Next step for plastics.

I called insurance and there is an employer exclusion on plastic surgery, even with medical necessity. There's also an employer exclusion on bariatric surgery which is **** So it's a really good thing I had my VSG when I did!!

There is an infinitesimal chance that Art can make a case with HR for coverage due to medical necessity, but we'll need to go forward with planning that we'll be paying for everything out of pocket ourselves. With that in mind, I called today to schedule my consult with Dr. Joseph Michaels, the plastic surgeon I've chosen. I figure knowing costs sooner rather than later is important so that we can figure out how we'll pay for everything. 

I had originally figured I'd do the consult over spring break in March, but I don't want to wait that long. But it's good I called today, since the earliest I could get was February 14th anyway! He's got offices in Fairfax and Rockville which are about equidistant from me, but due to scheduling I'll be going to Rockville. 

What's the next step? Lose the 18 pounds I have left to lose and go to my appointment on Valentine's Day. The consult is free, which makes sense as the surgery is so expensive.  To recap, I'm hoping/planning to be able to have my first surgery in early June and then the second one in August so that I can be mostly fully recovered to be at full time with my BSes in September.  The classes are online, so I have a bit of flexibility.  

Deep breaths.

Hi Gwen, 

I'm a little over a year post-op, I had a LBL, BL and arm lift..

since I was also self pay we decided to do care credit which 

many Dr's accept...it's like a credit card for PS..

not ideal but I didn't have 20grand laying around and didn't see

me coming into it in the near future...

something to consider...

hope this helps...

I've been looking at Care Credit today, actually.  In theory I should be able to get zero percent financing for 24 months, and while I couldn't afford a monthly payment for the entire amount with Care Credit (I'm looking at 30-35k I believe), I could use it for maybe 10k.  Which would be useful!  

I do have savings, other sources of credit, and my mom has offered to help.. so there are a lot of balls in play here.  It's just a matter of getting it all worked out.  

I'm in a similar boat.  Plastics are absolutely not covered in my province, so it's all self-pay.  I had a couple consults in the fall and have chosen the surgeon I want to do the procedures, but to get everything done I'm looking at $42,000.  Ouch.  I'm super lucky (and eternally grateful) that my dad is able and willing to help out so I'll be scheduling an arm lift for April and an LBL for later in the fall, if all things work out as I hope they do.

Best of luck with getting coverage!  We've all worked way too hard to leave things half-finished.

Yes :)  My mom has offered to help out, but we haven't talked about specifics yet.  From the people I've spoken with who have used my surgeon, I think I'll be looking at 30-35k.  Ouch indeed!  Especially since I pay for college totally out of pocket as well.  

Hi Gwen,

I am sorry to hear your insurance is being a**es.  Take photos that really helped me but it was over 10 years ago.  It may help..  There was a women here in CA that sued her insurance company and won.  Keep us posted on how it's going

In my case, it's not the insurance company, it's my partner's employer.  So.. slightly different issue :)

That is so exciting!  Congrats!  

I know its not for everyone but Dr Sauceda was a fantastic surgeon.  He did mine in Monterey Mx and it was a great experience and SO much more affordable than the US.  I choose him because this is all he does (skin removal for post weight loss patients), I got a consult with him in the US and met several of his pateints, he uses twilight sedation and was able to do all my procedures in one go -- I very much did not want to have to recover twice.  

Me too! I'm lucky though, because my insurance will cover it (although my out of pocket will still be about $10k, insurance is saving me only $3k). I have 15-20 pounds to lose and keep off so I can hopefully have surgery in May.

Ugh I hate when they change coverage like that!

Good luck, Gwen!  What an exciting time despite the fusses.  I hope everything goes smoothly :)