How in the world to people afford this?

I know the cost of the surgery varies widely in the U.S., and Alaska seems to be among the highest. So you might be able to get the surgery for a lot less if you go to, say, Nevada or Florida. Even with the cost of the plane flights and some time in a hotel to recover, you might come out way ahead.

I found this page that has lots of advice:

https://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/cost-bariatric-surg ery.html

I hope you can find a way to get the surgery!

many ppl go out of the country for surgery. It is way less expensive. 10 years ago I paid 4000.00 for my entire surgery, including the hospital, surgeon fee and a few days in a hotel.

It is more than that now, no doubt but still way more affordable than in the US.

Some groups have a payment plan where you make a down payment and then so much a month.

I would suggest looking into surgery in Mexico. At least see what they have to offer and if you can qualify for a payment plan.

Some people get loans, get a second job, get a different job with better insurance, cut out unneeded expenses like cable, wait to get a new car, etc.

When I was saving up for plastic surgery I taught summer school, tutored, babysat, sold things I did not need, and made crafty items to resell.

I hope you make a plan that will help you reach your goal!!

Hey Laura, I'm in Texas too! Looking for a good surgeon. What do you give your surgeon out of 5 stars?

One more thing to consider is that if you're taking medication for high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes, you're likely to be able to discontinue it, which could lead to savings in the long term. Of course, I realise that if you don't have the money to spend now, then the possibility of savings later on doesn't help much. But if there are sacrifices you can make to get the surgery, it's probably worth it. Confirm this with your medical team, but my understanding is that people with type 2 diabetes can usually discontinue that medication right after surgery, but blood pressure takes longer (1-2 years) to come down, so you'd still be on that medication for a while. Also consider if there are any other medications you're on for conditions that would likely improve as you lose weight (such as pain medication or anti-inflammatory meds for joint problems).

Here's a survey of VSG prices for different states in 2018.

https://www.obesitycoverage.com/insurance-and-costs/how-much /average-cost-of-gastric-sleeve-surgery

According to that survey, the states with the lowest prices are:

1. Oklahoma ? $9,800
2. Arkansas ? $11,935
3. Nebraska ? $12,300

So if you could get your surgery for $12,000, and your insurance would pay half, you'd be down to $6,000 plus the cost of a plane flight and a couple of nights to recover in a hotel (which should be pretty inexpensive in those states). You could probably make arrangements to have consultations with the dietitian by Skype, and to have any preliminary blood work done locally. Take into account any tax savings, and the cost might not be quite as far out of reach.

$13,000 is a lot but totally worth it. Your quality of life will improve more than you know. Everything else becomes cheaper too. You won't have as many doctors visits after or be on meds etc. In the long haul it's your life you're investing in. I can't think of anything more worth it.

Running into the same problem. My insurance won't cover it at all. It really sucks! Wish there was an easier way.