 5'5" tall.

Angie, First of all you need to CALL your insurance company and find out what they say on the surgery. My insurance book said the same thing but I got approval because it was medically nessary in less than a week. Also, you need to think of this surgery as a way to become healthy. The skin issue is there because after loosing that much weight you will have excess skin BUT you will have your health!! Look at the before and afters on the main page ALOT of people haven't had any other surgeries and they look great but more importantly feel great!!. I understand depression and worries about the surgery but most importantly for me I am having this surgery to try to live a longer better life with my family.!! Shannon

Good luck Angie...try not to get discouraged yet. I was excited about having surgery in March of 05 and found out my ins. wouldn't cover it so I waited until open enrollment the next Oct. and then switched to our company plan that does cover the surgery. Now it's May 06 and I'm almost 10 weeks post-op. Be sure to call and speak to a rep...maybe there are other ways around the exclusion.

Angie, I can relate to your concerns and emotions, I too am wanting the surgery and my benefits book states that the insurance is excluded, but I know this is something that I need for a healthier me, and things will work out!!! I suggest reading some of the profiles as there are many that have been in similar shoes as ours and have over come, it's encouraging to read the profiles realizing your not against the world all on your own, there has been many that have been the road we currently on and hoping to travel. Good Luck Angie, don't give up, as I don't give up!!!

Self insured employers can override the exclusions also so can doctors! Make sure you are following the guidelines set up by the insurance companies. Get your insurance booklet and read it for yourself. I had to go to human resources department and tell them my story and I was approved. Skin...yes it can be an issue, some more so than others. I have skin issues but I can live with them. They do not interfere with my daily living or exercising. I don't look gross (well maybe in a bikini I would!), I look normal. I may consider surgery in the future but not now. I am 59 yrs old and have worked out since 6 weeks out from my surgery. I believe that helped. I also believe the younger you are the less skin issues you will have. Don't give up and go and fight if you have to. Check out my profile I believe I have insurance issues on there.

I did NOT have any issues with my insurance at the time, but that was June of 2000. I would certainly check with your insurance company. I lost over 125lbs., and I had plastic surgery (for me) in Nov. 05', my insurance did NOT pay for this, but I have heard of others that will if medically necessary. Mine was NOT medically necessary, I just wanted to have it done. I had the circumferental (spelling), by a plastic surgeon in Charlotte, Dr. Hunstad (the best plastic surgeon ever). He actually works alot with people who have had the gastric bypass and knows what to do with the skin and fat. He actually took off 25lbs of skin and fat. Dr. Hunstad told my husband "your wife now has a butt of a 20 year old, heck I didn't have a 20 yr. old butt when I was 20. It was worth every dime.. I could see how plastic surgery could be addicting, but I'm fine with everything else, really just wanted to get rid of the fat and skin around the stomach. Good luck. ROBIN