Help me in the right direction please

My doctor gave me a referal back in April to meet with a weight loss surgeon, I didnt go because my insurance didnt cover it. Since then my heath is getting progessivly worse, I have lost my job due to layoffs, and I have terrible credit so now what????
I have done extensive research and I know that what I want and need to save my life is the lapband.........But how do I get there? It looks like going to Mexico is definalty the cheapest route but the $8,000 might as well be a million, it seems so out of reach. When I got layed off my medical was canceled not that it covered this anyhow. I have applied for DSHS medical and am still waiting to hear back, I dont even know if DSHS covers this surgery I am just desperate.
I am 30 years old, and my bmi is 52.4 I have highblood pressure, depression, severe back pain and my feet hurt all the time, I have very small hands and feet under all of this fat and I think my bones just hurt from too much weight. I also have asthma and am finding it harder and harder to do just about anything with out sweating profusly and needing my inhaler.
Does anyone have any advice?

I don't know if DSHS will cover your surgery but I am crossing my fingers for you!!

I wish I had some advice for you- I can feel your exact situation. Years before my husband joined the military I was in your exact situation. The only reason I was able to get GBS was because luckily Tricare covers it-

Before he joined the military, my doctors talked to me about specific medical lenders. he told me some of them are fairly lax with bad credit because I also have bad credit. We also thought about going to different family members and asking for money to cover the expense. I didn't pursue it then, instead dropped it because of my major depression. I don't remember the medical lenders now at all.. it's been almost 6 years since then-

I will keep my fingers crossed for you, and if you need to talk or brainstorm or want help searching, please feel free to message me!!

My only advice is to not give up!  I don't know if DSHS covers the surgery, but don't let it go until you get a really firm answer.  You might want to contact one of the bariatric surgeons offices and talk to someone there.  They may be able to tell you if DSHS covers weight loss surgery.  St. Francis' weight loss center may be a good place to start.  I wish you all the best and hope that you are able to get this done for your health and emotional well being.  Hang in there!!

DSHS does pay for WLS surgery ... but I am not sure about Lapband... I have seen RNY's get covered.  I think the UW is one of the only surgical groups in the area still accepting DSHS... at least that what I was told a week or so ago.

Good luck in your efforts to get this surgery covered.  Also, you may want to see if any of the surgical groups may take you as a "charity case" . Since your income is low.

Helen

Do you have any suggestions on how I would begin to go about finding a surgical group that takes a "charity case"?

I don't know anything about the charity case part or DSHS, but I was kinda in the same situation as you and ended up applying for Social Security Disability due to severe depression and some other stuff (physical stuff was considered too).  I was approved really quickly and even received back pay for some of the months/years I had been eligible but had resisted applying.

I am using the back pay from Social Sec to pay for my surgery, and will use the monthly checks to pay for proteins, etc, and my favorite new toy - the Magic  Bullet!

Best of Luck to you,
Amy